September 2011 - Miami Valley Astronomical Society

Page 2MVAS Officers & CommitteePresident -Robert Connell - 937-367-4688Vice President -Jim Ventling - 937-376-2074Secretary -Joe Tarkany - 937-848-5946Treasurer -David Orth - 937-241-3101Membership Director-Carl Allen - 937-898-6152Observatory Committees -AO - Charles Shirk 937-718-4066JB - Dave Polan 513-313-3817.Qualifications Committee -William Trost - 937-846-1001Events and Outreach Coordinator-Pat Johnson 937-671-3001Librarian- / Programs-Beth Meece - 937-426-1068Astronomical League (Alcor)-Alan Zucksworth - 937-256-6822John Bryan Observatory Phone937-767-8478The Miami ValleyAstronomical Societygeneral meeting is held onthe second Friday of eachMonth (except June) in theApollo Observatory of theBoonshoft Museum ofDiscovery at 7:30PM.Miami Valley Astronomical SocietyBoard Meeting Minutes - August 5th 2011President–Bob ConnellNext year AR 8-9 June 2012Web development in discussion for push local astronomicalcommunication to club membersHospitality for August meeting TBDVice President–Jim VentlingLaser collimator at JB is not working we are looking fora replacementVoted yes for a Hotech collimator It will be orderedTonight’s sky video will be available for August fromNASAAstronomy VacationSecretary–Joe TarkanyNeed News letter materialTreasurer–Dave OrthBalance on hand $ 10,027Details about budget availableMembership–Carl Allen92 MVAS membershipsApollo Observatory–Charles ShirkNot presentDrive presently not workingJohn Bryan Observatory–Dave PolanFence line light screen.Painting will be doneCutting grass volunteers appreciatedEvents—Patrick Johnson Not presentCampers stargazes handouts are available at the parkofficesDates for Campers stargazes August 6 th 20th and September3rdBellbrook Stargaze at the Community Center is October8 th

Page 3Bellbrook Stargaze at Soccer fields near driving range date not available at this timeCaesars Creek Perseus Meteor shower August 13 thNight Sky Network presentation is being worked.On line services from Night Sky Network is being worked onPrograms–Beth MeeceMVAS shirts and hats are being looked into. Set up fees for every run so watch for availabilityOur speaker for the July 8th general meeting will be Steven Gomer from Cedarville CollegeMonte Carlo simulationsSeptember Joe Childers Cosmic RaysQualifications–William TrostNew keys in progressNon-Board CommitteesAstronomical League (Alcor)–Alan ZucksworthMuseum–Cheri AdamsNight sky Network new kits available “life elsewhere”Heliostat reported now recordingAdjourned 9:00Editors note______________Editor Joe TarkanyPlease submit materials about amateur astronomy tojoe.tarkany@mvas.orgThe Amateur Astronomer is a publication of the MiamiValley Astronomical Society of Dayton, OhioThis new format has errors and I plan on making thiswork. Once the format is complete a template can besaved. Please send suggestions or corrections.(Continued on next page)

Page 5M27 – The Dumbbell Nebula in VulpeculaBy John GrahamTelescope: Meade LXD75 SN6Luminance: Meade DSI Pro III, 30x60xec, IDAS LPS-2 FilterColor: Meade DSI III, 20x60sec, Orion Imaging Skyglow FilterGuide scope: Meade DSX-90, DSI Pro II, PHDSoftware: Envisage, Autostar Image Processing, Nebulosity, PhotoshopM27 (Mv 8.1) is one of the largest and brightest planetary nebula is the northern sky.During September M27 is high overhead during the early evening and it’s fairly easy tofind even with a small telescope. First locate the star that marks the tip of the little constellationof Sagitta, the arrow, then sweep due north about 3 degrees. Planetary nebulalike M27 also respond very well to light pollution filters because most of their radiation isemitted in two very narrow regions; H-alpha (red) and O-III/H-beta (blue-green). Somelight pollution filters suppress the red H-alpha, but most pass the blue-green O-III/Hbetaradiation to which your eye is very sensitive.

Page 6CAMPERS STARGAZE for September 3rdThis is the last Campers Stargaze For 2011In the past years the Campers Stargazes at John Bryan State Park havebeen led by Wade Allen. He was there for most of them for more then thirtyyears. Wade went to the campers tents before the star gazes to make themaware of our event. He then gave an introductory to Astronomy slide showand led them to the telescopes away from the campground lights in the parkinglot across from the Day Lodge. Wade passed away last winter. We appreciatedhis work and amazed at his diligence.The July 9th Stargaze was a success. Hand outs were made available at thePark office. They still had to be hand carried to the campground. Over adozen telescopes were available for about forty people. We stayed late oruntil a -8 Iridium Flare passed.If MVAS members need a telescope for these events there are telescopesowned by the MVAS that have been to this parking lot. They are stored atthe observatory. The big 16 inch DOB moves on a truck and takes at leasttwo people to lift it. It was there last year. The Saturn Telescope(4 inch refractor),the ten inch DOB, and the Celestron eight inch have also made thetrip.Saturn, Albireo, Ring Nebula, Keystone Cluster (M13), M92, M3, M5 will beearly targets. If it gets dark enough the Whirlpool Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxycould be seen. You can use the map on the next page.Remember to check for satellites http://www.heavens-above.comI hope to see you at the CAMPERS STARGAZE September 3rd

Page 7THE MIAMI VALLEY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETYSeptember Observers HighlightsFirst quarter: 13:39, 04 SeptemberFull moon: 05:27, 12 SeptemberLast quarter: 09:39. 20 SeptemberNew moon: 07:09, 27 SeptemberSep 03 - Mercury At Its Greatest Western Elongation(18 Degrees)Sep 17 - Asteroid 1 Ceres Opposition (7.6 Magnitude)Sep 23 - Autumnal Equinox, 09:04 UTSep 25 - Uranus At Opposition