Документ взят из кэша поисковой машины. Адрес оригинального документа : http://www.atmob.org/newsletters/NL_Jan2011.pdf Дата изменения: Sat Mar 12 08:27:27 2011 Дата индексирования: Mon Oct 1 20:21:15 2012 Кодировка: Поисковые слова: m 8

STAR F IE L D S
N e w s le tte r o f th e A m a te u r T e le s c o p e M a k e rs o f B o s to n In c lu d in g th e B o n d A s tro n o m ic a l C lu b E s ta b lis h e d in 1 9 3 4 In th e In te re s t o f T e le s c o p e M a k in g & U s in g Vol. 23, No. 1 January 2011

S c ie n tis ts b e lie v e th a t f o r th e f irs t tim e , th e y a re a c tu a lly w itn e s s in g th e b irth a n d g ro w th o f a b ra n d n e w b la c k h o le o f a s p e c if ic ty p e . A n e x p lo d in g s ta r w a s f irs t s p o tte d b y a n a m a te u r a s tro n o m e r, G u s J o h n s o n , o f M a ry la n d , in 1 9 7 9 . S in c e th is f ir s t o b s e rv a tio n , th e s ta r h a s b e e n re p e a te d ly lo o k e d a t b y o rb itin g x ra y o b s e rv a to rie s , a n d th e a c c u m u la te d s to ry n o w p o in ts to a n e w b la c k h o le th a t h a s f o rm e d . " T h is m a y b e th e f irs t tim e th a t th e c o m m o n w a y o f m a k in g a b la c k h o le h a s b e e n o b s e rv e d ," according to Abraham Loeb of Harvard, a co-author of the paper d e s c rib in g th e n e w b la c k h o le , As s ro le th e i w ho ig n if ic a n t a s th i th a t a n a m a te u r n itia l e v e n t a n d th e n w e re a b le s a n n o u n c e m e n t is , w h a t c a u g h t m y e y e is th e a s tro n o m e r h a d in th is d is c o v e ry - h e n o tic e d p a s s e d th i s in f o rm a tio n o n to p ro f e s s io n a ls , to b rin g s p e c ia liz e d e q u ip m e n t to b e a r.

P e rh a p s th e b ig g e s t o rg a n iz a tio n d e d ic a te d to p ro f e s s io n a l a m a te u r c o lla b o ra tio n is th e A m e ric a n A s s o c ia tio n o f V a ria b le Star Observers, which was founded in 1911- a century ago- here a t H a rv a rd O b s e rv a to ry . M a n y m e m b e rs b e lo n g to a n d m a k e v a ria b le s ta r o b s e rv a tio n s . A n u m b e r o f o u r m e m b e rs h a v e b e e n in v o lv e d in p ro -a m c o lla b o ra tio n s ; s e v e ra l m e m b e rs h a v e ta k e n p a rt in a s te ro id o c c u lta tio n m e a s u re m e n ts w ith in th e p a s t f e w y e a rs (a n d h a v e b e e n re c o g n iz e d in p e e r -re v ie w e d jo u rn a l a rtic le s ), a n d s e v e ra l o th e rs h a v e b e e n in v o lv e d in th e C la y C e n te r O b s e rv a to ry a n d th e M a ria M itc h e ll O b s e rv a to ry w o rk a s v o lu n te e r a s tro n o m e rs . A m a te u rs h a v e b e v e n th o u g h th is o f w id e -f ie ld ro b o p p o rtu n itie s a re e e n p ro lif ic c o m e t d is c o v e re rs f o r c e n tu rie s , b u t o p p o rtu n ity is s ta rtin g to f a d e , w ith th e a d v e n t o tic p ro f e s s io n a l te le s c o p e s , o th e r p ro -a m ju s t s ta rtin g .

T h is M o n th 's M e e tin g ...

Thursday, January 14 , 2011 at 8:00 PM Phillips Auditorium Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Parking at the CfA is allowed for the duration of the meeting. Probing the Universe with Galaxy Clusters: New Windows from New Technologies
O u r s p e a k e r, M a rk B a u tz , w ill d is c u s s re c e n t o b s e rv a tio n s o f g a la x y c lu s te rs th a t a re b e g in n in g to p ro v id e n e w in f o rm a tio n a b o u t th e h is to ry o f th e c o s m o s . A k e y to th is p ro g re s s h a s b e e n th e s tu d y o f th e s e o b je c ts u s in g te le s c o p e s o p e ra tin g a t m illim e te r, v is ib le , in f ra re d a n d X -ra y w a v e le n g th s . D r. B a u tz w ill o u tlin e th e p o te n tia l im p a c t o f th e s e re s u lts o n o u r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f c o s m o lo g y , a n d re v ie w s o m e o f th e n e w te c h n o lo g ie s th a t h a v e m a d e th e m p o s s ib le , c o n c lu d in g w ith a summary of future prospects for this line of research. D r. M a rk B a u tz is a S e n io r R e s e a rc h S c ie n tis t a t th e M IT K a v li In s titu te f o r A s tro p h y s ic s a n d S p a c e R e s e a rc h , w h e re h e s e rv e s a s A s s o c ia te D ire c to r. H e h a s b e e n d e v e lo p in g in s tru m e n ta tio n f o r X -ra y a s tro n o m y f o r o v e r tw e n ty y e a rs , a n d h a s w o rk e d o n X -ra y c a m e ra s f o r a n u m b e r o f s p a c e o b s e rv a to rie s , in c lu d in g N A S A 's C h a n d ra X -ra y O b s e rv a to ry . H is c u rre n t re s e a rc h in te re s ts c o n c e rn n e w X -ra y im a g in g d e te c to r a n d o b s e rv a tio n a l s tu d ie s of clusters of galaxies.

