Volume 3, Number 7, March 2015 - University of Delaware Dept. of

THE STAR
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE
MOUNT CUBA ASTRONOMICAL GROUP
VOL. 3 NUM. 7 MARCH 2015
CONTACT US AT
DAVE GROSKI
[email protected]
OR
HANK BOUCHELLE
[email protected]
302-983-7830
OUR PROGRAMS ARE HELD THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH
MONTH AT 7:30 P.M. UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE
MOUNT CUBA ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY
1610 HILLSIDE MILL ROAD
GREENVILLE, DE
FOR DIRECTIONS PLEASE VISIT
www.mountcuba.org
PLEASE SEND ALL PHOTOS AND ARTICLES TO
[email protected]
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MARCH MEETING
MARCH 10TH TUESDAY 7:30 p.m. AT MCAO
ASTRONOMICAL TERMS AND NAMES OF THE MONTH:
The Mission of the Mt. Cuba Astronomy Group is to increase knowledge and expand
awareness of the science of astronomy and related technologies.
When reading the articles in the STAR, you will come across various terms and names of
objects you may not be familiar with. Therefore, in each edition of the STAR, we will
review terms as well as objects related to Astronomy and related technologies. These
topics are presented on a level that the general public can appreciated.
Quasars
Quasars or quasi-stellar radio sources are the most energetic and distant members of a
class of objects called active galactic nuclei (AGN). Quasars are extremely luminous and
were first identified as being high redshift sources of electromagnetic energy, including
radio waves and visible light, that appeared to be similar to stars, rather than extended
sources similar to galaxies. Their spectra contain very broad emission lines, unlike any
known from stars, hence the name "quasi-stellar". Their luminosity can be 100 times
greater than that of the Milky Way.
While the nature of these objects was controversial until the early 1980s, there is now a
scientific consensus that a quasar is a compact region in the center of a massive galaxy
surrounding a central supermassive black hole. Its size is 10–10,000 times the
Schwarzschild radius of the black hole. The energy emitted by a quasar derives from
mass falling onto the accretion disc around the black hole.
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Spheroidal or Spheroid
Prolate Spheroid
Oblate Spheroid
A body that is shaped like a sphere but is not perfectly round, especially an ellipsoid that
is generated by revolving an ellipse around one of its axes.
lenticular galaxies
A lenticular galaxy is a type of galaxy which is intermediate between an elliptical galaxy
and a spiral galaxy in galaxy morphological classification schemes. Lenticular galaxies
are disc galaxies (like spiral galaxies) which have used up or lost most of their interstellar
matter and therefore have very little ongoing star formation. They may, however, retain
significant dust in their disks. As a result, they consist mainly of aging stars (like elliptical
galaxies). Because of their ill-defined spiral arms, if they are inclined face-on it is often
difficult to distinguish between them and elliptical galaxies. Despite the morphological
differences, lenticular and elliptical galaxies share common properties like spectral
features, scaling relations and both can be considered early type galaxies which are
passively evolving, at least in the local universe.
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MCAG PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The Philadelphia Science Festival is coming up in late April. They are looking for
Amateur Astronomers to get involved. Please check out the following link to see there
needs. Even if you can’t donate your time, it is a great science festival to attend especially
with kids. For those who sign up for the Festival there will be a meeting with food on
April 8, at the Franklin Institute. Click the Link below for more information.
http://www.philasciencefestival.org/page/26-volunteer-job-descriptions
SUMMER CAMP:
Dates:
Monday, June 15 to Friday, June 26, 2015
Cost:
$150
Camper ages:
6 to 12
Address/GPS:
1610 Hillside Mill Road
Greenville, Delaware 19807
Phone: 654-6407
983-7830
Address/Mail:
(MCAO - Observatory)
(Home phone, Hank Bouchelle, Lead Instructor)
P.O. Box 3915
Greenville, Delaware 19807
Web:
mountcuba.org
Ages 6-8
8:30 - 10:30 am
Ages 8-10
10:45 am – 12:45 pm
Ages 10-12
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Program:
This summer program is very much an introductory astronomy course for young
students. Among the activities are:
Observing and recording daily measurements of the Sun and Moon,
experimentally determining the latitude of the Observatory, identifying the apparent size
of objects in the sky, exploring information from Sun- and starlight to identify general
information about the brightness and colors of stars, as well as distance, general
principles of telescopes, creating a simple but useful personal planisphere.
