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BULLETIN
Journal of the Ballaarat Astronomical Society Inc., P.O. Box 284, BALLARAT Vic. 3353
VOL. 37 No. 4 OCT 2015
O.B.B. 2 Oct 2015
Ballaarat Astronomical Society
THE ODDIE - BAKER BULLETIN
Editor: Phil Greenbank
********************************************** Office-bearers for 2014/2015
President: Saeed Salimpour 0422 408 889 Vice-President Phil Greenbank 03 5345 2335 Secretary: Phil Greenbank Treasurer: Judith Bailey 0419 103 213 Committee: Doug Stenhouse 03 5331 3572 Sravan Pingali 0438 341 527 Svantje Mertens 0423 287 068
Barry Coverdale 0439 340 631 **********************************************
CONTENTS
Presidents Report Page 3 Stellar Events Page 4 The Seagull and the Duck Page 5 Messier 17 Revealed Page 6 Kennedy Space Centre Page 7 The Radio Shack Page 8
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REGULAR MEETINGS
General Meeting 7:00pm - Astronomical Talks Feb, Apr, June, Aug (AGM), Oct Committee Meeting 6:00pm Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov Junior Group –Contact Judith 0419103213 3rd Friday of the month 6pm- 7pm Telescope Making Group -Contact Ted 0429999704 - 2nd Saturday of the month 1pm – 5pm
Viewing any Friday night except General Meeting night
Every Friday except General Meeting nights - Training in telescope use, discussions etc.
Viewing whenever possible, in addition to scheduled viewing nights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visitors are welcome on any Friday night. If a meeting is in progress, a member will be available to show visitors around the Observatory. The Ballarat Municipal Observatory is situated on the corner
of Magpie and Cobden Streets, Mount Pleasant, with the entrance in Magpie Street. Ph. 03 53327526.
O.B.B. 3 Oct 2015
Ballarat Municipal Observatory. Cnr. Cobden & Magpie St. Mt. Pleasant. BALLARAT Latitude: 37.34S Longitude: 143.51E Elevation 468m
B.A.S. Website - http://observatory.ballarat.net E-mail address - [email protected]
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NOTE: Contributions for the next edition can be sent to the editor’s E-mail address: [email protected].
Deadline for the next edition 23 October 2015 (Phil is away for this issue and another issue may go out next month as well.
Ed for this issue -Judith) ***************************************
October General Meeting
Friday 9th October 6.00pm Astronomical Conversations Dinner 3rd Rock Café 7.00pm Meeting 7.30 pm Film – In the Shadow of the Moon – courtesy of Member Hayden Walker. Working bee Starting October 2nd see report on Radio Shack, helpers welcome.
Dear Members, Another year has past and we have made another orbit around our star – well technically it’s a little more than half an orbit, however, you get the idea! This year has had its share of exciting moments and sad ones. Earlier this year, we said goodbye to one of our members and friend Bill Marshall. Bill was considerate, smart, with a twinkle in his eye, a lateral sense of humor and always had a good story to tell, which greatly enhanced his presence at meetings. I hope that wherever he maybe his skies are crystal clear! On the 14th of July 2014, we celebrated two milestones – the New Horizons spacecraft finally zipped by Pluto and Charon successfully, giving humanity the first glimpse of the distant world. In addition, one of members Karenza Burke celebrated a milestone – her 80th birthday! Astronomical societies operate on camaraderie and a passion for science. This was demonstrated when Bob Terrill agreed to help us set up the Radio Telescope and very kindly donated his time and knowledge. He was the driving force behind the technical side of things and I want to personally thank him for all that he has done for us! In addition, I would also like to thank Bill wells, Peter Rafferty, Graeme Lock, Jeff Picton & Geoff McLeod who involved in setting up the receiver and obtaining the required TV antennas. Without the generous support of these enthusiastic individuals this project would not have come to fruition, and they are a fabulous example of the collaborations that exist within the amateur science community! I would also like to thank Judith Bailey, who has continually with drive, passion and persistence helped the Ballarat Observatory to grow and evolve. She has generously donated her time and always looked to ensuring the Observatory grows. With this she has applied for a few grants and has been successful in upgrading the 3D theatre system and running some fabulous events at the Observatory – namely the Festival of Slow Music. We held another successful Sci-Fi Event and have expanded our programs at the observatory. This year, we also hosted two exhibitions – the Radio Astronomy Exhibition and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. I would also like to thank Ted Doyle for his time and dedication on the committee and also the Ballarat Observatory.
