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| Volume 32, Number 11 |
November, 2000 |
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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
Macomb
Meeting Minutes for September
- 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.
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).
Island
Lake Star Party Pictures
Here are a few images of the Island Lake Star Party.
(Click on an image for a larger version)