TELESCOPE WORKSHOP:
If we are able to have a workshop, we will notify everyone by email.
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CONSTILLATIONS: Upon request, I shall include Galaxies in this section.
Some Galaxies Like Our Milky Way are Born in Colossal Crashes
The history of the Milky Way has a new wrinkle.
Scientists used radio telescopes like the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
— a vast array of receivers in Chile — used to probe galaxies within 40 million to 600
million light-years from Earth. After observing dozens of merging galaxies, astrophysics
found that many galactic collisions will create disc galaxies similar to the Milky Way, a
surprising finding.
Their observations of carbon monoxide in 37 colliding galaxies showed pancake-shaped
zones of molecular gas, similar to the shape that disc galaxies — which include spiral
galaxies and lenticular galaxies — would assume.
"This is a large and unexpected step towards understanding the mystery of the birth of
disc galaxies," lead researcher on the study Junko Ueda, a postdoctoral fellow at the
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, said in a European Southern Observatory
statement.
Before, astronomers thought that only elliptical galaxies could arise from mergers.
Simulations from the 1970s, however, concluded that elliptical galaxies should be the
most popular type of galaxy in the universe. Yet these odd-shaped entities comprise less
than 30 percent of galaxies. The new study could help explain why scientists see so many
spiral galaxies like the Milky Way in the universe, according to ESO.
The astronomers' work is the biggest molecular gas study so far, but they said they plan
more work to follow up on their research. Astronomers emphasized more observations of
older galaxies are required to see if mergers behaved similarly in the young universe.
"We have to start focusing on the formation of stars in these gas discs. Furthermore, we
need to look farther out in the more distant universe," Ueda said. "We know that the
majority of galaxies in the more distant universe also have discs. We, however do not yet
know whether galaxy mergers are also responsible for these, or whether they are formed
by cold gas gradually falling into the galaxy. Maybe we have found a general mechanism
that applies throughout the history of the universe."
The research was published in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement.
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Spooky Galaxy Web Reveals the Largest Structures in the Universe
A spooky new image shows a web of bright galaxies aligned in the largest structures ever
discovered in the universe.
Scientists working with a telescope in Chile discovered the alignment by studying 93
quasars — objects that shine very brightly and are powered by super massive black holes
— from the early universe. The picture (an artist's impression created using data
collected by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope) shows the
quasars aligned in a web of blue against the black sea of space.
Earlier studies have found that these quasars are "known to form huge groupings spread
over billions of light-years," European Southern Observatory (ESO) representatives said
in a statement. The quasars studied by the research team formed when the universe was
about 4.6 billion years old, about one-third of the age it is now, ESO added. [Biggest
Structure in the Universe Explained (Infographic)]
"The first odd thing we noticed was that some of the quasars' rotation axes were aligned
with each other — despite the fact that these quasars are separated by billions of lightyears," study leader Damien Hutsemékers, from the University of Liège in Belgium, said
in the same ESO statement.
Hutsemékers and his team also found that the quasars' rotation axes were linked to what
is called the large-scale structure of the universe. Previous studies have shown that
galaxies are not distributed evenly throughout the universe. Instead, the large star-filled
objects clump together in a web, and this is the large-scale structure of the universe,
according to ESO.
Scientists working with the Very Large Telescope found that the rotation of the quasars
is parallel to the large-scale structures where the galaxies are found.
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"The alignments in the new data, on scales even bigger than current predictions from
simulations, may be a hint that there is a missing ingredient in our current models of the
cosmos," team member Dominique Sluse of the Argelander-Institut für Astronomie in
Bonn, Germany and University of Liège, said.