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H e lp in g to f in d e x o p la n e ts is a n e x c itin g h ig h -e n d a m a te u r p ro f e s s io n a l c o lla b o ra tio n - th e p ro f e s s io n a ls ju s t d o n 't h a v e th e te le s c o p e tim e to lo o k c a re f u lly a t a ll th e p ro m is in g s u n s th a t m a y h a v e p la n e ts re v o lv in g a ro u n d th e m . T h is is a v e ry e x a c tin g p u rs u it, b u t f o r th o s e w ith g o o d s k ills , e q u ip m e n t a n d th e in te re s t th e re is a re c e n t b o o k " E x o p la n e t O b s e rv in g f o r A m a te u rs " (s e e h ttp ://b ru c e g a ry .n e t/b o o k _ E O A /x .h tm ) a n d a ls o a w e b s ite w ith s u g g e s te d s ta rs f o r o b s e rv a tio n ( h ttp ://w w w .tra n s its e a rc h .o rg ). M o re m o d e s t b u t s till v e ry u s e f u l p ro -a m w o rk in c lu d e s c o n tin u o u s w e a th e r a n d p h o to m e tric o b s e rv a tio n s o f th e p la n e ts in o u r S o la r S y s te m , a n d e s p e c ia lly f o r p la n e ts th a t tre n d c lo s e r to th e S u n , w h e re p ro f e s s io n a l te le s c o p e s a re p ro h ib ite d to lo o k . A n d y o u c a n d o u s e f u l o b s e rv a tio n s e v e n th o u g h y o u m a y n o t h a v e a n y e q u ip m e n t! D a ta f ro m n a k e d e y e o b s e rv a tio n s o f m e te o r s h o w e rs is u s e f u l to th e p ro f e s s io n a l c o m m u n ity to h e lp p in p o in t th e ra d ia n t a n d th e re f o re y ie ld in f o rm a tio n a b o u t th e d is trib u tio n o f d e b ris in th e c o m e t tra il th a t is c a u s in g th e m e te o r s h o w e r. A ll y o u n e e d to d o is to h a v e th e m o tiv a tio n to ta k e a c c u ra te o b s e rv a tio n s a n d th e n p a s s th is in f o rm a tio n a lo n g . L e t's re m e m b e r th a t tw o h u n d re d y e a rs a g o , m a n y - o r e v e n m o s t a s tro n o m e rs w e re a m a te u rs , s e lf -s u p p o rte d a n d p u rs u in g a s tro n o m y p u re ly f o r th e ir o w n s a tis f a c tio n . O u r c lu b is s itu a te d c lo s e to m a n y p ro f e s s io n a ls a n d is w e ll k n o w n b y th is c o m m u n ity . F o r th o s e w h o w a n t to w o rk w ith p ro f e s s io n a ls , th e re

President's message...
N e w B l a c k H o l e d i s c o v e r e d b y a m a t e u r [... ] . A s t r o n o m e r s u s i n g N A S A 's C h a n d r a X - r a y O b s e r v a t o r y h a v e f o u n d e v i d e n c e o f t h e y o u n g e s t b la c k h o le k n o w n to e x is t in o u r c o s m ic n e ig h b o r h o o d . T h e 3 0 -y e a r -o ld o b je c t p r o v id e s a u n iq u e o p p o r tu n ity to w a tc h a black hole develop from infancy.


are many opportunities for collaboration; the only limit is the time and effort we want to put into it. Keep looking up.

~ Bernie Kosicki, President ~

December Meeting Minutes . . .

"Wake Up Call" Over the past couple of decades researchers have established that asteroid and comet impacts have changed the course of evolution on Earth (notably the asteroid collision of about 65 million years ago). This revelation has resulted in great interest in discovering/cataloging the population of potential Earth impacting asteroids, and has made asteroid impacts a feature of the popular press and Hollywood movies. Dr Stokes began the presentation, "Discovering Near-Earth Asteroids," with moving images showing the dichotomy of how most people think of the solar system (simple, uncluttered, planetary orbits) and the reality of millions of objects of various sizes filling the spaces people think of as open space. He also commented on some of the known larger objects and summarized some of the known large impact craters including the Chicxulub crater off the Yucatan Peninsula, 65 million years ago, Manicouagan (120km 200 million years ago) and Barringer crater in Arizona (50m NickelIron, 50k years ago). He put into perspective the large-scale changes that happened to the earth, but also the time scale of the event and the relatively short period of human civilization. He told us that Earth impacts are not unusual. They have happened before, and they will happen again. Recent examples including the impact at Tunguska, Siberia, (a 50m rubble pile) in 1908 and more recently the Peekskill Meteor in 1992 and the impact of Comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 in 1994. In 1998, Congress mandated that NASA locate and identify 90% of all Near Earth Objects (NEOs) 1km or larger in diameter by 2008. The success of LINEAR lead to a change in that goal to discover 90% of all NEOs 140m or larger by 2020. Dr. Stokes presented asteroid impact risk information showing that damage for asteroids of less than 1.26km, the risks in terms of human casualties are relatively small. The damage estimates remain about the same regardless of land or water impact. The asteroid populations can roughly be divided into Armageddon (>7km, ~7@10km), Deep Impact (700m-7km, ~300@2km) and Tanguska (under 700m, ~50,000@140m). Much of the damage from very large asteroids comes from the splashed material from hyper velocity impacts. The History of Asteroid Discoveries The first asteroid was discovered in 1801 (Ceres). Others were found but the rate of discovery before the late 1990s was slow due to the painstaking observations necessary to discover them. Technology-wise, photography replaced hand drawn maps in the 1890s. The next big advance was in the 1980s when CCD sensors came into play. Since then, with the automated surveys, with improved sensors and computer processing (late 1990s), discovery rates have skyrocketed. Potential discoveries are reported to the Minor Planet Center (MPC) located at the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The MPC maintains web pages of NEOs and lists new NEO candidates for follow up observation and confirmation. There is also a page on potentially hazardous asteroids. The MPC correlates observations of known objects and assigns designations to new discoveries. "Awareness is the First Step" Applying Space Surveillance Technology to asteroid/comet detection and impact warning for Earth was identified as a

Photo by Al Takeda Illustration courtesy Dr. Grant H. Stokes

Lecture: "Discovering Near-Earth Asteroids" The December meeting of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston featured Dr. Grant H. Stokes, head of the Aerospace Division of MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He is responsible for the laboratory's programs in space control and electro-optical systems and technology, and he directs the development and operations of the LINEAR program. Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project is a cooperative project between the United States Air Force, NASA, and MIT's Lincoln Laboratory for the systematic discovery and tracking of near-Earth asteroids. LINEAR has become the world's premiere asteroid search capability, finding ~50% of the near-Earth asteroids discovered since 1998. Dr. Stokes holds a Ph.D. degree in physics from Princeton University and is a member of the International Astronomical Union. Dr. Stokes was recently a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). He was the Chairman of the 2006 SAB Summer Study on Space Survivability. He chaired the 2006 Science and Technology Review of the VS Directorate of Air Force Research Laboratory and the 2007 review of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Dr. Stokes was honored with the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his four years of service to the Air Force Science Advisory Board. Dr. Stokes supervised the demonstration of the first space-based space-surveillance system to Air Force operations and has initiated programs to develop next-generation technology for establishing Space Situation Awareness. These programs include the Space Surveillance Telescope, which will provide a 3.5-meter aperture prototype ground-based space surveillance search system, and a program to upgrade the Haystack Radar to W-band operations, yielding high-resolution radar images of satellites.

