Hamilton Amateur Astronomers October 1997 Volume 4 Issue 11 Using Eyepiece & Photographic Nebular Filters (Part 2) his article is a continuation observing sessions. In addition, we had ENHANCEMENT WIDELY VARY. from last month and may the opportunity to consult actual obtained from the web at laboratory measurements of the Differences between brands http://www.netcom.com/~regina -r/ transmission characteristics of each were noted, but preferences were not astro.html filter, and to consult a simple visual always consistent. There is not spectroscope display, using a necessarily a BEST filter for any VISUAL TESTS OF FILTERS: diffraction grating and matching optics, specific object under all viewing to study the light wavelength responses, conditions, or with all telescopes. The primary authors of this to correlate the lab measurements to the Some observers liked the more natural website -- Waldee and Wood -- have telescope tests "under the stars." Our effects of the filters with gentle cutoff many years' experience with both visual tests indicated in general that: slopes; others appreciated the high and photographic use of the appropriate OPINIONS ABOUT VIEWING (Continued on page 5) types of these filters, and have even devised and conducted an extensive series of double- blind tests of visual filters, with a group of four observers Asian Astronomy 101 with varying degrees of viewing experience (age 14 to the late 40s), to kay class, settle down. You the five elements. evaluate their performance in in the back - the one with the moderately light- polluted skies. Our earring - pack that up and do Just as Westerners have methodology was to use a selection of it on your own time. traditionally divided matter into four filters with several identical brand and subgroups, the Chinese recognize five focal length oculars, which were All right. As an introduction basic substances : fire, water, metal, handed in the dark to an intermediary to the course, let's take a look at how wood, and earth. But the analogy with who did not know which one was being the earliest Asian astronomers viewed western thought isn't complete because tested; these were inserted quickly into our solar system. This means we'll be t h e A s i a n c o n c e p t i n c l u d e s the focuser of our test telescopes so that thinking primarily about the Chinese interrelationships between the elements. only 3 or 4 seconds elapsed between because they've left us the oldest and There are producing, or promoting filters being tried by a third party, the most numerous records. relationships (for example, water observer. This is not as precise as the promotes the growth of wood) and method employed in a Feb. 1991 Like other astronomers from controlling relationships (water ASTRONOMY Magazine article in ancient civilizations, the Chinese were extinguishes fire). Thus, the five which a virtually instant change was extraordinary naked-eye observers. elements are also seen as five phases of made using a specialized mechanical They kept careful track of what the a continuous cycle that includes all switching contraption (similar to the Greeks called planets - literally matter. new Multiple Filter Selector recently "wandering stars". The fact that there introduced by Lumicon), but it it closest were five visible planets fit in very well Since we have five phases and to the normal process used in typical with a concept that has been popular in five moving planets, it's only natural to China for thousands of years : that of (Continued on page 4) Editorial page 2 Time to Renew page 6 inside... Rob'serving Report page 2 Magazine Discounts page 6 Robert Burnham page 3 Winter's Finest Sights page 7 The "Pistol Star" page 4 November Night Skies page 9 Page 2 Editorial or the November issue of said that I would have another "Ask the Event Horizon please send Expert" column. My only excuse is that your articles and pictures to with limited space I had to choose our new editor, Tracy Webb, at between the column and the late webb@physics.mcmaster.ca. After breaking news about the "Pistol Star". I editing our newsletter for two years it is think you will agree that I made the vent Horizon is a publication time for me to take a break. I would like right choice. The image on page one of of the Hamilton Amateur to thank everyone who has contributed this issue is of the star and its Astronomers (HAA). to the newsletter making my job a lot surrounding nebula. The star is the easier. Next month's issue will list all object in the middle of the second The HAA is an amateur the new councillors and their duties. paragraph about "Asian Astronomy astronomy club dedicated to the You will find my name still on the list 101". promotion and enjoyment of