Excaped Wrath of Storms 1 & 2

Again, Mt. Pollux avioded shut-down from the two storms that hit the area.  I have joked that the MPG (Mt. Pollux Gods) intervein.   MP's been lucky missing the crippling effects of the two recent storms primarily due to elevation and latitude.  MP has been accessable every day this Winter, with one or two days that were questionable.  Have been encouraging Kevin to do a blog on weather.  Perhaps what I'm about to say will encourage someone with more knowledge to do a counter-correcting blog.

I'm suspecting that the severe winter is over.  Don't think we'll get any extended period of freezing weather where the day high temp. is well below freezing.  We may get significant snow because air in higher temp. can hold more moisture and the jet stream will likely move more north, putting us more centrally into the storm tracts.  Most of the moisture (rain or snow) from our storms comes from the Gulf or Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean.  Realize the Worcester Hills (15 mi. East) and Berkshire Foot Hills (15 mi. West) got significantly more snow than MP, due to elevation.  We may not escape that elevation benefit in the next storm systems, but possibly.  Suspect any accumulation will not last long.  We start our Public Programs in April.  By then, we'll be in a "normal" pattern of temperature.  Would welcome anyone who has more knowledge and information on future regional weather, to respond with detail on dynamics involved and predictions for March and April.

Sunspot activity continues with a series of moderate new sunspots.  Venus will be visible in the evening sky, soon to be joined by Saturn.  This bodes well for the Solar Observing, MP Sunset Observing, and the Observatory Observing.  Looking forward to seeing you at our Observing Programs.

Take Care - Tom Whitney

PAST THE HEART OF WINTER ?

It was such a change to have a non-cold day w/ sun, couldn't resist imaging it.  At left is the Three-Tree (1403 tree) at Mt. Pollux.  That tree reflects the effect of mid-winter.  Am predicting that we are past the Heart of Winter - beyond the freezing mid day weather of recent.  It's New England so we'll see.  Kevin says there's prognosis for a cold March & possibly April (will see).

Attached solar filters to my 50mm RSB (Russian Stabilized Binoculars) and viewed new Sun Spot # 1049.  Am thinking we're on the upslope of Sunspot activity of Sunspot Cycle 24.  Noted this group is in the Southern Hemisphere of the Sun.  Previous SSs were in the N. Hemi.

At left is a TW-CAD (computer aided drawing) of what I saw.  Think the Binos are 20 > 30 x.  No disignations on them.  They're from when the Soviet Union disolved and the Russian Army sold lots of it's equipment to maintain costs.  Have had them for 20+ yrs.  If anyone would like to view Sunspots, call me - Tom Whitney at 256-6234 and I'll set up a Solar Scope for Saturday afternoon, if it's clear.  Been so long since there's been active visible Sunspot Groups.  Kevin does a great job inserting Space Weather's Sun image, my CADs are a poor duplication - but they're what I think I see with what optics I use.

Again, at left is one of the Con-Trails I imaged (not drawn) in the crisp blue sky.  The Con-Trails were straight, short, and unbroken.  That indicates the air movement at that altitude (20,000 > 30,000 ft. ?) was relatively calm.  Also indicates the air at that altitude was dry.  If Friday and/or Satruday Nite are Clear, if anyone wants to view Asteroid (Minor Planet) Vesta, I'll point it out.  Moon will be at 1st Quarter, so 50 mm binos. will bearly show it.  If not, will up aperature.  If interested in seeing Sunspots, Vesta, or Moon (Clavius possible) feel free to call me and I'll set up for it.  Hoping we're past the worst of winter and in to high sunspot activity.

Hope you can take advantage - Tom Whitney

Prof. Judy Young on Astronomy in World Culture

Prof. Judy Young received her Ph.D. from the Univ. of Minnesota in 1979.  She was awarded the Connor Prize from the American Astronomical Society and the Foeppert-Mager Award from the Americalo Physical Society.  She is the receipient of the Sloan Research Fellowship, Distinguished Outreach Award at U. Mass in 2000 and Distinguished Teaching Award at U. Mass. in 2002.  She has hundreds of Scientific Publications and done multiple hundreds of talks and seminars.  She is President and C.E.O. of the Foundation for Astronomy and Spirituality.  She is Creator of the U. Mass. Sunwheel, begun in 1992, which was the first Campus Sunwheel in the world.

