Dudley Observations

Volume 9, No 1 January 2010

Greetings,

 

I've actually, finally started a blog. Watch it for updates on a few of the fascinating happenings at Dudley. Perhaps this will be the venue for the column I've always wanted to do on fashion tips for budding (or freezing) astronomers:

Stella's Blog

Clear Skies,
Janie Schwab
Executive Director

Upcoming Events

Dudley Night at the Schenectady Museum and Suits-Bueche Planetarium

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
6:00 - 7:30pm
Free and open to the public.

If you've ever wondered what the Schenectady Museum and Planetarium has to offer, this is your opportunity to find out! See a planetarium show and visit the galleries. The monthly meeting of the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will follow at 7:30, and all are welcome.
Directions
Schenectady Museum and Planetarium

Sam Wait Retires

Sam Wait becomes Emeritus Trustee!

After 60 years at RPI, Sam Wait retired on December 31, 2009.

The end of the Sam Wait Jr. era at RPI coincides with his new status of Emeritus Trustee on the Board of Trustees of Dudley Observatory. His service to Dudley Observatory, while not of the same duration as RPI, was conducted with equal zeal, commitment, and vision.

Sam joined the Dudley Observatory, the oldest organization in the U.S. outside of academia and government dedicated to the support of astronomical research as a full member of the Board in 1978. He was elected Vice-President in 1990 and assumed the Presidency in 1991, a position he held until 2002. Sam has continued to serve on the Board of Trustees since then and took over as Interim President for one year in 2008.

Sam Wait is recognized as one of the outstanding presidents to preside over the Dudley Board, joining other notable scientists including Ernie Fullam, Herb Pollock, Roy Anderson, and Charlie Bean. Sam has continued to keep Dudley Observatory in the forefront of Astronomy education, helping to instill in others a life-long appreciation and enjoyment of science.

The members of the board are deeply appreciative of Sam's leadership and service.
Vincent Amodeo
President of the Board

 

Astrophotography Program Draws a Crowd

Dudley Launches Astrophotography Research Project

By Phyllis Budka

More than 20 teens and adults gathered for the first meeting of the Dudley Astrophotography Research (K)nights (DARK) on December 10th at the Dudley Observatory.  Attendees included people new to astronomy as well as experienced amateur astronomers.  DARK goals include working together to learn digital imaging techniques that are central to many astronomy projects and progressing to perform actual astronomy research.

It's not too late to join DARK!  Whether you want to take nice photos with a digital camera, or do CCD imaging through a telescope, this group will get you started. We are looking for mentors, as well as novices.
 
In addition to imaging, we have chosen a basic variable star research project which can be worked on by members of the group. The "Star" Of Our Project is epsilon Aurigae, a mysterious, bright, eclipsing binary variable star, the subject of a current 2 year research project sponsored by Citizen Sky.  To learn more about Citizen Sky and the epsilon Aurigae project, see the link below:
 
http://www.citizensky.org/
 
No equipment is required for this project but observing a variable star takes practice!  Janie Schwab will help us calibrate our eyes by working with Citizen Sky's 10 Star Training Tutorial (and the clear winter sky).  This tutorial begins with stars that are easy to find and observe and progressing to Epsilon Aurigae, at the bottom of the list. 

 

It's not too late to join DARK! 
Next meetings - Clear skies or cloudy:
Tuesdays at 7pm at Dudley Observatory
Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9
 
Here's a chance to become an expert variable star observer contributing real data to professional scientists!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lou Suarato's inspiring photos were definitely worth a thousand words!

 

Golden Opportunity for Volunteers!

By Debbie Ennis

Ennis Associates is pleased to be working with Dudley Observatory to coordinate volunteer services.  First and foremost, thank you to all the volunteers who have been the backbone of the Dudley community over the years.  Our goal for 2010 is to further expand our wonderful volunteer community and to enrich the volunteer experience.

So our call, for retired people (we adore teachers), people who love astronomy (they're all great folks), people who like to organize events (we love a party) and moms, dads, students of all ages (our Rising Stars), is to lend your time and talent to the Dudley Community as we wander to the stars and beyond.

If you, or a friend are interested in learning more about Dudley, please contact Debbie Ennis at 518-475-0824 or e-mail at dera0326@yahoo.com. 

See our Volunteer Job Description

 

 

Star Parties

Five Rivers

  By RSI Benjamin Palmer
     (A quick shout out to the volunteers who helped put this together, awesome job!)
 
 
        The Dudley Observatory concluded the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) in style with the presentation of the 2009 Skywatch Lecture Series. A brilliant speaking lineup in combination with the public's interest in the IYA made this year's event a recipe for success.
       On October 13 (opening night), a solid crowd packed into the GE Proctors Theater to hear Dr. Eric Chaisson discuss the intricate concepts of cosmic evolution. His lecture, entitled "Cosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in Nature," gracefully wove together our delicate relation to the Cosmos. A marvelous slide show, including charts, pictures and photographs, illustrated the provocative topic. The lecture dealt with our galactic, biological and human development that followed the Big Bang. Everyone present undoubtedly gained a unique view on 21st century astrophysics.
         On November 10, Dr. Michael Turner presented his stunning lecture,"The Dark Side of the Universe: Beyond Stars and the Starstuff  We are Made of." The near capacity crowd was treated to a scientific masterpiece. Focusing on the mysterious forces of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, his lecture, in my opinion, was the apex of the Skywatch series. Beginning with a slide show of remarkable astronomical images, the audience enjoyed recorded jazz music to enhance the experience. The lecture was wonderfully done. Dr. Turner discussed his topic with the utmost enthusiasm.  Accented by colorful charts and mathematical drawings, he shed light on the dark stuff while talking about everything from the theoretical Axions of Dark Matter to the Quintessence of Dark Energy.
        "Kepler, Galileo, and the Birth of Modern Astronomy," presented on December 8 by Dr. Owen Gingerich, was a fitting and fantastic finale to the year. After being regaled by the direction in which astronomy and astrophysics are headed, Dr. Gingerich offered amazing insight into the humbling direction from which we came.       
        Once again a stunning slide show, both historic and scientific, showed copies of Galileo's sketches and the University of Tubingen, which Kepler attended. Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion, Galileo's life, and the origins of cosmology were discussed with the care and art form of a true astronomical scholar.
       The majesty of our immense universe lasts well beyond the magic we experienced in the IYA.  In the future, the humble place we call home can only become more incredible through our ongoing quest for knowledge.                               
        The Dudley Observatory, Albany Area Amateur Astronomers and Proctors Theater did a superb job in sharing those wonders that make up the essence of astronomy.

 

Clear Skies,
Janie Schwab
Dudley Observatory