SEPTEMBER 2013 1

»  The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy»  Queensland Astrofest 2013»  Trash or Treasure: Part 2»  Nev Johnson Obituary

SEPTEMBER 2013              www.bas.asn.auSEPTEMBER 2013              www.bas.asn.au

»  The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy»  Queensland Astrofest 2013»  Trash or Treasure: Part 2»  Nev Johnson Obituary

2� BAS OBSERVER

A BUMPER ISSUE!Many, many thanks to all contributors this month – you have given this issue more pages than we’ve ever seen in our newsletter’s history! Of course, this is due in no small part to the report and image gallery from members who attended the recent Queensland Astrofest, which I’m sure will be of great interest to all those who were unable to make it to the event.

Special thanks also go to Andy Polichronis, for sending in his latest ‘Galaxy of the Month’ text and images for publication. While members who regularly make it along to general meetings will be more than familiar with Andy’s excellent, in-depth reports on galaxies, it’s great to see this one on M83 appear in the BAS Observer. I’m sure it will be grealy appreciated, expecially by the many members who are unable to attend meetings on a regular basis.

Promises, promises . . . Having received a couple of calls from members who were looking forward to the promised second instalment of my piece on SETI back in the July issue, I must apologise for my tardiness. Last month was hectic for us here at Sunset Publishing Services, and this month has been much the same – and, of course, we’ve been busy editing and formatting a much larger issue of the newsletter than usual (not that I’m complaining!).

Getting the newsletter out on time obviously must take precedence, but stay tuned: that SETI article is coming, I promise!

2015: International Year of Light Thanks to Paul Floyd for pointing this one out to me. And no, it doesn’t mean that 2015 is going to be the year of light pollution! The International Year of Light (IYOL) is an initiative developed in 2009 by numerous international scientific societies and organisations led by the European and African Physical Societies, and is being organised ‘to communicate the importance of light and optical technologies in our lives, for our futures and for the development of society’.

The implications for astronomy are obvious, and as in 2009 (the International Year of Astronomy), the IYOL will provide plenty of opportunities for popularising the science of astronomy and highlighting the optical equipment used by its practitioners.

Nev Johnson, 1942–2013 I’m sure all members will be saddened to learn of the recent death of BAS stalwart Nev Johnson. It’s been quite a few years since I last saw Nev, but I shall remember him for his love of astronomy and his efforts to popularise it . . . and for his love of humanity, so movingly described by Tony Surma-Hawes in his tribute on page 6.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my own sincere condolences to Nev’s family and friends.

. . . .Finally, with the BAS Annual General Meeting coming up this month, I must pass on my thanks to those outgoing Management Committee members whose assistance has been invaluable in the production of the newsletter over the last year.

Darryl�Nixon

Club representativesPRESIDENT�Peter TeodorovicPh: 0412 085 224Email: president@bas.asn.au

VICE-PRESIDENTChris Landman

SECRETARYSteve Taylor

TREASURERSiva Sivakumar

GENERAL��COMMITTEE�MEMBERSDavid DurhamPaul FloydAlison McDermottHermann SchrautTony Surma-Hawes

LIBRARIAN�Alison McDermott

EDUCATION�OFFICERTrevor Samson

NEWSLETTER�EDITORDarryl Nixon Ph: (07) 3219 3839 Email: darryl@sunsetdigital.com.au

Layout�and�design:��Sunset Publishing Services Pty Ltd PO Box 5207 Mt Gravatt East, QLD 4122

Cover�photograph:Tony Surma-Hawes. (A cropped section of an Image: of the region around Alnitak, including the Flame and Horsehead nebulae. See full image and further details on page 23.)

ABN 90 130 679 791

POSTAL�ADDRESS�PO Box 15892

City East, QLD 4002WEBSITE

www.bas.asn.auEMAIL

info@bas.asn.au

No material may be reproduced from this publication without the written permission of the Brisbane Astronomical Society Inc. © BAS 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013 3

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGFriday, 20th September, 7.30 p.m., at the Kelvin Grove High School Library.Visitors and all prospective members welcome. Supper provided. The meeting will be preceded by 30 minutes of telescope observing at 7.00 p.m. (weather permitting) and an introduction to the constellations visible in the sky. The formal meeting content will commence inside the library at 7.30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Edwin F. Erickson, who played a large role in the SOFIA (Airborne Observatory) project. The formal AGM content will commence at 8.30 p.m. AGM AGENDA(a) The receiving of the Management Committee’s report and the statement of income and expenditure, assets

and liabilities and mortgages, charges and securities affecting the property of the association for the preceding financial year.

(b) The receiving of the auditor’s report upon the books and accounts for the preceding financial year.(c) The election of members of the Management Committee.(d) The appointment of an auditor.

NEW MEMBERSA big welcome to Terrence Neville Adams (and family: Stephanie Adams, Aeisha Adams, Ellie Adams, Nicole Doolan and Connor Doolan), Cameron Ashurst, Denis Audet, Melanie Crook (and family: Michael and Emily), Mark Coulthard, Ben Downing, Ray Hartzenberg (and family: Dianne, Georgia and Nigel), Stella Kaszab (and family: Gabriel), Craig King, John Koster (and family: Monica), Andrew Morrell, Horst Joachim Schirra (and family: Sally Lee), Stan Ulyate (and family: Chris), Angela Upton (and family: Anthony), Ivan Vanco (and family), Lachlan Weatherstone, Peter Yard (and family), and Philip Yashin-Shaw (and family: Irena and Illariya). We do hope that you enjoy being members of the Brisbane Astronomical Society and are able to participate in as many social and astronomical functions as you can. May your journey in exploring and learning about the stars, planets and space be an enjoyable one.

SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER CALENDAR 4

QUOTE THAT! 5Language that captures your passion, from Caroline Holliday

A BABY PICTURE YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS! 5

FROM THE STARS WE CAME 6Remembering Nev Johnson, by Tony Surma-Hawes

QUEENSLAND ASTROFEST 2013 8‘Where too many clear nights are still not enough!’,

by Tony Surma-Hawes

ASTROFEST PHOTO GALLERY 16Images from Tony Samson, Brendan Downs, Tony and

Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes, and Andy Polichronis

LETTER TO THE EDITOR 29from Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes

TRASH OR TREASURE 30Part Two, by Agatha Gambino

GALAXY OF THE MONTH 32The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83), by Andy Polichronis

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS 35

LUNAR AND PLANETARY GUIDE 36A Solar System reference for September from Paul Floyd

MEADE EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 42

BAS INFORMATION 43Equipment hire, library borrowing and membership subscriptions

ALMA TELESCOPE IN CHILE CAPTURES DRAMATIC MOMENT OF STARBIRTH 44

CONTENTSSEPTEMBER 2013 www.bas.asn.au

8

4� BAS OBSERVER

MEETING AND EVENT DATES IN 2013Meeting�dates�for�2013 currently stand as follows, pending confirmation of meet ing room availability: 20th September (Annual General Meeting), 18th October, 15th November and 20th December.Mt�Coot-tha�viewing�nights will be as follows: 14th Sep tember, 12th October, 9th November and 7th December.Hazeldean�astrocamp�weekends: 4th–6th October and 1st–3rd November. Star-BQ�nights are, subject to weather, Saturday, 28th September, 26th October, 23rd November and 21st December, commencing at 5.00 p.m.�

General meetings• Friday, 20th September (Annual General Meeting)• Friday, 18th October

Mt Coot-tha public Moon and planets viewing nights• Saturday, 14th September • Saturday, 12th October

Hazeldean astrocamp• Friday, 4th October to Sunday, 6th October

Star-BQs• Saturday, 28th September • Saturday, 26th October

(See the BAS website for more information.)

School nights• Support needed. Ask Trevor Samson or any BAS Committee

member for dates.

September–October Calendar

SEPTEMBER 2013 5

Herbig-Haro Object HH 46/47A baby picture you won't want to miss!The ALMA telescope in Chile has captured a close-up of the glowing material spewing from a newborn star.

Stunning images show material stream -ing from the baby star at incredible speed, glowing as it plows into the sur rounding gas and dust. Astronomers say these illuminated jets are spewing out fas ter than ever meas-ured before and are more energetic than pre-viously thought.

The glowing mass is called a Herbig-Haro object, named after US and Mexican astronomers. This one is 1400 light-years away in the constellation Vela.

ALMA actually consists of an array of sixty-six antennas and is relatively new. It’s located in one of the driest places on Earth: the Atacama desert.

LEFT:�The�Herbig-Haro�object�HH�46/47�as�jets�emerge�from�a�star-forming�dark�cloud.��Source: AP . . . with thanks to Chris Landman for locating and supplying the image and text.—ED.

QUOTE THAT!The Moon Is A Blind Eyethe sun may glorify the heavensbut he never sees the starswe may illuminate the atmospheresstill not knowstill not knowwho we are

and the moonis a blind eye

we may dig amonst the rocks and stonesto find a fragment of the pastwe may consecrate our ruinsin praise of howpraise of howhow they last

and the moonis a blind eye

did you see whilst you were lookingdid you notice anything that’s minewhat did you feel when you got thereto be lovedto be lovedis to be divine

and the moonis a blind eyeis a blind eye . . .

Lyrics�of�a�song�by�I�Am�Kloot�(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw3Eohe3_Yw)

LANGUAGE�THAT�CAPTURES�YOUR�PASSION�FROM�CAROLINE�HOLLIDAY

6� BAS OBSERVER

From the stars we came . . . Remembering Nev Johnson, by Tony Surma-Hawes

I t is a fact of life that life itself must come to an end at some point, and as we grow older more of those we know and come to love will die and leave us to ponder our own mortality. Such is the case with one of my

dear friends and BAS stalwart, Nev Johnson. This might not be a name familiar to many newer members of the Brisbane Astronomical Society, as his activity and membership suffered due to health issues from the mid‑2000s, but sadly, on 8th August, his old sparring partner, cancer, took him away from us.

I first met Nev in February 1994 just after he learnt that the Brisbane Astronomical Society was about to hold the first of its astronomy education conferences, then known as the Southern Star Conference. When the mail‑out seeking participants from the Society arrived at Corinda State School where he was working, Nev arranged to have the science teacher sign up on the spot. At the next BAS Ordinary General Meeting, Nev became a member and wanted to take part in the activities of the club. He attended and organised many school field nights, and in 1997–1998 served as my Vice‑President. Together with the rest of our Committee, we instituted the Mt Coot‑tha public field nights, an institution of the Brisbane Astronomical Society that carries on to this day. He also served on the organising committees for the teacher conferences between 1995 and 1999. His motivation was a love of astronomy and the desire to spread its popularity.

