Astral Projections Online November 2021
We will continue virtual meetings via Zoom during COVID. If you can’t participate because of issues with Zoom please contact us.
Club dues and membership. If you renew after March 31 you will be renewed as a new member.
Please check our Website for updated content at www.astra-nj.com
Club Presentations Wanted:
Anyone has any astronomy items of interest to share with the membership?
Please let us know at Club Contacts.
ASTRAL PROJECTIONS ONLINE (APO for short) is an email-linked publication for members only. If you exit APO to the club website or other resources you will need to use the emailed link again to get back to it. If you wish to retain a copy please bookmark or refer back to the email. We will make all efforts to post by the first week of the month.
Submissions Welcome: Members are invited to submit articles, photos, news, or stories for inclusion with Astral Projections Online. Please contact the ASTRA Webmaster.
Event Calendar
ASTRA’s next meeting - The November meeting will be a virtual meeting on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 7 PM EST.
Jakes Branch Public Star Party - Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 6:30 PM
EVENT Cancellations: Members will receive email notification of an event cancellation, or call the ASTRA Hotline: 609-971-3331
Upcoming County Park Presentations Fall/Winter 2021
Public Outreach, if any member wishes to support ASTRA outreach efforts with the public, please let John, Ro, or Jim know of any interest. Currently, we have four planned with the county parks.
Note: The County Park events below will require an entry fee.
Nov 9 – 6 to 7:30 PM - Catus Island: Beginner Astronomy.
Description: Ever wonder what it takes to get started stargazing? Join Jim Webster from the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area and learn about telescopes that can take your night viewing to a whole new level.
Nov 16 – 6 to 7:30 PM - Catus Island: Milkyway Photography and Beyond
Description: A beginner-level discussion on Milkyway Photography and what is needed with Jim Webster from the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area.
January 25 - 6 to 7 PM - Cloverdale Farm County Park: Milkyway Photography and Beyond
Description: Join us as Jim Webster from the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area discusses how to capture the beauty of the night sky and the Milkyway galaxy through photography.
Website Updates …
Please visit our club website. We continue to have additional updates, if there is some content that would be useful to members please let us know.
"Astronomy is useful because it raises us above ourselves; it is useful because it is grand; …. It shows us how small is man's body, how great his mind since his intelligence can embrace the whole of this dazzling immensity, where his body is only an obscure point, and enjoy its silent harmony."
- Henri Poincare, Physicist
IBSP in October
Sadly not much happened for us as the weather would not cooperate for the Observe the Moon night at IBSP. By policy, IBSP called the event early on that day to not risk guests.
Other event reports
None for October
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving
The Great Turkey Nebula ;) … APOD 2020
Around the Web
On October 13, William Shatner of Star Trek fame gained a lot of notoriety this month on the recent Blue Origin flight, as the first 90-year-old to safely enter space and return. I have to admit I wish it was myself on that flight with him. Growing up on Star Trek it was a great moment for me to see him up there officially becoming an astronaut and his reaction on his return. Of course, there were many fun images that were found on the web, from the classic Twilight Zone episode to Star Trek and more. Below are just a few of them.
APO Editor: This one is my favorite.
For more on the Blue Origin flight with William Shatner go to YouTube.
For more on Blue Origin go to blueorigin.com.
A Lucky Near Miss
We all love watching for Meteors to go streaking by during meteor showers. During star parties we get to see them with the usual “WOW and Did you see that?” followed by Oh Man, Nope or Jim Webster saying “Did I get it in the camera … nope.”
For this Canadian woman recently a meteorite decided to pay her a visit. The linked article from Space.com highlights her scary experience. Space.Com
More can be found at the Vancouver Sun.
A meteorite rests on Ruth Hamilton's bed after it crashed through her ceiling while she slept on Oct. 4. PHOTO BY RUTH HAMILTON /THE CANADIAN PRESS
This Month-Member Show and Tell
Show and Tell does not have to always be telescope-related. It can be other astronomy-related items or a novelty item that would be of interest to an astronomer.
ASTRA Member and APO Editor, Jim Webster recently purchased some novelty items. Pictured here are MOVA Globes of Earth and Jupiter. MOVA Globes will rotate when the light hits them. There are many other MOVA Globes available.