President’s Report – Saeed Salimpour
O.B.B. 4 Oct 2015 As I write this, the Earth has moved a little in its orbit and we look ahead to the exciting times that may lie ahead! In closing, I would like to thank the volunteers and committee members who help out at the Observatory, thank you all for your time and effort!
6 Oct – 28 Nov
Our Special Einstein Deal introducing the longer opening hours of the 3rd Rock Cafe will be available from 6th October to November 28th to celebrate World Space Week - Discovery4-10 October and the 100th Anniversary of the Theory of General Relativity – 25 November.
Lunchtime 12.00pm -1.30pm 3rd Rock Cafe Special Einstein Deal Lunch followed by an exciting journey into the very latest news about the solar system, our galaxy, the universe and the Einstein Factor! $16 Adults, $12 Concession/Student under 18, $8 Students under 10. Bookings essential on 03 5332 7526. 10% discount for members.
9th Oct Fri
7.30pm Film In the Shadow of the Moon
10th Oct Sat
Seniors Week Me ‘N’ Me Mate Saturday 10th October 12.30 – 3.30pm Come along for all the activities or just come for one, or sit out one while you wait for the next one, a relaxing afternoon of entertainment and good company. Time: 12.30 Lunch special cost $10 per Senior – BBQ, Salads, fruit and hot or cold refreshments, at the 3rd Rock Cafe. General cost $$15 Adult, $8 Student. Time: 1.30pm Safe Solar viewing, including the radio telescope listening to the Sun. Time: 2.00pm Me ‘N’ Me Mate $10 Senior.
Time: 3.15pm Afternoon Tea $5 - Devonshire Tea, date scones, Coffee etc Book on 03 5332 7526 or 0429 199 312 or email [email protected]
24th Oct Starry Spring Nights Time 6:00pm – 11:00pm (When everyone goes home if beautiful clear sky) 6.00pm: Third Rock Cafe open for Astroburgers and refreshments or BYO picnic. 7:00pm: Live Music 8.00pm Viewing at the telescopes.
31st Oct Sat
Open Garden 10.00am – 7.00pm Judith Bailey’s Place 6329 Midland Hwy Clarendon http://www.myopengarden.com.au/openGarden.jsp?id=1328 Astrophotography Workshop 7.00pm – late and/or overnight camping. Raising funds for the refurbishment of the Baker 26” Telescope & Clarendon Community Hub. Plant Sales, Music, Afternoon tea, BBQ. Bookings for Workshop essential 0419 103 213. Details on website. http ://observatory.ballarat.net. Helpers would be most welcome, call 0419 103 213.
Stellar Events
O.B.B. 5 Oct 2015
Explanation: Seen as a seagull and a duck, these nebulae are not the only cosmic clouds to evoke images of flight. But both are winging their way across this broad celestial landscape, spanning almost 7 degrees across planet Earth's night sky toward the constellation Canis Major. The expansive Seagull (upper left) is itself composed of two major cataloged emission nebulae. Brighter NGC 2327 forms the head with the more diffuse IC 2177 as the wings and body.
Impressively, the Seagull's wingspan would correspond to about 250 light-years at an estimated
distance of 3,800 light-years. At the lower right, the Duck appears much more compact and would span only about 50 light-years given its 15,000 light-year distance estimate. Blown by energetic winds from an extremely massive, hot star near its center, the Duck nebula is cataloged as NGC 2359.
Of course, the Duck's thick body and winged appendages also lend it a more dramatic popular moniker -- Thor's Helmet.. From Picture of the Day Archive.
Leaving the Astronomical Duck for Terrestrial Ducks, the Maned ducks have returned to nest again this year at the Observatory.
In 2010 I first noticed Maned Ducks nesting in the SE hole of this tree at the Magpie St. Gate.Each year ducks are around the Mt Pleasant area and indeed right through the year as there is a small dam just a few blocks away.