You might think that Nev was a teacher at Corinda State School, but in fact he was the groundsman, albeit one with a deep, abiding interest in astronomy. This interest led him to be the de facto astronomy teacher at Corinda, accompanying the students on camps with the school’s Celestron 8‑inch (C8), purchased on his recommendation. Nev’s knowledge was all self‑taught, and the feats he performed with the C8 were nothing short of Herculean. At the 1999 Queensland Astrofest, Nev used the setting circles on the C8 alone to locate Venus, 6° from the Sun’s disc at inferior conjunction. There was no GoTo, or even a hand controller; he just read the RA and declination positions of the object. He could centre any object this way, and there it would remain – sometimes hours later, as he was a wizard at polar aligning the telescope.

Nev’s skill with the telescope was not all that he possessed. He was a scout in his youth, and as his children grew, he became a scout leader well versed in bushcraft. He was also a masterful woodworker, creating beautiful pieces of furniture and the like. Probably my three favourite things he built are a large sundial for demonstration to the students at Corinda, a beautiful hand‑crafted picture frame as a wedding present to Anne‑Louise and myself, and a canvas and dope‑covered Tasmanian oak‑framed kayak christened ‘Argo Navis’. Unfortunately, the sundial and a number of books were inadvertently left behind at a members’ field night at Whites Hill, but his picture frame and ‘Argo Navis’ are cherished by us and his family, respectively.

Nothing seemed to faze Nev, and he had a wonderful sense of humour. My favourite recollection is that when he was asked if he wanted sugar in his coffee, he invariably replied: ‘Seven teaspoons, please, but don’t stir it because I don’t like it sweet.’ He told me once that he had to stop giving that response because a new teacher at the school did exactly that – obviously someone with a similar sense of humour, which he enjoyed immensely. He also had a great amount of decency, railing against prejudice and racism, and was a firm advocate for refugees, despising the scaremongering and misrepresentations surrounding the issue today. [Hear, hear!—ED.] His sense of justice and fair play can be seen reflected in his four children, seven grandchildren and two great‑grandchildren.

To my knowledge, Nev’s health issues began over thirty years ago when he was first afflicted with cancer. Treatment was aggressively applied, and he remained clear of the condition until just over two years ago. I am aware that he had several other health issues throughout the years, including a heart attack while on holidays in New Zealand in 2007, but nothing would shake him out of his calm, serene demeanour. Given his love of astronomy, his cruelest affliction was developing cataracts, which prevented him from observing the transit of Venus and the total solar eclipse in 2012. In 2011 Nev was diagnosed with bowel cancer, but was unable to receive chemotherapy due to his heart condition. Even so, it appeared that he had dodged the bullet again, as he was in remission until earlier this year

Nev�Johnson,�1942–2013

SEPTEMBER 2013 7

when a ‘hot spot’ was discovered in his lung and removed in June. Once again, he and his family thought that he had made a lucky escape, as the tumour was declared a primary cancer. Unfortunately, however, the cancer metastasised and, on Saturday 27th July, Nev was admitted to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Anne-Louise and I were at the Queensland Astrofest, and due to some telecommunications magic performed by Renato Langersek of SAS and a work colleague, we were able to receive an email from his family informing us of his plight. There was no thinking needed prior to our decision that I return to Brisbane the next day to pay a visit to our friend. His mind was a little cloudy from the medication, but the same serene personality and keen sense of humour shone through. In this, our last conversation together, Nev expressed his desire to make it to his 50th wedding anniversary on 13th February, 2015, but the next day he developed a fever and pneumonia, and died the following evening.

You can take a measure of how your life and deeds affect those around you by the attendance at your funeral. Nev’s memorial service was one of the best attended I have been to, and it was plain to see how he had enriched the lives of all those who wished to see him off, and how much they respected him. On behalf of my family, I wish to offer my condolences to Lyn, who spent 48 years married to one of nature’s true gentlemen. Also to his children Ricky, Shane, Lisa and Tina, and their children, we give our love and thoughts. Nev was one of a kind, and we will all miss him terribly.

From the Stars we came, to the Stars we will return, until the end of Time . . . Farewell, Nev. ■

Dear current Management Committee,

I, .........................................................................................................................................................................................,

wish to nominate .............................................................................................................................................................

for the position of:   President    Vice-President    Secretary

    Treasurer    General Committtee member

Self-nominations are permitted.

Signature: ................................................................. Seconded by: .............................................................. (name)

Date: ......................................................................... ........................................................ (signature)

Please hand-copy or photocopy this form and email to vicepresident@bas.asn.au or give it to any Com mittee member before voting commences at the Annual General Meeting on 20th September.

AGM Nomination Form

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8� BAS OBSERVER

Queensland Astrofest 2013‘Where too many clear nights are still not enough!’, by Tony Surma-Hawes

L iving as we do within the bright light dome of Brisbane and having three active and energetic boys, it is difficult to do any great amount of astronomy. (Imaging is certainly out of the question until I am able to construct some sort of permanent mount or observatory.) The planets are always an option, but I have found that I have been

too tired and unwilling to spend an hour or more setting up and then have to put everything away again at the end of the session. This is why the Queensland Astrofest is such an important and exciting event each year for us.

Not only are the skies very dark and the Milky Way stretches overhead after sunset, but there is also time: time to set up, time to image, and time to remember and apply those things we learnt last year as we continue our learning journey in this hobby. And there is also time to learn new things from the hundreds of amateur astronomers who mark this event in their calendars and travel from all over South-East and Central Queensland, New South Wales, and even as far afield as Tasmania. This year there was at least one couple from overseas who travelled from Ireland and have written up their experiences visiting southern skies and the Queensland Astrofest: http://irishastronomy.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=29&id=98518&Itemid=40. The key thing for me is the fact that I can leave my gear set up and use it continually throughout the entire event.

