The Warren Astronomical Society Paper

Volume 30, Number 1, January, 1998

Table of Contents

• Computer Chatter
• Minutes of Meetings

Computer Chatter

• COMET UTSUNOMIA (C/1997 T1)
• T: 1997 Dec 10.077
• e: 1.000000
• q: 1.359625
• Peri: 95.921
• Node: 53.7126
• i: 127.9944
• Absolute Mag: 8.0
• Magnitude Coeff: 10.00
• Epoch of elements: J2000.0

Minutes of Meetings

• Blaine McCullough opened the meeting at 7:48. There were 32 members in attendance on a cold, damp evening. We were reminded that there will be no Cranbrook meeting in January since the first Thursday is New Year's day.
• Ben Tolbert reported a gain of $430.16 for our treasury bringing the balance to $5,757.77 as of 11-20. Future issues of Astronomy magazine will now cost society members $24, a $4 increase.
• Jack Kennedy brought in copies of Michigan House Bill #4254 which proposes creation of a cross-interest lighting board to make recommendations for state lighting. Hopefully these recommendations will eventually expand into regulations which will control all outdoor lighting systems to provide light where necessary in an efficient manner with minimum pollution. Since the WAS has a keen interest in eliminating light pollution, all members are strongly encouraged to contact representatives requesting active support of this bill. Our web site will be modified to include directions on how to contact Lansing via E-mail which has proven to be a very effective method of motivating our representatives. Studies indicate that lighting systems can be designed which produce comparable illumination while using less electricity and with minimum pollution. The secretary will also prepare a letter for officer's signatures which will formally establish the position of the WAS. A vote date has not yet been established but could happen any time.
• Jeff Bondono remarked that he is always looking for articles for the WASP. Mike O'Dowd showed us a beautiful picture of the Butterfly Galaxy core which he had enlarged and printed for $32. The picture was recently taken by Hubbell and was downloaded from the web. Mike has the negative which was created and is willing to share.
• Five members were at Stargate last Saturday. The skies were good enough to locate 9 Messier objects with 8x50 binoculars. The last Deep Sky meeting was clouded out according to Doug, but progress was made on the observatory.
• The feature presentation was made on the moons of Jupiter by Dale Partin. Overheads were used to show how the positions of the moons over several weeks could be accurately measured using a reticule (graduated) eyepiece. The resultant plots were then used to estimate the mass of the Galilean moons to an average accuracy of less then 1% variation from accepted values. The effort proved very interesting and showed that new members can indeed make very nice contributions to our amateur astronomy society. Dale brought his first telescope (3 now!) after meeting us at the Hale-Bopp Comet Party. After allowing a reasonable time to get re-acquainted with his family, he hopes to do a similar study of the moons of Saturn.
• The meeting ended at 10:05

• Dave opened the meeting at 7:53 to 30 members and guests. He announced that there will be an officer's meeting on 12-9 to formally transfer responsibility and files to the 1998 officers. The Awards Banquet will feature a trip down memory lane with slides covering much of the history of the Warren Astronomical Society. Approximately 40 advance tickets have been sold coming into this meeting. Most of the planets are currently visible in the early evening sky resulting in an exceptional parade. Finally, Dave noted that the silicone content of the actual Mars rocks at the current site is significantly different than that found in the Antarctica rocks which are assumed to have come from Mars. As you would expect, this has resulted in some lively debate in scientific circles.
• Doug Bock noted that early mapping photos from Mars are exceptional and heighten the excitement over the prospects for high resolution maps of the entire surface in the months ahead. The Deep Sky group was again clouded out on 11-29; however, progress was made on the observatory and the 20" re-figured, re-coated mirror has been returned and looks good.
• Light pollution was again a key topic. The Detroit City Council reviewed a Detroit Edison plan to replace/upgrade much of the city's lighting. Since details have not been announced, it was agreed that the WAS should investigate to determine if minimum-pollution lighting is planned. Mort Sterling recently retired from Edison and knows the players involved. Therefore, he volunteered to contact them to learn about the plan and report back to us.
• Jeff Bondono has upgraded our web site to include the information needed by members to contact our state representatives and voice our individual opinions regarding the bill currently under consideration in Lansing for state exterior lighting systems. It is very important to all of us that we mobilize a grass-roots effort to support this bill. Finally, our secretary has drafted a letter for consideration by our officers as a formal position by the WAS on the state bill. It is expected to be signed and mailed to Lansing, and other Michigan astronomical societies, this month.
• The feature presenter could not make it so Marty Kunz saved the evening with an impromptu planetarium show which is always a treat. Following the show, a 'stump the astronomers' panel was appointed and questions were fielded from the members. The experts included Marty Kunz, Mike O'Dowd, Lou Faix, Larry Kalinowski and was chaired by Doug Bock. The Fab 5 handled all but trick questions and a rousing time was had by all!
• The meeting was closed at 10:00.