astronomy in another position. for people of all ages and experience In last month's issue I neglected to levels Doug Welch passed along mention that the front cover photograph information about a very interesting was the massive star Eta Carina. The cost of the subscription is web site. If you have a Web browser, included in the $15 individual or $20 check out the following URL for the Stewart Attlesey family membership fee for the year. CIA's official historian's account of the attlesey@interlog.com Event Horizon is published a minimum history of "agency" involvement with of 10 times a year. UFOs. http://www.odci.gov/csi/ studies/97unclas/ufo.html HAA Council Chair Doug Welch Before you say anything, I know I Second Chair Grant Dixon Honorary Chair Jim Winger Secretary Patricia Baetsen Treasurer Barbara Wight ob'serving Education Dir. Grant Dixon Obs. Dir Rob Roy eport Editor Stewart Attlesey Tony Wallace has graciously Binbrook Conservation Area observing Recorder Tracy Webb agreed to take over as Observing night, with an attendance of about 15 Membership Dir Ann Tekatch Director for next year. If there are other people or so (12 cars!) I thought HAJA Coord Rosa Assalone candidates forthcoming, they will have something was amis s with Jupiter when to fight it out in a November election. If I saw only two satellites in the early Councillors Tony tells you that I threatened him and evening. A quick check of the RASC Alan Shinn his fa mily, don't believe him. I wouldn't Handbook showed that both Io and Bill Tekatch dream of harming his family. Europa were occulted until about 10:30 pm. Web Site How many of you saw the http://amateurastronomy.org/ occultation of Saturn by the Moon at This is my last report. It has 07:05 on Sept.18? If you didn't get up been a real learning experience- armed to see it, you didn't miss much. The sun with 4-6 magazines, Skygazer's had risen too high and it was too bright Almanac, RASC Handbook and to be a spectacular sight. Between a Calendar, trying to figure out what's bright sky and a bright Moon, Saturn happening each month. I hope that was not very visible. An observing spot some of you have found the information much further west would have been useful. better, delaying the onset of the rising sun. I'm sure glad I hadn't bothered with I purposely delayed some of any photography equipment, as I had the best events until now. Jupiter is originally planned. putting on a great show in November. You should get out and enjoy the sights Friday, Sept. 26, was a very successful Jupiter is providing. It won't be with us (Continued on page 3) Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 3 Rob'serving Report ... (Continued from page 2) * 15- Hunter's Full Moon. evening this month (eight, if you much longer as it slowly drops further * 19- Moon occults Aldebaran in look down.) Pluto is too near the into the western evening twilight. There early morning. sun's line of sight to be visible. will be a double AND a triple shadow * 21- Orionid Meteor Shower peaks * Mercury is visible low in the SW in crossing as well as the occultation of a ~7pm. the evening by mid-November. moderately bright star. * 26- Venus and Mars only 2 deg. * Venus is brilliant in Nov/Dec, apart. going from half-Venus at mid-Nov. Jupiter's Satellite Shadow Crossings * 26@2am- Fall back to Eastern to a crescent by mid-Dec. It is very Standard Time (UT-5hr=EST) colourful because its light is The first time is the start of the passing through a great deal of the shadow crossing (ingress) and the November earth's atmosphere so close to the second is the end (egress). Only one of horizon. the shadow's ingress and egress times * 2- Taurid meteors peak ~6pm. * Mars is is close to and slightly west may be listed because of the time of * 3@19:38- Double shadow crossing of Venus for Nov.- low in the SW. evening twilight and Jupiter's setting * Jupiter is near the meridian at dusk, time. Times are Eastern Daylight Jupiter. setting at about 10:30pm. See Savings up to Oct. 26. Thereafter, times * 6@2am- Venus at greatest eastern calendars above for several are back to Eastern Standard Time. elongation in western sky (47 deg.) interesting events. * 9- Mars passes near Lagoon * Saturn is visible in Pisces almost Oct. 12 Europa 22:26--->01:15 Oct. 13 Nebula, M8. all night, setting at 3:30am. Rings Oct. 20 Europa 01:01--->* * 10@21:34- Triple shadow crossing span 45" and are tilted 10 deg. to Oct. 20 Io *---> 20:04 Jupiter. us. Oct. 27 Io 18:43EST--->20:59 * 11@7pm- Near full Moon 0.4 deg. * Neptune & Uranus are a few Oct. 30 Europa *--->18:45 N of Saturn (occulted in SE USA) degrees west of Jupiter. Nov. 3 Ganymede 17:58--->21:35 * 12@21:30- Jupiter occults 6th * Pluto not visible in November. Io 