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The Official Publication of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton
Director Bill Murray (609) 252-1223 strgazr1@verizon.net Assistant Director John Church (609) 799-0723 j.church@mindspring.com Treasurer Program Chairman Michael Mitrano OPEN 609-737-6518 michael.mitrano@worldnet.att.net Secretary Editors Larry Kane Bryan Hubbard and Ira Polans (609) 273-1456 (732) 469-7698 and (609) 448-8644 kane@princetonastronomy.org editors@princetonastronomy.org

Volume 38 From the Director

Midsummer

Number 7/8

I hope everybody's summer is progressing smoothly. After a rainy start in June the weather has been looking up a bit in July. As I write this I am vacationing on Cape Cod. The skies up here can be dark and clear (when it's not raining) and I have my 4" refractor with me to take advantage of any clear nights. Our first meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, September 8th. As of now we are still working on finding a speaker for this meeting. As I said in the June issues of Sidereal Times we are still in need of a Program director for this year. Anybody interested in this position should contact me. At the meeting in September we have some important business to contract. Hopefully, sometime this summer or early this fall the structural repairs to the observatory (under the direction of John Church) will be complete. At the picnic in June a majority of the board in conjunction with a unanimous vote of the members present agreed that these repairs should proceed as rapidly as possible. However, our constitution requires that a majority of 40% of our membership concur with this appropriation of funds. Below in this issue is an article giving a more detailed description of the work that needs to be done as well as a write-in ballot for the appropriation vote. I would like to hold this vote before the beginning of the meeting in September. If you can't attend the September meeting please send in your vote on the enclosed write-in ballot. It is important that we reach our 40% quorum in order to be able to decide this issue. Here are some events and dates to keep in mind: Stellafane As I said in the June issue of ST I will be attending this year's Stellafane Convention (Aug. 13-16) in Springfield VT. The keynote speaker at Stellafane this year will be Dr. Alan Bean, the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 12 mission and the 4th man to walk on the moon. Being a child of the Space Age who grew up in the 1960's I clearly remember this mission in the fall of 1969 (during the moon walk the astronauts accidentally pointed their TV camera at the Sun which destroyed it and the video coverage of the rest of the moon walk). My initial interest in astronomy was stimulated by

the Apollo program so this will be a special treat for me. If you're interested in going to Stellafane to hear Dr. Bean contact me and I will give you the info you need. Board Meeting The next meeting of the board of directors of the AAAP will be on Thursday, August 20th at 7 PM. The meeting will be held in the upstairs conference room at Peyton Hall. All members are welcome to attend. Bill Murray, Director

The deadline for the September issue is: Friday August 28, 2009 Send your submissions to: editors@princetonastronomy.org

Observatory Repairs (Vote September 8)
For more than a year now the club has been debating repairs to the lower roof (the roof over the computer room and bathroom) of the observatory. This is a problem of long standing. The flashing between the back roof and the main roof leaks, and has caused a variety of water related damage inside the observatory. John Church has taken the lead on this issue for a while now. He has a contractor that he has worked with in the past and can vouch for, Bob Newcamp. This Spring John and Bob were out at the observatory attempting to get an estimate of the work to be done and the cost of the repairs. Their initial estimate of the work to be done includes a re-coat of the lower roof (8 x 13) with silver coating: Install 2 new louvered vents in gable end: Install 13 feet of 5-inch rubber weather stripping: Remove rotten soffit plywood and install new primed plywood with 2 coats of finish white. In addition, they agreed that Bob should construct a plywood "cricket" to extend out over the


Midsummer 2009 current flashing, which need not be removed. The rubber weather stripping will be installed on the north end of the cricket and keep water from getting to the hump and over it and thereby into the building. However, as they were surveying the work that needed to be done to the lower roof they noticed that the leaks had caused significant structural damage to the wood making up part of the back wall of the observatory. This is in addition to the work that already needed to be done. The extent of the damage is unknown. In order to get a final estimate of the total cost of the repairs Bob will need to remove several of the rotted 2x8 beams that make up the back wall in order to inspect the damage. Since this will necessitate removing the chain and pulley system from the back wall the observatory will be inoperable for a period of time. The 2x8's will be replaced with pressure treated ones and the chain and pulley will be reinstalled (John will be working with Bob throughout the repairs). The repairs should be done then and there in order to minimize the down time for the observatory. John has estimated that the total time to complete the repairs should be no more than a few days. In order to begin the work we need a stretch of clear weather that fits into Bob Newcamp's schedule. Give the extremely wet weather we have had this Spring and the risk of further damage it was decided at the June picnic, by a majority of the board in conjunction with a unanimous vote of the members present, to proceed with the repairs this summer if possible. Bob's visual inspection of the damage he initial estimate for the cost of the repai possible cost of interior damage, that can are removed, could raise this estimate by can see lead him to give an rs of $1855. However, the not be seen until the beams several hundred dollars.

Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton

Treasurer's Report
The AAAP's fiscal year ends on June 30. On the top of the next page is an income statement covering the year just ended and a balance sheet showing our financial condition at that time. To sum up, the association's financial condition is strong. Our surplus for the year of about $3,200 brought our cumulative reserves ("equity" in the report) to over $18,000. We had a good year because dues levels and StarQuest's impact remained strong, and because we had no major observatory expenses during the year. This should change in the fall when we repair the roof. The AAAP's financial statements are broken down into the lecture program, observatory expenses, StarQuest, and everything else (referred to as General Operations and including Outreach). For this year we developed a budget, so you will see results reported against that budget. Dues increased slightly (by four members) from FY 2008. Despite that, our annual surplus grew by $715 from the previous year due to the lower observatory expenses. Even though StarQuest revenues were down by 27% from the previous year, the events surplus remained on budget because we were able to keep expenses under control. Interest income is down 40% from last year because of low interest rates but still represents the equivalent of four members' dues. We had no investment in subprime mortgages (just a joke.) Please feel free to contact me if you have any question about the Association's finances. Michael Mitrano, Treasurer

Interested in keyholder training?
Contact: kane@princetonastronomy.org or by cell phone (609-273-1456)

At the meeting in September I would like to have a vote to approve funds for this repair. If we allocate $2500 that should cover the cost of the initial estimate ($1850) and allow for additional unseen damage. I propose that the club allocate this amount to pay for the repairs. For an expenditure of this amount our constitution requires a majority of 40% of our membership vote to approve it. I request that all members attend the September meeting in order to vote on this expenditure. If it is not possible for you to attend the meeting in September please mail in the absentee ballot provided below to register your vote. If you have any questions regarding this issue you can e-mail me at strgazr1@verizon.net and I will be happy to answer them. Bill Murray, Director Vote to authorize the expenditure of up to $2500 to repair the roof, flashing and rear wall woodwork of the JWHS Observatory. Please print your name and check APPROVE or DISAPPROVE. Name _________________________________ Approve _________ Disapprove _________ Mail to: Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton c/o Larry Kane, Secretary P.O. Box 2017 Princeton, NJ 08543

Other News...
Up Close with NASA's LRO & LCROSS in the "Clean Room" and at the Launch Pad While I was reporting from the Kennedy Space Center press site on the mission of Shuttle Atlantis to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope, there were also firsthand opportunities to check out hardware and facilities associated with other current aspects of space exploration such as NASA's newest lunar missions: the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) I had an exceptional chance to inspect up close the integrated LRO and LCROSS combination spacecraft stack inside the "Clean Room". I participated in a NASA sponsored media tour of the two spacecraft for the very last pre-launch photo opportunity and briefing with science team members at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Titusville, FL, located a few miles away from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Access to the spacecraft is strictly regulated by NASA and Astrotech and only possible with my press credentials from The Planetary Society and Spaceflight magazine. Astrotech is an aerospace company that processes and manufactures space hardware for Earth orbiting and deep space applications for the government and private firms. (Continued on next page)

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Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton Newsletter
Revenue and Expenses
General Operations Actual Ordinary Income/Expense Income Contribution Income Member Dues Outreach Contributions Sale of Equipment Sales of AAAP & Astro Items StarQuest Attendance Total Income Expense Speaker Honorarium Astronomy Calendars Books and Publications Business License & Fees Contribution Expense Dues and Subscriptions Electricity Equipment Food Improvement, Maint & Repair Insurance Location Rental Meeting expenses Miscellaneous Post Office Box Postage and Delivery Printing, Reproduction, Folding Prizes Rent Speaker Transp & Meal Expenses Telephone Telescope & Equipment Upgrade W eb Site Expenses Total Expense Net Ordinary Income Other Income/Expense Other Income Dividend income Interest Income Total Other Income Net Other Income Net Income Budget Ac t > Bud Actual Lectures Budget Ac t > Bud Observatories Actual Budget Ac t > Bud Actual StarQuest Budget Ac t > Bud Actual TOTAL Budget Ac t > Bud

Midsummer 2009

Balance Sheet
6/30/09 ASSETS Current Assets Checking/Savings Third Federal Checking Vanguard Money Market Total Checking/Savings Other Current Assets Facility Deposit Prepaid expenses Total Other Current Assets Total Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities Deferred Dues Revenue Total Other Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Total Liabilities Equity Retained Surplus Net Income Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

158 4,147 250 125 303 0 4,983 0 159 0 25 0 123 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 58 49 10 0 0 0 0 0 155 594 4,389

4,300 400

-153 -150

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 197 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 41 89 0 37 1,023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 316 164 0 1,672 -1,672

0 0 0 0 220 1,710 1,930 0 0 34 0 0 0 0 0 435 0 0 520 81 51 0 71 78 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,270 660

158 4,147 250 125 523 1,710 6,913 197 159 34 25 0 123 41 89 491 37 1,023 520 81 110 58 120 88 0 2 80 316 164 155 3,913 3,000