Team members said that the likelihood these results were created by chance is less than 1
percent, according to ESO. The new study is detailed in the Nov. 19 issue of the Journal
Astronomy & Astrophysics.
The European Southern Observatory is a collaboration of 15 different countries
including France, Brazil and Denmark. ESO is responsible for operating three observing
sites in Chile at La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. The Very Large Telescope is based in
Paranal.
Credit: Follow Miriam Kramer @mirikramer. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and
Google+. Original article on Space.com.
FROM THE WORLD OF ASTRONOMY:
What is a Wormhole?
A model of 'folded' space-time illustrates how a wormhole bridge might form with at
least two mouths that are connected to a single throat or tube.
A wormhole is a theoretical passage through space-time that could create shortcuts for
long journeys across the universe. Wormholes are predicted by the theory of general
relativity. But be wary: wormholes bring with them the dangers of sudden collapse, high
radiation and dangerous contact with exotic matter.
Wormhole theory
In 1935, physicists Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen used the theory of general relativity
to propose the existence of "bridges" through space-time. These paths, called Einstein-
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Rosen bridges or wormholes, connect two different points in space-time, theoretically
creating a shortcut that could reduce travel time and distance.
Wormholes contain two mouths, with a throat connecting the two. The mouths would
most likely be spheroidal. The throat might be a straight stretch, but it could also wind
around, taking a longer path than a more conventional route might require.
Einstein's theory of general relativity mathematically predicts the existence of
wormholes, but none have been discovered to date. A negative mass wormhole might be
spotted by the way its gravity affects light that passes by.
Certain solutions of general relativity allow for the existence of wormholes where the
mouth of each is a black hole. However, a naturally occurring black hole, formed by the
collapse of a dying star, does not by itself create a wormhole.
Through the wormhole
Science fiction is filled with tales of traveling through wormholes. But the reality of such
travel is more complicated, and not just because we've yet to spot one.
The first problem is size. Primordial wormholes are predicted to exist on microscopic
levels, about 10–33 centimeters. However, as the universe expands, it is possible that some
may have been stretched to larger sizes.
Another problem comes from stability. The predicted Einstein-Rosen wormholes would
be useless for travel because they collapse quickly. But more recent research found that a
wormhole containing "exotic" matter could stay open and unchanging for longer periods
of time.
Exotic matter, which should not be confused with dark matter or antimatter, contains
negative energy density and a large negative pressure. Such matter has only been seen in
the behavior of certain vacuum states as part of quantum field theory.
If a wormhole contained sufficient exotic matter, whether naturally occurring or
artificially added, it could theoretically be used as a method of sending information or
travelers through space.
Wormholes may not only connect two separate regions within the universe, they could
also connect two different universes. Similarly, some scientists have conjectured that if
one mouth of a wormhole is moved in a specific manner, it could allow for time travel.
However, British cosmologist Stephen Hawking has argued that such use is not possible.
Although adding exotic matter to a wormhole might stabilize it to the point that human
passengers could travel safely through it, there is still the possibility that the addition of
"regular" matter would be sufficient to destabilize the portal.
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Today's technology is insufficient to enlarge or stabilize wormholes, even if they could be
found. However, scientists continue to explore the concept as a method of space travel
with the hope that technology will eventually be able to utilize them.
Credit— Nola Taylor Redd, SPACE.com Contributor
NASA Is Building a Sustainable 'Highway' for Unprecedented Deep
Space Exploration
In early December, NASA will take an important step into the future with the first flight
test of the Orion spacecraft -- the first vehicle in history capable of taking humans to
multiple destinations in deep space. And while this launch is an un-crewed test, it will be
the first peek at how NASA has revamped itself since the end of the Space Shuttle
Program in 2011.
