From the Outreach Chair

Posted on January 28, 2013 by ST Editors

David Letcher, Outreach Chair

Community outreach opportunity: On Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM AAAP Members are invited to set up their telescopes on the playground and share their expertise at Mill Lake School’s annual Astronomy Night. This event is for the benefit of second grade students and their families, with middle school students presenting a variety of space centers and activities along with more than eight teachers. Pizza and sandwiches with hot and cold beverages will be served. The event is held regardless of the weather. Mill Lake School is located at 115 Monmouth Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831. While optimum night sky viewing conditions rarely present themselves at this event, the children always learn in a fun way and gain an appreciation of space study. Interested persons may call Member and Principal Dr. Lynn Barberi.

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January 8, 2013 AAAP Meeting Minutes

Posted on January 28, 2013 by ST Editors

by Mary Hays for Secretary Michael Wright

The meeting was called to order by Director Ludy D’Angelo at 9:30 p.m.

Committee Reports:

New Observatory Feasibility Study Committee :– Discussion centered on progress of preliminary work.  Committee composed of five volunteers.  Currently looking at:

  1. Approval Plans – Jurisdiction Hopewell. Currently Hopewell seems positive in supporting the effort.   No State involvement if local accepts responsibility.  Will need Construction approval, Planning Board approval, Zoning Board, etc. Things to be considered – Dept. Environmental Protection – Wetlands.
  2. Affordability

Treasurer’s Report:  Mike Mitrano reported that those members who have not renewed will be sent a notice that their membership has lapsed.

Observatory:  Gene Ramsey reported that the Observatory weathered the winter storms well.  Access to the observatory is now impaired because two of the gates were damaged.  Park Security has put a chain on one of the gates that the Observatory Keyholders do not have a key for.  There is no access from Church Road.  The second gate is very difficult to maneuver.

Three members will be starting Keyholder training in the near future.

Upcoming Star Party:  There will be a star party at Hopewell Elementary on Jan. 17th.  6:30 -8:30.  Ludy asked Gene to inform David Letcher of this arrangement.  Members are invited to bring their scopes.  One member suggested that any time the association sponsors a star party, that we have the association’s information brochure to give to the participants.

Website:  John Miller reported that the website has been updated with a new club roster on 12/13/12.  Also, speaker /meeting information is now highlighted in a blue box for easy recognition.

Program Chair:  Kathleen Otto reported that the association has an opportunity for Jim Green, Director of Planetary Science, NASA to speak on February 4th.  There was discussion on whether arrangements could be made in time (room availability, news releases, notification to membership) to change the normal meeting night to one week earlier. Ludy provided Kathleen with Princeton University contact information re: room requests.  Also it was discussed whether the currently scheduled February guest speaker should be asked if she would be willing to change her speaking date to May, or whether there should be a second Feb. meeting on the regularly scheduled evening.  There were varied opinions and a concern was expressed that the association wanted to offer all speakers an interested audience. By having two speakers in one month, some members may have to choose between the two evenings. Final consensus was to have just one meeting, that being on Feb. 4th, if all arrangements could be made.

Kathleen also mentioned that plans for the association’s 50th anniversary are moving forward, and that anyone interested in helping with the activities should contact her.  One idea is to have a poetry contest.

Nominations Committee:  Ludy asked for a volunteer to form a committee to select a slate of candidates for the upcoming elections in May. Jim Poinsett volunteered to head the committee. Nominations close in April.  Anyone interested in running for office should contact Jim Poinsett.

To summarize, terms are for one year.  There are typically three Board of Director’s meetings per year. Elected officers are Director, Assistant Director, Secretary (Membership), Treasurer, Program Chair.

New Business:
Bill Murray suggested that the association plan some type of viewing for the March appearance of the PANSTARRS Comet.

Ludy adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m.

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January 15, 2013 AAAP Board of Trustees Meeting

Posted on January 28, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright, Secretary

Attendees:
         Ludy D’Angelo, Director
         Jeff Bernardis, Assistant Director
         Michael Mitrano, Treasurer
         Michael Wright, Secretary
         Kate Otto, Program Chair
         Surabhi Agarwal, ST Co-editor
         William Murray

The meeting was called to order by Director Ludy D’Angelo.