For Anne-Louise, the kids and myself, the Astrofest starts on the final day of packing when we take the Astrofest signs from the walls of the deck where they are placed with great reverence

Looking north from our site, with Chris Cox’s EQ8 and 152 mm TMB in the foreground. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes, Canon 50D, 10–22 mm lens at 10 mm, f/4, ISO 3200, 4 minutes – no tracking.

The turn-off at Moore is the traditional place we erect our sign to let people know where we can be found. Image: Tony Surma-Hawes.

SEPTEMBER 2013 9

each year. We designed them with a brown background to look like official tourist signs (so as not to attract the attention of over-zealous Main Roads Inspectors) and place them at the Esk turn-off on the D’Aguilla Highway and the turn-off to Linville just before Moore. This year was the first time we placed a sign at the Esk turn-off, but the one at Moore has been used since 2008.

At Camp DuckadangWe finally arrived at Camp Duckadang just before sunset on the first Friday night, and then came the laborious task of unloading our bedding, equipment and supplies into what would be our home for the next ten days. While Anne-Louise sorted out our sleeping arrangements, I proceeded to erect Casa de Surma-Hawes, our double-barrel observing hutch, in the dark without the use of lights. This is a feat I am immensely proud of – considering I had not erected the shelter in this configuration since I documented it for the October 2012 BAS Observer, but I was grateful for the assistance of our camp neighbours – Brendan Downs and Chris Cox (and Chris’s friend) – with the tarp, which is necessary to contain the glow from our laptops.

By the time I had this done, Anne-Louise had sorted our room, fed the kids, put them to bed, and had come outside to help bring over the last of our gear and stow it under shelter in Casa de Surma-Hawes. Needless to say, we were both exhausted so decided to do only basic setting up of the tripods and then move around the field and kitchen, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones before retiring after midnight. The sky was clear from horizon to horizon – something

that had seemed improbable, as when we arrived it was very overcast. The clouds dissipated within an hour of the setting of the Sun, but my understanding is that mist rolled in around half past one or two o’clock.

For the past ten or so years it has been second nature for us to have the children contained in our room until 10.00 a.m., as we know that there will have been many keen astronomers observing and imaging into the wee hours. If he wasn’t imaging as such, I know that David Hough from Newcastle, at least, was taking dark frames until dawn. In fact, over the entire course of the Astrofest, David remained one of the last on the field each night. As regulars will tell you, what David doesn’t have in the kit he brings with him probably hasn’t been released yet! Fortunately, Sky-Watcher had just released the EQ8, and his was the first on the field. His verdict on the mount? ‘Bloody unreal!!!’, but he thought the tripod was difficult to set up, even though it was very stable once it was.

As we drove to the Astrofest, we watched the clouds piling deeper and expected to have poor weather all week, but instead we experienced skies better than we could have hoped. Image: Tony Surma-Hawes.

Erecting the sign at the Esk turn-off presented a few challenges, but with perseverance the path to the Queensland Astrofest was well marked. Image: Tony Surma-Hawes.

Crossing the Brisbane River at Camp Duckadang. The 2011 floods had created a great deal of change along the banks; however, the wide waterhole provided a great setting for all those wide-field shots of the Milky Way reflected on the water. Image: Tony Surma-Hawes.

10� BAS OBSERVER

Sad newsIt just wouldn’t be the same if David and his mate Alan Meehan didn’t cross the border to freedom under the cover of darkness each year. Unfortunately, however, Alan’s Astrofest was cut short when his mother took seriously ill and he needed to return to her side before she passed away. Alan . . . Anne-Louise and I would like to offer our condolences for your loss, and best wishes for you and your family. (The Brisbane Astronomical Society also lost one of its sons during the Astrofest this year when former Vice-President Nev Johnson died as a result of cancer – see Obituary on page 6.)

David’s EQ8 wasn’t the only one on the field; there were at least three others (I have a feeling I’m missing a fourth). One of these belonged to our aforementioned neighbour, Chris Cox, and supported his 152 mm TMB refractor – what a lovely piece of glass, not to mention the rest of his kit, which included, amongst other things, the complete AstroTrac travel system.

ABOVE: David Hough and Alan Meehan (at centre) share an early-morning chat with Rick Stevenson (AAQ) and the author as the mist dissipates on the hill behind them. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

BELOW: 360° panorama of the imaging field, facing south. Casa de Surma-Hawes is on the left. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

Welcome to the Queensland Astrofest! Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

SEPTEMBER 2013 11

Wide-field imaging was very popular this year, with many attendees taking their cameras, tripods and/or tracking mounts down to the waterhole below the camp to capture the Milky Way reflected on the water. Brendan Downs captured several great sequences at the waterhole and from selected positions around the field, using the mount for his C5 (see page 19). Other BAS members such as Andy Polichronis, Jerry Loethen, Hermann Schraut and Mike Baird also travelled further afield to capture rustic features, including trees, tank stands and windmills silhouetted against our home galaxy (http://www.bas.asn.au/gallery.html).

