Vol. 27,   No. 4,   January 1998


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JANUARY'S MEETING

The Ogden Astronomical Society's first meeting of the new year will be held Thursday January 8, 1998. Members will convene in the Ott Planetarium on the Weber State University campus at 7:30 p.m.

January's meeting will be a Show and Tell. Bring your latest project or anything you would like to share with the other members that you have done, or are planning to do, in astronomy. If you're stuck on a problem in a project, someone may have an idea that could help. The floor will be open to all ideas dealing with astronomy, serious or whimsical. Members are encouraged to participate. Dust off that old lens in the basement you were going to use, the tripod that just isn't working right, or that neat little Telrad you just got. See the latest in OAS member projects.
 

A NEW ORDER OF OAS CAPS AND SHIRTS IS AVAILABLE

Club shirts and caps will be available to purchase at the January meeting. There was a lot of interest in the white color items in the last order so this latest issue is all white. The high quality sweat shirts, golf shirts and caps bear the club logo in navy blue on the white background.

Prices are reasonable, as usual, and include a small donation to the club fund. Members wishing the XX Large size should contact Bob Tillotson before the meeting to assure one is reserved. You can reach Bob at 773-8106.
 

1998 STAR PARTY EVENTS PLANNED

At a recent Executive Meeting, most of the upcoming year's official events were scheduled. Primarily the Antelope Island and the Monte Cristo events have been considered. Last year's public star parties at the Harmon's shopping centers proved less successful than hoped for so nothing specific was scheduled for this year. Contact you club presidency or let us know at the meeting if you feel differently.

The event schedule is printed on the back cover of this issue of the Star Diagonal. You may also check the OAS web page for more information.

WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING
IN JANUARY
(NOT NECESSARILY ASTRONOMY)
 
PBS - KUED Channel 7

A SCIENCE ODYSSEY: Five 2 hour episodes chronicle the 20th-century scientific adventure.

Jan. 11, "Matters of Life and Death"

Jan. 12, "Mysteries of the Universe"

Jan. 13, "In Search of Ourselves"

Jan. 14, "Bigger, Better, Faster"

Jan. 15, "Origins"
 

Jan. 13, "Into The Future"- Digital crisis; will the electronic human record survive into the future?

Jan. 20, NOVA - "China's Mysterious Mummies"

Perfectly preserved 3000 yr. old links to the past.

Jan. 22, Eyewitness - "Planets" Travel to the edge of the solar system, hear stories of planetary discovery.
 

THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
- Check local listings for exact times -

Jan. 16, (a.m.) ASSIGNMENT DISCOVERY -

"Communication: Baby Talk to Bytes" From early computing contraptions to modern digital systems.

Jan. 16, (p.m.) World of Wonder - Robot Warriors compete in a display of latest designs; engineers seem to defy the rules of physics.

Jan. 18. (a.m.) Bonehead Detectives of the Paleoworld - Dinosaur evolution in the Southern Hemisphere is explored on the island Madagascar.

Jan. 19, (p.m.) Sci-Trek - "El Nino" Why do the warming waters of the North Atlantic cause havoc?

Jan. 25, (a.m.) Bonehead Detectives... "Dino Clones" Can amber really hold real genetic clues?

Jan. 26, (p.m.) Sci-Trek - "Lightning"


The OAS Presidency 1997 - 1998
 

President - Steve Peterson 393-6227

V. President - Elgie mills 776-9310

Secretary/Editor - Bob Tillotson 773-8106

Treasurer - Doug Say 731-7324

Elgie's Pictures of the Month
(click on image for full size version.)
 

Elgie's images of asteroid Tazcatlipoca These Images of near-earth astroid Tazcatlipoca where each 10 second exposures with one minute between each image with a total of 64 images. The asteroid was in the constellation Pisces. It came to within 0.282 AU of Earth. Movement of the object through the background fixed stars can be seen. These images were among the topics discussed at the December meeting. At the request of several members, I have furnished them to the Star Diagonal for general circulation.

Elgie

Ogden Astronomical Society - Star Party Schedule, 1998
 

Saturday April 4, Antelope Island First Quarter Moon

Saturday May 30, Antelope Island Five Day Moon

Saturday June 20, Antelope Island New Moon

Friday and Saturday July 17-18, Monte Cristo Four Days Before New

Saturday July 25, Antelope Island Forty Eight Hour Moon

Friday and Saturday August 21-22 Monte Cristo New Moon Weekend

Saturday August 29, Antelope Island First Quarter Moon

Saturday September 26, Antelope Island Six Day Moon

Saturday October 17, Antelope Island Three Days Before New
 

All Antelope Island events are held at White Rock Bay. OAS members are admitted to the island without paying the $6.00 park fee. The ranger may ask your name as you pass through the gate. Many members like getting to the island earlier in the day in order to set up for solar observing and enjoy a tailgate party. Take I-15 Exit 335 to Antelope Drive and go west, straight to the island.
 

Monte Cristo events are not considered "public" events though many campground visitors participate in the early hours each evening. Camping is permitted only in the campground. Members prefer to meet mostly around loop "E". Last year sites were $9.00 per night. Access for vehicles to the meadow is allowed if necessary to operate telescopic equipment. The Monte Cristo Campground is located in the mountain tops, at 9000 feet, half way between Ogden and Woodruff on Utah Highway 39.