  1. Treasurer’s Report:  Michael Mitrano reported that the club had a surplus of approximately $1000 for 2012 and currently has approximately $23,000 in its accounts.  Dues reminders will be going out to delinquent members soon.
  2. Observatory: Gene Ramsey was not in attendance.  Jeff Bernardis reported that the observatory was not damaged during Hurricane Sandy.  Gene has removed the duct tape that he used to seal openings, which worked well. The park staff is still cleaning and repairing damage around the park from the storm.  Access is open from the soccer fields; however, the gate at Brick Yard Road is still broken.  The park staff has temporarily barricaded the gates.  Whether AAAP should offer to repair the gates was discussed, but not decided.  The consensus was that access from Church Road via Brick Yard Road should be a priority and open before the public nights begin in April.
  3. Secretary’s Report / Sidereal Times:  Michael Wright said that the deadline for Sidereal Times will be about one week early because the next meeting will be on Monday, February 4 instead of the second Tuesday. He will send out a reminder.  Likewise the press release will go out earlier than usual.
  4. Outreach Report:  David Letcher was not in attendance.  Jeff Bernardis said there is an upcoming star party at Hopewell Elementary School.
  5. UACNJ/Jenny Jump Observatory:  Michael Mitrano reported that UACNJ submitted a request for AAAP’s renewal and dues.  He asked whether he should submit the renewal because AAAP will be closing our observatory at Jenny Jump.  Ludy said that decision has not been made yet and should not be made until the plans for second observatory at Washington-Crossing are approved by the membership.  What to do with the 12” refractor was discussed.  Bill Murray said that many members like this scope because the optics are better than the C14.  The mount is very old.  If the club wants to dispose of the scope, he would like the opportunity to refurbish it.
  6. Observatory Donation:
    1. Michael Mitrano reported on the plans to construct a second observatory at Washington-Crossing to house the donated equipment.  The committee appointed to plan the installation is Michael Mitrano, Jim McHenry, Eric Kaufman, Jim Poinsett, and Ira Polans.
    2. Michael presented sketches showing the location of the proposed observatory within the leasehold boundaries and an elevation of the structure.  Ludy said the boundaries are shown incorrectly and should be corrected based on the lease documents. The preferred site is on the northwest side of the existing building to have the best sky views and avoid obstructing the existing observatory.
    3. Michael explained the process for obtaining approvals to build the structure.  The committee has contacted the park administration, NJDEP and Hopewell Township and received favorable responses.  A building permit will be required. The presence of wetlands needs to be checked.
    4. The building size and materials were discussed.  A round building is difficult to build economically out of brick or block, so the committee is investigating other options such as an octagonal building.  Ludy suggested another roll-off roof.  Michael said the ultimate goal is to have an automated observatory, which would not be possible under a roll-off roof.  Bill volunteered to check at NEAF for other solutions.  The structure will be too small for public observing so a video feed from the scope to another location would be needed.  Internet access would have to be brought in.  The park currently has DSL.  Verizon would probably charge a lot to bring in FIOS broadband because of its isolated location.
    5. Ludy said that the donor offered the donation about one year ago.  AAAP needs to tell him when we will accept the donation; however, the membership has to vote to accept the donation first.    An estimate for the observatory is needed before the issue can be put before the membership.
  7. Super Science Saturday: Bill announced that it will be held on May 4, 2013.
  8. 50th Anniversary Dinner: Kate Otto said that the committee visited IAS on January 9.  IAS is holding May 11 and June 8 for us.  They have excellent facilities for the event. The plan is to have a dinner, a program with a prominent speaker, and observing.  (May 9 is new moon.) The theme is “Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future.”  The committee is considering giving awards such Lifetime Achievement and/or Longevity.  Surabhi Agarwal is contacting caterers for quotes.  So far the quotes range from $40 to $100 per person.
  9. Program Chair:  Kate Otto said that Jim Green, NASA Planetary Science Division Director, will be February’s speaker.  The meeting is moved to February 4 to accommodate his schedule.  She would like to take him to nice restaurant in Princeton, so various options were discussed.  No decision was made.  The speakers for the rest of this season are as follows:
             March – Michael Lemonick
             April – Rachel Somerville of Rutgers, or Clayton Myers of PPPL
             May – Board elections, 50th anniversary dinner, speaker to be determined
             June – Planetarium program in Trenton
  10. Picnic:  The consensus was that we should hold the picnic again this year.
  11. Bill pointed out that PANSTARRS comet will reach mag. -1 and be visible in the evening sky in about five weeks (third week of Feb. 2012).  When comet Hale-Bopp caught the public’s attention, about 600 people tried to visit the observatory.  While Washington Crossing will not be open for public observing, we should plan on a public observing event.  Various locations were discussed.  Adequate parking and visibility of the northwest horizon are priorities. The soccer fields at Washington Crossing seemed the best location.
  12. Ludy announced that Jim Poinsett will be chairing the nomination committee again this year.  Nominations should be submitted to Jim before the April meeting.  Elections will be at the May meeting as required by the constitution.
  13. AAAP was contacted by a reporter doing an article for Inside New Jersey (the Star-Ledger’s magazine).  Surabhi was interviewed, and the article about women in astronomy will be in the April issue.
  14. No date was set for the next Board meeting.  Ludy will call the next meeting as needed.

