The Charles W. Nieman Star Deck
At its February 21st meeting, the Lake County Board of Education voted to name our new outdoor observation platform, at Taylor Observatory, the Charles W. Nieman Star Deck in recognition of Mr. Nieman’s substantial bequeathal to Taylor Observatory.
Saturday’s Window to the Universe for February 24, 2018
We would like to let everyone know there will be a new lecture start time of 7:30pm for Window to the Universe.
“Near Earth Objects – Recent Developments”, Bill Haddon
For quite a few years, former Taylor docent Janis Traub presented a popular annual lecture on the fascinating topic of “Near Earth Objects” (NEO’s). About the time Janis retired from her Taylor position (new grandchildren!) we acquired an amazing planetarium show titled “Firefall” which dramatizes the history of Earth’s interaction with NEO’s.
This month, FOTO president Bill Haddon inagurates a new series of NEO programs with the lecture title “Detecting Near Earth Objects with ATLAS: the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Last Alert System.”
Today astronomers use three techniques to collect data on NEO’s: One is retrospective and two are predictive. The retrospective method is a cataloging of meteors, asteroids and bollides which light up the night sky periodically – you will be surprised at how often! These are compiled on a Jet Propulsion Laboratory website and involve both user-reported “fireballs” and image data from automated telescopes that scan the night sky.
One of the two predictive methods is the tracking of distant moving objects that are observed on regular telescopes. By determining the path of these objects, primarily asteroids, and using gravitational data from the sun, our eight planets and major known asteroids, a probably of an earth collision with earth can be predicted. You will be surprised at how low this probably number is for most NEO’s. Historically, however, there are some important exceptions.
But the telescopic methods have left one area uncovered, and that is the unexpected impact of meteors or small asteroids that have been missed because they are too small to see at a distance. The ATLAS system remedies that deficiency. Two special Schmidt telescopes atop two of Hawaii’s major volcano now image the entire sky nightly (weather permitting), making comparison with previous nights’ images. This new NASA-funded system would have given 24 hours of prediction to the small asteroid which crashed into the city of Chelyabinsk in southern Russia in February of 2013, injuring 1500 residents. We’ll try to have a demonstration of the ATLAS web feed later in the evening when darkness falls in Hawaii.
Planetarium and Telescope Program for Taylor in February
This month, with Eduardo Alatorre in the lead, we inaugurate a new approach to our observational activities at Window to the Universe. After the planetarium show Eduardo will discuss, in detail, just one or two constellations. The choices for this month are Orion (the Warrior) and nearby Lepus (the rabbit). Following the planetarium presentation, we’ll help visitors to observe these constellations from our new Star Deck, and then follow through with telescopic observations of some interesting objects in these constellations. Dress warmly!
Status of the new Teeter Dobsonian Telescope
As most of you know, FOTO has purchased a fabulous new 18” Dobsonian telescope with very high light transmission. We had hoped to feature it this month, but some delays in delivery of the telescope’s secondary mirror will postpone the date until March. Watch for a special telescope christening event soon. Details will appear on our website https://friendsoftaylor.org and our FB page “Friends of Taylor Observatory.”
Upcoming Program for March The Windows program for March 24 features internationally known lunar expert and photographer Robert Reeves, who is coming to Taylor from Houston, TX. Be sure and save the date for this special lecture, planned to be in concurrence with excellent lunar conditions.
A Reminder
FOTO’s primary goal is fundraising. Typically, planetarium shows cost $3,000-$5,000. When we bring in an expert from outside the Northern California, there are expenses. Donations are thus always welcome, with the reminder that our primary mission is to provide an outstanding educational observatory resource for Lake County’s K-12 students. Last year, we adopted the new policy that Lake County K-12 students have free admission to monthly Windows events. Visit our Join/Support Page and think about how you can be part of this Mission!