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p o te n tia l U S A F m is s io n b y th e U S A F S c ie n c e A d v is o ry B o a rd (S A B ) re p o rt o n S p a c e S u rv e illa n c e , D e b ris , A s te ro id s a n d C o m e ts in 1 9 9 6 . L in c o ln L a b s d e v e lo p e d la rg e f o rm a t (1 9 6 0 x 2 5 6 0 ), h ig h ly s e n s itiv e C C D u p g ra d e f o r A ir F o rc e G E O D S S o p tic a l s p a c e s u rv e illa n c e s y s te m . It tu rn s o u t th a t th is w a s w e ll s u ite d f o r a s te ro id a n d c o m e t d e te c tio n a n d w a s 1 0 x b e tte r th a n o th e r s y s te m s a t th e ti m e . T h is w a s in s ta lle d o n 1 m e te r w id e f ie ld G T S -2 te le s c o p e s . T h e s y s te m w a s b u ilt a t th e E x p e rim e n ta l T e s t S ite (E T S ), S o c o rro , N M a n d h a s b e e n o p e ra tio n a l s in c e M a rc h 1 9 9 8 . T h e v a lle y lo c a tio n w a s c h o s e n f o r its d a rk s k ie s . L IN E A R te le s c o p e s o b s e rv e e a c h p a tc h o f s k y 5 tim e s in o n e e v e n in g w ith m o s t o f th e e f f o rts g o in g in to s e a rc h in g a lo n g th e e c lip tic p la n e w h e re m o s t m a in a s te ro id b e lt a n d e a rth c ro s s in g N E O s w o u ld b e e x p e c te d . T h e s e n s itiv ity o f th e ir C C D s , a n d p a rtic u la rly th e ir re la tiv e ly ra p id re a d o u t ra te s , a llo w s L IN E A R to c o v e r la rg e a re a s o f s k y e a c h n ig h t. T h e n ig h tly L IN E A R D e te c tio n S y s te m c o n s is ts o f a c o m p o s ite o f 5 ra w d is c o v e ry f ra m e s (3 0 m in b e tw e e n f ra m e s , 1 s q u a re d e g re e p e r f ra m e , 1 0 0 s e c o n d s o f in te g ra tio n ). T h e s e im a g e s a re c o n tr o lle d b y a s e a rc h s c h e d u le r a n d f o llo w -u p s c h e d u le r w h ic h g u id e th e m o u n t a n d o p e ra te th e c a m e ra c o n tro l s y s te m . T h e s ig n a l p ro c e s s in g a n d d e te c tio n a lg o rith m ta k e s th e in p u t d a ta ru n n in g it th ro u g h a re g is tra tio n s y s te m , b a c k g ro u n d s u p p re s s io n a n d n o rm a li z a tio n , b in a ry q u a n tiz a tio n , c lu s te rin g a n d v e lo c ity m a tc h e d f ilte rin g , f in a lly re s u ltin g in a d e te c tio n lis t. T h e s e a rc h is o p tim iz e d to f in d o b je c ts in N E O a n d in th e asteroid belt down to better than 20th magnitude. The area s e a rc h e d is a b o u t 1 2 0 0 s q u a re d e g re e s a n ig h t (e n tire s k y c o v e re d in a m o n th ). In itia lly , L IN E A R n e e d e d to c o o rd in a te d ire c tly w ith B ria n M a rs d e n a n d G a re th W illia m s o f th e M P C to o p tim iz e th e re p o rtin g . T h e f irs t m o n th o f L IN E A R re p o rtin g p ro d u c e d 1 0 x th e o b s e rv a tio n s o f a n y p rio r m o n th . T h e M P C n e e d e d to ra m p u p c a p a b ilitie s o n c e L IN E A R b e g a n s u b m ittin g o b s e rv a tio n s b e c a u s e o f th e s h e e r v o lu m e . L IN E A R a ls o im a g e d w h e re o th e rs h a d n o t d a re d to im a g e (e .g . th ro u g h th e M ilk y W a y ). L IN E A R ty p ic a lly o p e ra te s 2 0 -2 5 n ig h ts a m o n th , o n ly m is s in g a f e w d a y s o n e ith e r s id e o f th e n e w m o o n . D r. S to k e s th e n p re s e n te d a s e rie s o f s lid e s s h o w in g th e p ro g re s s io n o f L IN E A R s k y c o v e ra g e a n d d is c o v e rie s m a d e f ro m 1 9 9 8 th ro u g h 2 0 0 9 . D r. S to k e s c o n c lu d e d h is d is c u s s io n o f th e L IN E A R p ro g ra m w ith a c h a rt o f L IN E A R D is c o v e ry S ta tis tic s a n d a n a n im a tio n o f a s te ro id d is c o v e rie s y e a r b y y e a r f ro m 1 9 9 8 to th e p re s e n t s h o w in g th e a m a z in g n u m b e r o f k n o w n a s te ro id s a n d th e ir o rb its . T h e L IN E A R s y s te m h a s p ro v e n to b e a re lia b le s u p p lie r o f d is c o v e rie s o f N E O s , c o m e ts , u n u s u a l a s te ro id s , a n d m a in -b e lt a s te ro id s . In e v e ry y e a r it h a s o p e ra te d , L IN E A R h a s b e e n a k e y c o n trib u to r to th e d is c o v e rie s o f la rg e N E O s . L IN E A R h a s d is c o v e re d m o re th a n 2 2 0 0 N E O s a n d is re s p o n s ib le f o r 4 0 % o f th e o b s e rv a tio n s in th e M in o r P la n e t C e n te r's d a ta b a s e . L IN E A R h a s d is c o v e re d m o re th a n o n e th ird o f a ll k n o w n N E A s to d a te , n e a rly h a lf o f la rg e N E A s , a n d m o re th a n 4 0 % o f a ll k n o w n p o te n tia lly h a z a rd o u s a s te ro id s . L IN E A R h a s a c h ie v e d th is s u c c e s s b y a g g re s s iv e ly s c h e d u lin g th e te le s c o p e s f o r a s m a n y n ig h ts a s p o s s ib le e a c h lu n a r m o n th a n d b y c o v e rin g th e e n tire a v a ila b le s k y a t le a s t o n c e e a c h m o n th . L IN E A R h a s c o n trib u te d

