Globular clusters Dave Credicott Back to the IMAX from Ken Wilson

We're back in the IMAX Theater from now on.

 Last meeting by Terry Barker

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Ken Wilson had monthly star charts, satellite predictions, and pictures of the Venus transit. He also passed out buttons labeled "I saw the transit." John Raymond told us about the Delmarva Skywatch coming up in September. More details to come.

Reports and observing:

Gary Cowardin was rained out at last month's SMV skywatch. Charlotte Talley greeted our visitors-Mary Whitfield, John Adams, Lewis Cason, Jackie Davis, Joanna Piserchio, Russ Hummel, and John Bernier. We hope you'll come back next month! The Board of Directors voted, and passed, a measure to add John Barnett to the board. Congratulations, John! Cindy Bowers, our treasurer, has found a bank, Wachovia, that will give us a free account, as long as we have less than 50 transactions per month. David Credicott plugged the RAS library, and reminded us that the library in on site at the Science Museum, and is open for 15 minutes before each RAS meeting. We have 700 volumes in our library, so we have lots to choose from!

Skywatches and other events:

Aug. 11, Perseids meteors Aug. 13, Stellafane Aug. 13-14, Malvern Hill skywatch Aug. 16, RAS board meeting Aug. 20, SMV skywatch

Roger Rigby gave a book report, on a coffee table book, "Full Moon." It has a collection of best pictures from the lunar missions. And there were over 32,000 of them!

Our main presentation was given by Channel 12's, John Bernier. The title of his presentation was "Hurricanes and You." He covered the big ones that have hit Richmond in the past-Agnes, Camille, etc. Hurricanes are referred to as typhoons in the Far East, and as Willies in Australia. They typically can start when the water temperature reaches a certain temperature-25 degrees Celsius, and become more powerful with rising temperature.

VAAS update by Terry Barker

I had in error in last month's article--the web address is www.vaas.org

It's time to renew your Astronomy magazine subscriptions by Cindy Bowers

All renewals have to be submitted to Astronomy magazine by Sept. 30, 2004. One year's subscription is $29.00; two year subscriptions are $55.00. Please send a check made payable to RAS to Cindy Bowers, Treasurer, 9415 Laurel Grove Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23116.

Star Quest report by Jim Browder

Earlier this month I attended the Green Bank, WV Star Quest sponsored by the Kanawha Valley and Central Appalachian Astronomy Clubs.

The event was held at the Green Bank Radio Astronomy Observatory which has over the last few years added a 100-meter radio telescope to their collection along with a new visitor center and dormitory facilities. Attendees of the event were provided with space to set up telescopes and camp on the grounds.

The astronomy clubs organized the event very well. From my perspective everything went smoothly. There was plenty of space for campsites, the workshops were interesting, the observatory staff was very helpful and the facilities were quite nice. There was one significant restriction: Since we were at a radio observatory, where active observing was going on, attendees had to be very careful not to cause any radio interference. Cell phones, two-way radios and the like had to be turned off the entire time. Actually there are no cell towers in the area anyway. Internet access and land-line telephones were available at the visitor center. Interestingly, the computer lab at the visitor center, where a number of PCs were available for use, was a completely shielded room. The shielding was intended to prevent any radio interference with the telescopes. To enter the computer lab one had to go through an "RF lock" consisting of two large vault-type doors which were grounded to a Faraday shield around the entire room.

We were treated to tours of the facility and of the Janssky radio lab where radio receiving equipment and support electronics are constructed. There were workshops and presentations on radio astronomy, film astrophotography, image processing, CCD/video imaging and telescope optics. The key note speaker was Ron Parise, a US astronaut and amateur astronomer who has flown two shuttle missions. One evening, which was unfortunately damp and rainy, the visitor center stayed open late for those who wished to say warm and watch the movie 'Contact.'

Overall, the Star Quest was very well done. The only negative aspect was the weather which was absolutely lousy. Of the three available nights for observing, only one was worthwhile - the night that I was not there. The two nights I attended were almost completely clouded out, but the daytime activities made the trip definitely worthwhile.