While the space shuttle achieved many ground-breaking accomplishments, it was limited
to flights in low-Earth orbit (approx. 250 miles high). Its major goal, over the program's
last 10 years, was to launch and assemble the International Space Station, where the risks
and challenges of long duration human space flight can be addressed and retired. With
the ISS construction complete, NASA is in the process of handing over supply and crew
transportation missions to private industry, so NASA can focus on what's next - deep
space exploration. And this first flight test of Orion is a significant milestone on the path
to get us there.
The flight itself will be challenging. Orion will fly 3,600 miles above Earth on a 4.5-hour
mission to test many of the systems necessary for future human missions into deep space.
After two orbits, Orion will re-enter Earth's atmosphere at almost 20,000 miles per hour,
reaching temperatures near 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, before its parachute system
deploys to slow the spacecraft for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
While this launch is an important step to taking humans farther than we've ever gone
before, it is important to note that it also reflects the fact that, after 30 years of space
shuttle missions dominating its human spaceflight activities, NASA has reevaluated
everything - from its rockets and launch facilities to how it designs and manages its
programs. NASA has now infused innovation and flexibility into everything it does.
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With the Orion spacecraft, NASA wanted to develop a vehicle that could fly for decades
with the flexibility to visit different destinations and safely return astronauts to Earth as
the nation's exploration goals evolve. As capable as the Apollo capsule was, the longest
round trip mission to the Moon took 12 days. Orion is designed as a long-duration
spacecraft that will allow us to undertake human missions to Mars - a two year round
trip. In addition, NASA built enough capability into Orion so there is no need for
redesign, or to start up a new program, as new destinations are identified.
Innovation and flexibility are also evident with the ground infrastructure. At Kennedy
Space Center (KSC) in Florida, NASA has eliminated the ground systems and launch
pads that were built specifically for the space shuttle. They have developed a "clean pad"
approach that can be used by a variety of launch vehicles. The new streamlined
infrastructure will be much more cost-efficient, reducing the time for on-the-pad
processing from 30 days, the space shuttle's timeline, to just five to six days.
The key to launching Orion on deep space exploration missions is NASA's new "super
rocket." Known as the Space Launch System (SLS), it will be the most powerful rocket in
history. The enormous power of the SLS will provide the capability to go farther into our
solar system than humans have ever gone before. It will enable launches to other planets
in less than half the time of any existing rocket. And, like Orion and the new ground
systems at KSC, it is designed to be flexible and evolvable to meet a wide variety of crew
and cargo mission requirements.
The SLS is an absolute game-changer for ambitious robotic missions to the outer planets
and large unprecedented astronomical observatories. Those missions will build on the
discoveries of Curiosity on Mars, the Hubble Space Telescope and its successor, the
James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple robotic missions in the years ahead.
Through the development of the SLS and Orion, NASA has learned many lessons on how
to streamline the design to make it more affordable than past systems. For the early
missions, SLS will use heritage space shuttle hardware for the liquid engines and solid
rocket boosters. Also, instead of initially building the "full-up" SLS, NASA has designed
it to evolve by planning upgraded upper stages and boosters that future missions will
require in the 2020's and 2030's. These innovations have allowed SLS to stay on a
relatively flat budget throughout its design phase.
Even the way NASA manages its programs has been revamped. The Agency's
management structure for systems engineering and integration has been streamlined to
increase communication and enhance decision-making. Strong communication has led to
increased precision, and the potential cost avoidance is close to $100 million per year.
Evidence of these savings can be seen in the successful completions of Preliminary Design
Reviews for Orion, SLS and KSC ground systems.
As a nation, the U.S. has not sent crews beyond low Earth orbit since the last Apollo crew
walked on the Moon in 1972. With Orion and SLS, America will have the fundamental
capabilities to support missions taking the next steps into deep space, and with innovation
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and flexibility at the foundation of these programs, NASA is literally building a
"Highway" for deep space exploration that will be sustainable for decades to come.