to th e s c ie n tif ic c h a ra c te riz a tio n o f th e N E O p o p u la tio n th ro u g h a n a n a ly s is o f th e n u m b e r, o rb ita l p ro p e rtie s , a l b e d o p ro p e rtie s , s iz e s , a n d im p a c t h a z a rd s o f th e N E O p o p u la tio n . D r. S to k e s c o m m e n te d f u rth e r s u m m a riz in g s o m e o f th e in te re s tin g d is c o v e rie s L IN E A R h a s m a d e . L IN E A R d o e s n o t d is c rim in a te a b o u t w h a t ty p e o f o b je c ts a re re p o rte d , a n d o u t b e y o n d J u p ite r, c o m e ts lo o k ju s t lik e a s te ro id s . C /1 9 9 9 S 4 L in e a r, a c o m e t w h ic h w a s d is c o v e re d in S e p te m b e r 2 7 , 1 9 9 9 b y L IN E A R , w a s o b s e rv e d b y H u b b le to e x p lo d e a n d " v a n is h " o n J u ly 2 6 , 2 0 0 0 (c o v e r a rtic le in S c ie n c e , 1 8 M a y 2 0 0 1 ). A n o th e r in te re s tin g o b je c t is a c o m e t -lik e a s te ro id P /2 0 1 0 A 2 w ith a ta il p o s s ib ly c re a te d b y a c o llis io n . T h e d o w n s id e o f p ro lif ic d is c o v e rie s a n d w e b -b a s e d d a ta b e in g a v a ila b le , h o w e v e r, is th e m is in te rp re ta tio n b y th e m e d ia a n d s e n s a tio n a lis a tio n o f " n e a r m is s " p a s s e s (e .g . 2 0 0 4 A S 1 /A L 0 0 6 6 7 , 1 7 M a rc h 2 0 0 4 F H , a n d 9 9 9 4 2 A p o p h is ). F o r a s te ro id s w h ic h m a y p a s s c lo s e , d e ta ile d o b s e rv a tio n s a re b e in g d o n e to re v is e o rb its a n d p ro b a b ility o f im p a c ts . W ith in c re a s e d a c c u ra c y o f th e s e o b s e rv a tio n s , a c tio n c a n b e ta k e n a s n e c e s s a ry . F o r e x a m p le , th e p ro b a b ility o f a 2 0 3 6 impact of 99942 Apophis has been reduced from 1-in-45,000 to 1-in-250,000. We can also observe when these object pass th ro u g h " k e y h o le s " w h ic h in d ic a te lik e ly im p a c t w ith th e E a rth . T h e " R e a l" R is k S u m m a r y : T h e a s te ro id c o llis io n th r e a t is re a l a n d p ro g ra m s s u c h a s L IN E A R a re in s u ra n c e a g a in s t th e ris k . A s in d ic a te d b e f o re , a w a re n e s s is th e f irs t s te p . N e x t, th e th re a t n e e d s to b e c h a ra c te riz e d (ris k to lif e /p ro p e rty , f re q u e n c y ). E a rth a tm o s p h e re e f f e c tiv e ly re m o v e s s m a ll im p a c to rs u p to a b o u t 5 0 m (d e p e n d in g o n c o m p o s itio n ). W ith o u t o u r a tm o s p h e re , th e E a rth 's s u rf a c e w o u ld h a v e a c ra te re d lo o k v e ry s im ila r to th e M o o n . T h e n w e n e e d to c a ta lo g u e la rg e o b je c ts a n d p ro p a g a te o rb its o v e r d e c a d e s to s e a rc h f o r p o s s ib le k n o w n ris k s . In a d d i tio n , w e n e e d to s ta tis tic a l c h a ra c te riz e th e s m a lle r o b je c ts . F in a lly , m itig a tio n d e c is io n s b a s e d o n u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th re a t c a n b e a c te d u p o n . L IN E A R 's ra te o f re tu rn h a s le s s e n e d b e c a u s e m o s t o f w h a t c a n b e f o u n d a t th e c u rre n t le v e l o f te c h n o lo g y a n d s e n s itiv ity h a s a lre a d y b e e n f o u n d . T h e s u c c e s s o f L IN E A R 's e f f o rts to d is c o v e r a n d tra c k N E O s m e a n s th a t th e re m a in in g u n d is c o v e re d N E O s a re s m a lle r a n d d im m e r th a n th o s e p re v io u s ly d is c o v e re d . T h e re f o re , L in c o ln L a b o ra to ry 's re c e n t a n d f u tu re e f f o rts a re g e a re d to w a rd im p le m e n tin g la rg e r te le s c o p e s a n d d e v e lo p in g te c h n o lo g y to e n a b le m o re s e n s itiv e d e te c tio n a n d s e a rc h e s d e e p e r in to s p a c e , th e re b y p ro v id in g a m o re c o m p re h e n s iv e p ic tu re o f th e N E O e n v iro n m e n t. N e a r P a sse s R e c e n t a n d F u tu r e : In 2 0 0 9 , 9 0 k n o w n a s te ro id s p a s s e d w ith in 5 lu n a r d is ta n c e s . O f te n th e s e a re re p o rte d in th e n e w s n o w th a t w e h a v e g o o d in f o rm a tio n . O n J a n u a ry 1 3 , 2 0 1 0 , A L 3 0 p a s s e d b y a t 1 2 2 ,0 0 0 k m . T h is o n e w a s d is c o v e re d b y L IN E A R o n J a n u a ry 1 0 (o n e re a s o n f o r n e e d in g o n g o in g s y s te m a tic s e a rc h e s ). T h e re a re c u rre n tly f iv e k n o w n p o te n tia l im p a c to rs o f s ig n if ic a n t s iz e : N u m b e r/N a m e 9 9 4 2 A p o p h is 2005 Y U 55 153814 2007 V K 184 101955 D ia m e te r 270m 140m ~780m ~130m ~560m C hance 1 /2 3 3 0 0 0 1 /5 2 6 0 1 /1 3 0 0 0 ~130m 1/3850 Y ear 2036 2103 2113 2048 2182

