MEETING NOTICE :

The regular meeting of the BARNARD ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY will be held Thursday, March 8th at Jones Observatory on Brainerd Rd. The business meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by the program at 8:30. Refreshments will be served.

PROGRAM:

“An Introduction to Radio Astronomy”, Presented by Dr. David Fields, Tamke-Allan Observatory

The Barnard STAR is the official publication of the Barnard Astronomical Society.

OFFICERS

President………………………………………...…..Tom Adkins
Vice-President……………………………………….Bill Seymour
Secretary………………………………………….Gary Caldwell
Treasurer……………………………………………..David Witt
STAR Editor……………………………………….Steve Ramey
Webmaster…………………………………………….Rod Ruch
Database Manager………………………………....Bill Seymour
Star Party Chairman………………………………Victor Rogers

February Minutes

The February meeting of the Barnard Astronomical Society was called to order at 7:40 PM by President Tom Adkins. There were 9 members and a number of guests present: Terry Duffey representing the Boy Scouts, Rex Letau and Bill and Melinda (?) from Cleveland.

Treasurer's Report

The Society currently has $573.74 in the checking account.

Secretary's Report

There are currently no unanswered e-mails. The minutes were accepted as read.

Old Business

At the January meeting it was decided to present an award at the Regional Science Fair. It needs to be decided how to split up the award and in what category(s) to present and award; Astronomy, Physics or Geology. It may be necessary to send a judge. A motion was made to present the award in Astronomy, Space Sciences and Physics. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. There was discussion about how to split the cash award; 50/50 between junior and senior divisions or 25/75? 50/75? A motion was made to split the award $50 for the Junior division and $75 for the senior division for a total of $125. It was seconded and passes unanimously. It was also determined that there should be some recognition of the BAS either in a handout or something printed on the award certificate.

February 15: The UTC Physics Dept. has solicited our help with the physics lab viewing session at Chickamauga Battlefield.

February 17: Boy Scouts at Camp Columbus. There will be someone at the gate to let us in and out.

New Business

The Astronomical League is instituting electronic voting for officers and other matters.

High Point Scientific has sent more discount cards for members .

Bill Seymour is soliciting more ideas for future programs.

BAS has received a Night Sky Network award for being in the top ten clubs participating in the program. Three pins were sent and presented to Bill Seymour, John Manonne and Tom Adkins.

Program (excerpts)

John Manonne presented a program titled "An Introduction to Solar Astronomy".
Respectfully submitted,

Gary Caldwell, Secretary

REMINDER - Your annual BAS dues of are now due on the anniversary of your membership in accordance with the adopted amendment to the by-laws. The due date appears below your name on the address on the front of this newsletter. If your expiration date says “Overdue” or if you don’t agree with the date shown, contact David Witt to resolve discrepancies. The current dues rates are as follows: REGULAR $15.00, REGULAR ASSOCIATE $7.00, JUNIOR $8.00, JUNIOR ASSOCIATE $5.00. Your Sky & Telescope or Astronomy subscription will continue to be handled as in the past. When you receive your subscription reminder card, submit it to:

David Witt
4503 Cove Lane
Chattanooga, TN 37415-2306

Along with the group subscription rate of $32.95 for Sky and Telescope, or $34.00 for Astronomy. Note the increased rate for Astronomy. This was effective July 31, 2005

DEADLINE - All articles and other materials for publication in the next STAR are due no later than Wednesday, April 4th. The following media are acceptable: hard copy, disk (IBM), video tape (VHS), prints, or e-mail to bas@chattanooga.net or stramey@catt.com and attach a file or mail to:

Steve Ramey
109 Sioux Trail
Ringgold GA 30736

PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ALSO ACCEPTABLE.

DIRECTIONS TO ORION ACRES

FROM NORTH HAMILTON COUNTY:
From 27 (corridor J) take hwy. 111 to Dunlap, continue through the Sequatchie Valley up the next mountain (Cagle Mountain). When you reach the summit about 5 miles turn LEFT onto hwy. 399 (sign reads 'to Savage Gulf State Park' Stay on 399 until it ends, which will be in Grundy Co. Now make a LEFT onto hwy. 108 South. This goes thru Palmer TN. Continue on 108 up to a higher elevation. When this levels off, turn RIGHT onto Palmer Fire Tower Rd. This is a large open area with possibly trucks loaded with timber for the paper mills. Orion Acres will be on the RIGHT about 8 tenths mile. A sign will be posted at 7pm on Saturday May 7th.

FROM INTERSTATE 24 (to Nashville):
Go to the Dunlap/Whitwell exit (#155). This is hwy. 28. Exit right and keep on 28 for about 11 miles, passing Hardee’s on your left. Continue through the stoplight and take the next LEFT on Hwy. 108 North. Continue another 11 or so miles. You will see 'Grundy County' sign. Take the next left. This is Palmer Fire Tower Rd. Go 8 tenths of a mile and Orion Acres is on the RIGHT. There will be a sign posted at 7pm on Saturday, May 7th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

March Program

Thursday, March 8, 2007 at the Jones Observatory 7:30 P.M. –Business Meeting and Social. Refreshments will be served. 8:30 P.M. –Program: “An Introduction to Radio Astronomy”. Presented by Dr. David Fields, Tamke-Allan Observatory

This is a wonderful opportunity to broaden your knowledge beyond the traditional optical astronomy which has been emphasized at BAS. Let’s have a large turnout of members and guests!

