June 2011 Membership Meeting

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors

by Larry Kane, Secretary

  • The last meeting of the season was held in the Planetarium of the New Jersey State Museum and called to order by Director Ludy D’Angelo.
  • Before the planetarium show was presented by former Director Bill Murray, Ludy presented an observatory key to Jim McHenry in recognition of his completing observatory training.
  • Ludy announced that the AAAP was approached by the Ronald McDonald House to bring an outreach program to their pediatric cancer patients and their families. We will await notification that their grant was approved.
  • Program Chair John Church noted that this was his last meeting in the position, and he passed on the title to Ken Levy.
  • Observatory Co-chair Gene Ramsey stated that the park rangers fixed the gate. He noted that the park had not mowed the grass around the observatory. The new burglar alarm system was ordered, and it will be installed soon. John Church brought up the need to resurface and paint the roof railings. They may require sand blasting. He will get some quotes for the work. Gene noted that we should address the condition of the stucco after the railings have been repaired. Ludy added that we should repair the observatory at Jenny Jump.
  • There was no Secretary’s report but Larry Kane thanked Michael Wright for taking the minutes at the last membership meeting.
  • Treasurer Report: The Treasurer’s report appears in another section of the Sidereal Times.
  • Sidereal Times: The next issue will be out following the Board Meeting.
  • Ludy raised the idea of a club picnic and discussed several dates. He emphasized the opportunity it presents for members to socialize with other members.
  • The business meeting was adjourned and Bill Murray presented the planetarium show.
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August 4, 2011 Board Meeting

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors

by Larry Kane, Secretary

  • Director Ludy D’Angelo called the meeting to order.
  • Star Quest – The Moravian Conference Center changed its cost structure and the increases were discussed as well as what the AAAP should charge attendees. The adult fees were increased for the cabins and for camping, to reflect the increases. It was agreed that if the club could break even on Star Quest, that would be fine. We still need to acquire donations for the raffle. Several in attendance volunteered to seek donations. Ludy D’Angelo will put the menu together for the event, and will allow for dietary needs.
  • Program Chair. Chair Ken Levy provided a listing of confirmed speakers and the contacts he made for the upcoming season. He set out his objectives for the season’s program.
  • Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Michael Mitrano presented the financial picture of the AAAP. He pointed out that it would make getting dues checks easier if an email was sent to all members reminding them that the annual dues are due. Larry Kane agreed to send out an email to the membership.
  • Secretary’s Report: Secretary Larry Kane announced that he had two new applications and will revise the membership roster. He noted that both of theses new members found out about the club by our website. It was noted that our website is our best recruitment tool. A discussion was held on how best to recruit new members, especially younger members.
  • Sidereal Times: Editor Michael Wright is in urgent need of a co-editor. An email explaining this will go out to the membership. He especially needs someone to help with the October and November editions.
  • Outreach Report: Outreach Coordinator David Letcher indicated he will be providing a series of classes with Gene Ramsey on “backyard astronomy” that will be held at the Washington Crossing Park Nature Center. The four classes will be held on Friday nights to coordinate with the observatory open houses. In addition, there will be one Saturday class for solar observing. A discussion was held on hosting a “sidewalk observing” event. Ludy D’Angelo mentioned that there are groups of “air national guard” that train young people, and have evidenced an interest in astronomy.
  • Observatory Report: Gene Ramsey announced that the park personnel have been mowing the grass around the observatory. He suggested that key holders be trained to use the new alarm system. He also noted that he could provide some training on the usage of the solar filter for the C-14 telescope. It was suggested that a single training session for key-holders be held in October.
  • Up-Coming events: There will be a transit of Venus and a discussion was held on how we can develop an event for it. One possibility would be to try another event with the Princeton Library. David Levy suggested an event with a “go-pro” camera and a hot air balloon.
  • The director adjourned the meeting.
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Treasurer’s Report

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors

by Michael Mitrano, Treasurer

The AAAP’s fiscal year ends on June 30. An income statement that covers the year that has just ended was sent to members with the September issue of Sidereal Times.  It compares this year’s information with the previous fiscal year. Also shown are a balance sheet presenting our financial condition at the start and end of the year.

The AAAP’s income statement is broken down into four parts: the lecture program, the observatory expenses, StarQuest, and everything else (general operations.)

The Association had a strong surplus of nearly $2,300 this past year – in contrast with last year’s close-to-breakeven results. Several factors contributed to the good outcome:
• StarQuest generated a surplus this fiscal year, whereas it was cancelled the year before due to weather.
• Observatory repairs were modest this year, in contrast with the roof repairs we undertook a year ago.

Dues income decreased slightly and represents 88 members at year end versus 89 a year ago. Outreach contributions increased sharply.

These results increased our strong cumulative reserves, bringing them to about $20,600. We are well positioned to improve our facilities and programs.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any question about the AAAP’s finances.

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An Excerpt from Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors

by David J. Kaplan

Writers, as we all know, cannot wait for inspiration and must rely upon the hard reality of persistence. However, occasionally there comes a time when the muse gives rise to a period of unexpected productivity. A while back, I had an idea for a short story, finally titled Professor Moon. It involves a retired professor of astronomy, a young boy and his grandfather. The child has saved up enough money to purchase, at a used book market, an early edition of Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology, which he intends to read to his blind grandfather. Daniel McBride, the retired astronomer, has also eyed the same edition, but has no idea of the young boy’s ultimate purpose. Therein lays the conflict.

Professor Moon was recently published in U.S. 1, a Princeton, New Jersey newspaper that runs an annual summer reading collection of short stories and poems.

Edgar Lee Masters’ premise, souls who lived in the fictitious town of Spoon River, speak from the grave and as to what brought them to an early demise. Within Spoon River, originally published in 1915, I came across the following stanza. A perfect fit for my short story.

ALFONSO CHURCHILL

They laughed at me as “Prof. Moon,”
As a boy in Spoon River, born with the thirst
Of knowing about the stars.
They jeered when I spoke of the lunar mountains,
And the thrilling heat and cold,
And the ebon valleys by silver peaks,
And Spica quadrillions of miles away,
And the littleness of man.
But now that my grave is honored, friends,
Let it not be because I taught
The lore of the stars in Knox College,
But rather for this: that through the stars
I preached the greatness of man,
Who is none the less a part of the scheme of things
For the distance of Spica or the Spiral Nebulæ;
Nor any the less a part of the question
Of what drama means.

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Space Capsule on Display

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors

by Michael Wright

Local space enthusiasts have an opportunity to see and touch the capsule that returned entrepreneur and space tourist, Greg Olson, to Earth after his 2005, 8-day stay at the International Space Station. The three-man craft is on display at Princeton Marketfair until October 18, 2011 after which it will be permanently installed at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in New York City.

Space Capsule of Soyuz TMA-6. Credit: Michael Wright

Shoppers at Princeton Marketfair examine Soyuz TMA-6’s descent module on display until October 18, 2011

Like the US’s Apollo spacecraft, Russia’s Soyuz crafts have three modules: orbital, descent and services modules. The bell-shaped capsule on display is the descent module of Soyuz TMA-6, which contains the crew launch and entry couches, spacecraft controls and parachutes. It is 2.2 meters in diameter and weighs two tons. A heat-shield protects the module during re-entry. Also, the spacecraft has several retro rockets that fire moments before touchdown to soften the landing.

The AAAP was fortunate to have Mr. Olson speak to us in 2009 about training for his trip and living on the ISS.

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Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors
Arecibo Observatory, largest single dish radio telescope. Credit: Michael Wright

Antenna platform of the largest single dish radio telescope, Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico. Credit: Michael Wright

by Michael Wright

While on vacation in Puerto Rico over Memorial Day weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the Arecibo Observatory, the largest single-dish radio telescope ever constructed. The 1000-foot diameter dish was impressive, but the antenna platform grabbed my attention. Suspended on cables from 360-foot high pylons, it looked like a giant arachnid alien guarding its nest. This impression inspired my rendering of this photo that I took of the platform.

The proboscis-like object sticking below the platform is a 96-foot long, narrow-band, line feed antenna. The gregorian dome houses two reflectors that focus the radio waves into horn antennas. To get a feel for the immensity of the structure, note that there are two full-size doors between the brown stain on the dome.

The observatory is a pleasant one-hour trip from San Juan to the karst country-side near Arecibo. Also, nearby is the Rio Camuy Cave Park, which has the third largest underground river in the world. I recommend a visit if you are ever in Puerto Rico.

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Ghostly Twilight Landing of Atlantis Closes NASA’s Space Shuttle Era

Posted on September 5, 2011 by ST Editors

by Dr. Ken Kremer

Barely discernable in the pre-dawn twilight and appearing as an eerie, ghost-like figure, Space Shuttle Atlantis and her four-person crew swiftly glided to a triumphant landing at the Kennedy Space Center to close out NASA’s storied three-decade-long Space Shuttle Era. In the wink of an eye, it was all over and the final shuttle chapter was written.

Atlantis touched down almost invisibly on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 5:57 a.m. EDT on July 21 and rolled to a stop to conclude the history making 13-day flight to the International Space Station and back. During the STS-135, mission Atlantis orbited the Earth 200 times and journeyed 5,284,862 miles.

STS-135 was the 135th and last shuttle mission. This was Atlantis 33rd flight and the 37th overall to the station. Atlantis was the last of NASA’s three shuttle orbiters to be retired.  Her future retirement home will be a short distance away at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

STS-135 crew

Atlantis 33rd and last flight crew. Credit: Ken Kremer

Chris Ferguson led the all veteran STS-135 crew of space flyers and will be recorded in history as the final Space Shuttle Commander for the Grand Finale of the shuttle program. This was Ferguson’s third shuttle flight and his second as Commander. Joining Ferguson was Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim.

I witnessed many key STS-135 processing events on the path to flight including the payload preparations, orbiter rollover from the Orbiter Processing Facility, Lift and Mate activities inside the VAB, the terminal countdown demonstration test (TCDT) crew training. Also, I saw the  shuttle stack rollout to the launch pad and an extremely rare post-rollout up close tour of the shuttle stack on top of the Mobile Launch Platform including exquisite viewing from all over the launch pad gantry from top to bottom.

On June 28, NASA Shuttle managers announced a unanimous “GO” for liftoff and officially set July 8 as Atlantis launch date. They emphasized how absolutely crucial STS-135 is to the future well being and basic functioning of the $100 Billion International Space Station (ISS) and for sustaining ISS operations for about one year into 2012.

Tucked inside Atlantis cargo bay was the Italian- built “Raffaello” logistics module, which functions as  a ‘moving van’ in space. The primary goal was to deliver “Raffaello” to the million pound orbiting outpost during the 13-day flight.

Raffaello was packed to the gills with more than 9,400 pounds of critical spare parts, food, water, crew provisions, gear, equipment and science experiments that will keep the station stocked and the crew fed for a year.  About one third of the cargo is food; most of it provided by Russia.  The secondary nestled payload was the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) which will demonstrate tools and techniques to repair and refuel satellites already in orbit.

On July 4, blastoff was finally at hand and the final shuttle crew flew into the Space Coast launch site on a wave of T-38 training jets from in Houston, Texas and touched down at the shuttle landing strip. The countdown clock began ticking backwards on July 5 ahead of a gloomy weather forecast.

In the final hours before launch. the crew departed crew quarters, lingered long to wave goodbye to the cheering crowd of thousands of gathered NASA employees, officials and media and then sped off to Pad 39A in the Astrovan to be strapped into their waiting seats of eternal adventure. I’ll never forget these stirring and exhilarating moments of Launch Day.

Space Shuttle Atlantis Credit

Space Shuttle Atlantis Credit: Ken Kremer

Space Shuttle Atlantis soared to space for one last history making time on July 8 at 11:29 a.m. EDT despite the dauntingly poor weather, low lying clouds and a last moment countdown glitch at T – 31 seconds that threatened to derail the launch.

Ultimately all coalesced and combined for an unpredictably tense shuttle drama that went down to the wire and put on a pulse pounding and spectacular sky show that we who were lucky to witness will remember forever.

About 750,000 hugely excited spectators jammed the Florida space coast beaches, roadways and hotels to witness a historic event that we will sadly never see again.   That morning, no one expected to see a launch. Then, all of a sudden about 45 minutes before launch time the sky brightened and spirits rose. Miraculously, a small hole appeared in the sky above the Kennedy Space Center and headed directly for the launch pad as if on cue.

Just 29 seconds later as the crescendo of blazing fire, brimstone and crackling thunder mounted, Atlantis disappeared into the cloud deck on a huge plume of smoke and ash.

All objectives were accomplished during the flight. Shortly after the landing I was one of the very small group of media allowed to visit Atlantis at the runway. This was the first time NASA allowed media at the runway. We then watched the orbiter towed back to the processing hanger for the final time – a bittersweet moment.

Atlantis

Atlantis Space Shuttle being towed back to hangar from the runway. Credit: Ken Kremer

Altogether Atlantis flew 33 missions, spent 307 days in space, orbited Earth 4,848 times and traveled 125,935,769 miles.  Atlantis was the last of NASA three orbiters to be retired and closed out the Space Shuttle Era.