To Brisbane and backCloser to home, Anne-Louise and I didn’t stray too far from our gear, although we had planned to set up the tripod around the site for star trails and animations. In the end, we found we had neglected to bring the quick-release plate for the tripod head and, in true Astrofest style, that wasn’t the only thing we had forgotten: Anthony Grimshaw had given us the cold box he made for his DSLR, and this was probably the most important piece of equipment I had left behind. I was not keen on returning to Brisbane in spite of my disappointment, but we discovered that when we put up the signs along the highway we forgot to close the toolbox on the trailer for a short period before noticing it was open. An envelope containing group photographs, other photos and texts from the previous twenty Astrofests had been in the toolbox. We had intended to use them for a display, and now they were lost.

This meant that Anne-Louise would return to Brisbane to reprint the majority of the images and text, and while there, gather together a few odds and ends that we didn’t bring but which turned out to be essential, including the cold box. We also needed cooking hotplates, as the management of the Lions Club had decided that self-catering was not permitted. We and a lot of other attendees relied on using the kitchen facilities for our meals. It was pretty critical for us, as the Astrofest would have cost us in the order of $700.00 extra in food alone if we had bought the catered meals. This has been the only criticism I could level towards this year’s Astrofest, although none of the organising committee can be held responsible for it. I just hope that something better can be organised for Astrofest next year.

Once Anne-Louise returned late on Saturday night, she spent three hours cutting up the images and arranging them by years to be taped to cardboard display boards the following day. While she laboured in the hall to create the display, I put my modified 450D DSLR into the cold box and set it running. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a safety cover over the heatsink fan and I accidently broke one of the fins with my thumb. This meant I still wasn’t able to use the cold box . . . Doh! That evening we received the email from Nev’s family, and so we decided that I would return to Brisbane to pay him a visit in the hospital. The night was clear until after 2.00 a.m., so I spent a couple of hours capturing dark frames before retiring in the morning twilight to the empty room next door to ours so I could get some sleep until around noon. I think this might have been the longest I was able to sleep for the rest of the camp, but I needed it as I had a long drive to Brisbane.

Chris Cox getting some quality time with an EQ8 and 152 mm TMB refractor. Image: David Hough.

12� BAS OBSERVER

Before visiting Nev, I gathered together a few items to complete our inventory: a new fan for the cold box and a smart charger for the deep-cycle battery. After my visit it was time to return to Camp Duckadang, and I arrived just before midnight. The first thing I did was unwrap my telescope and begin the alignment sequence. Once this was completed, I attempted to frame M33 for an imaging run, but clouds covered the night sky for the only time during the Astrofest. Anne-Louise and I covered our gear and once again visited our friends around the site before going to bed.

Doing astronomy . . .A change in the weather came the next day, and we were treated to minimal dew and low mist for the next morning. I couldn’t resist imaging the Great Orion Nebula (M42) as it rose above the trees, but I didn’t quite stay up until the Sun rose; I had lots of dark frames to capture of differing durations because of the dynamic range of brightness and different exposures. The following nights and mornings were very similar. The most common remark from the regulars is that this was the best Astrofest weatherwise, as in the end only half a night was lost to cloud. As always, the pre-dawn mists made their presence felt, but there were a couple of mornings when they either did not appear or had only minimal impact.

For me the dew freezing on the equipment and surfaces towards dawn speaks the loudest of Astrofest, and I think that most mornings the temperature dropped to zero or lower. While the nights were cool, the days were warm – sometimes very warm. I replaced the fan for the cold box on the Tuesday, and then used it for the rest of the camp. Given the more autonomous nature of the children, we were able to get out much earlier in the evenings to do some astronomy. Anne-Louise had the most dramatic increase in freedom and was able to use her equipment herself and was up with me until dawn for a few nights.

Twenty years of Queensland Astrofest: Anne-Louise exhausted but happy to have prepared the pictorial history.

While his rig is sucking down the photons, the author catches a few Zzzs . . . it had been a loooong week. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes. Canon 50D, 10–22 mm lens at 10 mm, f/4, ISO 3200, 2 minutes (no tracking).

SEPTEMBER 2013 13

Astrofest activitiesWhat else can I say about how great the Astrofest was? The company was great: lots of people with cool equipment, and quick to share their knowledge and tips with anyone who asked; and, of course, the vendor sales occurred every weekend, even though Ron from Sirius Optics was the only commercial vendor able to attend this year. While not a commercial vendor, Phil Sheehan brought enough used equipment to rival Ron’s display. And, of course, on the final Saturday there was so much happening: • Judging of the Amateur Telescope Making Awards.• The Counterweight Toss.• The Honoured Guest Address by Anthony Wesley.• The Group Photo. • The Astrofeast.Anthony Wesley was always a prolific and skilful planetary imager, but rose to prominence when he captured the effect of an asteroid or comet impact in the atmosphere of Jupiter on 15th July, 2009. Almost a year later he and a Philippines amateur astronomer captured the flash of another object crashing into Jupiter’s atmosphere, although this object was not massive enough to create any cloud disruption. These achievements just go to show how any amateur can harness their love and enthusiasm for astronomy and contribute to the expansion of scientific knowledge. His presentation on how his skills developed was intensely interesting, but I can tell you that the toll of pulling six all-nighters and receiving about three hours’ sleep each day weighed heavily upon me.

As always the Astrofeast was well attended, and the presentation of the ATM Award was made to ATMQ and BAS member Laurie Billman for ‘Best Observing Aid’. Laurie constructed a device to magnify the display of his Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer (http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/), something we aging astronomers will find invaluable. Robin Wilson won the ‘Through a Telescope’ class of the Erwin van der Velden Memorial Trophy for Astro-Photography for the third time with ‘Blue Dragon’. Noeleen Lowndes of SAS had success with her image of the Eta Carinae Nebula for the ‘400 mm and Under’ class.