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· D e c 1 8 C lu b h o u s e W o rk P a rty # 1 3 F in a lly , D r. S to k e s m e n tio n e d th a t M IT L in c o ln L a b o ra to ry h a s p a rtn e re d w ith S o c ie ty f o r S c ie n c e & th e P u b lic to p ro m o te s c ie n c e e d u c a tio n th ro u g h th e C e re s C o n n e c tio n p ro g ra m . T h is program names minor planets in honor of students in 5th through 12th grades and their teachers. Students and teachers are selected th ro u g h th e f o llo w in g p ro g ra m s o f th e S c ie n c e E d u c a tio n D e p a rtm e n t a t S o c ie ty f o r S c ie n c e & th e P u b lic : D is c o v e ry C h a n n e l Y o u n g S c ie n tis t C h a lle n g e , In te l S c ie n c e T a le n t S e a rc h (S T S ), a n d In te l In te rn a tio n a l S c ie n c e a n d E n g in e e rin g F a ir (IS E F ). · D e c 3 1 N e w Y e a r's E v e P a rty , C lu b h o u s e 6 :3 0 p m V irg in ia R e n e h a n a n n o u n c e d th a t th e re is a P ro f e s s o r a t H a rv a rd who needs help with imaging the Dec 20th Lunar Eclipse. Contact V irg in a f o r in f o rm a tio n . V irg in ia a ls o a n n o u n c e d th e s a le o f a C e le s tro n C G -4 G e rm a n E q u a to ria l M o u n t w h ic h w a s d o n a te d b y th e A A V S O to b e u s e d to s u p p o rt th e a f te r s c h o o l p ro g ra m , IT E A M w h ic h u s e s th e H a rv a rd C f A m ic ro -o b s e rv a to rie s f o r f o u r s c h o o ls . T h e p ro g ra m w o u ld lik e to b u y b ig d o b s o n ia n s (8 " ) f o r th e s c h o o ls w h ic h w o u ld s ta y w ith th e p ro g ra m . C h a rlie M c D o n a ld d is c u s s e d th e p ro g re s s o f S T E M b a s e d e d u c a tio n in R e a d in g . H e to ld u s th a t h e h a d e s ta b lis h e d S T E M b a s e d lib ra rie s a t th e to w n lib ra ry a n d s c h o o ls w ith a $ 3 k in v e s tm e n t w h ic h w a s m a tc h e d b y th e B a n k o f A m e ric a F o u n d a tio n . T h e s e a re th e f irs t S T E M b a s e d lib ra rie s in th e c o u n try . H o p e f u lly th e s e in v e s tm e n ts w ill in s p ire s tu d e n ts to s ta y w ith S T E M b a s e d s u b je c ts in o rd e r to m e e t th e te c h n ic a l n e e d s o f c o m p a n ie s in th e U S . M a n y h ig h t e c h c o m p a n ie s in th e U S a re f in d in g it d if f ic u lt to f ill n e e d s f o r e n g in e e rs , e tc . C h a rlie a ls o re m in d e d u s th a t th e U S is f a llin g b e h in d in ra n k in g f o r S T E M b a s e d te s ts f o r 1 4 y e a r o ld s . B e rn ie f o llo w e d C h a rlie 's c o m m e n ts w ith s o m e b a c k g ro u n d o n C h a rlie 's e f f o rts a n d c o n g ra tu la tio n s o n h is a c h ie v e m e n ts a n d s u c c e s s e s . R o s s B a rro s -S m ith a n n o u n c e d a w e b -b a s e d N e w s le tte r to c o m e a s w e ll a s a n " e x tra ." H e re q u e s te d m e m b e rs p ro v id e h im w ith s o m e o f th e ir a s tro p h o to g ra p h y th e s to ry o f th e ir e q u ip m e n t. R o s s a ls o a n n o u n c e d th a t h e h a d a v is itin g s tu d e n t w h o m h e w is h e d to in tro d u c e to c e rta in m e m b e rs . E ile e n M e y e rs a n n o u n c e d a ll th e R A S C O b s e rv e r H a n d b o o k s in th e c u rre n t o rd e r h a d b e e n s o ld , b u t s h e w o u ld c o lle c t n a m e s o f th o s e in te re s te d in a n a d d itio n o rd e r o n a s h e e t a t th e m e e tin g a n d b y e m a il. S h e a ls o a n n o u n c e d th a t p la n s w e re p ro g re s s in g f o r th e N e w Y e a r's E v e P a rty in c lu d in g c lu b h o u s e d e c o ra tio n to b e g in th e S u n d a y b e f o re . E v e ry o n e is in v ite d a n d is e n c o u ra g e d to b rin g f a m ily a n d f rie n d s . T h e re w ill b e g a m e s , f o o d a n d f u n !!! Gary Walker announced the sale of 100th anniversary AAVSO C a le n d a rs . B e rn ie V o lz a n n o u n c e d th e s a le o f A s tro n o m y C a le n d a rs to b e n e f it th e c lu b . A d d itio n a l c o m m e n ts w e re m a d e b y m e m b e rs a b o u t J u p ite r o b s e rv a tio n s a n d th e re -a p p e a ra n c e o f th e S o u th e rn E q u a to ria l B e lt, e s p e c ia lly v is ib le o n th e n o n -R e d S p o t s id e J o s e p h R o th c h ild ). A n d a p re s e n ta tio n w a s m a d e o f a n o c c u lta tio n o b s e rv a tio n la s tin g 1 1 s e c o n d s (P a u l V a lle li). R e f re s h m e n ts w e re p ro v id e d b y T o m M c D o n a g h .