According to sciencing.com the rotation of a MOVA globe is driven by magnetism and a photoelectric mechanism powered by light. There are two spheres, an outer acrylic shell and a second sphere suspended in a liquid.
A magnet within the inner sphere is aligned with Earth’s real magnetic field. The magnet is within a photoelectric drive powered by photovoltaic cells. When light hits the cells it will power the mechanism to work allowing the globes to rotate. While it is expensive it is still a unique item for an astronomer’s home collection.
The linked YouTube presentation is a cutaway display and an explanation of how a MOVA Globe works.
Outreach material below is distributed free for public outreach.
Let’s Explore Space - What’s in the Sky November 2021?
Messier 45 - Pleiades Star Cluster
Distance to Earth: 444.2 light years
Radius: 17.5 light-years
Constellation: Taurus
Coordinates: RA 3h 47m 24s | Dec +24° 7′ 0″
Apparent magnitude (V): 1.6
Length: 444 light-years skyandtelescope.org
Other designations: Seven Sisters, M45, Cr 42, Mel 22
Credits: Sam Granovsky ASTRA - Nov 9, 2018
Explore Scientific Ed102 FCD100
Modified Sony Nex-5N
Celestron CGEM II
10x90sec @ ISO 800
The Pleiades also known as The Seven Sisters and Messier 45, is an open star cluster containing middle-aged, hot B-type stars in the northwest of the constellation Taurus. It is among the star clusters nearest to Earth, it is the nearest Messier object to Earth, and is the cluster most obvious to the naked eye in the night sky.
The cluster is dominated by hot blue and luminous stars that have formed within the last 100 million years. Reflection nebulae around the brightest stars were once thought to be leftover material from their formation, but are now considered likely to be an unrelated dust cloud in the interstellar medium through which the stars are currently passing.
Computer simulations have shown that the Pleiades were probably formed from a compact configuration that resembled the Orion Nebula. Astronomers estimate that the cluster will survive for about another 250 million years, after which it will disperse due to gravitational interactions with its galactic neighborhood. … Wikipedia
Finding M45 is easy. The cluster is positioned about 14 degrees northwest of the orange giant star Aldebaran (mag. +0.9), the brightest star in Taurus. At first glance with the naked eye, it's obvious that something is special about this small section of sky.
On closer inspection, M45 reveals itself to be a beautiful cluster of about half a dozen white stars, covering an area much greater than that of the full Moon. At the heart of the cluster is a set of stars that form a small dipper shape, similar to the brightest stars of Ursa Major. Even under light-polluted skies, the dipper shape is readily visible. From dark sites, the Pleiades is an outstanding naked eye object. The main stars appear bright and striking, with up to 10 or more visible under ideal conditions.
Widefield image from Jim Webster in October of 2018.
The Pleiades is a great easy object for beginners in observing and imaging. Easily viewable in both binoculars and telescopes.
For more on the Pleiades visit EarthSky.Org and Freestarcharts.com.
On the lighter side of astronomy …
ASTRA Member Astrophotos
Globular Cluster M13
By Ron Bernknoph - Oct 11
I started my Astrophotography season with Globular Cluster Messier 13 (M13). This is also known as the "Great Hercules Cluster". This is over 100,000 old stars tightly packed.
11x 5-minute exposures using Celestron 6" Reflector / AVX Mount Combo and Canon T6 DSLR. Stacked in DSS and processed in Gimp.
The Western Veil Nebula
By Ron Bernknoph - Oct 17
For October and in time for Halloween, this is also called "The Witch's Broom" Nebula. This is the second time I imaged this.
22x 300secs. Stacked in DSS and Processed using Gimp software. 6" reflector and AVX mount. Canon T6 w/ L EnHance Filter.
Bubble Nebula - NGC 7635
By Ron Bernknoph - Oct 21
The "Bubble Nebula" The bubble, caused by the stellar wind of a super hot central star. Lots of nebulosity in the area. This is 20x 5 minutes using my 6" reflector/ AVX combo. The camera is a Canon T6 DSLR.
The "Harvest Moon" made processing this really tough.