Then, of course, there was the raffle! Those who have attended any of the Astrofeasts know that the biggest part of the evening is devoted to the raffle. This year former BAS member John Peacock managed to snap up the SBIG STi Colour Planet Cam Autoguider from Advanced Telescopes as his choice for first prize, which was then followed up by the drawing of his name for the second prize! He chose the 12-inch, truss-tube Dobsonian donated jointly by Sirius Optics and Sky-Watcher. Some people have all the luck. Thanks go to those and the other sponsors who have contributed to the raffle and help the committee continue to enhance and improve the Astrofest experience.

Greg Bond (AAQ), Mike and Barbara Horn (obscured, former BAS members) and the author share a joke about going to bed early. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

14� BAS OBSERVER

‘An event like no other’I don’t have anything like a complete set of statistics for the 2013 Queensland Astrofest, but one of the numbers I am reasonably sure about is that there were 98 attendees on the first night. As a former committee member I find that very impressive, because I know that certainly through the ’90s we would have been very happy to see this number on the final evening. I believe that Chris Landman informed the August Ordinary General Meeting that there were around 200 attendees over the course of the event, and about 730 bed nights. I think that this shows how secure the future of this event is, and how it enhances the vibrancy of the amateur astronomical community.

There is so much that happens at the Astrofest that these few words and numbers cannot convey. Here people of all levels of skill can mix and learn and teach. In fact it is not even necessary to own a telescope, as plenty of people on the Visual Observers Field are more than willing to show all-comers the sky and the objects it contains. There is plenty to do throughout the day, and attendees can do as much or as little as they wish, although napping during the day is high on the agenda for many.

I would like to finish this report by thanking the organising committee for all their hard work in setting up the camp: blacking out the windows, removing white lights and replacing them with red ones, marking out the paths and roadways, putting out the electrical reticulation, and the multitude of other jobs that make this camp one of the premier astronomical events in Australia and the world.

I just realised that I have not made mention of Star Gaysers, the new astronomical society in South-East Queensland. After coming onto the astronomy scene two years ago, this group of amateurs has already made its mark and helped loads of people enjoy our hobby. This year Earl Henderson and Mark Gasiorowski joined the committee and contributed so much to the success of the event.

A sequence of shots showing a very excited John Peacock collecting the first draw in the raffle (apologies for the poor quality). Images: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

(From left) Blake and Pat Pearl, Ron Gibson and Gary Gawronski watch on as John Peacock wins the first draw of the raffle. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

SEPTEMBER 2013 15

Although I have mentioned only a few names, there were so many others who were not on the committee but also helped when they saw something needed to be done, so I would like to thank them also (you know who you are).

So, have you thought about next year? And if you haven’t, why not? This is an event like no other, and I for one would like all our members to experience one of the most exciting things an amateur astronomer can do: attend Queensland Astrofest, where it is ‘Starry One Night, Supernova the Next, and Held Under the Milky Way since 1993’. See you there. ■

David Hough at the Hough-mahal prior to packing the trailer on the final Sunday morning. Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

David is almost ready to tie down his load; those springs under that trailer have their work cut out for them! Image: Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes.

16� BAS OBSERVER

Astrofest photo galleryImages from Tony Samson, Brendan Downs, Tony and Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes, and Andy Polichronis

1. Tony SamsonTony’s images were taken with a Canon 500D using EOS software, through a 10-inch Sky-Watcher Black Diamond Newtonian with a Sky-Watcher Coma Corrector. (Guiding setup: Orion SSAG, controlled by PHD software, through an 80 mm iOptron refractor with a 2× Barlow to boost the focal length from 400 mm to 800 mm.) The mount is a Sky-Watcher NEQ6 controlled through an EQ direct module.

All images are from a stack of ten light and ten dark frames, each of 5 minutes at ISO 400. The images were stacked in DeepSkyStacker and processed in Adobe Photoshop.

NGC 3628 (the Hamburger Galaxy) in Leo.

SEPTEMBER 2013 17

NGC 7293 (the Helix Nebula) in Aquarius.

M16 (the Eagle Nebula) in Serpens Cauda.

18� BAS OBSERVER

M17 (the Omega Nebula) in Sagittarius.

M83 (the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy) in Hydra.

SEPTEMBER 2013 19

NGC 4631 (the Whale Galaxy or Caldwell 32) in Canes Venatici.

With all the recent rain (floods) over the last two years, and the rework of the causeway coming into the camp, a very picturesque pond has formed. The pond featured in many wonderful pictures taken at the camp; this one shows star trails with Venus setting.

2. Brendan Downs

20� BAS OBSERVER

The pond during a daylight reconnaissance.

This image is one of a series showing the Carina/Centaurus/Crux region setting into the pond. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPaY4_CYJJ4&feature=youtu.be.

SEPTEMBER 2013 21

South Pole star trails.

An approximate 6-hour star trail looking north from the imaging field. A variation on the theme can be seen in an animation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndzCtqAAzaA&feature=youtu.be.

22� BAS OBSERVER

View of the imaging field, looking east.

Brendan preparing for the night’s observing run with all the necessary supplies. (Hmm . . . ED.)

