OAS Executive Committee

President- Ron Vanderhule, Ph. (801) 544-9458

Vice Pres- Dave Dunn, Ph. (801) 544-7705

Secretary- Bob Tillotson, Ph. (801) 773-8106

Treasurer- Doug Say, (801) 731-7324


Vol. 29 Number 9 June 2000 http://physics.weber.edu/oas/oas.html


The June Meeting

Members of the Ogden Astronomical Society will come together in the Ott Planetarium on the Weber State University campus this Thursday June 8, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. A special guest speaker will entertain and enlighten members with a discussion entitled "Infinity and Beyond." WSU Physics Professor Bradley W. Carroll, who has spoken to us with great enthusiasm in the past, will present this latest topic. The program will, without a doubt, be lively. All are welcome.

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Antelope Island in June

Saturday June 10, 2000 is the next scheduled public star party event to be held at Antelope Island State Park. Members are encouraged to be assembled before dusk so as to avoid maneuvering vehicles among the people in the dark. Come early, bring a snack and enjoy viewing the sun. Announce yourself as an OAS member at the gate and you will be admitted to the island free.

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The President's Parsec


Greetings Earthlings:Well we were almost a no-show for RTMC 2000. Due to vacation time used to see the birth of our first grandson ten days earlier in California. But the stars and planets were favorably aligned that week and by Thursday at 2:00 p.m. the window of opportunity was opened wide.

Needless to say we didn't arrive until mid-afternoon Friday. The camping spots were pretty well taken except for one I have named the "Venus Flytrap". I was able to get the trailer in easily, but Monday morning, remind me to tell you about it sometime.

This RTMC was the hottest I have been to. I didn't hear what the temps were but Baker (at the bottom of the mountain ) was 117 that weekend.

The Salt Lake club had their usual 10 or so there and OAS was represented by the Prez and first lady, Aaron Barson Jr. and Wayne Sumner had plans to be there but I didn't see him (were you there Wayne?).

Of course the place was filled with vendors selling every "gotta have" item imaginable. I left my drool on several things.

The swap meet was well stocked with sellers and buyers. There is certainly an odd assortment of stuff at this event. Most of it looks like salvage from a ''50s' sci fi movie. None the less it is one of the most anticipated events of the weekend.

Friday night was the best night for observing. There was no moon and the skies were steady and transparent. I wandered the observing field with Roger Butz, from SLAS most of the night looking in some of the big scopes. We saw a text book image of the Whirlpool Galaxy in a 24 inch, and a mind numbing view of the Trifid Nebula in the 36 inch "Yard Scope" (oops, I'm drooling again). There was also row of 6 or 7 large refractors next to the telescope alley. Some Astro Physics and some from Markes Ludes. These babies were not only splitting the double-double, they were splitting sunspots on the double-double. Very impressive.

Saturday night was a good night at the observing field also. My wife was feeling perky enough to climb some ladders with me. The Veil Nebula was quite impressive in the 36 with an O III filter. We also got to spend some quality time with Orion's 20 x 125 binoculars. These were really neat, the field of view seemed as large as a basketball.

Sunday morning I did some frantic wheeling and dealing. Trading some eyepieces for three pairs of 12 x 60 bino's and a couple of mounts for them. We then headed down into the valley to see our ten day old grandson for a couple of hours (I think he might be an astronomer, I hear he is up all night). We got back that night and spent some time sitting outside at our campsite looking at the stars in our new optics.

RTMC is the perfect event for the astro enthusiast. Regardless of which aspect of the hobby you are inclined to there will be much there to learn and many like minded to swap ideas with. If astronomy is your thing it is worth the effort to go there at least once. Just watch where you park. You might not come back.

The Prez

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Minutes

Ogden Astronomical Society

May 11, 2000

The regular meeting of the Ogden Astronomical Society was called to order by club Vice President Dave Dunn at 7:30 P.M. in the WSU Ott Planetarium.

Bob Tillotson described the scheduled star party for the Ogden Surgical Medical Society. Members will set up telescopes near Buffalo Point on Antelope Island tomorrow May 12, 2000.

Deloy Pierce described the trouble with forest fires in the Grand Canyon area. He pointed out that the Grand Canyon star party remains scheduled. Deloy also displayed a beautiful framed collectors set of U.S. postage stamps honoring Edwin Hubble and the Hubble Space Telescope. These sets are available to buy for $40.00.

John Sohl's planetarium assistant Suzy Meyer presented the evening's program on SETI.

Following the planetarium show, Mark Durrwachter said he may be able to arrange a tour of the Hill AFB optical labs.

Membership cards are forthcoming. Riverside conference is next week. Several members plan to attend. Deloy discussed the recent motion picture "Battlefield Earth."

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Bob Tillotson, Secretary

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Medical Society Star Party was Chilly But Enjoyable
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On Friday May 12, 2000 OAS members assembled telescopes at Buffalo Point on Antelope Island State Park for the Ogden Surgical Medical Society. The doctors spent a brief time viewing through the telescopes that had been assembled by the members. The temperatures were low and the wind was blowing more than we wanted it to so the doctors did not spend a great deal of time at the eyepieces.

A good group of astronomers assembled eight telescopes including the OAS club 'scope B.O.B. After the doctors retreated to the comforts of their custom coach and departed a group of Boy Scouts, that were camping on the island, joined the astronomers and had a fine time sharing the views of the universe.

Many thanks to those who participated go out from the Exec. Committee. picmay2.jpg (20450 bytes)

Electronic photographs provided by V.P. Dave Dunn

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East Canyon Event Set For June 24

The Ogden Astronomical Society and East Canyon State Park will host a public star party on Saturday June 24, 2000. Those who attended last year's event will recall the fine setting by the lake and the enthusiastic crowd that attended. Members bringing telescopes may set up anytime the day of the event. Access to the park will be free for members. The ranger at the gate will explain where the 'scopes will be set up.

To get to East Canyon State Park, take I-84 up Weber Canyon. Take the Morgan Exit #103. Go through Morgan and then to Porterville, through the sparse houses and on a couple of more miles to the park entrance. Further information will be available at the June meeting.

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Crossword Challenge

by

Jeremy Mathews

Answers to last month's puzzle

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"Constellations"

June Challenge

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"Solar System"

Answers to this month's puzzle on the Solar System will be printed in the July Star Diagonal.