Ludy adjourned the meeting.

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Treasurer’s Report

Posted on January 28, 2013 by ST Editors

Michael Mitrano, Treasurer

Member renewals are coming in slowly.  A mailing to those who have not renewed was sent in late January.  Expenses in the past month – aside from our annual insurance renewal – have been minimal.  At this point in the year, we have a small surplus.

On a cumulative basis, our surplus is about $22,000.

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Curiosity Discovers Hydrated Mineral Veins on Mars

Posted on January 28, 2013 by ST Editors

by Dr. Ken Kremer, AAAP, Spaceflight Magazine & Universe Today

Curiosity

Curiosity found widespread evidence for flowing water in the diverse scenery in this photo mosaic from the edge of Yellowknife Bay on Sol 157 (Jan 14, 2013). The rover will conduct 1st Martian rock drilling operation at the “John Klein” outcrop, at center. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Ken Kremer/Marco Di Lorenzo

NASA’s Curiosity rover hit the science jackpot by discovering widespread further evidence of multiple episodes of water flowing over Mars billions of years ago when the planet was warmer and wetter, scientists announced at a media briefing in mid-January 2013. The watery evidence comes in the form of water bearing mineral veins, cross-bedded layering, nodules and spherical sedimentary concretions.

Researchers said Curiosity found lots of evidence for mineral veins inside fractured rocks littering the highly diverse Martian terrain, using her 10 science instruments. Veins form when liquid water circulates through fractures and deposits minerals, gradually filling the insides of the fractured rocks over time.

Sometime in late January/early February, the rover will carry out history’s first ever drilling inside a Martian rock. A powdered sample will then be delivered to the robots duo of analytical chemistry labs (CheMin & SAM) to determine its elemental composition and ascertain whether organic molecules are present.

The drill target area is named “John Klein” outcrop, in tribute to the deputy project manager for Curiosity at JPL who passed away in 2011. See our new Sol 157 photo mosaic herein by Ken Kremer & Marco Di Lorenzo showing the exact spot where Curiosity has driven to drill directly into the John Klein outcrop and the mineral veins.

The white colored veins were discovered using the cameras and ChemCam laser firing spectrometer where Curiosity is currently investigating around a shallow basin called Yellowknife Bay. ChemCam found elevated levels of calcium, sulfur and hydrogen. Hydrogen is indicative of water. The mineral veins are probably comprised of calcium sulfate, which exists in several hydrated (water bearing) forms.

The newly found veins appear quite similar to analogous veins discovered in late 2011 by NASA’s Opportunity rover, Curiosity’s older sister, inside Endeavour crater and nearly on the opposite side of Mars. See my Opportunity vein mosaic featured at APOD on Dec. 11, 2011.

Read Ken’s Universe Today story and see his Sol 132 Curiosity photo mosaic featured at NBC News.
Outreach by Ken Kremer: “Curiosity and the Search for Life on Mars – (in 3-D)” – The Pines: Whiting, NJ, Feb. 12, 7 PM and Washington Crossing State Park, Nature Center: Titusville, NJ, April 28, 1:30 PM.

Please contact Ken for more info or science outreach presentations.
Email: kremerken@yahoo.com website: www.kenkremer.com
http://www.universetoday.com/author/ken-kremer/

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A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Posted on January 6, 2013 by ST Editors

by Surabhi Agarwal, Co-editor

The calendar is ready to flip over to 2013. Another year in the books, full of wonderful moments in space news. Some of the more memorable moments came when NASA’s rover Curiosity landed safely on the surface of Mars and began sending back astonishing pictures of the red planet. The year 2012 also saw the space shuttle era come to a close after flying 135 missions and helping to construct the International Space Station. The twin GRAIL spacecrafts Ebb and Flow were launched together in September 2011. Their mission to measure and map moon’s gravity field was completed successfully this December.

We start the New Year by looking forward to a new era of space flight with Orion, America’s next generation spacecraft. Heaven knows which distant planetary bodies will be explored next. Orion will serve as the exploration vehicle that will have the capability to carry humans to great distances, sustain the crew during long voyages and provide safe re-entry from deep space.