Wheels stop marked the dreaded end of American manned spaceflight from American soil for many years to come. No one can say with certainty how or when America will again launch humans to space.  America is now fully dependent on the Russians to loft Americas to space and the ISS for the next three to five years.  However, with the recent failure of the Russian Progress cargo carrier, there is no assured access to space from Russia either.
Check all my STS-135 features online at Universe Today:
Last Towback of a Flight Worthy Space Shuttle – Atlantis Post Touchdown Photo Album,
Wheels Stop ! With Awesome Atlantis on the Shuttle Runway

Bucks-Mont Astronomical Association (BMAA): Ottsville, PA, Oct 5, Wed. 8 PM, “7 Years of Mars Rovers”   Website: http://www.bma2.org/Sdv.html

Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton:  Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, Nov 8, 8 PM  “Atlantis, the End of America’s Shuttle Program and What is Beyond for NASA”.  Website: http://www.princetonastronomy.org/

Washington Crossing State Park:  Titusville NJ, Nov 12, Sat, 1 PM.  “7 Years of Mars Rovers (in 3-D)”

Ken Kremer, Spaceflight magazine & Universe Today

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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From the Director

Posted on June 6, 2011 by ST Editors

by Ludy D’Angelo, Director AAAP

I cannot believe that it is already half way through the year. Time passes us by so quickly. Blink, and many months have come and gone.

I’m hoping that everyone can attend our last meeting until September. It will be held at the New Jersey State Museum Planetarium on June 14th at 7:30 PM (please note the earlier meeting time). For those of you who have not been there, I encourage you to come along and experience the newly renovated planetarium. Club member Bill Murray will be our host and will give us a presentation not to be missed.

We have decided to cancel the June 4th picnic because of a lack of responses for that date. By the time you read this, that date would be long gone anyway. This was very disappointing to me personally. I always look forward to a good picnic, and it is a new moon week, so going to the observatory afterwards would have been fun too. But alas, even after mentioning this date for the last few months, there was very little response to two emailed invitations requesting an RSVP. If anyone has a better date in mind, please let a board member know. We’ll announce a rescheduled event in the near future.

Last weekend, my family traveled to Oberlin, Ohio for my wife’s college reunion. As part of the festivities during the three-day weekend, the college’s observatory was open day and night for solar and nighttime observing. Suffice to say, it was cloudy and rainy during the three days and evenings except for a small patch of clear sky on Sunday afternoon. On one evening when there was maybe a 1% chance of the clouds breaking up, I went to the observatory, which was perched high atop a five-story building. There I met many of the students who were running the open house and the woman who ran the observatory for Oberlin, Karina Leppik. I also found out that Ms. Leppik was starting a new job as of June 1st as one of many astronomers for the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) project. They will fly an infrared telescope very high in a 747 plane to observe and take astronomical data. This NASA project is based in California. So, overall, a very interesting encounter with very enthusiastic individuals.

Some upcoming dates to remember:

AAAP Picnic – To be rescheduled

June 14th – AAAP at the New Jersey State Planetarium, Trenton NJ at 7:30 PM

See you all there!

Ludy D’Angelo, Director AAAP

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From the Outgoing Program Chair

Posted on June 6, 2011 by ST Editors

By John Church, Program Chair-Retired

Congratulations to Ken Levy on his election to Program Chair for the 2011-2012 AAAP session, which of course goes with a seat on the Board of Directors.  It has been my pleasure to serve in this position for the last year and the latter part of the 2009-2010 session.  It has been a very rewarding experience, and I have had the pleasure of meeting many outstanding speakers.

We are a club of volunteers, and it is always a good idea to get some new people on the Board.  Any number of club members could serve in these positions.  I hope that in future years others will be willing to step up and give something back to the club that has served them well.

To round out our current session, on June 14th we will have our traditional presentation by former AAAP Director Bill Murray in the New Jersey State Planetarium in Trenton, starting at 7:30 pm.  This is always a great show, and we’ll be looking forward to it.  There will be no pre-meeting dinner this month, but we hope to start these up again in September.

I would again like to express my sincere thanks to John Giles, Ira Polans, and Director Ludy D’Angelo for their much-appreciated support in helping to arrange speakers for this past year.  To assist Ken, there are several other possible speakers already lined up for the next session.  Ken has many ideas of his own in this area.  I wish him the very best of luck and will be looking forward to seeing his selections for the upcoming club year.

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