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Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. |  Member Astronomical League |
 Member International Dark-Sky Association |
| Monthly Meetings 2005 |
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| 29°39' N, 82°21' W Altitude: 50 Meters (more or less) |
Updated Oct. 11, 2005 | ||
| (Click logo for home page) | Founded: September 1987 |
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Location
POWELL HALL EXHIBITION CENTER
of the Florida Museum of Natural History
Located near S.W. 34 Street &
Hull Road intersection
(Western edge of UF campus
in UF's Cultural Plaza)
Gainesville, Florida USA
[Directions and Map]
NOTE: Powell Hall is located in the UF cultural complex that includes the Phillips Center for Performing Arts (CPA) and the Harn Museum of Art. Also across the street is the SW Recreational Center. Unless the CPA is holding a performance on the evenings when the AAC meets at Powell Hall, parking should not normally be a problem.
However, if an event is also happening at the CPA, people attending AAC events at Powell Hall should plan accordingly (arrive early! ).
Check the UF Calendar of Events to see when performances are scheduled at the CPA.)
At the present time there are no known conflicts with AAC meetings and the CPA during the first half of 2005. (The CPA 2004/2005 schedule will not be published until spring 2004.)
- All monthly meetings are free and open to the public (but why not become a member!)
- Check detailed schedule for any changes in time or location
- The AAC Executive Council also meets the first Tuesday of the month
Speaker Schedule
(Click on date to see details)
Date (2005) Guest Speaker Title or Topic January 11 M. Barnett & F. Heinrich So You Want To Build Your Own Backyard Observatory! February 8 Dr. Fred Hamann From Darkness Into Light: The End of the Dark Ages March 8 Justin Crepp Direct Imaging of Extrasolar Planets April 12 Jose Olivarez Observing the Wonders of Jupiter May 10 Dr. Howard L. Cohen Arizona Wonders: Astronomy, Archaeology & Geology of the Grand Canyon State plus
Drama on the High Seas: The 2005 Hybrid Solar EclipseJune 14 Chuck Broward 2005 Winter Star Party / The Astronomical League July 12 Don Loftus The Moon Since Apollo August 9 Russell Romanella NASA's Vision for Space Exploration (MOVED FROM JULY) September 13 Dr. John P. Oliver Reflections of a Retiring Astronomer October 11 Tandy W. Carter, Jr. Observing Mars November 8 Bill Helms So Your Kid Wants a Telescope for Christmas: How to Avoid a Lemon December 10 None (Holiday Party) Help Celebrate Our 18th Anniversary
Details of 2005 MeetingsTuesday, January 11, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EST
Speaker: Mark Barnett and Fred Heinrich
E-Mail: mbarn@fdt.net and heinrich1@alltel.net
Title: So You Want To Build Your Own Backyard Observatory!
Location: Powell Hall (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: AAC members, Mark Barnett and Fred Heinrich will be relating their own experiences in building their own observatory. They will show pictures of their observatories in various stages of construction, discuss pros and cons of a dome versus roll-off roof, types of materials used, costs, and generally share what they learned about constructing their own backyard observatory. Be sure to attend as these presentations will generate some lively discussions.
About the Speaker: Both Mark and Fred are long time AAC members. AAC is a past AAC treasurer and Fred with his wife, Lucille, are registrars for the annual Winter Florida Keys Star Party hosted by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society
Tuesday, February 8, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EST
Speaker: Dr. Fred Hamann, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida
E-Mail: hamann@astro.ufl.edu
Title: From Darkness Into Light: The End of the Dark Ages
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: Dr. Hamann will talk about how and when the first bright (and massive) objects (stars, galaxies, quasars) formed in the young universe. The Big Bang was a bright, hot fireball, but soon afterwards the universe was dark for a while (the "Dark Ages") until gravity assembled the first massive structures. It has become a major goal of astronomers to understand the formation of the first objects and the end of the dark ages . . .