The Draconid Meteor Shower
By Jim Webster - Oct 8 to Oct 10
ASTRA Members Jim and Gloria Webster recently visited the Tupper Lake area of the Adirondacks in New York. While the imaging was not the greatest due to the weather for another time-lapse video, it was good enough for some meteor shower photos.
The Draconid Meteor shower peaked this past Oct 8 lasting through October 10. While it is not known for producing much, in the Adirondacks it did not disappoint. We visited the Adirondack Sky Center during our trip and there were quite a few that were seen that night. There were also many satellites seen as well. Below are six slides that were taken from that night. You’ll also notice Andromedia in most of them as well. Clicking on the image will take you to the next one.
For more on the Draconid Meteor shower go to EarthSky.com.
Astronomy & Space Theme Music
“Mars”
For our November issue of APO, we’ll review something new. First played in 2019 on the Chain of Thorns album a fairly new band Liliac released an original song MARS.
Note: The video starts with a solo and the song Mars will start at 2:35.
Liliac is a five-piece family band originally from Los Angela California. The all siblings member band, ages range from 12 to 21. that started performing at ages 9 to 18. Bringing to the world what they call “Vamp Metal” they have their roots performing cover songs of famous popular rock and metal songs. Your APO editor first took notice of them with their cover of Ozzy Osbornes’s Crazy Train. The Chain of Thorns album was their first original album produced in 2019 by their father and did well on the Amazon charts hitting #1 on Amazon’s Best Seller for Rock Music Charts. Their popularity is growing and I expect we’ll hear more from them.
Liliacband.com / YouTube / Facebook
Article from The Downey Patriot.
Members Submitted Articles & Items
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The city of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania has passed a light ordinance to start reversing the impact of light pollution. All streets, parks, and city government facilities are to start installing night sky-friendly fixtures. But it will be some time before the results will be apparent of this move. Let us all hope that others start to follow this same path to restore the dark.
The following article was submitted by John Endreson.: Pittsburgh Goes Dark by Sky & Telescope
The City Of Pittsburgh goverment information on this effort. LED Streetlight Upgrade
The International Dark Sky Association also has a question and answer article: darksky.org
For Sale By Member
Recently purchased but need to sell due to potential move. Selling SkyShed with one Pod. Asking $2000, this item list as $3300 and a $450 dome cover, for a total of $3750. You would need two pickup trucks or two trips to pick up for relocation. Already disassembled and ready to go., located in Toms River, New Jersey.
Contact ASTRA Member Jim Webster at jimwebster1015@gmail.com
What’s Up: November 2021
Sky Watching Tips from NASA
Provided by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
For more go to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory webpage: What’s Up: Skywatching Tips From NASA
This article and images are distributed by NASA Night Sky Network
The Night Sky Network program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach.
Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov to find local clubs, events, and more!
Measure the Night Sky
By David Prosper
Fall and winter months bring longer nights, and with these earlier evenings, even the youngest astronomers can get stargazing. One of the handiest things you can teach a new astronomer is how to measure the sky – and if you haven’t yet learned yourself, it’s easier than you think!
Astronomers measure the sky using degrees, minutes, and seconds as units. These may sound more like terms for measuring time - and that’s a good catch! – but today we are focused on measuring angular distance. Degrees are largest and are each made up of 60 minutes, and each minute is made up of 60 seconds. To start, go outside and imagine yourself in the center of a massive sphere, with yourself at the center, extending out to the stars: appropriately enough, this is called the celestial sphere. A circle contains 360 degrees, so if you have a good view of the horizon all around you, you can slowly spin around exactly once to see what 360 degrees looks like since you are in effect drawing a circle from inside out, with yourself at the center! Now break up that circle into quarters, starting from due North; each quarter measures 90 degrees, equal to the distance between each cardinal direction! It measures 90 degrees between due North and due East, and a full 180 degrees along the horizon between due North and due South. Now, switch from a horizontal circle to a vertical one, extending above and below your head. Look straight above your head: this point is called the zenith, the highest point in the sky. Now look down toward the horizon; it measures 90 degrees from the zenith to the horizon. You now have some basic measurements for your sky.