Her presentation focused on Astronomy in World Culture and the educational aspects of Sunwheels.  Prof. Young showed her pictures of several world Sunwheels and ancient observatories she has visited.  She concluded with the creation, building, and educational use of the U. Mass. Sunwheel.  Her presentation was appreciated by all Members present.  We are all greatfull for her time, effort, and contribution to the 5As.

Next month - Friday, Mar. 12, Springfield Stars President, Al Rifkin will discuss Focal Ratio.  As always, Members are encouraged to attend.  Friends, family, and the general public are welcome.

By - Tom Whitney

VESTA OPPOSITION - FEB. 17

At left is a TW-CAD (Tom Whitney Computer Aided Drawing - because I can't draw nor camerage image well) of Asteroid Vesta on Wed. at 10:30 pm from Mt. Pollux.  Vesta is the brightest and only naked eye visible Asteroid.  Have been observing Vesta every clear nite this year.  Use 10x 50mm binoculars.  Check my CADs in the "PHOTOS" Link on this web site. Have difficulty finding Vesta with telescope because scopes have too much aperture and too small a field of view.  Am not a good observer.  A scope brings out too many background stars.  Can't distinguish Vesta from dim stars.  My binos have a 7.6 degree field of view.  They don't show much below mag. 8, making it easy for me to locate Vesta.  When viewing is clear, Vesta appears (to me) to have a blue tint.  Will continue observing Vesta until June, when it dimms to Mag. 7.7.

 Vesta was the 4th Asteroid discovered - Olbers 1807.  An Oblate Spheroid; Diameter 521 miles:  2.36 au from Sun; Orbital Eccentricity .09; Orbital Inclination 7.1 degrees; Rotation 5.3 hrs. ; Vesta can reach mag. 5.1.

On Feb. 15, 16, & 17 (Mon. > Wed. nites) Vesta will pass between Algieba and Star 40 in Leo's Sickel - a spectacular sight.  Wed., Feb. 17, Vesta will be at Opposition when it reaches mag. 6.1.  You're welcome to join me and see Vesta.   I'll supply optics, if you want.  To Observe Vesta (w/me), Call Tom Whitney 256-6234, Sun. > Thr. evenings, after 6 pm, or E-Mail me through this web site.  Hope you get to see this Asteroid (Minor Planet?)  -  By - Tom Whitney

END OF SUNSPOT MINIMUM ?

I think so.  At left is Sun Spot (SS) # 1043.  This is a CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) done with 10x25 Solar Binoculars (SBs) from Mt. Pollux at 1 pm, Wednesday, Feb. 3.  These CADs are what I see - not as accurate as a photo.  SS was difficult to see and appears to be shrinking.  Also one Spot visible, previously 2 were visible.  However, I think this is the end of the SS Minimum and we are in SS Cycle 24.

SS Cycles average 11 years, with generally a 1 + 1/2 year minimum (average 485 days).  This Minimum was longer than "usual".  2008 had 73% Spotless days; 2009 71% ; while 2010 has had only 6% Spotless days.

SS # is calculated using a complex system.  Basically SS # equals a Scaling Factor (involving Observing Conditions and Observing Instrument), usually < 1, times (# of SS Groups plus individual # of SSs).  To date the Visible Brightness of the Sun has dropped .02%.  Expect that to change.

Have been doing Solar Observing Programs since 1986.  Expect the # of SSs to increase.  We start the Amherst and Northampton Solar Free Public Programs every Clear Saturday inApril, to the end of October.  At times, we'll have Hydrogen Alpha By-Pass (HAB) Telescopes, which allow one wavelength of light (6,500 angstroms), showing Solar Prominances, Faculae, and Photosphere Granulation.  2010 should be an interesting year with much more activity to observe.  Check out our Solar Observng on the Amherst Town Common at 1 pm and at the Science A to Z Store, King ST, Northampton at 3 pm., Clear Saturdays starting in April.

Think of this:  If all the Galaxies, all the Stars, all the Asteroids & Comets, all the Planets, even the Moon - disappeard - we would survive ok.  If the Sun disappeared we would all die within an hour or two.  The Sun is the most important Celestial Body in the Universe and essential for life on eEarth.

By - Tom Whitney