About the Speaker: Dr. Hamann received his Ph.D. at the State University of New York (SUNY), Stony Brook in 1987. He had appointments as a post-doctoral research fellow at the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena and the Ohio State University. Subsequently, he was a research scientist working with a Hubble Space Telescope instrument team at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Hamann joined the faculty at UF in 1999. Fields of research include quasars and active galactic nuclei (AGN), pre- and post-main sequence stars, elemental abundances and chemical enrichment in galaxies and AGNs (Active Galactic Nuclei), star formation and galaxy evolution at high redshifts, and spectral diagnostics of astrophysical environments.
Professor Hamann has become a regular speaker for the AAC. He gave talks both in February 2001 on Quasars, Black Holes and the Birth of Galaxies and in May 2004 on Twinkle, Twinkle, Huge Explosion: The Story of Gamma-Ray Bursts. Audiences have reacted enthusiastically by those fortunate enough to hear him speak.
Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EST
Speaker: Justin Crepp, graduate student, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida
E-Mail: jcrepp@astro.ufl.edu
Title: Direct Imaging of Extrasolar Planets
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
PARKING ALERT: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs at the Center for Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m.
Arrive early to be assured of convenient parking!
Preview: Justin will focus on the theory and instrumentation involved in the direct detection of extrasolar planets, specifically the reasons why "taking a picture" of an extrasolar planet is so difficult. He will also discuss the upcoming Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) mission(s), and how his research relates to both issues.
About the Speaker: Justin Crepp received his Bachelor's degree in Physics from the Behrend College at The Pennsylvania State University - Erie. He began graduate studies at Penn State, then transferred to the University of Florida in 2004 with his graduate advisor, Dr. Jian Ge. Justin's previous work includes the study of N-body simulations and solar system dynamics; chaos and its relation to the stability of satellites; and gas-assisted capture of massive satellites. Currently, Justin is developing technology for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Mission, theory and lab experiments.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Jose Olivarez
E-Mail: olivarezhsd@earthlink.net
Title: Observing the Wonders of Jupiter
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: A presentation of the most interesting and active atmospheric events that have been seen on Jupiter over the last hundred years, and how amateur astronomers can view them with their telescopes, as these events repeat from time to time. The talk is liberally illustrated with dozens of pictorial slides and photographs.
About the Speaker: Jose Olivarez holds a B.S. Degree in Astro-Science, and has been interested in Astronomy since he was 12 years old. He is now a semi-retired astronomy educator and former Director of Astronomy at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, California. Previous to his California engagement, he served as Director of the Wichita Omnisphere and Science Center in Wichita, Kansas, for 21 years. He has been observing the heavens since 1960, and has been presenting public lectures about the stars for more than three decades. He enjoyed continuous employment as a Planetarium Director for 31 years (1970 - 2001) and is now Adjunct Instructor of Astronomy at the Discovery Science and Outdoor Center in Ocala, Florida. In 1993, he was the recipient of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observer's Walter H. Haas Award "In recognition of his years of solar system observations, particularly Jupiter".
He is still a very active astronomical observer, observing Jupiter (now in his 45th year of watching the planet), the Moon, and double stars in steady Florida skies with 8-inch and 10-inch refractors of very fine figure made for him by D&G Optical. He estimates that over half a million people of all ages and all walks of life have learned "at least a little astronomy" from him over his many years as a Planetarium Director and Educator in Florida, Kansas, and California. He and his wife moved back to Florida in 2001 and live in Ocala.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Dr. Howard L. Cohen, Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida
E-Mail: cohen@astro.ufl.edu
Title: Arizona Wonders: Astronomy, Archaeology and Geology of the Grand Canyon State
plus Drama on the High Seas: The 2005 Hybrid Solar Eclipse
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: Arizona is a land of apparently boundless earth and sky. Its sweeping vistas, majestic mountains, awesome canyons, broad valleys, and vast deserts make this state among our most beautiful. This scenic beauty coupled with a healthful climate with frequent clear, sunny skies make Arizona a popular destination.
Here too, its exceptionally dry and clear atmosphere has helped make Arizona the astronomy capital of the world. Over a dozen research observatories dot its sun-swept mountains and lofty plateaus including one of the world's most historic, the Lowell Observatory. In addition, Arizona is home to Kitt Peak National Observatory, which contains the world's most diverse collection of telescopes, including the world's largest solar telescope.
This presentation will take you on a visual journey of the Grand Canyon State. In fact, this is a journey you too can personally experience next September. Professor Cohen and Dr. Bruce Macfadden, an expert paleontologist and geologist with the Florida Museum of Natural History, invite you to accompany them as they explore astronomy, archaeology and geology of a vacation state that has few rivals.
This journey also comes during an astronomically auspicious year for Arizona. The USA will experience one of the best oppositions of Mars in nearly fifty years, Lowell Observatory celebrates the 75th anniversary of their discovery of Pluto, and scientists have announced new discoveries about Arizona's spectacular meteorite crater.
Both Mars and Pluto dominated much of Percival Lowell's life. Dr. Cohen's talk will not only explain why Mars observing may be at its best this year for the USA but will also introduce you to some intimate details about the discovery of Pluto. And his presentation will tell how he has arranged for you to observe through the great 24-inch refractor used by Lowell himself to study Mars and its "canals."
Dr. Cohen will also present interesting and intimate information about the discovery of Pluto. He will preview the telescope and optical equipment used to discover Pluto—historical instruments that you can experience on this stunning tour.
Arizona also sports the largest, best-preserved, and best studied impact crater on Earth, the Canyon Diabolo (Barringer) Meteor Crater. However, scientists have recently announced new discoveries about the impacting body. See intimate slides about the first proven meteorite crater on Earth and learn how you can accompany a special tour of the crater arranged by Dr. Cohen with Drew Barringer, grandson of the man who secured its ownership in 1903.
Added Bonus: Dr. Cohen has just returned from the South Pacific Ocean where he observed the 2005 hybrid solar eclipse. He will give a short presentation about his adventure that includes the sights and sounds of this spectacular event. If you only saw this event as a partial eclipse, then you don't want to miss this presentation!
About the Speaker: Dr. Cohen is a founding member of the Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. and an emeritus professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida where he was on the faculty for more than thirty-five years. Professor Cohen is an accomplished public speaker. His "down-to-earth" presentations use lively computer displays which he has perfected through years of teaching at the University of Florida.
With his wife Marian, a travel specialist with Continental Capers Travel & Cruises, Dr. Cohen helps plan, organize and escort unique tours centered on astronomical themes. This fall (September 21 – October 2, 2005) he will help lead a new and unusual 12-day tour of Arizona astronomy, archaeology and geology with the Florida Museum of Natural History. This tour is a culmination of his many trips to the Grand Canyon State over the past forty years. He has also worked and observed at Lowell Observatory, a featured attraction on the tour. Their tour web site is at http://www.flycapers.com/tours/voyages/ .
Tuesday, June 14, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Chuck Broward
E-Mail: cbroward@ufl.edu
Title: 2005 Winter Star Party / The Astronomical League
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: Chuck will present a two-part presentation: first, a photo essay describing and recapping one of amateur astronomy's special events -- the 2005 Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys, sponsored by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS). The second part of his discussion will focus on the Astronomical League, and the resources the AL provides to local astronomy-oriented organizations such as the AAC.
About the Speaker: Charles (Chuck) Broward is the AAC's Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCOR), and Amateur Telescope-Making (ATM) Coordinator, as well as an avid amateur observer and telescope maker. He is also our Astronomical League club coordinator.
Chuck has been a regular speaker at AAC meetings. He gave talks in October 1996 and November 1997 on purchasing a telescope; in August 1998 on How to Make Your Own Telescope; in October 2000 on The RLT ("Rather Large Telescope"); in June 2001 as part of a Members' Medley of observing experiences; and in March 2002 on The Messier Marathon.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Don Loftus, AAC Vice President
E-Mail: dloftus@ufl.edu
Title: The Moon Since Apollo
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: A PowerPoint presentation on what has happened to Moon exploration since the last Apollo mission in 1972. The presentation will cover what happened to Moon rocks Apollo astronauts returned to Earth, the various satellite missions sent to the Moon and what is planned for the near future.
About the Speaker: Don is an active sky observer has been a very invaluable AAC member since its early days. Among other duties, Don has served as AAC treasurer and is currently vice president. When not working at his University of Florida job in broadcasting, observing or building gadgets, Don tends his farm north of Gainesville where he is also currently growing grapes.
Don has previously given many lunar talks including talks on transient lunar phenomenon and the Apollo missions. See, for example, "Man on the Moon," 2002 October, "Observing the Moon," 1998 September, and "Everything You Wanted to Know About the Moon, But Were Afraid to Ask," 1997 April. Don also gave our keynote address at our public viewing event for the total lunar eclipse of 2004 October 27 titled "Man on the Moon: NASA'S Golden Age." Despite his interest in dark sky objects and a bad case of "aperture fever" so he can see them better, he still can't stop looking at the Moon and be fascinated by its beauty. You can view some of Don's pictures on his picture page.
Tuesday, August 9, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Russell Romanella, Deputy Director, Program Management, International Space Station (ISS) Payload Processing Directorate, National Aeronatics and Space Administration (NASA)
E-Mail: russellr@cfl.rr.com
Title: NASA's Vision for Space Exploration
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: The Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, Mars, and other efforts underway within NASA related to the Vision for Space Exploration.
About the Speaker: Russell Romanella is the Deputy Director for Program Management in the International Space Station (ISS) Payload Processing Directorate. He joined NASA in 1981 as a Co-Op student while attending Florida State University. After graduation, in 1984, he joined NASA as an Operations Engineer, automating Shuttle and Payload Processing schedules and assessments. Mr. Romanella became Project Manager for the Payload Data Management System (PDMS). In 1991 he became Chief of the Software Development section and later was selected as Chief of the Automation Systems Division. His division was also responsible for the Spacelab logistics phase-down activities, as well as the KSC World Wide Web development and deployment activities.
In 1996, Mr. Romanella moved to the Space Station Hardware Integration Office (SSHIO) as chief of the Integration Operations Office. In 1997, he became Element Manager for International Space Station missions, including those flying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM) and the Canadian Robotic Arm.
In May of 2000, Mr. Romanella served as the Deputy Director of the Space Station Hardware Integration Office. In May of 2001, he became Deputy Director for Program Management in the ISS/Payload Processing Directorate. In this, his current position, Mr. Romanella is responsible for plans, processes, and operating philosophies of the ISS and Shuttle Payloads ground operations. He is responsible for long-range multi-year work plans of the subordinate divisions and offices and provides direction to the Payload Ground Operations Contractor. While in this position, critical elements of the ISS have been successfully assembled at KSC, tested, and launched to orbit. These critical space station elements including the US Laboratory, Robotic Arm, Airlock, and large solar arrays are now on orbit and supporting the permanent 3-person crew.
Mr. Romanella has received numerous group achievement and performance awards, including NASA's Exceptional Service Medal in 1996 for his outstanding management leadership in the development and operation of the Payload Data Management System.
Born in Miami Florida, he graduated in 1976 from Southwest Miami High School. He received a bachelor of science in Mathematics and Computer Science in 1984 from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Mr. Romanella is currently living in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Dr. John P. Oliver, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Dept. of Astronomy, Univ. of Florida
E-Mail:
Title: Reflections of a Retiring Astronomer
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: Upon his retirement from the University of Florida after 35 years, Dr. Oliver reflects on more than forty years as an observational astronomer. He will recount his many experiences, including observing with the 36-inch Clark refractor and 120-inch reflector at Lick Observatory, four trips to Antarctica to set up the first stellar telescope to operate at the South Pole, discovering orbital debris clouds around the Earth, and working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
About the Speaker: Dr. John Oliver received his B.S. in physics from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, in 1962, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of California - Los Angeles. He has worked as a Research Assistant at Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton, CA, and was a member of the technical staff for the Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA. He joined the faculty of the University of Florida as Assistant Professor of Astronomy in 1970 and became an Associate Professor of Astronomy in September of 1977. In addition, he held the post of Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Space Science and Technology from 1988 to 1994.
Dr. Oliver has been Co-Investigator on ten federal research grants, including "Analysis of Interplanetary Dust Experiment from the Long Duration Exposure Facility," a NASA satellite carried to orbit and later retrieved by the Space Shuttle, and "Clementine Orbital Meteoroid and Debris Counter." He has authored some 30 papers in refereed journals, has presented numerous papers at national technical conferences, and is the author or co-author of five books. One of his areas of specialization is astronomical instrumentation, and he has written chapters on this in eight books.