Use a combination of your fingers held at arm’s length, along with notable objects in the night sky, to make smaller measurements. A full Moon measures about half a degree in width - or 1/2 of your pinky finger, since each pinky measures 1 degree. The three stars of Orion’s Belt create a line about 3 degrees long. The famed “Big Dipper” asterism is a great reference for Northern Hemisphere observers since it’s circumpolar and visible all night for many.
APO Editor: Image updated Nov 6, 2021 from NSN resubmission.
The Dipper’s “Pointer Stars,” Dubhe and Merak, have 5.5 degrees between them - roughly three middle fingers wide. The entire asterism stretches 25 degrees from Dubhe to Alkaid - roughly the space between your outstretched thumb and pinky. On the other end of the scale, can you split Mizar and Alcor? They are separated by 12 arc minutes - about 1/5 the width of your pinky.
The entire asterism stretches 25 degrees from Dubhe to Alkaid - roughly the space between your outstretched thumb and pinky. On the other end of the scale, can you split Mizar and Alcor? They are separated by 12 arc minutes - about 1/5 the width of your pinky.
Keep practicing to build advanced star-hopping skills. How far away is Polaris from the pointer stars of the Big Dipper? Between Spica and Arcturus? Missions like Gaia and Hipparcos measure tiny differences in the angular distance between stars, at an extremely fine level. Precise measurement of the heavens is known as astrometry. Discover more about how we measure the universe and the missions that do so, at nasa.gov.
Image created with assistance from Stellarium.
More from Night Sky Network
The Night Sky Network program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach.
Visit nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov to find local clubs, events, and more!
What to Watch: Late Fall Skies
The following article is a part of an original article that was distributed by NASA Night Sky Network and last updated November 2015.
APO Editors Note: The change of seasons also means a change in night sky objects. Below is part of an old Night Sky Network article on a few of them.
photo courtesy Asim Patel/Wikimedia Commons
Our skies undergo a big shift as fall winds into winter over the next couple of months. The summer constellations sink below the Western horizon earlier every evening while the winter constellations rise out of the East earlier and earlier. There are a couple of major meteor showers to thrill late-night observers: the Leonids in November and Geminids in December.
There are a wonderful array of deep-sky objects visible as winter approaches. The Pleiades (M45) can be seen with the naked eye, looking like a very tiny Dipper, but when viewed through binoculars they are a majestic sight, a gorgeous open cluster of hot young stars. The Hyades, right below those seven sisters, is another fantastic and older-open cluster visible both to the naked eye and binoculars at the head of Taurus. Several hours after sunset the mighty constellation Orion rises and with it many an observer's favorite object: the Orion Nebula(M42). You may be able to see it with your naked eyes as a little blurry "star" below the belt of Orion, making up part of his sword. Peer closer with binoculars and you will start to see some of its beautiful wispy structure, and telescopic views never disappoint-even under light-polluted skies! At higher magnifications, see if you can spot the famed Trapezium: hot young baby stars blowing a hole through the clouds of the nebula.
Another object you can spot through most light pollution is the Andromeda Galaxy. Look for it in between the constellations Cassiopeia and Andromeda; it will appear as a dim oval with a bright core. Under dark skies, you will see far more detail, and may even be able to find two of its satellite galaxies! If the view is not great, don't fret: the famed double cluster lies nearby, between Cassiopeia and Perseus. The view of this open cluster is spectacular in binoculars and is not to be missed.
Of course, with the air getting chilly, remember to bundle up and keep a blanket handy-and maybe a nice mug of hot chocolate. Keep the chills away so you can truly enjoy the crisp nighttime sights of winter!
The following article was distributed by NASA Night Sky Network and last updated Dec 12, 2016.
APO Editors Note: “Winter is Coming” … No, not a Game of Thrones reference, but actual winter and it’s best to be prepared for those cold nights of observing. Below is an old Night Sky Network article that will highlight what is best to do to enjoy an evening of observing comfortably and safely.
Winter Stargazing Tips: Stay Warm and Cozy!
