Author Archives: ST Editors

Winter use of the observatory

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ST Editors

by Dave and Jennifer Skitt The cold weather has set in but that doesn’t mean the observatory can’t be used to catch that elusive asteroid or your favorite winter galaxy or star cluster. Here are a few considerations to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2018, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hastings-Byrne Refractor Update

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ST Editors

by Dave Skitt AAAP member Tom Swords, in consultation with John Church and with my assistance, is currently working to improve the connection of the focuser for the Hastings-Byrne refractor to the tube assembly. We have become aware that the … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2018, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bare Naked Ladies

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ST Editors

castor and pollux exposed by Ted Frimet No, we haven’t changed the sex of our favored Gemini twins. This title has been haunting my mind, for a few days now. The Father of Advertising, David Mackenzie Ogilvy bombards my mind … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2018, Sidereal Times | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

no more buwwets

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ST Editors

by Ted Frimet how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood ? I bring you tidings of a final essay, as I have spent all of my Shekels from 2017. And have no coin left … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2018, Sidereal Times | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The perfect machine – Ronald Florence

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ST Editors

by Prasad Ganti The book “The Perfect Machine” is written by Ronald Florence. A fascinating book about the design and construction of the 200 inch telescope at Mount Palomar during the years leading up to the second world war and … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2018, Sidereal Times | Tagged | Leave a comment

Snippets

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ST Editors

compiled by Arlene & David Kaplan Hurricane-battered Arecibo telescope will keep studying the skies After years of financial uncertainty and weeks of hardship caused by Hurricane Maria, staff at the legendary Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico were relieved to find … Continue reading →

Posted in January 2018, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

From the Director

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

      by Rex Parker, Director So Many Reasons to Keep Looking Up.  As the year 2017 winds down and the holiday spirit ascends, we can all share some satisfaction at an exciting event-filled year in our organization. I … Continue reading →

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From the Program Chair

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

By Ira Polans The December AAAP meeting will be held on the 12th at 7:30PM in Peyton Hall on the Princeton University campus. The talk is by AAAP member William Murray on “The Life and Legacy of Charles Messier”. Bill’s … Continue reading →

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November 14, 2017 Meeting Minutes

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

by Jim Poinsett, Secretary After the presentation and the break Rex called the meeting to order. Rex talked about light pollution and how LED lights blue shift and cause problems for viewing and astrophotography. He stressed the need to influence … Continue reading →

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November 6, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

by Jim Poinsett, Secretary Minutes of the November 2017 Board Meeting of the AAAP The meeting was called to order at 7:30 The first topic of the evening was about making the outreach chairperson and observatory chairperson positions members of … Continue reading →

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Skynet exposed

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

by Ted Frimet dare you seize the galaxy? Hello Everyone, I am new to Skynet and am trying to get started.  I have watched the videos but am confused on a couple things and would appreciate any advice. For my first … Continue reading →

Posted in December 2017, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Voyagers on a Grand Tour

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

by Prasad Ganti For forty years, they have been traveling towards the outer solar system and beyond. They are the twin space probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Fueled by nuclear energy in the form of plutonium based thermal generators, … Continue reading →

Posted in December 2017, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Snippets

Posted on December 4, 2017 by ST Editors

compiled by Arlene & David Kaplan A Nearby Earth-Size Planet May Have Conditions for Life There’s a new place to look for life in the universe. Astronomers announced on Wednesday the discovery of an Earth-size planet around a small red … Continue reading →

Posted in December 2017, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment