WASP The Warren Astronomical Society Paper Volume 32, Number 11 November, 2000

Astro Chatter by Larry Kalinowski With the help of his trusty laptop, Clay Kessler delivered a lively photo enhancing lecture at the Last Cranbrook (10-2) meeting. Cranbrook's video projector helped display his past photos on a large twenty foot auditorium [continued] SMURFS 2000 Pictures by Joe Van Poucker Well I finally broke down and took my roll of film from SMURFS in to get developed. Anyone that is interested in seeing all the fun they missed this year can go to the WAS-VSO home page at home.earthlink.net/~joevp. and click on the link for SMURFS 2000. Island Lake Star Party Pictures by Rick Gossett Winter Star Party Registration by George Korody Registration for the 17th annual Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys is currently being conducted. I have been going every year. It would be fun to have others from this area there, too. It is a great wintertime [continued] Membership Anniversaries by Joe Van Poucker Warren Astronomical Society's Annual Winter Banquet by Joe Van Poucker Everybody should have received their invitation to the winter banquet in the mail by now. If for some reason you did not please contact me so I can check to make sure I have your correct address. Just in case here is a reminder for everybody with the information. Thursday, December 21, 2000 At the Stephenson Haus Banquet Center 25000 N. Chrysler Dr., Hazel Park Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Dinner starts at 8:00 p.m. Cost is $20.00 per person All Reservations must be returned to me by December 2, 2000 Macomb Meeting Minutes for September by John Herrgott The Swapshop by Larry Kalinowski

Astro Chatter, continued

screen, as he quickly and deftly displayed the processes of enhancing scanned negatives, with the help of his laptop. After showing how to stack more than one image on top of another to enhance the signal to noise ratio, he moved to Adobe photoshop and proceeded to show how to change contrast, saturation and remove unwanted scratches and unwanted satellites from his astro photos. The Macomb group deserves to see a repeat of this fine presentation.

You know what's great about this time of the year? It's the change from DST to EST. The last Sunday in October, the 29th, magically gives you an early start to observe in the evening. The evenings are just right because of the temperature and humidity changes. The bugs are gone and lo and behold, your favorite fall objects seem to be higher in the sky. When you move that hour hand back, think about that better chance to observe the eastern sky, especially with Jupiter, Saturn and Taurus dominating that region.

That famous pictograph of the Moon and supernova, in New Mexico, was duplicated by Mr. Nile Roots photograph of the Moon and Venus. He took a photo of both objects last February 2nd, with the intent of showing everyone that there are other explanations for the famous rock painting (see page 16, October, 2000, Sky And Telescope).

Many thanks to Roger Civic, that old WAS member, noted for his superb globes of Mars and other planets, for donating about 500 floppy disks to the computer group. These and other discs he's donated in the past will be used in the WAS program library. There are now fifty-three programs and data discs available in our shareware library, all available to club members for one dollar per disc.

Saw a brilliant object in the northern sky on September 26, at 8:30 pm. It was moving south to north and lasted about 10 seconds. I estimated the magnitude to be about -5 or -6. It could have been one of those Iridium satellites but I didn't have any documentation to substantiate it. If you do, let me know.

If you're interested in getting the latest predictions for those Iridium satellites, surf the web at www.heavens-above.com. You have to tell them what city you live in, that's all. Then pick your satellite. You can get predictions for Iridiums, Mir, the ISS and Hubble too.

Now's the time to start thinking about signing up for our yearly awards banquet. It's scheduled for the third Thursday (12-21) in December and takes place in the same place as last year (Stephenson Haus Banquet Center, 25000 N. Chrysler Drive, in Hazel Park, 7:00pm). Announcements have been sent out by now and your money, $20 per person, must be in by the end of the Cranbrook meeting on December 4th. Sign-ups WILL NOT be taken at the door of the Banquet hall. Contact Joe Van Poucker, our treasurer, at 810-771-9363 for more info.

The October computer meeting (10-26), resumes at Gary Gathen's home. Gary lives in Pleasant Ridge, at 21 Elm Park, three blocks south of I-696 and about half a block west of Woodward. You can reach him at 248-543-3366. The November meeting has yet to be determined because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Winter Star Party Registration, continued

get-away. It takes place from February 19 through February 25, 2001 (6 nights) and is the first major star party of the new millennium. I have registration forms or they can be obtained from Fred Heinrich at heinrich@atlantic.net or phone (904) 362-5995. Registration forms must be completed and returned no later than 10-16-00. The cost is $75 per person with extra costs for camping on-site or RV/trailer space. Site space limits attendance to about 600 people. Acceptance is by a combination of invitation and lottery. Most people are accepted.

The actual site is on West Summerland Key. It is a reasonably dark site with a little light pollution from Key West 35 miles to the west and Marathon Key 15 miles to the northeast, and there is a hint of light pollution from Havana, Cuba 90 miles to the south. The Southern Cross (Crux) is just above the ocean horizon and due south about 4:00 AM. Omega Centauri is fantastic.

More information is available from the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS) in Miami, who put on the star party. Their WEB site is at: www.scas.org Please let me know if you decide to go.

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Membership Anniversaries

New Member for September 2000:

• Norman Dillard, Southfield, MI

W.A.S. Anniversaries for November 2000:

• 6 Years: Gerald & Maryann Greuling, Sterling Heights, MI
• 6 Years: Paul Mikula, Roseville, MI
• 4 Years: Richard & Eleanor David, Waterford, MI
• 4 Years: Richard Kovari, Milford, MI
• 3 Years: Mark Gottlieb, Royal Oak, MI
• 2 Years: Nancy Rowe, Ferndale, MI
• 1 Year: Scott Dulchavsky & Family, Grosse Pointe Park, MI
• 1 Year: Michael Emiah & Family, Ray, MI
• 1 Year: Jane Harness & Family, North Branch, MI
• 1 Year: Lee Hartwell, Sterling Heights, MI
• 1 Year: Clifford Jones, Southfield, MI
• 1 Year: Melanie Nelson, Harrison Twp., MI
• 1 Year: Peter Rynshoven, St. Clair Shores, MI
• 1 Year: Jeanne Wright, Berkley, MI

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Macomb Meeting Minutes for September

Macomb, September, 2000

• The club's meeting was opened by Blaine McCullough with the introduction of guests and prospective new members. After extending a welcome Blaine asked for officer reports.
• The program chairman, Marty Kunz, reiterated the club's continuing need for interested members to give talks related to their astronomy interests. Mike Simonsen, the observatory chairman, noted variable star outbursts taking place. Mike also announced the next meeting of the variable star subgroup. Joe Van Poucker, the club's treasurer, announced a treasury balance of $3494.13. Joe also will be mailing out annual dues notifications to all members. Also, members can expect to begin making reservations for the club's holiday and awards' banquet to be held in December. This writer, your secretary, informed all present of the delay in the publication of the September WASP. As of this writing the WASP for September and October is in the mail for those receiving hard copy.
• Blaine announced the meeting schedule for those interested in participating in the construction of a permanent home for our 22" telescope. All members are welcome to participate in this important project. Blaine also noted the club will be looking into acquiring the empty building east of the observatory at Camp Rotary from the metro park system.
• The club's annual business meeting is fast approaching and Blaine opened up the nomination process for next year's officers. Mike Simonsen is nominated for president. Marty Kunz is nominated for first vice-president. For second vice-president we have Frank Spizick, Rick Gossett and Steve Greene. The nomination for treasurer is Mark Femininio. The club secretary slot has no nominations yet. Nominations will continue up to election day at the October Macomb meeting.
• Mike O'Dowd treated members to a show and tell featuring the latest astronomy related postage stamps from the U. S. Postal Service. These beautiful stamps featured Hubble images. Mike also displayed a 2001 astronomy calendar and a book illustrating that famous work of Isaac Newton, The Principia. Free flowing conversation followed with Steve Greene talking of a recent observing trip in Ohio. Larry Kalinowski has new Lunar software available. Larry also will host the September meeting of the computer subgroup. Aurora and sunspots were reported by members.
• Dave D'Onofrio gave the evening's program demonstrating some of the latest CCD technology from the Santa Barbara Instrument Group.

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The Swapshop

This column is for those who are interested in buying, trading or selling items. Call 810-776-9720 (larrykalinowski@yahoo.com) if you want to put an item for sale or trade in this section of the WASP. The ad will run for six months. The month and year the ad will be removed, is also shown.

• FOR SALE. Mirror grinding machine. Double spindle Elgin type. $350. 810-757-4741. (3-01).
• WANTED. Pentium laptop computer with floppy and CD-ROM drives. 810-776-9720.(3-01).
• FOR SALE. CD Rom drive, 2X, brand new in original package. Includes audio cable. $15. 810-757-4741. (1-01).
• FOR SALE. 14,400 baud, external, modem by Practical Periphirals. RS232 cable and AC pwer supply included. $15.00 810-776-9720. (1-01).

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Island Lake Star Party Pictures

Here are a few images of the Island Lake Star Party.


(Click on an image for a larger version)

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This page was created by Jeff Bondono, and last changed on October 15, 2000. Modified by Doug Bock on February 18, 2001

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