Staring at the Milky Way in Trysil, Norway-a family wrapped up for a very cold winter!
photo courtesy Wikipedia user Timothy Boocock
Some parts of the country feel as if the winter will never end. Massive snows, polar vortexes, artic winds...it’s almost enough to make you forget that a spring thaw will eventually arrive! One thing that is guaranteed to warm an astronomers heart in these cold winter nights: the beautiful, sparking skies!
Orion, Taurus, the Pleiades, Sirius, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Double Custer in Perseus: these are just a few of the gorgeous sights that are at their peak in the winters of the Northern Hemisphere, not to mention the clockwork actions of the Moon and planets. But how can you observe and stay comfortable outside when the weather seems detemrined to turn you into a popsicle?
1. Layers are your friend!
You may already know this, but remember to wear multiple layers of clothes! A super warm coat won't help that much if all you are wearing underneath is a t-shirt. At the same time, moving around during your setup and observing may actually heat you up to an uncomfortable degree, so being able to peel off a sweater or overcoat would be very welcome.
2. Warm, wool socks
Thick cozy socks are a must, especially as the night wears on. Your feet will thank you, especially if you are wearing good boots! Which brings us too...
3. Waterproof boots
You will want warm boots, and if there is snow, make sure your boots are also waterproof. Any water soaking through your shoes to your boots is a sure way to make your toes icy and prematurely end your observing.
4. Clear out your observing area
Is there snow on the ground where you usually set up? Bring a shovel and clear it out, even if there is just an inch or two of the white stuff. Your equipment and toes will thank you.
5. Blankets
Did you bring a blanket? Good. Even if you think you won't need one...you very well may want one after the first hour or so, especially if you are seated very still.
6. Gloves
Pack your gloves! Some astronomers prefer fingerless gloves that allow them to work on their instruments while outside, while others prefer combo mitten-gloves that allow you to flip the ends of the mittens off for fingerless glove access. Remember, you will be handling lots of cold metal as you set up your equipment in the cold so if you don't want your fingers going numb within minutes, gloves are a must!
7. Heat pads
Chemical heating pads are your friend. Stick these little beauties into your gloves and boots to stay warm. Some heating pads now offer rechargeable electrical heating-just make sure they are charged before you leave the house!
8. A big goofy hat and earmuffs
A hat with ear flaps? Big fuzzy earmuffs? You will definitely want these! While they may look a bit silly, you will be toasty inside, with nice warm ears rather than frigid lobes in danger of frostbite. Besides, you will be in the dark: who cares what you look like?
8. A warm thermos
A thermos full of your favorites warm liquid-hot chocolate, soup, coffee, tea- is your best friend during these long winter nights.
One final thing to remember: however cold you think you are, there is probably someone somewhere else who is in an even colder location...like, say, an amateur astronomer in Antactica:
Karim Agabi bundled up for some observing in Antartica
More On Keeping Warm
The following are some items that your APO Editor has picked up to stay warm. While it wasn’t needed for my recent trip to Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks area of New York due to unusually warm weather, I think it fits our needs of those long cold nights of observing or Astro imaging. That said, I still need to test how good it is and will let everyone know the results in the near future.
Milwaukee a company famed for its tool products has a series of heated clothing from jackets, hoodies, and vests. They can be found at your local Home Depot or other resources online. For more check out YouTube.
If there is an interest I can present it at a club meeting or the next star party.
Tonight’s Sky: November
In November, hunt for the fainter constellations of fall, including Pisces, Aries, and Triangulum. They will guide you to find several galaxies and a pair of white stars. Stay tuned for space-based views of spiral galaxy M74 and the Triangulum Galaxy, which are shown in visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light.
Other Calendar Items of Interest
APO Editor’s Note:
Removed previous months “What’s Up” and “Tonight’s Sky” since APO links to prior months postings of APO.
Added Skymaps.com “The Evening Sky Map” and will be posted with each new issue of APO.
Skymaps.com - The Evening Sky Map - Select the current month and download the Northern Edition.
Fall & Winter Comets 2021
A free guide to observing the Fall and Winter Comets, that may be interesting for you to explore.
Submissions Welcome
Members are invited to submit articles, photos, news, or stories for inclusion with Astral Projections Online. Please contact the ASTRA Webmaster.