Professor Oliver has previously been a speaker for the AAC. He gave talks both in September 1997 on Calendars and You and in July 1999 on Finding Asteroids for Fun and Profit: Asteroid Astrometry with Amateur Telescopes.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EDT
PARKING ALERT! The Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will be having an event the night of this meeting (starting 7:30 p.m.). People attending the AAC meeting should arrive early enough to avoid parking hassles with those attending the CPA event.
Speaker: Tandy W. Carter, Jr.
E-Mail: tandy.carter@att.net
Title: Observing Mars
Location: Powell Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: Tandy will give a presentation about the many probes to Mars.
About the Speaker: Tandy Carter, Jr. was born in San Diego, California. After living in numerous Navy towns on the west coast, Tandy's family settled down in Alameda, California after his father's retirement from the U.S. Navy. Tandy graduated from Alameda High School in June of 1973, and attended the College of Alameda, Merritt College, and the University of California - Berkeley. He joined the U.S. Air Force in October 1979. While in the Air Force, Tandy was stationed at Beale AFB in California, RAF Fairford (UK), Castle AFB in California, and RAF Mildenhall (UK). After retiring from the Air Force, Tandy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the California State University - Stanislaus.
Tandy moved to Florida in 1999 for family reasons. He has been interested in astronomy since witnessing his first Mercury space launch.
Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 7:00 p.m. EST
Speaker: William R. Helms, AAC Program Chair and retired physicist from NASA Kennedy Space Center
E-Mail: programs@floridastars.org
Title: So Your Kid Wants a Telescope for Christmas: How to Avoid a Lemon
Location: Powell Hall (Lucille T. Maloney Classroom), UF Campus, Gainesville FL
Preview: Bill Helms and other members of the Alachua Astronomy Club will discuss and demonstrate a range of inexpensive telescopes which would be suitable for young persons who are beginning astronomers, as well as beginners' guidebooks to the constellations, moon, stars, galaxies, and other stellar sights. This will help you avoid the all-to-frequent situation of buying a telescope for a budding young astronomer which is expensive, but too complex, on an unstable mount, and with poor optics. These telescopes are all to quickly abandoned due to frustration. Weather permitting, you will be able to observe with the telescope outside the meeting building.
About the Speaker: Bill Helms is the Programs Coordinator for the AAC. He has a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in Management from Florida State University. Bill retired to the dark skies of North Florida after a 35-year career with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), where he was a Firing Room launch console operator for both the Apollo lunar landing missions and the early Space Shuttle missions. While at NASA, Bill designed launch complex instrumentation for the Space Shuttle, and designed the Hazardous Gas Detection System used at the launch complex for over 20 years. The instrumentation he designed was credited with saving three shuttle missions from launch with potentially catastrophic hydrogen leakage. Bill established and managed KSC Instrumentation Development Labs for 20 years. He has been awarded two NASA Exceptional Service Medals.
Bill has been an amateur astronomer for 35 years, and is a percussionist in the Gainesville Community Band.
Saturday, December 10, 2005, 6:00 p.m. EST (dinner served at 6:30 p.m.)
Speaker: None but lots of fun!
Title: "Holiday Party" and Celebration of AAC's 18th Birthday!
Location: Home of Mark & Cindy Barnett, 3111 NW 18 Place, Gainesville, Florida, (352) 373-2244
Maps to Barnett Residence: 640x512 [Col, B/W], 800x640 [Color, B/W], 1024x768 [Color, B/W]Preview: AAC will hold its annual December holiday party — a potluck dinner. (There will be no regular Tuesday meeting in December.) Club will buy drinks and paper products. (There will be a food sign up sheet at our November meeting — see below.)
Food to Bring If you miss signing up at the November meeting, please respond to webmaster@floridastars.org and indicate what food dish you will bring:
- Wings, ham rolls, cheese & crackers, finger sandwiches, taco salad w/chips, dessert or other (please designate)
- Also indicate the number of adults and children (give ages) who will attend.
Last year we celebrated our 17th anniversary. This year we celebrate our club's 18th anniversary. Good food, games, traditional astro slide quiz, sci fi space music and astro videos!
Begins approximately at sunset. Lasts till whenever.
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