Jenny Greene, assistant professor of astronomy at Princeton University

Jenny Greene, assistant professor of astronomy at Princeton University

We launch back out into the galaxy with a lecture on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. in Peyton Hall on the Princeton University Campus by Princeton Astrophysics Professor Jenny Greene’s “Tiny but Powerful: the Smallest Super massive Black Holes.”

Jenny Greene is an assistant professor of astronomy at Princeton University. She studies super massive black holes and the galaxies in which they exist. Professor Greene did her undergraduate work at Yale and graduate work at Harvard. In her spare time, she teaches algebra to inmates in New Jersey state prisons, as part of a large volunteer initiative run by Professor Knapp of Princeton Astrophysics.

See you on January 8 at 8:00 p.m. in Peyton Hall.

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From the Director

Posted on January 6, 2013 by ST Editors

Ludovico D’Angelo, Director

At our last meeting, we had a lengthy discussion of observatory possibilities for Jenny Jump and Washington Crossing State Park. This discussion was an advancement of previous discussions concerning a possible donation to the club of a dome and equipment to make an “automated“ observatory. The end result was the formation of a committee to explore and possibly implement the construction of a new observatory in addition to the one at Washington Crossing. Thank you to those members who volunteered to participate in this venture.

There are still problems with access to our observatory at Washington Crossing after hurricane Sandy. As it seems that some gates are broken and we need to resolve several issues before we can get back into the park. We hope to have an update at our next meeting.

Our next board meeting will be on January 15th, 2013 at 7 P.M.  Anyone who would like to attend, please contact me.

Our next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 8th at 8 PM in Peyton Hall.

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From the Program Chair

Posted on January 6, 2013 by ST Editors

Kate Otto, Program Chair

Does it really matter when the AAAP Club was founded? What really matters is that AAAP is a great club for amateur astronomers.

For fifty years, AAAP members have enjoyed sharing their enthusiasm for astronomy. We have built two observatories, hosted over 400 lectures and 20 star parties, undertaken thousands of hours of outreach at local schools and at our observatory in Washington Crossing State Park, and this year we are going to celebrate in style!

Please join us. The AAAP 50th Anniversary Planning Committee is actively looking for volunteers and sponsors for the dinner in late spring of 2013. Also, we are asking you to share any club memorabilia or photos that the committee could use in advertisements, invitations, our program or a slide show. All items will be returned. Please send an email response to 50years@princetonastronomy.org.

Thank you and a Happy, Happy Holiday Season to all.

Big crowd enjoys Mars 3-D during Dr. Kremer’s Dec 11 talk about NASA’s Curiosity rover. Credit: Dr. Kremer

Big crowd enjoys Mars 3-D during Dr. Kremer’s Dec 11 talk about NASA’s Curiosity rover. Credit: Dr. Kremer


See Dr. Kremer’s article: http://www.universetoday.com/99084/curiosity-celebrates-1st-martian-christmas-at-yellowknife-bay/

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December 11, 2012 AAAP Meeting Minutes

Posted on January 6, 2013 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright, Secretary

The meeting was called to order by Director Ludy D’Angelo. He welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that the club has Astronomy magazine’s 2013 Deep Sky Mysteries calendars on sale and speaker Ken Kremer will have photographs for sale outside the lecture after his talk.

Kate Otto, Program Chair, introduced journalist, Ph.D. research scientist, speaker, photographer and NASA ambassador, Dr. Ken Kremer. In his talk entitled “Curiosity and the Search for Life on Mars in 3-D”, Ken explained the latest discoveries of the Curiosity rover’s expedition across the surface of the red planet, and showed his clean room and launch pad photographs, spectacular 3-D images of the Martian surface, and his new Curiosity photo-mosaics.

After a brief break, Ludy reconvened the business portion of the meeting.