Looking Ahead

Thursday, April 12, 2007, “A Tour of The Lowell Observatory”. Presented by Robert Burns

Thursday, May 10, 2007, “My Visit to The Great Meteor Crater in Arizona”. Presented by Robert Burns

March Star Party Event:

The Tennessee Spring Star Party 2007 (TSSP 07) will be March 16th through 18th, Friday and Saturday nights, at Fall Creek Falls State Park, on new moon weekend. This will be the 3rd time this star party has been held and past years have been very successful, with people from all over the Southeast attending, but mostly from Knoxville and Nashville. It would be great to see a higher attendance from Chattanooga this year. This is a free event with no registration needed. This event is sponsored by the Cumberland Astronomical Society and Astronomy in the Parks Society, also by Dyer Observatory (Vanderbilt), and Fall Creek Falls State Park. Please note that there is officially no camping on the observing field, but special rate packages are available at the inn, which is within walking distance. The website for more information is:
http://personal.bna.bellsouth.net/s/p/spsmith/default.htm

Please note that the Tennessee Spring Star Party 2007 is not organized by the BAS, nor are we involved in any official capacity, but it is felt that this will be of interest to BAS members. Fall Creek Falls State Park where the event is held is an easy drive from Chattanooga. This first rate dark sky star party is a Friday and Saturday night event with speakers, vendors, a swap shop, and dark sky observing. It is a good chance to meet a lot of folks who share our hobby from across the Southeast. There is no cost just to attend and observe. BAS members may wish to consider attending this event.

Boy Scout Camporee

Here is a letter of thanks from one of the Scoutmasters concerning the telescope viewing we provided at last Friday nights Boy Scout Camporee. Looks like the event was a great success. I think I had at least 60 (perhaps as many as 100) kids look through my telescope.

Thanks again to everyone who came out and help with this Scouting astronomy outreach. I will let Gary know we look forward to participating again next year.

David Witt

Many thanks to you and your colleges for coming Friday night. I did not realize what was involved in setting up your telescopes and I'm sure it was especially challenging as cold as it was.

Because of the change from Saturday night and the temperature, attendance down but everyone that came for the star watch enjoyed themselves. I heard time and again what a spectacular sight Saturn was.

If it's OK with you I'd like to invite your group again next year. We've had a winter camporee for the last 3 years so I think it will likely be a fall camporee next year. One thing for sure is it will be warmer.

Thanks again for coming,

Gary Flerchinger
Mountain District Camping Chairman

Moon Pictures Through Wireless Network

IMAGERS: using a wireless network I set up recently along with "cross-tec" remote software. I shot some AVI footage of the Moon. I was indoors (nice and warm!!). This is one I cropped and did a little processing. Clear skies… and warmer weather!!

Vic Rogers

Astromart.com Classified Ad

Jim Lauck wants you to know about this classified ad at Astromart:
You can view this ad at http://www.astromart.com/redir.asp?cid=485400

-------------------------------------------------------------
Ad No.: 485400
Wanted: Calling All Astronomy Clubs!
Category: Astromart Classifieds / Observatories
Placed: 2/24/2007 7:40 PM
Shipping:
------------------------------------------------------------
At SkyShed Observatories we believe the strength of amateur astronomy is based in astro clubs. We want to reward your club for its support.

SkyShed POD is now in the field testing phase. During this time we're setting up our astronomy club rewards program. When a member of your club purchases a POD or POD Bays, your club will receive points towards free PODs and discounts off PODs for smaller clubs.

Club members also receive a discount when ordering POD, but only if your club is a member of the reward program.

Registration is FREE. Participation is FREE. How can you lose? By not signing your club up.

Please go to the SkyShed POD website and click the link for more info. Time is of the essence. Points are not retro active. Join now so you don't lose out on valuable reward points.

 

Fraud Finds Deep Pockets Even In Archaeoastronomy!

It could be the oldest known depiction of the sky, 3600 years old, or a clever forgery, and now it is on display for a short time in a museum: The Sangerhausen Star Disk (Sangerhausener Sternenscheibe), a bronze disk that was apparently unearthed during an illegal dig in the German state of Sachsen-Anhalt in 1997 or 1998. The disk, 32 cm in diameter and weighing 2 kg, has been sold twice since on the grey art market, with the price climbing from 16,000 to 165,000 Euros - until the Swiss police could confiscate it this February 23rd from the third group of owners who wanted to sell it for a whopping 380,000 Euros.

Archaeoastronomers had vaguely known about the unusual disk since about 1999, but neither the identities of the original diggers nor the exact location where it was found (together with a few other artifacts) are known. But the apparent astronomical details on its face are intriguing experts nonetheless: There seems to be the Sun (or Full moon), a lunar crescent or eclipse, a ship (or the Milky Way) - and at least 29 stars spread randomly across the disk, with the exception of a tight cluster
of 7 stars. The latter could represent the Pleiades, the Praesepe or the small constellation Dolphin, for example. If genuine, it could well be the first semi-realistic picture of the sky depicted by man.

Until April 28 the disk and the related objects are now on display in Halle, Germany - before the return to the hands of science for restoration and detailed analysis. Metallurgical studies are already indicating that it is old and at least not a simple forgery. All results will eventually be published, probably more than a year from now, and then the disk, if found to be genuine, will be displayed permanently. Perhaps by then we will also have an idea what its original purpose may have been and how it fits into the history of mankind's desire to understand the Universe.
(Based the official website and additional information from Prof. W. Schlosser,
University of Bochum) Stay Tuned!

Good Seeing!