Vesta!

We are currently near opposition with Vesta, the fourth asteroid discovered and the second most massive object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This huge lumpy rock was discovered in 1802, as you might have heard at Sandra Macika's talk on Thursday. Right now, since it's near its closest to Earth, it's very bright and easy to find.

It's even easier to find, because it's right near the very bright and very beautiful white and gold double star Algieba, in the constellation Leo. Here's how to get there.

First, find the main stars in the constellation Leo. It's to the east of Mars, in Cancer, which should be very easy to spot, and north and to the west of Saturn, which is in Virgo. See this map, derived from the March 2010 SkyMaps sky map:



Next, find Algieba, aka Gamma Leonis. From there, Vesta is very easy to find using binoculars or a telescope with very low magnification. This chart, created with Starry Night, is for tonight:



Vesta is not moving very fast through this field, so it should remain easy to spot using this chart for a few more days - you will notice its position among the "fixed stars" changes.

Sky and Telescope have a great observing guide to allow you to follow Vesta's path through the sky in coming weeks. Print it out and keep it handy for your observing sessions. Download it here.

Enjoy! Make sure to share your observations with the group.

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Important: Nominations and Elections - October 15, 2009

Elections were conducted October 15, 2009, and the proposed candidates have been duly elected.

It's now October, which means that it's Election Month for the Warren Astronomical Society. All but one of the board members are term-limited out of their current office, so it's a wide-open field for those interested.

Here are the necessary duties for each position. An officer can delegate these duties to someone else, but is responsible for seeing that the duties are carried out.

President:
The president's job is to preside over the twice-monthly general meetings and the monthly Board of Directors meetings, appoint all committee chairmen and authorize payment of all bills. All club expenditures in excess of $100.00 must be approved by the president.
Candidate: Gary M. Ross

G. M. Ross was/ is First Vice-President for 2008 and 2009. His first Society meeting was in early 1962. He sporatically attended in the 1970s, but did not join until recently at the urging of Brian Klaus.

His goals as President:

1. continue the excellent work per se of those who have been President in this decade,


2. encourage those who know little about astronomy or even natural science to join and just as importantly to attend, and


3. discourage imperial over-reach which has damaged other organisations.

First Vice-President:
The first vice-president is the Program Chair, who recruits and manages the guest speakers for each meeting, including the end-of-year Banquet. The first VP can also preside over meetings in the absence of the president.
Candidate: Jon Blum

Jon Blum has been a member of the Warren Astronomical Society since 2004. He has presented talks to our club about choosing a telescope, astronomy gadgets, and astronomy in New Mexico, Texas, Maui, and Scandanavia.

The job of the First Vice President is to schedule speakers for our meetings. Jon's goals in that position for the coming year will be to continue the excellent work of past VP's in scheduling our wonderful members to speak, provide more information for members about upcoming speakers, limit speakers to no more than one hour, help all members get to know each other by name, and help new people at every meeting to learn more about our club so that they will want to become members.

Second Vice-President:
The second vice-president, or Observatory Chair, oversees and maintains Stargate Observatory and all equipment owned by the club. The second VP can also preside over meetings in the absence of the president.
Candidate: Bob Berta

Bob Berta is a candidate for 2nd Vice President. The duties include maintaining and scheduling events and open house public observing at the clubs Stargate Observatory. In addition the position involves outreach to scouting organizations, schools, the Detroit Metro Park representatives, etc.

Bob says: "I have served two terms as club secretary, two terms as 2nd Vice President and 2 terms as President. I am again running for this office because I enjoyed it when I was in the position before and felt I made some major improvements and made additional contacts. I also have several ideas for additional upgrades to the club observatory as well as completing the repairs that were started in 2009."

Treasurer:
The treasurer maintains a current list of club members and their addresses, collects dues ad other monies, is accountable for the receipt and disbursement of club property, makes a written report of the club's accounts at each monthly board meeting, files all necessary tax and financial records for the club, and sign all checks. The treasurer also sells club merchandise and runs the 50/50 raffle at each meeting.
Candidate: Jonathan Kade

Jonathan Kade was the 2008-2009 secretary and has been a member of the Warren Astronomical Society since 2007.

His goals as treasurer for 2010 are securing registered nonprofit status for the W.A.S., providing online membership and renewal forms, issuing new membership cards and member handbooks, and expanding new member services.

Secretary:
The secretary does more than take minutes at the general meetings; the minutes from the monthly board meetings are actually the most critical part of the job. Secretarial duties taking membership counts at meetings, writing "beg letters" for the annual banquet, keeping the board informed of issues at work, and communication with members.
Candidate: Therese Oldani

Therese Oldani has an active member since 2003.

Therese says, "My goals are to help to continue the engaged productive efforts our board has developed in the past, and to help in any way I can to keep the energy going. I responded to the need by being asked to run for secretary. I'm interested in serving the other members of the board, the members of WAS at large with a wide scope on the greater outreach of astronomy in the public venue. I bring a creative eager spirit to the board and promise to learn the role of secretary to the best of my abilities."

Publications Officer:
The publications officer is responsible for the monthly production of the offical WAS newsletter, the WASP, and other official WAS publications, such as the upcoming 2011 50th anniversary retrospective. This does not mean it's a one-man job; the WASP can be the joint effort of a team of writers, designers, and editors, all under the guidance of the publications chair. (The WASP editorship is technically a separate position under the jurisdiction of the publications chair.)
Candidates: Stephen Uitti

Outreach Officer:
The outreach chair is responsible for club communications with the outside world: scout groups, other clubs, and the press.
Candidate: Diane Hall (incumbent)

Diane Hall became Outreach Director in 2009 and has been a member of the Warren Astronomical Society since 2007.

Her goals as the outreach chair for 2010 are solidifying a relationship between the W.A.S and Metro Beach Metropark, using that relationship as a base to serve the club's "home territory" of Macomb County, and to expand the membership of the W.A.S. by reaching those who are intimidated by the tech-happy side of astronomy.

As you see, most candidates are running unopposed. Nominations for office will be accepted right up to the election, which will take place at the Thursday (Macomb) meeting on October 15. Special voting arrangements, most likely via phone, will be made for those attending the WAS Star Party in Cadillac that evening. All candidates for office must be members in good standing of the WAS-- no guests, sorry. You must also be a member in good standing to vote.

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Our First Annual Inter-Club Picnic - July 25

The Warren Astronomical Society invites Michigan astronomy club members and their families to our annual picnic and the grand reopening of Stargate Observatory.

WHAT'S UP?

Family day and family night
Games, nature walks, fishing, sky tours – for club members and their families only!

Camping
Bring your tent or your pop-up trailer and spend a night under the stars!

Observing
It's a new-moon weekend, so bring your biggest scope and test the limits of our skies.

Stargate
Take a peek through our classic, hand-built 12.5” classical Cassegrain telescope under an all-new roof and freshly refinished dome, or use all 22” of the Big Dob's aperture.

Messier Contest
Twenty-five summer objects chosen by WAS Awards Chair Larry Kalinowski will be your targets. There are two entry groups: for those using computer assist and for those using manual telescopes.

All you have to do is slew to the correct object, get it in the center of the eyepiece, and call out for a judge, who will check it off your list. You will have one hour to complete the course, earning fame (a Messier Contest Winner badge from Larry) and fortune (half of the gate receipts). If the hour elapses before anybody finishes, shame on us - but the observer with the most finds will win.

The entrance fee is a measly single dollar. Preregistration is requested but not required.

WHEN?

July 25th, from 2 PM to the wee hours.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Your own:

• chairs
• tables
• picnic blanket
• picnic basket
• maybe a dish to pass.

We will provide soft drinks, shelter, hot dogs, condiments, snacks, and grills. Tents/campers optional.
NO ALCOHOL PLEASE.

Contact Therese Oldani ( ), WAS Picnic coordinator, for more information or if you have anything to contribute.

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Stargate Observatory Reroofing - Plan of Action

Here's the plan, as it stands, for improving the roof on Stargate Observatory. It's a full moon weekend, so the perfect time to work on the observatory. We are going to fix Stargate's roof once and for all so we can put our 12.5" telescope back into full action. Work will begin at approximately 12 noon daily.

Steps:

• having the dome lifted with a crane


• removing all the shingles and the top boards


• adding 2x6s to raise the dome a bit higher


• adding flat boards at a steeper angle to help water roll off more easily


• reshingling


• replacing the dome

Proposed schedule:
July 3 we will be removing the dome and starting tearoff work.
July 4 we will begin to add the new supports and replace the sheathing.
July 5 we will complete the shingling and hopefully replace the dome.
Of course, we'll get as much done as we can each day.

Equipment needed:

• extension cords


• shingle rippers


• belt/disc sanders


• etc.

We have a portable table saw, cordless circular saw and sawzall, cordless and corded power drills, various hand tools, etc. Suffice it to say that it will be better to have extra tools than to have to go and retrieve/buy more tools.

There have also been rumors that a grill or two may be fired up for sustenance, but we'll figure that out later.

Obviously, this is not primarily a recreational event, but if you have experience doing roofing work (or just a desire to help), we would love to have your assistance. Right now, three members are signed up for the work - the more volunteers, the quicker, more enjoyable, and more successful it is likely to be.

Help of any kind is appreciated, whether you can bring tools, snacks, or just yourself. But PLEASE RSVP so we can make sure everybody is present, so you don't have to stand around waiting.