20:38--->22:55 magnitude star SAO164156 Double crossing from 20:38--->21:35 * 15- Aldebaran 0.5 deg. S of full Nov. 6 Europa 18:32--->21:21 Moon. Rob Roy Nov. 10 Callisto 21:10--->* * 17- Leonid meteor shower peaks. Observing Director Ganymede 21:59--->* We're close to the 33-year peak in royrg@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Io 22:34--->* 1999. Triple crossing from 22:34 to dawn * 28- Mercury at greatest eastern Try to compare darkness and size of the elongation in western sky (22 deg.) three shadows! Nov. 12 Io *--->19:20 Nov. 13 Europa 21:08--->* * Seven planets are visible in the Nov. 19 Io 18:59--->21:16 Nov. 28 Io *--->17:40 For other events, such as Robert Burnham Jr. eclipses, occultations and transits of satellites search the table in the "RASC ost amateur astronomers are the discovery of Comet Burnham Handbook" or "Sky and Telescope". At familiar with the three 1958a. It was his comet discoveries that the beginning of November check volume set of books called lead to him being hired at Lowell between 22:30 and 04:30 UT. At the Burnham's Celestial Handbook. Very observatory to work on a "proper end of November between 22:30 and few of those same people know much motion" study of stars. 03:00 UT. Jupiter is setting about about the author though. It came as as The Celestial Handbook began 20min. earlier every week. To get your surprise to many that Robert Burnham as a series of notes about the many local EST subtract 5 hours from the UT died a few years ago in obscurity. Even objects in the night sky and were shown for each event after Oct. 26. his own family was unaware that he had originally for his own use. By the end died. of 1957 his notes had grown to over Monthly In-Sights Burnham gained a small 1,200 pages and was finally finished by measure of fame with the co-discovery 1965 while working at Lowell October of a comet on October 18, 1957. The next year he was given sole credit for (Continued on page 8) Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 4 The "Pistol Star" ubble Identifies What May behind the great dust clouds along the Burning at such a dramatic Be the Most Luminous Star Milky Way. rate, the Pistol Star is destined for Known. certain death in a brilliant supernova in The Pistol Star was first noted 1-3 million years. "Massive stars are Press Release No.: STScI-PR97-33 in the early 1990s, but its relationship to burning their candles at both ends; they the nebula was not realized until 1995, are so luminous that they consume their Astronomers using NASA's when Figer proposed in his Ph.D. thesis fuel at an outrageous rate, burning out Hubble Space Telescope have identified that the "past eruptive stages of the star" quickly and often creating dramatic what may be the most luminous star might have created the nebula. The events, such as exp loding as known -- a celestial mammoth which Hubble spectrometer results confirm supernovae," said Mark Morris, a releases up to 10 million times the this conclusion. UCLA professor of astronomy and co- power of the Sun and is big enough to investigator. "As these stars evolve, fill the diameter of Earth's orbit. The The astronomers believe that they can eject substantial portions of star unleashes as much energy in six the Pistol nebula was created by their atmospheres -- in the case of the seconds as our Sun does in one year. eruptions in the outer layers of the star which ejected up to 10 solar masses of Pistol Star, producing the nebula and an The image, taken by a material in giant outbursts about 4,000 extreme stellar wind (outflow of University of California, Los Angeles and 6,000 years ago. The star will charged particles) that is 10 billion (UCLA)-led team with the recently continue to lose more material, times stronger than our Sun's." installed Near-Infrared Camera and eventually revealing its bare hot core, The Pistol Star would be Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) sizzling at 100,000 degrees. aboard Hubble, also reveals a bright (Continued on page 10) nebula, created by extremely massive stellar eruptions. The nebula is so big (four light-years) that it would nearly Asian Astronomy 101 ... span the distance from the Sun to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star to Earth's (Continued from page 1) One thing that can be said solar system. associate the two. But which names for about Chinese astronomers -- they which planets? Obviously, Mars is the called them as they saw them. The astronomers estimate that fire star, and brilliant Venus must be Subsequent generations of stargazers when the titanic star was formed one to connected with metal. That leaves are now left with evocative names such three million years ago, it may have water, wood, and