  1. Observatory:
    1. Gene Ramsey reported that the park is open; however, vandals have broken several gates that the club uses to enter the park. The park staff has temporarily barricaded the gates to prevent vehicular access. The observatory can only be accessed during the daytime through the main gate. The park budget is very tight so restoring access is not priority and will be slow. Ludy suggested that AAAP offer to repair the gates if the State will agree to reimburse us for the cost. Jeff said that opening Brick Yard Road should be the highest priority. Ludy said he is coordinating with the park staff regarding moving the locks to give us access from Brick Yard Road. Gene said he will discuss the situation with the park superintendent.
    2. Possible ways to handle the one-way flow on Brick Yard Road on public nights was briefly discussed but no consensus was reached.
    3. Bill Murray’s team is short handed. We need a few more keyholders. Gene will conduct keyholder training after the gates are repaired so he is looking for members interested in becoming keyholders.
    4. Ludy said that the new mount should be installed and other maintenance completed before the spring.
    5. Rex Parker asked about the mortar repairs. Gene said that he will get a quote from a mason.
    6. John Giles said that he working on repairing the controller on the G11 mount.
  2. Treasurer’s Report: Michael Mitrano reported that the club’s finances are sound and that membership is down slightly as compared to the same time last year.
  3. Secretary’s Report/Sidereal Times : Michael Wright said that the deadline for submitting articles for the January Sidereal Times is December 27, 2012, which falls between Christmas and New Year’s holidays. He encouraged writers to submit their reports before the holiday. The deadline for submitting a press release to the papers is December 21, and he will need the speaker information the day before.
  4. Outreach Report: David Letcher was not in attendance. Jeff Bernardis reminded that the club is hosting a star party on Friday, December 14 at the Newell Elementary School in Allentown, NJ. Anyone interested in helping should contact David.
  5. Program Chair: Kate Otto said that she is still working on a speaker for January, but speakers are arranged for February and March. The committee to organize the 50th anniversary dinner had a meeting, and they are moving forward with plans. The dinner is tentatively scheduled for May or June.
  6. Observatory Donation:
    1. Michael Mitrano presented a report that was emailed to all members before the meeting. The very thorough reported discusses the condition of AAAP’s Jenny Jump observatory and the feasibility of installing a dome on the existing structure. The report concludes that the existing structure needs significant repairs; however, the framing could be reused for the proposed dome. Also, the obstruction to neighboring observatories would be modest.
    2. Ludy summarized the potential donation as including a 10-foot diameter Observadome, a Celestron C14, a Paramount, accessories to fully automate the dome and scope, and approximately $4000 . The equipment is from a defunct observatory in New Hampshire. It is owned by a 501(3)c non-profit organization and is currently in storage in Medford, NJ. The owner has to donate to another non-profit. Jeff added that AAAP should reply to the donor within about one month.
    3. Ludy said that the Board, at the July meeting, considered various options for the donated equipment, including referring the donor to S. Brunswick school district, who wants to build an observatory for their students. The Board decided to investigate the feasibility of installing an automated observatory at Jenny Jump for remote viewing and astro-photography. UACNJ approved the concept subject to submitting plans for the park’s approval.
    4. Ludy listed four options for AAAP’s Jenny Jump observatory:
      i. Dismantle the observatory and quit Jenny Jump
      ii. Fix the structure, restore the Newtonian and continue existing use
      iii. Accept donation except dome, fix existing structure, install new C14 and Paramount on existing pier, and retire the Newtonian
      iv. Accept compete donation; reconstruct observatory using dome, C14 and Paramount; and retire Newtonian
    5. The merits of the each alternative and the requirements of running a remote, automated observatory were discussed at length. Members with experience with astro-photography felt that setting up and running an automated observatory for remote viewing or astro-photography would be a difficult project that would tax the clubs expertise and help would be needed from outside the club. Members who built the Simpson and the Jenny Jump observatories recalled that well-organized efforts over more than one year by dedicated members made those projects successful. Also, the 1½-hour drive time from Princeton to Jenny Jump makes construction, repairs and maintenance difficult for club members. Local help would be needed to maintain the facility. The consensus was that building at Jenny Jump was not feasible for the club.
    6. Surabhi Agarwal explained S. Brunswick YMCA’s plans to build an observatory. She said they would take the donation if the club does not.
    7. The feasibility of using the donation at Washington Crossing was discussed. One concern was the availability of a suitable location on the existing site that has sky views and does not obstruct the existing scopes. Also, a 10-diameter dome would not be suitable for public observing because it is too cramped. A video feed into the main observatory was suggested. The consensus was that using the donation to construct a second observatory at Washington-Crossing would be a better use of the donation and the club’s resources.
    8. Ludy said that club should not undertake the project unless there is a dedicated group of members who will commit to seeing the project through to completion. He will send an email to members asking for volunteers to form a committee to plan and execute the project. If there is not enough enthusiasm, the club should not undertake the project. The fate of the Jenny Jump observatory will be decided after a decision is made about the donation.
  7. The next Board meeting will be on January 15, 2013.

Ludy adjourned the meeting.

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