It is a pleasure to see them back again this year, this time in the North hole. J. Bailey
The Seagull and the Duck
O.B.B. 6 Oct 2015
Messier 17 Revealed
This image of the rose-coloured star forming region Messier 17 was captured by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. It is one of the sharpest images showing the entire nebula and not only reveals its full size but also retains fine detail throughout the cosmic landscape of gas clouds, dust and newborn stars. Credit: ESO Released 23rd September 2015
About the Object
Name: M 17, Messier 17, Swan Nebula
Type: • Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Emission : H II Region
Distance: 5500 light years
Constellation: Sagittarius
The nebula pictured here may have had more names bestowed upon it over the ages than any other object of its kind. Although officially known as Messier 17, its nicknames include: the Omega Nebula, the Swan Nebula, the Checkmark Nebula, the Horseshoe Nebula and — lest those with more of a more marine bent miss out — the Lobster Nebula.
Messier 17 is located about 5500 light-years from Earth near the plane of the Milky Way and in the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). The object spans a big section of the sky — its gas and dust clouds measure about 15 light-years across. This material is fueling the birth of new stars and the wide field of view of the new picture reveals many stars in front of, in, or behind Messier 17.
The nebula appears as a complex red structure with some graduation to pink. Its colouring is a signature of glowing hydrogen gas. The short-lived blue stars that recently formed in Messier 17 emit enough ultraviolet light to heat up surrounding gas to the extent that it begins to glow brightly. In the central region the colours are lighter, and some parts appear white. This white colour is real — it arises as a result of mixing the light from the hottest gas with the starlight reflected by dust.
The gas in the nebula is estimated to have more than 30 000 times the mass of the Sun. Messier 17 also contains an open star cluster of 35 stars, which is known as NGC 6618 [1]. The total number of stars in the nebula, however, is much higher — there are almost 800 stars in the centre with even more forming in its outer regions.
Throughout this rosy glow, the nebula shows a web of darker regions of dust that obscure the light. This obscuring material is also glowing and — although these areas are dark in this visible-light image — they look bright when observed using infrared cameras.
The nebula owes its official name to the French comet hunter Charles Messier who included the nebula as the seventeenth object in his famous astronomical catalogue in 1764 [2]. But even with a name as bland as Messier 17, this flowery nebula still looks dazzling. This picture comes from the ESO Cosmic Gems programme [3].
Notes [1] This designation is also sometimes used for the entire star formation region. [2] The astronomer Jean Philippe de Chéseaux discovered the object in 1745, but his discovery did not receive widespread attention. Thus, Messier independently rediscovered and catalogued it almost 20 years later. [3] The ESO Cosmic Gems programme is an outreach initiative to produce images of interesting, intriguing or visually attractive objects using ESO telescopes, for the purposes of education and public outreach. The programme makes use of telescope time that cannot be used for science observations. All data collected may also be suitable for scientific purposes, and are made available to astronomers through ESO’s science archive. From Judith Bailey
O.B.B. 7 Oct 2015
Sravan recently visited Kennedy Space Centre while in the US for a conference. A pictorial tour to enjoy- Editor.
Launch Pad 39A ( work in progress) Astronaut Transfer Van
Crawler Path from VAB Launch Pad 39A alligator Fence
Saturn 1B Apollo 11 Flight Deck
Kennedy Space Centre – Sravan Pingali
O.B.B. 8 Oct 2015
Atlantis on Display Mock up path to Space Capsule
ISS Mural Demo of a Launch
V
VAB and Launch Pad Tours Crawler
O.B.B. 9 Oct 2015
Vehicle Assembly building Rocket Garden
The Radio shack has recently been re-lined and will soon have a coat of paint. The door frame and step have been replaced. A working bee on Saturday 3rd October, from 12pm, Tuesday 6th October from 2pm and Saturday October 10th from 12pm will be to paint the inside twice and prepare the floor for polishing. Anyone who would like to help is most welcome to come along. Contact Judith on 0419 103 213. Late news, I have a volunteer starting on painting tomorrow, Thursday 1stOct.
Radio Shack
O.B.B. 10 Oct 2015
The new plantings in the observatory grounds are growing well, the Austral Indigo is in flower, below right.
The plant to the left is a self sown native, Cassinia arcuata, which apparently grows well in disturbed ground.
There is a large plant near the North of Brittain House.
There are quite a few small plants near where the pines were felled.
Observatory Grounds