earth. Ironically, the as "silver river" for the Milky Way, and weighed up to 200 times the mass of the ancients chose to make Mercury the "broom star" for comet. Sun before shedding much of its mass water star. Wood and earth went to in violent eruptions. Jupiter and Saturn, respectively. Even our own planet -- Damn! "This star may have been more Because knowledge of the massive than any other star, and now it Excuse me, you in the front, outer planets came in comparatively is without question still among the most can you go down the hall and see if recent times, the Chinese names for massive -- even at the low end of our there's any more chalk? them are simply translations of the estimates," says Don F. Figer of UCLA. Roman ones. Thus Uranus is known as "Its formation and life stages will "sky king star" and Neptune as "sea provide important tests for new theories "Professor" Denise Kaisler king star". Even though the concept of about star birth and evolution." kaisler@soback.kornet.nm.kr Hades is not common to Asian cultures, Violent Eruptions Produce Nebula Pluto's translation ("dark king star") is still quite apt. The UCLA astronomers estimate that the star, called the "Pistol Star" (for the pistol shaped nebula surrounding it), is approximately 25,000 light-years from Earth near the center of our Milky Way galaxy. The Pistol Star is not visible to the eye, but is located in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, hidden Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 5 Using Nebular Filters ... (Continued from page 1) universally useful -- as some advertisers well- done; contrast of the filters with the sharpest would insist -- if optics and seeing are curves. Filter transmission percentage superb . All in all, eyepiece filters are The Planet Observer's Handbook by was not always detectable. Small indispensable tools in the observer's Fred Price, Cambridge University differences in the transmission quest to detect more information than is Press; percentage of a given brand of filter available in a casual glance. What were not necessarily detectable under brands should you buy? We advocate SOFTWARE: the conditions employed in which a 3 - testing filters during star- party or 4 second lapse occurred between observing sessions until you are sure a Eyepiece 2.5 Light Edition (DOS switching ocular / filter, using identical specific filter will meet your needs. freeware) Telescope parameter brand and type filters. In other words, Reputable dealers and manufacturers program for determining the exit pupil viewers could not always reliably tell will have a reasonable return policy. of eyepieces with respect to appropriate which filter had a 10% loss, or a 15% nebular filters, and prime -focus loss, at the precise wavelength of a REFERENCES: exposure times for Messier objects. The nebula. However, we concluded that approximately 360-kB file is available the alternate "instant switching" method FILTERS: free. would have surely shown such differences. Yet, the eye - brain Nebular filters for viewing and Copyright 1997 Stephen R. Waldee - quickly compensates for slight visual astrophotography: available in a large All Rights Reserved. This article -- and differences of perception, and variety of sizes and models for Waldee images -- may not be reprinted "readjusts" to the view presented. As in eyepieces, guiders, and camera lenses without FIRST obtaining permission: every product, 'you get what you pay from the The Lumicon Company On- contact us by email at the address for': but the most careful and Line Catalog, and for eyepieces and specified below. Last modified at: experienced viewer is likely to be able camera lenses from the Orion 8/27/97 at 11:22 am PDT. to spot the differences in filters. Exit Telescope and Binocular Center Online pupil size was quite critical to viewing Catalog. For More About Filters, Consult Our success. If the exit pupil was too big, Beginners' Astrophotography Page. Or, the result was a poor enhancement of PUBLICATIONS: try our own series of Waldee-Wood contrast and little improvement. Astro-Links Eyepiece 2.5 Light Edition, Conversely, if the exit pupil was too Visual Astronomy of the Deep-Sky by the author's DOS freeware program for small, the background was very dark, Dr. Roger N. Clark, 1990, Sky calculating the appropriate exit pupil and the filter made little improvement, Publishing; chapters 2 & 3; for filter use, is available ONLY over since the image was already too dim. the Internet. Consult the "Download While calculation "by the numbers" Night Sky Pollution: Measurement, Info & Sites" page at the WALDEE- using our program or published filter Evaluation and Reduction by Filter by W O O D A S T R O N O M I C A L