Credit: Dan Dumbacher Huff Post/Science
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Apollo 11 TV Camera Developer Dies at 91
Physicist Ernest Sternglass, who was instrumental in development of the television
camera which showed the first astronauts walking on the Moon, has died at age 91. With
one of the largest television audiences in history (estimated to be at least 600 million,
worldwide), this Westinghouse television camera showed the first person to step on the
Moon, Neil Armstrong.
More: http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2015/02/apollo-11-tv-camera-developer-dies-at91.html
Some of you may be interested in checking out the following Google Group
[email protected]
The main venues of electronic communication for planetarians, aside from
various web pages, are Dome-L and sci.astro.planetarium, both of which
started in started in Fall of 1993.
-->Dome-L: This is a listserv which seems to be the "least noisy" way for
planetarium professionals to share information. I believe that any serious
planetarium person should be subscribed to Dome-L. This is the place
where I periodically post the Planetarium’s Calendar as well as a listing
of all the subscribers with current updates of email addresses and
physical locations. A key advantage of Dome-L is that it comes to your
mailbox without you having to remember to do anything. It is very
convenient to get things automatically sent to you by email.
-->sci.astro.planetarium: This is a newsgroup ³for public discussion and
inquiry on planetarium subjects.² It is excellent for (a) answering
public inquiries about planetaria and (b) capturing the occasional
planetarium person who stumbles onto sap, but doesn't know about Dome-L.
A key advantage of sci.astro.planetarium newsgroup is its accessibility to
a wide range of people--via USENET--without requiring subscription. (this
also is a key disadvantage--more prone to noise.)
WEB SITES OF INTEREST:
http://starryskies.com/
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March SKY:
Rather than me telling you what each months sky’s have to offer, try the following wed
sites but not until the 1st of each month.
http://www.nightskyinfo.com/
also try
http://www.space.com/skywatching/
and
http://oneminuteastronomer.com/sky-this-month/
INTERESTING PHOTO:
Spectacular Moonrise Surprises Veteran Night Sky Photographer
This photo was taken of the New Jersey Shore with an Abels used a Nikon D800 camera
shooting at 14mm f/2.8 25 seconds at ISO 3200.
Ed. I was note able to find a credit for this picture.
BOOKS OF INTEREST:
Clyde Tombaugh Pluto from Sky and Telescope. Shopatsky.com
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Reg. $13.95
Save 50% with coupon
CLYDE50
Buy Now
By David H. Levy
Clyde Tombaugh is one of the best-known astronomers - amateur or
professional - of the last century. Although famous for his discovery of Pluto
on February 18, 1930, Tombaugh left his mark on many areas of astronomical
discovery, from comets to variable stars to superclusters to galaxies. David
Levy's biography of this planet hunter includes aspects of Tombaugh's life that
may surprise readers who know him only for finding Pluto. Based on interviews
with Tombaugh and his colleagues, friends and family, this book also draws on
the scientific record to offer a thorough account of the life of one astronomy's
most important figures.
PUBLIC NIGHTS AT MCAO:
Please check
http://mountcuba.org/
for updates.
If you know of anyone who is interested in Astronomy or someone who would like to
learn more, please do not hesitate to extend an invitation to them to attend our meetings.
If they have an interest in joining, our application is below.
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Mount Cuba Astronomical Group
Membership Form
The Mission of the Mt. Cuba Astronomy Group is to increase knowledge and expand
awareness of the science of astronomy and related technologies. Benefits include:
Monthly newsletter that includes details about the groups activities and articles on
astronomy as well as other related subjects.
Monthly programs on subjects and topics of astronomical interest.
Free or discounted subscriptions to astronomy related publications.
Free registration to MCAG workshops and classes.
Mention Mount Cuba Astronomical Group and receive a 5% discount at Manor Books in
New Castle (http://www.yelp.com/biz/manor-used-books-New Castle)
Name___________________________________________________
Email Address___________________________________________
Home Address___________________________________________
Phone (optional)__________________________________________
Mail to: Carolyn Stankiewicz
Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory
1610 Hillside Mill Road
Greenville, DE 19807
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