Currently, the dome sits on a flat roof:

The flat part collects a lot of water, which means leaks:


(The drawing is not to scale - the flat part isn't quite so large in reality.)

The plan is to remove the shingles and the flat board, then add 2x6s to the 2x12s which will raise the dome 5.5 inches.





We will then add the sheathing on top of the new 2x6s, which will help water stream off.


Here are some additional angles on the existing structure:



In the end, the new roof will look something like this:


Once the structural changes are complete, we will add new white shingles.

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Blaine McCullough, R.I.P.

We are saddened to report that "Astro" Blaine McCullough, thirty-year Warren Astronomical Society member, former W.A.S. President, and a key member of the W.A.S. family, had a severe stroke last week and passed away Tuesday morning, June 30.

Though Blaine had had health issues for some time, he showed great dedication to the Society and to observing, attending open houses and meetings regularly. He joined us for his last star party up in Cadillac two weeks ago and spent several happy days among friends. We will miss him.

Funeral arrangements:
Visitation:

Sunday July 5th 5-9pm
Monday July 6th 1-9pm

at:
Lyle Elliott Funeral Home
31730 Mound Rd - just south of Chicago (13 1/2 mile)
Warren MI 48092

The funeral is Tuesday at 10:00 AM. Contact us for details.

Photo by Rick Gossett.

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ISS Alert! Transit Tonight at 6:45 PM

Since the ISS will be near the sun, it is not safe to look for it during the daylight using binoculars. Please don't risk your vision by pointing unfiltered optics towards the sun.

WAS member John Kriegel sends this alert: the International Space Station will transit across the sun from Metro Detroit today. If you have a solar filter and a safe way to view it, don't miss this rare opportunity. He provided the image of the ISS's path below:



He says,
"This image is from a NASA applet, that calculates sighting opportunities. I just happened to be using it in a "non-standard" form where it shows each pass whether it can be seen from the ground or not and there is an option to draw the projected path through a virtual sky and just happened to notice that it passed in front of the sun a few seconds after 18:45:27 today."

Since the ISS will be near the sun, it is not safe to look for it during the daylight using binoculars. Please don't risk your vision by pointing unfiltered optics towards the sun.

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The Warren Astronomical Society At The Texas Star Party

The Texas Star Party is one of the pre-eminent observing star parties in the world. Hosted every spring for twenty-seven years at Prude Ranch, a family-owned hundred-year-old guest ranch deep in the desert, the star party draws hundreds of attendees from all over the country. Excellent skies and desert conditions make for the best observing many attendees ever get.

Six members of the Warren Astronomical Society attended this year's Texas Star Party in April:


From left to right: Jim S, Bill B, Phil M, Joe R, Dave D, and Jon B.

Jon has chronicled their adventures at his web site, but he put together a brief presentation and a handout that he gave at the May Cranbrook meeting. By popular demand, he has provided both documents for this site:

The presentation file

The handout, with excellent instructions and background on the star party if you are interested in attending.

To excerpt just a bit about the logistics of the event:

You'll need to apply to go to the TSP by the January before the event, in order to be in the group from which they randomly select the 700 people they allow in any year. This year there was no need for that advance application, because far less than 700 people wanted to go. The price is $50 if you register by mid-March, or $150 if you register later or if you pay at the door (assuming they are not full and you can still get in). If they have over 700 people apply, they will let you know by email in February whether you were accepted or not.

When you apply online for the TSP, you'll also have to apply at the same time for accommodations at the Prude Ranch. There is enough "covered housing" (motel rooms and bunkhouses) for about 300 people, and they are chosen randomly from those who apply. Everyone else stays in tents or campers, or off of the property.

Prices per person per day are:

Camping $9.25
RV $19.50
Bunkhouse $40
Family cabin $56 ($50 if 3 or 4 people)
Motel room $77 ($62.50 if 3 or 4 people)

Lunch and dinner are included in covered housing, or cost $160 for the whole week if you are staying in a tent or RV.

Motel rooms have 2 double beds and a bathroom with a small shower. If nobody brings their own bed, and you put more than two people in a room, then somebody will have to share a double bed.

WAS astroimagers scored some real trophies on this trip. Phil Martin's f/2 (!) rig obtained amazing wide-field shots, like the sword of Orion:


(See more of Phil's TSP photos at his new WAS gallery.)

Bill Beers got his own great images - nebulae, galaxies, and planets, among them M17, the Swan Nebula.

(See more of Bill's photos here.)

Dave D'Onofrio got several excellent shots as well, which will be posted as soon as he has finished final processing on them.

2010's TSP will be held from May 9-16. If you're looking for some great observing, sightseeing in the desert and at the observatory, and great companionship with your fellow WAS members, consider attending. Jon and other alumni will be happy to assist if you have any questions.

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