recommendations is not always exactly Dr. Jack Marling of Lumicon SOFTWARE website at: predictable, it certainly provides a Company; Livermore, California; http://www.netcom.com/~regina-r/ means of understanding the acceptable Proceeding of Riverside Telescope astro.html range of magnifications in a given Makers Conference, RTMC80, pp. 56- from which you may download the telescope, over which a filter will work 81; excerpted by permission of the software from US or European servers. well. author in our DOS freeware program Redscope 4.03 with Double Stars & Yours, CONCLUSION: Deep-Sky Objects, a free edition we Steve Waldee recently prepared for readers of our Copyright (c) 1997 Stephen Eyepiece filters for nebular website; Waldee - All Rights Reserved contrast enhancement will provide a Comments/Questions? Contact Steve boon for observers who view in regions Reviews of nebular filters may be found at: where there is any visu al light in the February, 1991 issue of apodizing@juno.com pollution; some models will help Astronomy Magazine (Kalmbach identify specific objects (such as small Publishing Home Page), and the July, planetary nebulae or dark nebulae) and 1995 issue of Sky & Telescope (Sky will reduce upper atmospheric skyglow. Publishing Home Page.) We did not Colored eyepiece filters will be of always replicate the findings of their occasional help for viewing enhanced reviewers, but the reports are quite planetary detail, but may not be as thought- provoking, and are generally Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 6 Time to Renew Membership Renewal November 1, 1997 - October 31, 1998 Name: ___________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Province:___________________Postal Code: __________________ Phone number: _(______)________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________ Type of membership: Individual $15.00/year Family $20.00/year Voluntary Donation: $___________ (tax receipts will be issued) Total: $___________ Please make your cheque payable to: Hamilton Amateur Astronomers P.O. Box 65578 Dundas, Ontario L9H 6Y6 Membership renewals are due November 1, 1997 We may publish a membership list for our own members' use only. If you do not wish your name to appear on this, please check here: Magazine Discounts for HAA Members As a member of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers you are eligible for subscription discounts for the following magazines: Sky & Telescope: $37. U.S. funds per year (12 issues) Astronomy Magazine: $35. U.S. funds per year (12 issues) If you are interested in subscribing to any of these magazines or wish to renew an existing subscription at club rates, please contact - Ann Tekatch at 575-5433 email:tekatcba@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 7 Winter's Finest Sights his is the third and last series to an LX200 user-friendly table They are easily seen in a 3-inch. installment of a 3-part that has no RA and Dec co-ordinates. 74. Alpha Piscium is a tight, white pair, "Finest Sights" series which All 105 objects are ready for keypad 3 seconds apart. first appeared in Sky and Telescope entry. I would be pleased to send a 75. Gamma Andromedae is one of the from Nov/1965 to Jan/1966. The copy on request. finest coloured doubles, orange and authors, James Mullaney and Wallace blue. At 10 seconds separation, it is McCall, had spent five years carrying Description of Objects visible in all apertures. out a visual survey of every conceivable 76 & 77. NGC 869 and 884 make up 70. M31. The great Andromeda galaxy object down to -40 degrees declination. the double cluster in Perseus. Rated as is finest representative of its class. the finest open clusters for small Although the main instrument Scopes up to 6-inch show a bright, telescopes, they are superb in many. was a 13-inch refractor, the 100 or so hazy, featureless ellipse. Some dark Contrasting star colours are discernible star clusters, red stars, nebulae, galaxies structure can be seen in a 13-inch and in larger scopes. and multiple stars in the list were larger. 78. Iota Cassiopeiae is a fine triple, examined in instruments ranging from 71. NGC 253 looks somewhat like with blue-white companions 2.5 and 7 3-inch to 30-inch. They are listed in M31, but smaller. seconds from the yellowish primary. increasing R.A., from 0 to 8 hours using 72. Eta Cassiopeiae has yellow and Scopes 6-inch and above are needed. Epoch 1950 co-ordinates, which are reddish-purple components which are 79. Gamma Ceti. Attractive close (3- only approximate for 1997/98. Simple about 10-seconds apart. second) pair. programs to convert to Epoch 2000 are 73. Gamma Arietis is a pair of equally 80. Theta Eridani, although very close available. I have converted the entire bright white stars, 9 seconds apart. to the horizon at our latitude, is a brilliant pair of white stars 9 seconds Object/ Right Declination Magnitude Type of Object apart. Constellation Ascension 81. 32 Eridani's components are yellow and blue-green, separated by about 7 70 M31 And 00:40 41.0 5 Spiral galaxy seconds. Colour contrast is vivid in 71 NGC 253 Scl 00:45 -25.6 9? Spiral galaxy medium to larger scopes. 82. NGC 1535 is a small, pale blue- 72 Eta Cas 00:46 57.6 4, 8 Double star green disk with a faint central star. A 6- inch at 100x shows it but not the star; a 73 Gamma Ari 01:51 19.1 5, 5 Double star 13-inch reveals both. 83. Rigel is a blue-white star with a 74 Alpha Psc 01:59 02.5 4, 5 Double star white, much fainter companion 10 seconds away. It is just resolved in a 3- 75 Gamma And 02:01 42.1 2, 5, 6 Triple star inch. 84. Eta Orionis, a bright white pair only 76 NGC 869 Per 02:16 56.9 4 Open cluster 1.5 seconds apart, needs a 10-inch for 77 NGC 884 Per 02:19 56.9 5 Open cluster separation. 85. Lambda Orionis is a 5.5-second pair 78 Iota Cas 02:25 67.2 5, 7, 8 Triple star of white stars. 86. Theta Orionis. This beautiful 79 Gamma Cet 02:41 03.0 4, 6 Double star multiple system is embedded in the Orion nebula. Six components are 80 Theta Eri 02:56 -40.5 3, 4 Double star visible in a 4-inch. 87. M42, the Orion nebula, is the finest 81 32 Eri 03:52 -03.1 5, 6 Double star diffuse nebula in this survey- a 82 NGC 1535 Eri 04:12 -12.9 9 Planetary nebula magnificent sight! Even a 3-inch reveals darker areas and long filaments 83 Beta Ori 05:12 -08.3 0, 7 Double star in this bright green nebulosity. 84 Eta Ori 05:22 -02.4 4, 5 Double star 88. Iota Orionis, a 12-second pair, is a fainter version of Rigel, with a hint of 85 Lambda Ori 05:32 09.9 4, 6 Double star dim nebulosity. In the same field is the 86 Theta Ori 05:33 -05.4 - Multiple star (Continued on page 8) 87 M42 Ori 05:33 -05.4 ? Diffuse nebula Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 8 Winter's Finest Sights... Object/ Right Declination Magnitude Type of Object vision. Constellation Ascension 100. Castor. The two very bright, blue- white stars form a close binary whose 88 Iota Ori 05:33 -05.9 3, 7 Double star separation is just under 2-seconds. The faint third star, a minute of arc away, is 89 Sigma Ori 05:36 -02.6 4, 6, 7, 10 Multiple star orange and just visible in a 3-inch at 150x. 90 Zeta Ori 05:38 -02.0 2, 4, 9 Triple star 101. Kappa Puppis, easy in a 3-inch, is 91 M37 Aur 05:49 32.6 6 Open cluster a 10-second pair of white stars. 102. M46 is a uniform cluster of faint 92 Theta Aur 05:56 37.2 3, 8 Double star stars. On its northern edge is NGC 2438, a dim ring nebula visible in a 10- 93 M35 Gem 06:06 24.3 5 Open cluster inch. 94 Beta Mon 06:26 -07.0 5, 5, 6 Triple star 103. Zeta Cancri is an attractive but difficult triple. A 4-inch shows only 95 UU Aur 06:33 38.5 5-7 Red star two components about 6 seconds apart. The three, all yellow, are well resolved 96 12 Lyn 06:42 59.5 5, 6, 8 Triple star in a 10-inch at 320x. 97 Alpha CMa 06:43 -16.6 -1, 9 Double star 104. Iota Cancri is an orange star with a blue neighbour 31 seconds away. 98 Delta Gem 07:17 22.1 4, 8 Double star 105. M67 is a rich swarm of rather faint stars, resolved in a 4-inch, is a fine sight 99 NGC 2392 Gem 07:26 21.0 8 Planetary nebula in a 6-inch. 100 Alpha Gem 07:31 32.0 2, 3, 10 Triple star Submitted by Rob Roy 101 Kappa Pup 07:37 -26.7 4, 5 Double star Observing Director royrg@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca 102 M46 Pup 07:40 -14.7 9 Open cluster 103 Zeta Cnc 08:09 17.8 6, 6, 6 Triple star 104 Iota Cnc 08:44 28.9 4, 7 Double star 105 M67 Cnc 08:48 12.0 6 Open cluster (Continued from page 7) star in the list. The components, all double Struve 747. yellow-white, form a triangle of 10- Robert Burnham 89. Sigma Orionis is a multiple star, seconds greatest extent. Easy in a 6- three components being easily seen in a inch. Jr... 3-inch, four in a 6-inch. The bright star 95. UU Aurigae is a bright, very red has a very difficult close (0.3 second) carbon star, more vivid in an 8-inch (Continued from page 3) companion. than in a 13-inch. Observatory. 90. Zeta Orionis has a bright close (2.5 96. 12 Lyncis is a triple system, nice in second) companion and a distant faint a 6-inch. The survey, that was to be his one, all three being blue-white. 