B u s in e s s M e e tin g : T a l M e n ta ll, m e m b e r o f th e c lu b s in c e 1 9 6 7 , b e c a m e p re s id e n t o f th e c lu b in 1 9 8 5 . S ta rtin g th a t y e a r, 2 5 y e a rs a g o , h e b e g a n a tra d itio n o f p re s e n tin g h is re n d itio n o f " T w a s t h e N ig h t B e f o re C h ris tm a s " a n d " T h e C re m a tio n o f S a m M c G e e " b y R o b e rt S e rv ic e . T a l g ra c e d u s w ith a n o th e r p e rf o rm a n c e th is y e a r b e f o re th e le c tu re w a s p re s e n te d . F o llo w in g th e le c tu re , B ru c e T in k le r p ro v id e d th e S e c re ta ry 's R e p o rt. B e rn ie p ro v id e d th e T r e a s u re r's R e p o rt f o rw a rd e d b y N a n e tte B e n o it. T om M cD onagh p e v e ry o n e w h o h a s re n e w a ls a n d n e w O u r c u rre n t m e m b y e a r. ro v id e d th e M e m b e rs h ip R e p o r re n e w e d . O p e n e n ro llm e n t h a s m e m b e rs h ip s c a n b e p ro c e s s e d e rs h ip is c lo s e to w h a t it w a s a t t. H e th a n k e d c lo s e d , b u t a t a n y tim e . th is tim e la s t

B ru c e B e rg e r p ro v id e d th e O b s e rv in g C o m m itte e R e p o rt. H e jo k in g ly s ta te d th a t it h a s b e e n " to o c o ld " f o r o b s e rv in g . T h e o b s e rv in g c o m m itte e is c u rre n tly d o in g p la n n in g . S te v e C lo u g h e rty p ro v id e d th e C lu b h o u s e R e p o rt. H e in d ic a te d th e re p o rt in th e n e w s le tte r p ro v id e s a ll th e d e ta ils . H e w e n t o n to s u m m a riz e th e re p o rt a n d a n n o u n c e th e n e x t C lu b h o u s e W o rk Party on December 18th focusing on inside work including work o n th e T e le s c o p e R o o m , th e E v a p o ra to r R o o m , a n d th e b a s e m e n t d ra in . H e a ls o s ta te d th a t th e 2 0 " te le s c o p e m o u n t w ill b e re b u ilt in th e f u tu re . C lu b E v e n t a n d A n n o u n c e m e n ts w e re g iv e n b y B e rn ie K o s ic k i. · F rid a y s , N o v 5 -D e c 3 1 V id e o C o u rs e : N e w F ro n tie rs : M o d e rn P e rs p e c tiv e s o n O u r S o la r S y s te m , C lu b h o u s e · F rid a y s , J a n 7 -F e b 1 1 V id e o C o u rs e : D a rk M a tte r, D a rk E n e rg y : T h e D a rk S id e o f th e U n iv e rs e , C lu b h o u s e h ttp ://w w w .te a c h 1 2 .c o m /tg c /c o u rs e s /c o u rs e _ d e ta il.a s p x ? c id = 1 2 7 2 · D e c 1 3 S ta r P a rty - S w a llo w U n io n S c h o o l, D u n s ta b le (e v e n tu a lly c a n c e lle d )

~ Bruce Tinkler, Secretary ~

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Clubhouse Report . . .
Projects reported in the last issue of Starfields continued toprogress during the December 18th work session at the clubhouse. Withoutside temperatures in the 20's, work centered on the far barn, clam-shell observatory, metal tool shed, and inside the old machine shop. Ladders were stored for the winter; the deflated wheelbarrow tire removed for repair/replacement; lawn mowers run out of gas and stowed; used wood pieces cut up for disposal; the far barn East doors trimmed to allow full opening over the concrete exterior walkway. Al T., Paul C., Sai V., and John R. worked this effort.-- In the clamshell observatory the motor and gearbox were removed from the R.A. drive system; were cleaned, lubed, reassembled, reinstalled and tested while observing Jupiter later that evening. The need for further work was identified. Steve C., Dave P., Glenn M.,John M., and John B. worked this problem.--In the metal tool shed wires were pulled, fixtures attached and connected, and may be ready for hook up and testing after a few more sessions. This was worked by Sergio S. and John M.---The first of the season Bailey Hill spaghetti lunch was prepared and served while work proceeded on organizing the S&T historical archives by Bruce B. and Al T. Spaghetti with the special sauce, garlic bread, and Sai's salad creation was devoured by a hungry crew. This was worked by Sai V., Eric J., Art S., and John R. Cleanup is anecessary part of this effort and Eric and Sai did yeoman's work here. Intermittent solar observing was provided by Paul C.'sH-alpha system; long filaments were the most obvious feature throughout the day.---In the old machine shop room work continued. Patched walls were sanded; walls and woodwork were primed and painted; the first window was transformed into a light tight bulletin board; the butcher block table defects smoothed with wood filler, sanded and covered with two coats of clear urethane. The previously painted cabinet was mounted on the chimney wall. This project continued through the efforts of Joshua A., John B., Dave P., Eileen M., and John R.

The next work session is on the Saturday nearest full moon, in January on the 22ndstarting at 10am. Come on up and join us. You are welcome.

