The NEKAAL Observer

Getting my ancient Celestron 11″ rig up and running after it sat for years in various boxes. Here’s the Dumbbell Nebula, Messier 27, in a single 60-second guided image taken through a clear filter from my Bois d’Arc Observatory. First Light in Kansas!

OK, not the most glorious image. But at least the guiding and image calibration etc are working. And in any case this old rig will be dedicated to variable-star photometry, where sharp, perfectly round stars are not quite as important as in aesthetic astrophotography.

The night of August 12th (and morning of the 13th) should be a great time to view the Perseids from Farpoint Observatory. Every year at roughly the same day the earth moves through the dusty tail of comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseid meteor shower usually produces about 50 -60 meteors per hour and at peak can deliver near 100/hour. This year the peak happens when the radiant is as high as it gets about 3:00 AM August 13th. The moon is completely out of the way too, being just a day or so of new. I plan to be there all night and I invite everyone to join in. Bring your sleeping bag or lawn chair preferably one that folds back horizontally, warmer clothes than you might think for mid August, bug spray, and if so inclined a camera (particularly with a wide field lens). All night restroom, coffee, etc will be available. It’ll be many years before we get another chance for an optimal Perseid shower.
The general public is also invited to join in, but please leave those bright white flashlights at home. Dark adaptation is key for meteor shower enjoyment..
Gary

C2014 Q2 Comet Lovejoy should reach near naked-eye visibility in early January. The tail actually extends much farther than this image shows. Current location is in Lepus just below Orion.

In a matter of minutes, you can do science and report it from your home computer or mobile device. NEKAAL is encouraging as many people as possible to participate in the Globe At Night program.
During a specified time period, just look at a certain part of the sky and match against a group of charts. Enter information and you’ve just contributed to science!

There’s one observing window each month. The next reporting period begins on September 15. For information on how to participate, go to the Globe At Night website here: http://www.globeatnight.org/5-steps.php

The Harvest Moon isn’t always in October, and this is one of those years.

A Harvest Moon is defined as the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. This is the full moon of October about 75% of the time. This year’s autumnal equinox occurs on September 22. That means that the full moon on September 8 is a few days closer than the full moon of October 8. So in 2014 the full moon names flip, with the Harvest Moon in September and the Hunter’s Moon in October.

As to the “Supermoon”–this term began with astrologer Roger Nolle in 1979; it’s not an astronomical term. Since the moon’s orbit is an ellipse, its distance from the earth varies. Its furthest point is called “apogee”, and it’s farthest point is called “perigee”. Consequently, a full moon at perigee is up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than one at its farthest point.

Even though “supermoon” isn’t technically correct astronomically, at least the media coverage has gotten people to go out and look at the night sky, and that’s a good thing!

Construction had been completed on 89th Street! It’s now a direct route to Farpoint Observatory.

89th street will be closed for several weeks. To reach Farpoint, most routes lead through the town of Dover.

There are several ways to get to Dover:

1. Use I-70 West and follow the K-4 detour signs, which take you to Valencia Rd (exit 350), then back to K-4. Stay on K-4 until Dover shows up then follow the Dover to Farpoint directions below.
2. Take I-70 west to Carlson Rd (exit 346) and go South to K-4 highway. Jog left on K-4 a short distance to Dover, then follow the Dover to Farpoint directions below.
3. (Dirt roads involved) Take Auburn Rd South to 37th, turn West and drive to Hays Rd. Follow that North to K-4 and take K-4 West to Dover, then follow the Dover to Farpoint directions below.
4. Take I-70 West to Keene-Eskridge Rd (exit 342) the South to K-4. Take K-4 West (turn right on K-4) until you reach Mission Valley Rd, where there is a big Mission Valley sign. Take Mission Valley Rd East to Bodark Rd, then North to Farpoint.

From Dover to Farpoint

From Dover go south on Docking Rd which winds around and eventually reaches 89th, aka Harveyville Rd. Drive west on 89th a couple of miles where 89th curves South. Follow a couple more miles to Mission Valley Rd, then West to Bodark and North to Farpoint.

Meteor experts predict that debris from Comet 209P/LINEAR may create a strong meteor shower the night of May 23-24. Named the Cameoparalids after the constellation where the meteors will appear to originate, it will be best viewed from North America, but may be visible worldwide. The meteors are caused by debris left by the comet in 2012. We’ll have to see what happens