0 4,300 400 0 0 2,700 7,400 0 0 0 25 100 100 50 100 750 1,000 1,000 1,000 0 200 56 50 100 300 0 300 300 0 0 5,431 1,969

158 -153 -150 125 523 -990 -487 197 159 34 0 -100 23 -9 -11 -259 -963 23 -480 81 -90 2 70 -12 -300 2 -220 16 164 155 -1,518 1,031

698 17,338 18,036 200 159 359 18,395 18,395

4,700

283

2,700 2,700

-990 -770

25 100 100

0 -100 23

100

-100

0 0 0 0 0 0 56 0 0 0 0 44 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 377 -377

50 100 1,000 1,000

-9 -11 -963 23

650

-215

200 200 200 200 14, 3, 18, 18, 943 252 195 395

1,000

-480

200 56 50

-185 2 -1

100 300

-22 -300

300

-220

300

16

631 4,069

-37 320

300 -300

77 -77

2,450 -2,450

-778 778

2,050 650

-780 10

224 25 249 249 4,638

300 20 320 320 4,389

-76 5 -71 -71 249

0 0 0 0 -377

0 -300

0 -77

0 0 0 0 -1,672

0 -2,450

0 778

0 0 0 0 660

0 650

0 10

224 25 249 249 3,249

300 20 320 320 2,289

-76 5 -71 -71 960

(Continued from previous page) We entered the garment change room and were furnished with the full complement of clean room attire, otherwise known as "bunny suits," which includes full body personal protective equipment (PPE) suits, face masks, gloves and static dissipating shoe covers all of which must be worn. Everybodys camera equipment was required to be wiped clean by contamination-control specialists. Our shoes were mechanically brushed with a rotary brush shoe cleaner. As a research scientist, I wear this type attire to protect myself when handling certain toxic chemicals. In this case of role reversal, the purpose is to protect the spacecraft from contamination by us humans. After passing through secure access doors, an air shower and an airlock we finally entered the High bay/Encapsulation clean room area. We observed the LRO/LCROSS spacecraft stack sitting adjacent to and sandwiched between the twin halves of the decaled 4 meter wide Atlas V payload fairing and nose cone, barely a few hours prior to their encapsulation. The two fairing sections were joined together later that same day. I was in absolute awe of the two oddly shaped ships with numerous apparati jutting out in all directions. And not just to me. Even mission team members were awe-struck because many had never seen the two spacecraft together. It's even more amazing when I consider that these 2 ships I saw and was close enough to touch have now arrived at and swung past the moon. A few days later, I traveled onto the Air Force Base and went directly inside launch Complex 41 and stood right next to the Atlas V rocket with 1 million pounds of liftoff thrust. NASA's long awaited `Return to the Moon' was at last re-ignited on June 18, 2009 as LRO and LCROSS roared off launch pad 41 at 5:32 PM EDT aboard an Altas V/Centaur rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), FL.

LRO will map the moon from polar orbit and study the lunar chemical composition and environment. LCROSS will touch the moon directly by deliberately crashing inside a dark lunar crater near the south polar region on 9 October 2009, hunting for frozen water ice and thereby provide ground level composition data. Submitted by Ken Kremer Space Station Room With a View: The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) is about to get a new "eye-pod." The Tranquility node headed for the space station early in 2010 will feature a viewing dome unlike any other window ever flown in space. The dome, called the Cupola, is, literally, studded with windows for observing Earth, space, and the marvelous expanse of the ISS itself. The Cupola, named after the raised observation deck on a railroad caboose, is designed as an observation platform for operations outside the station--e.g., robotics, spacewalks, and docking spacecraft. Computer workstations inside the dome will give astronauts full control over the space station's robotic arm and dexterous manipulator, while the windows offer unparalleled views of these devices in action. It's also a place where astronauts can unwind. Until now, space station astronauts have been confined to looking out small portholes or at best the 20-inch window in the US Destiny Laboratory. The Cupola will dramatically expand their view. "The Cupola's 80-cm diameter circular top window is the largest window ever built for space," says Robinson. "Rather than peering through a little porthole, the Cupola will allow a stunning look at the cosmos and unprecedented panoramic views of Earth. Astronauts will share these views with the world through photographs taken through the windows and posted online." The full article may be viewed at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/26jun_cupola.htm

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Midsummer 2009

Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton

20 Years Ago In Sidereal Times...


Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton Newsletter

Midsummer 2009


Midsummer 2009

Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton

The best way to get to the observatory is to take Interstate 95 South towards Pennsylvania. Then take Scotch road at Exit 3 and proceed north (this amounts to right). Then, at the third traffic light take a left onto the Washington CrossingPennington road (County Route 546). Take this road to the first traffic light and take a right onto Trenton-Harbourton road (County Route 579). Take this road to the first driveway on the left, this is the Phillips Farm/Soccer Field entrance to the park. There is a series of three gates with club combination locks. If the gates are not open, you will need the lock combination to open the gate or be accompanied by a Keyholder member. The Simpson (AAAP) Observatory's phone number is (609) 737-2575.