~ Clubhouse Committee Chairs ~ ~ John Reed, Steve Clougherty and Dave Prowten ~ Clubhouse Saturday Schedule
December 25 January 8 January 15 January 22 Work Party #1 January 29 February 5 February 12 Work Party #2 February 19 February 26 CLOSED Christmas Day Cicchetti Reed Jacobson Johansson Maerz Meurer Evans Panaswich Berger Leacu Clougherty Lumenello Small Hill Rounseville Mock

Thoreau on Astronomy . . .
It is a fair sunset, with many purplish fishes in the horizon, pinkish and golden with bright edges; like a school of purplish whales, they sail or float down from the north; or like leopards' skins they hang in the west. If the sun goes behind a cloud, it is still reflected from the least haziness or vapor in that part of the sky, the air is so clear; and the afterglow is remarkably long. And now the blaze is put out, and only a few glowing clouds, like the flickering light of the fire, skirt the west. And now only the brands and embers, mixed with smoke, make an Indian red along the horizon. The new moon and the evening star, close together, preside over the twilight scene. Journal, 23 January 1852

~ Submitted by Tom Calderwood ~

Sky Objects of the Month . . .
Sky Object of the Month ­ January 2011 Uranus
What's your favorite planet? How about your top three? Most likely, Uranus isn't one of them. While it's hard to ignore the intriguing detail presented by Jupiter and Mars or the visual splendor of Saturn and its rings, Uranus possesses an ethereal beauty that none of them can match. Its almost mystical bluish hue stands out in stark contrast to the dark background sky. To me, Uranus is reminiscent of similarly-hued planetary nebulae like NGC 7662 (the "Blue Snowball") in Andromeda.

Photo by Al Takeda

New member, Joshua Ashenberg paints new telescope room. Thanks go to J. Ashenberg, B. Berger, J. Blomquist, P. Cicchetti,S. Clougherty, E. Johansson, J. Maher, G. Meurer, E. Myers,D. Prowten, J. Reed, S. Siminovic, A. Swedlow, A. Takeda, andS. Vallabha for making this work party a success.

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A lth o u g h it in h a b its th e o u te r re a c h e s o f th e s o la r s y s te m , U ra n u s is b rig h t e n o u g h to b e v ie w e d w ith b in o c u la rs a n d s m a ll te le s c o p e s . W ith a m a g n itu d e o f + 5 .8 , it c a n e v e n b e v ie w e d w ith th e u n a id e d e y e u n d e r id e a l d a rk -s k y c o n d itio n s . T o s e e th e p la n e t's tin y 4 a rc -s e c o n d d is k , e q u a l to th e a p p a re n t s iz e o f a g o lf b a ll 1 .3 m ile s a w a y , y o u 'll n e e d a te le s c o p e th a t c a n h a n d le m a g n if y in g p o w e rs in e x c e s s o f 1 0 0 X . If y o u 'v e b e e n a v o id in g U ra n u s b e c a u s e it's h a rd e r to lo c a te th a n the bright naked eye planets, you're in luck. Since mid-2010, U ra n u s h a s b e e n u n d e rg o in g a trip le c o n ju n c tio n w ith J u p ite r. T h e f in a l s ta g e o f th is c o s m ic d a n c e is a b o u t to c o m m e n c e . D u rin g th e w a n in g d a y s o f 2 0 1 0 a n d f irs t w e e k o f 2 0 1 1 , J u p ite r a n d U ra n u s w ill b e c lo s e e n o u g h to v ie w to g e th e r in a o n e d e g re e -w id e te le s c o p ic f ie ld . T h is m o n th (J a n u a ry 2 4 th , to b e p re c is e ) m a rk s th e 2 5 th a n n iv e rs a ry o f th e h is to ric f ly b y o f U ra n u s b y th e V o y a g e r 2 s p a c e c ra f t. C e le b ra te th e e v e n t w ith y o u r o w n v is it to th e s e v e n th p la n e t. Y o u r c o m m e n ts o n th is c o lu m n a re w e lc o m e . E -m a il m e a t g c h a p le @ h o tm a il.c o m

" G re e tin g s f ro m th e M u s e u m o f S c ie n c e ! I h a v e s o m e e x c itin g n e w s to s h a re th a t I th o u g h t w o u ld in te re s t A m a te u r T e le s c o p e M a k e rs o f B o s to n m e m b e rs . A f te r a y e a rlo n g , $ 9 m illio n re n o v a tio n , th is F e b ru a ry th e M u s e u m o f S c ie n c e w ill u n v e il th e n e w ly tra n s f o rm e d C h a rle s H a y d e n P la n e ta riu m ­ n o w N e w E n g la n d 's m o s t te c h n o lo g ic a lly advanced digital theater, featuring a state-of-the-art Zeiss S ta rm a s te r a n d d ig ita l S k y -S k a n D e f in iti S y s te m . A s p a rt o f th e o p e n in g , th e M u s e u m w ill p re s e n t th e w o rld p re m ie re o f o u r o rig in a l a s tro n o m y s h o w th a t w ill e x p lo re th e s c ie n c e o f e x o p la n e ts , " U n d is c o v e re d W o rld s : T h e S e a rc h B e y o n d O u r Sun." As you know, with NASA's Kepler mission focused on f in d in g E a rth -s iz e p la n e ts , w e a re c lo s e r th a n e v e r to a n s w e rin g a f u n d a m e n ta l q u e s tio n : A re p la n e ts lik e E a rth c o m m o n o r ra re ? W ith in p u t f ro m p h y s ic is t -n o v e lis t A la n L ig h tm a n a n d le a d in g e x o p la n e t re s e a rc h e rs f ro m M IT a n d th e H a rv a rd -S m ith s o n ia n C e n te r f o r A s tro p h y s ic s , U n d is c o v e re d W o rld s c a p tu re s th e e x c ite m e n t o f th is s e a rc h a n d in v ite s a u d ie n c e s to jo in th e h u n t. A ls o , I th o u g h t m e m b e rs m ig h t b e in te re s te d in a s o c ia l f u n d ra is in g e n d e a v o r f o r th e P la n e ta riu m th a t w e a re ru n n in g o n lin e . W e 'd lik e t o d e d ic a te th e P la n e ta riu m 's " b e s t s e a t in th e h o u s e " to o u r F a c e b o o k f a n s . If w e m e e t o u r g o a l, f a n s w o u ld b e e lig ib le to w in f re e P la n e ta riu m s h o w p a s s e s , a c c e s s to V IP e v e n ts , a n d g e t th e in s id e s c o o p o n p la n e ta riu m u p d a te s a n d e v e n ts . It a ls o m e a n s th a t F a c e b o o k f a n s w o u ld h a v e a p a rtic u la r s e a t n a m e d in th e ir h o n o r (n a m e p la te a n d a ll); it's a s e a t th a t th e P la n e ta riu m te a m h a s c h o s e n f o r its e x c e lle n t v ie w s o f th e d o m e , th e p re s e n te rs , a n d th e a re a th a t c o n v e rts in to a s ta g e f o r liv e p e rf o rm a n c e s . W e 'l l a ls o h a v e a d e d ic a tio n p a rty to c e le b ra te . H e re is a lin k to m o re in f o rm a tio n : h ttp ://b it.ly /9 y 3 c B X " S o f iy a g o e s o n to a d d th a t a p re s s a n d V IP p re v ie w w ill b e h e ld on February 9th and that invitations will be sent shortly. A full p re s s re le a s e c a n b e f o u n d o n lin e a t:
h t t p : / / w w w .m o s .o r g / v i s i t o r _ i n f o / m u s e u m _ n e w s / p r e s s _ r e l e a s e s & d = 4 7 7 1