97. Sirius, the brightest star other than only job in life, ended in 1979. During 91. M37 is the finest of the great open the sun, dazzles the eye with its blue- his employment he and Norm Thomas clusters in Auriga. It is rich and white brilliance. Under excellent discovered 9,000 high motion stars, uniform, resolved in a 4-inch at 40x, conditions, the white dwarf companion several comets, 1,500 asteroids, 2,000 and has an orange star near its center. can just be seen in an 8-inch at 280x. new white dwarf suspects and 92. Theta Aurigae, a very unequal, 98. Delta Geminorum is a 7-second pair thousands of variable stars. After close (3-second) pair; difficult in any with yellow and reddish-purple Lowell his only source of income was a scope much smaller than 10 inches. components. meager amount of money from book 93. M35, a large, uniform, and bright 99. NGC 2392 is a vivid blue planetary sales. star cluster, needs at least a 30-minute nebula with a bright central star. It is Robert Burnham disappeared field for a good view. easy with a 6-inch at 100x, and a 13- in 1985 and died a pauper in 1993. 94. Beta Monocerotis is the finest triple inch at 600x permits dark structures in See www.phoenixnewtimes.com the disk to be glimpsed with averted for a fascinating story about Robert Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 9 November Night Skies Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Page 10 Cosmic Voyage o: Hamilton Amateur developed a new software called the special mailing in the next two weeks Astronomers "Virtual Director" to help them create that will include information about the these images. film and also an invitation to our VIP Hello, my name is June preview screening on Oct. 28, where Kurzinger. I'm with the Ontario The film opens to the public the producer/writer/director - Bayley Science Centre. We'd like to tell you on Nov. 1 and will be part of a number Silleck will be with us for the evening about the upcoming launch of our new of COSMIC VOYAGE related to answer questions. OMNIMAX (Imax Dome) film weekend activities including a COSMIC VOYAGE at our new performance by the Canadian Children's We look forward to seeing OMNIMAX Theatre on November 1. Dance Theatre, a laser company called your group at the Science Centre for We think this film would be of Design International, a demonstration this exciting new Omnimax film. particular interest to your Astronomy by the Royal Astronomical Society of Club. It has had excellent response Toronto and a comet-making display by If you are interested in from the astronomy and computer our Ontario Science Centre hosts. attending this event, please contact animation communities and other Grant Dixon at 627-3683 science centres and museums. We will be sending you a The film is loosely based on the 1960s/70s National Film Board The "Pistol Star" ... film, POWERS OF TEN. It takes the viewer from a drop of water on a leaf into the tiniest matter known to man -- (Continued from page 4) question current thinking about how the quark. It then takes a cosmic zoom visible to the naked eye as a fourth stars are formed. out into the universe where it talks magnitude star in the sky (which is Visit http://oposite.stsci.edu/ about superclusters of galaxies, the quite impressive given its distance of pubinfo/PR/97/33.html for more universe, and the "big bang" theory. 25,000 light-years) if it were not for information. The film uses a number of ground- interstellar dust clouds of tiny particles breaking elements in the world of between the Earth and the center of the computer animation to blend live action Milky Way that absorb the star's light. footage with computer-generated The Pistol Star was so massive images. In fact, the production team when it was born that it brings into CALENDAR OF EVENTS Friday, October 17, 7:30 PM COUNCIL MEETING - At the home of Barb Wight. Call Doug at 525-9140 Extension 23186 if you are interested in attending. Monday, October 20, 7:00PM HAJA MEETING - McMaster Burke Science Building, room B148. Topic TBA. For more information contact Rosa Assalone at 540-8793 Tuesday, October 28 COSMIC VOYAGE - Preview screening at the Ontario Science Centre. See the article above for more information. October 31 and November 1, 8:00 PM BINBROOK OBSERVING SESSIONS - Proposed observing nights. For confirmation or directions call Rob Roy (692-3245) or Ann Tekatch (575-5433) Thursday, November 6, 8:00 PM ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA Hamilton Centre - General Meeting - Spectator Building auditorium. Friday, November 7, 11:59 PM EVENT HORIZON DEADLINE - Please submit your articles and pictures to Tracy Webb, webb@physics.mcmaster.ca Friday, November 14, 7:30 PM HAA GENERAL MEETING - at the Spectator Building auditorium. The speaker will be Paul Delaney of York University who will speak on recent results from Mars. Parking lot observing, weather permitting. Monday, November 17th, 7:00PM HAJA MEETING - McMaster Burke Science Building, room B148. Topic TBA. For more information contact Rosa Assalone at 540-8793 Event Horizon - Hamilton Amateur Astronomers