Newsletter of RAS (Richmond Astronomical Society)
June, 2003

Visit our web site at www.richastro.org

Next meeting--Monday, June 9

Last meeting
by Terry Barker

• Ken Wilson brought in some nice brochures from the American Astronomical Society, one on Astronomy and Astrophysics. Ken also had monthly star charts and Iridium flare schedules. He thanked the Astronomy Day volunteers and passed out some Milky Way candy bars as a thank you.

Reports and observing:

• The SMV Skywatch and Malvern Hill were rained out this month.
• Gary Cowardin had a clean up day at the observatory
• John Barnett showed us a thank you letter from Lakewood Manor, thanking us for their skywatch.
• John Raymond greeted a visitor, Ruth Petrov.
• David Credicutt gave us the library report--he and Susan are about 3/4 of the way through the inventory.

Observatory:

• Gary Cowardin had a clean up day at the observatory. About 6 volunteers took out a lot trees and brush.

Skywatches and other events::

• The SMV skywatch will be June 20.

Roger Rigby, gave the short presentation, on the Astronomical League's Earth Satellite Observer's Club. Roger recently earned this certificate, and it involved such things as observing Iridium flares, the same satellite twice in one night, rocket bodies, and pairings of satellites. It took Roger about 6 months to do all the required sightings, and he stressed that preparation is the key, because of the short duration of visibility. 

John Raymond gave the main presentation, called Aperture Fever. John summarized what he has learned about different viewing instruments in his years of experience. Binoculars, as well as telescopes, have their place in his inventory. Some guidelines on buying a new telescope are:

• Try to at least double the area of your previous scope's aperture.

• Buy a scope you can carry and handle.

• Buy a scope that suits your purpose.

• Buy the highest quality you can afford.

John also provided a nice handout with a lot more information.

Astronomy Day
by Terry Barker

We had a nice turnout for Astronomy Day at the Science Museum on May 10. 13 volunteers from the club set up up exhibit tables, and helped with the more mundane tasks, like setup, relieving exhibitors for breaks, and providing snacks and drinks.

We had exhibit tables on:

• Amateur telescope making with live demonstrations of mirror grinding.

• A real meteorite.

• CCD photography.

• How to make a sundial.

• Computer assisted telescope observation (ETX-60).

• A PowerPoint astronomical photography display.

We also distributed 100 gift packs to attendees, containing a Milky Way candy bar, 10 glow stars, and a printed template showing how to create a constellation on your wall or ceiling. Our target audience was kids, and they went fast!

Thanks to our volunteers-- Gary Cowardin, Joe and Fran Hetmanski, Jim Petty, Terry Barker, John Raymond, Ansel Worley, Dick Ryan, JoAnne Baker, Susan Brubaker, Norm Guenther, Jennifer Barlow, Jerry Zaun, Roger Rigby, George and Jane Hastings. And of course, the Girl Scout Troop.

Spruce Knob
by Eric Shelton

Editor's note--while this event has already passed, you might want to keep the directions for future events. Eric has gone several times, and raves about the seeing conditions.

Below is a message I'm forwarding from the NOVAC list server.  I contacted
Mr. Morris at The Mountain Institute (TMI) , and he said to feel free to
pass this invitation on to the members of the RAS.

You've all heard me rave about the dark skies at Spruce Knob.  TMI is
located about 5 miles from the regular observing site at the Gatewood Group
Campground near Spruce Knob, WV.  It's about a 4 hour drive from Richmond or
perhaps a bit less for those living in the far west end, and it's well worth
the drive.  Last month, we rated the transparency only as "good" to "fair"
compared to previous trips - yet we determined the limiting naked-eye
magnitude was 6.5.  Stars as faint as magnitude 7.0 have been observed
there.  I truly believe these are the darkest skies visible from nearly
anywhere in the Eastern US and we are quite lucky to live so close to this
location.  This is also an opportunity to observe through some of the BIG
scopes that are sure to be there.  I'd expect at least a dozen telescopes in
the 18" - 25" range, although I can't make any promises.

The event is scheduled for May 29-June 1.  I plan to attend, weather
permitting, although I would only go for Friday and Saturday nights.

The directions below start fairly close to TMI.  From Richmond, take I-64W
to I-81N, then take US33 west at Harrisonburg.  From there, it's about 1.5
hours to the intersection of US33 and Rt. 28 at Judy's Gap, WV, where the
following directions begin.  It's about 2 hours total from Harrisonburg to
TMI.

Weather forecasts are available for nearby Circleville, WV at
www.weather.gov .  There is also a clear sky clock for Spruce Knob at
http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/spruce_WVkey.html?1 .  Speaking of weather, it
gets COLD up there, even in summer.  I wore my long underwear last August
and didn't regret it, so come prepared.  Also note that cell phones do not
work up there as it is not too far from the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory at Green Bank and is in the National Radio Quiet Zone.  The last
place my phone works on the trip is in Franklin, WV (it also quits working
upon leaving Harrisonburg until I get to Franklin).

General information on observing at Spruce Knob (Gatewood Campground) is
available at http://www.novac.com/spruce/index.htm - note that this page is
for observing at Gatewood and NOT TMI, but there is some applicable
information at that website regarding directions, maps, weather, etc.  You
won't need a lock combination to attend the star party at TMI.

I hope intrepid observers will join me, weather permitting.

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