~ Submitted by Ross Barros-Smith~

N e x t r o u n d o f C fA O b s e r v a to r y N ig h ts A n n o u n c e d . . .
T h e P u b lic A f f a irs O f f ic e a t th e H a rv a rd -S m ith s o n ia n C e n te r f o r A s tro p h y s ic s h a v e p o s te d th e ir s e rie s o f e v e n ts f o r th is s p rin g o n lin e . In a d d itio n to th e ir u s u a l M o n th ly O b s e rv a to ry N ig h ts (h e ld e a c h th ird th u rs d a y o f th e m o n th a t 7 :3 0 P M ), tw o S c i -F i M o v ie n ig h ts a re p la n n e d , in c lu d in g B a c k to th e F u tu r e (T h u rs d a y , M a y 5 ) a n d M o o n (F rid a y , M a y 6 ). F u ll d e ta ils a re a v a ila b le o n lin e a t: h ttp ://w w w .c f a .h a rv a rd .e d u /e v e n ts /p u b lic _ e v e n ts .h tm l

Im a g e c re a te d b y G le n n C h a p le w / C a rte s d u C ie l

U r a n u s a n d J u p ite r ­ J a n u a r y 2 , 2 0 1 1

~ Submitted by Glenn Chaple~

M o S B o s to n P la n e ta r iu m R e o p e n in g N e x t M o n th . . .
S o f iy a C a b a lq u in to a t th e M u s e u m o f S c ie n c e w ro te to th e c lu b to re p o rt o n th e ir p la n e ta ri u m 's im m in e n t re tu rn to s e rv ic e o n February 13th.

~ Submitted by Ross Barros-Smith~

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Symbiotic Variable Star on the Verge of an Eruption?

(Opposite column.) The AAVSO light curve of AX Persei from 1970 to November 2010. In the middle is the eruption of 1988-1992. The precursor outburst is the sudden narrow brightening left of the larger eruption. To the right of the light curve you can see the 2009 brightening event. Is this a precursor to a coming major eruption?

Typically, these systems will remain quiescent or undergo slow, irregular changes in brightness for years at a time. Only occasionally do they undergo large outbursts of several magnitudes. These outbursts are believed to be caused either by abrupt changes in the accretion flow of gas onto the primary, or by the onset of thermonuclear burning of the material piled up on the surface of the white dwarf. Whatever the cause, these major eruptions are rare and unpredictable.
Image by NASA

Symbiotic variables are binary pairs in orbit around each other inside a common envelope. November 23rd, astronomers from the Asiago Novae and Symbiotic Stars collaboration announced recent changes in the symbiotic variable star, AX Persei, could indicate the onset of a rare eruption of this system. The last major eruption took place between 1988 and1992. In the (northern hemisphere) spring of 2009, AX Per underwent a short outburst that was the first time since 1992 this star had experienced a bright phase. Now AX Per is on the rise again. This has tempted astronomers to speculate that another major eruption could be in the making. Symbiotic variable stars are binary systems whose members are a hot compact white dwarf in a wide orbit around a cool giant star. The orbital periods of symbiotic variables are between 100 and 2000 days. Unlike dwarf novae, compact binaries whose periods are measured in hours, where mass is transferred directly via an accretion disk around the white dwarf, siphoned directly from the surface of the secondary, in symbiotic variables the pair orbit each other far enough away that the mass exchanged between them comes from the strong stellar wind blowing off the red giant. Both stars reside within a shared cloud of gas and dust called a common envelope. When astronomers look at the spectra of these systems they see a very complex picture. They see the spectra of a hot compact object superimposed on the spectra of a cool giant star tangled up with the spectrum of the common envelope. The term "symbiotic" was coined in 1941 to describe stars with this combined spectrum.

AX Per underwent a short-duration flare about one year before the onset of the major 1988-1992 outburst. Now astronomers are tempted to speculate. Could the 2009 short outburst be a similar precursor type event? The present rise in brightness by AX Per might be the onset of a major outburst event similar to that in 1988-1992. The watch begins now, and professional and amateur variable star observers will be keeping a close eye on AX Per in the coming months. Ranging from 8.5 to 13th magnitude, AX Persei is visible to anyone with an 8-inch telescope, and if it erupts to maximum it will be visible in binoculars. You can monitor this interesting star and report your observations to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Charts with comparison stars of known brightness can be plotted and printed using the AAVSO's Variable Star Chart Plotter, VSP.

~ By Mike Simonsen~ ~Simonstronomy, http://simostronomy.blogspot.com~

2011 Club Meeting Dates . . .
January 13 February 10 March 10 April 14 May 12 June 9 July 14* No meeting in August September 8 October 13 November 10 December 8

*Held if a meeting is proposed and favorably voted for by the membership in attendance at the June meeting.

All meetings held at the Phillips Auditorium at the Center for Astrophysics at 60 Garden Street, Cambridge MA. Parking is available on site for the duration of the meeting.

************************************** February Star Fields DEADLINE Noon, Sunday, January 23 Email articles to the newsletter editor at newsletter@atmob.org Articles from members are always welcome. ************************************** 7


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P R E S ID E N T : p re s id e n t@ a tm o b .o rg V IC E P R E S : SECRETARY: M E M B E R S H IP : B e rn ie K o s ic k i M ik e H ill B ru c e T in k le r T om M cD onagh (978) 263-2812

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