SEPTEMBER 2013 23

M42 (the Orion Nebula). NEQ6, Williams Optics 110 Megrez, Williams Optics Type II 0.8× Field Flattener, focal length 524 mm, modded Canon 450D, 10 × 30 seconds 400 ISO, 10 × 60 seconds 400 ISO, 10 × 180 seconds 800 ISO, 5 × 300 seconds 800 ISO (70 minutes total), darks and flats. Stacked in DeepSkyStacker; processed levels, curves and layer masks with Adobe Photoshop CS5.

The region around Alnitak, including the Flame and Horsehead nebulae. NEQ6, Williams Optics 110 Megrez, Williams Optics Type II 0.8× Field Flattener, focal length 524 mm, modded Canon 450D, 5 × 300 seconds 1600 ISO, 1 × 1326 seconds 1600 ISO (47 minutes, 6 seconds total), flats and darks. Stacked in DeepSkyStacker; processed levels, curves and layer masks with Adobe Photoshop CS5.

3. Tony Surma-Hawes

24� BAS OBSERVER

NGC 6334 (the Cat’s Paw Nebula) in Scorpius. Williams Optics 110 Megrez, Williams Optics Type II 0.8× Field Flattener, focal length 524 mm, modded Canon 450D, 10 × 10-minute subs (200 minutes total), 800 ISO, 20 darks, 20 flats. Stacked in DeepSkyStacker; processed levels and curves with Adobe Photoshop CS5.

Anne-Louise spent approximately four hours over three nights to capture this fine detail in M31 (the Great Andromeda Galaxy). Losmandy StarLapse mount, Canon 50D, 75–300 mm lens at 300 mm, 3200 ISO, lots of 2- and 3-minute subs, darks and flats. Stacked in DeepSkyStacker; processed levels and curves with Adobe Photoshop CS5.

4. Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes

SEPTEMBER 2013 25

Crux is one of Anne-Louise’s favourite objects, and she is very happy with the result! Losmandy StarLapse mount, Canon 50D, 75–300 mm lens at 80 mm, 3200 ISO, 30 × 150-second subs (75 minutes total), flats, no darks. Stacked with DeepSkyStacker; processed levels and curves in Adobe Photoshop CS5.

26� BAS OBSERVER

ABOVE: Great Southern Show.

BELOW: Great Southern Sillhouette (left) and Great Southern Nights (right).

5. Andy Polichronis

SEPTEMBER 2013 27

ABOVE: Emu Tree.

BELOW: Speared Emu.

28� BAS OBSERVER

ABOVE: Southern Reflections.

BELOW: Magellanic Magic.

And that’s it . . .

. . . till next year!

SEPTEMBER 2013 29

Trash or treasure?I read Agatha’s article in the August newsletter with great interest, and have to agree that some of the original satellites and testing equipment floating around the Earth need to be collected, protected and displayed – if only to prove to those who don't believe we made it into space that we did so with little more computing power than a PalmPilot. Some people even believe the Moon landings were faked!

But this is getting away from the real problem of the rubbish up there. I think no one truly understands how many bits of junk there really are. It has been estimated that there are over 600 000 pieces over 1 centimetre in size, flying at immense speeds. We need to put more effort into finding a solution, not just a means to navigate through this stuff.

I found a very interesting video showing the effect of the Chinese exploding Fengyun 1C (http://www.space.com/20139-china-s-anti-satellite-weapon-test-debris-orbit-animation.html). It is very clear that this single test has created a significant threat to the ISS. I would question how much computer modelling was used to predict the outcome of the test, and I can't understand why anyone would choose to go ahead with an operation like this when cleaning up the mess if it goes wrong isn’t an option.

Seeing that destroying satellites in space with missiles or lasers simply creates even more problems, the idea of capturing them looks like a much smarter option, even though it would cost significantly more – and it would have the added bonus of preserving them for posterity.Anne-Louise�Surma-Hawes

Letter to the Editor

SIRIUS OPTICS 2898–2900 Logan Rd, Underwood QLD 4119 Phone: 07 3423 2355 Fax: 07 3423 2366

Email: soptics@bigpond.net.au Web Site address: www.sirius-optics.com.au

Telescopes and

Accessories

Telescopes and

Accessories

Telescopes and

Accessories and “GOTo Mounts

CCD Cameras

Sirius OpticsAstro Tents

Mount Hub Pro’s and Accessories

CCD CamerasDew Control Systems

Full Range of Saxon ScopesTelecompressors and Adaptors

Starlight Xpress and Orion Autoguiding Systems

30� BAS OBSERVER

TPART TWO, by Agatha Gambino

T he first artificial satellites were put into orbit fifty-six years ago. The older ones that remain are now ‘antiques’ and will hold historic, social, scientific and cultural value for present and future

generations, as attested by the first archaeologist of orbital debris, Dr Alice Gorman. Junk is the bread and butter of archaeologists.

Will the rest of the world see its value – especially as the number of satellites in orbit steadily increases to serve our demands for instantaneous transmission of precise information, and as obsolete satellites and other debris remain up there to crowd and threaten them?

One person’s trash . . .There will be as many different opinions on the value of space artefacts as there are people. The first complexity to consider is what criteria would we use to determine that an object is a culturally significant artefact or junk? One person’s trash is another’s treasure. This dilemma extends over time; items often do not acquire cultural value till much time has elapsed. The value is often linked to rarity, which is often proportional to time:

• Some may think that if space objects are non-functional, or functional but technologically superseded, they are of no or little utility. Their destruction then has no consequence and is in fact welcome, as their presence in space poses considerable risk to technologically superior and functioning satellites.

• Some may recognise that objects such as Vanguard 1, the oldest human-made artefact in Earth orbit, have historical and social value. In addition, Vanguard and its kin, such as the French Astérix satellite launched in 1965, have scientific value. They can tell us how materials stand the test of decades of exposure to the space environment.

• Some may believe that space artefacts have cultural value, and whether or not that value exceeds the risk they pose to our satellite-signal-dependent way of life varies amongst individuals. While Australia now owns no operational satellites in orbit, we have previously launched our own (the first was in 1967). FedSat 1 was the second wholly Australian designed and built satellite launched for the centenary of federation. Messages phoned in by the public were recorded on a CD which FedSat took into orbit.

The cultural value may be in showing how far we have progressed – to document the evolution of technological development and human ingenuity. Effort should be made to return them to Earth or to preserve them in space if return is not feasible. Advances in technology, e.g. space tourism, could allow us on Earth to view them in their orbital habitat.

• Some may argue that it is pointless to study space objects when we have all the documents on them. Alice explains that holding and examining a piece of spacecraft is entirely different to reading about it. You see and feel the machining marks and get a sense of the human story behind its creation: the effort, time and intellect that went into it. It connects us to space and makes us less likely to take the technology that we rely on for granted. Maybe we won’t curse next time our phone loses signal if we are aware of and think of the enormous complexity of the processes that enable it to work.

Trash or treasure

ABOVE: The Antikythera mechanism*, an ancient analogue calculator used to predict astronomical events.

* Around 1900, sponge divers recovered a mechanism from an ancient shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. It was dated to about 100 BCE. Although corroded by 2000 years in salt water, archaeologists and scientists using X-rays were able to determine that it was once an incredibly sophisticated arrangement of at least thirty bronze gears made with great precision. Mechanisms of such complexity were not known of until the 1500s. Soon after its recovery, it was thought that its purpose was as an astronomical implement such as an astrolabe. In 1959 it was first labelled a computer, with the theory that it was used to calculate the motion of the stars and planets. Since then, increasingly elaborate imaging technologies such as computerised tomography have been used to add to the picture of the mechanism’s internal composition, to allow the construction of reproductions, and to increase the legibility of its inscriptions. Testament to the remarkable engineering capabilities of the time is evidence of a 1 mm hole drilled lengthwise through a spoke. The latest discoveries confirm that its function was an astronomical analogue calculator used to predict the positions of the Sun, Moon, and possibly the planets, according to the astronomical theories of the time. Lunar phases and eclipses (lunar and solar) could also be predicted. It is also believed to describe which of the games, e.g. the Olympics, should take place in a given year.

SEPTEMBER 2013 31

• Others may see space artefacts as valuable in understanding the bigger picture of human nature and society. For instance, they may believe that the artefacts’ value goes beyond the information they provide the current generation; that they also inform generations far into the future. Millennia from now, space junk could be what the Antikythera mechanism is for us today. It may cause people to question their assumption that earlier civilisations were by default less advanced than their own. It may cause people to wonder how societies with such remarkable technologies could fail. It may cause people to wonder whether other factors beyond progressing knowledge and technology are key to maintaining civilisation or, indeed, to wonder whether social dependence on technology can, in fact, be responsible for the fall of a civilisation. ■

REFERENCES‘Space archaeology’, Off Track, ABC Radio National, 11th May, 2013.‘Space rules the world’, Background Briefing, ABC Radio National, 4th April, 2010.Vanguard 1: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1958-002BAntikythera mechanism, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

FedSat 1, named to commemorate the centenary of Australian federation, was launched in late 2002. Its purposes were to establish Australian capability in microsatellite technologies; to develop expertise necessary for sustaining those industries and profiting from them; to test and develop Australian-developed intellectual property; and to provide a research platform for Australian space science, communication and GPS studies. Will it hold historic, social, scientific and cultural value for our descendants?

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER ISSUEJust�a�reminder�that�all�newsletter�contributions�must�be�received�three�weeks�before�the�monthly�meeting.�For�the�October�issue,�that�means�Friday,�27th�September.�Only�essential�announcements�and�news�items�will�be�accepted�after�that�date.�Late�material�will�be�held�over�for�the�following�issue.—ED.

32� BAS OBSERVER

Galaxy of the monthThe Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83), by Andy Polichronis

T he Southern Pinwheel Galaxy was first discovered by French astronomer Nicholas de Lacaille on 23rd Febuary, 1752, at the Cape of

Good Hope. French astronomer Charles Messier viewed it on 17th Febuary, 1881. It was the third galaxy ever discovered – after M31 (Andromeda) and M32 (Andromeda’s companion).

Southern Pinwheel facts Designation: M83 (NGC 5236). Constellation: Hydra (the Water Snake). Class: SAB(s)c. Closest and brightest barred spiral in the sky. Distance: 14.7 million light-years. Radial velocity: 337 km/s away from us. Size: 55 000 light-years (roughly half the size of our galaxy). Magnitude: 7.5. Apparent diameter: 12.9 × 11.5 arcminutes (roughly one-third the size of the Full Moon).

Galaxies have class

SAB(s)c

M83

SEPTEMBER 2013 33

Galaxy dynamics • Core and bar consist of old, yellowish stars. • Core appears to be double, with each part

containing 130 million solar masses. • Many blue, young star clusters outline the

spiral arms. • One hundred and twelve Cepheids and two

eclipsing variables have been discovered. • Contains six supernovae – the most for all

Messier galaxies (second behind NGC 6946, which contains seven: the largest number for any galaxy).

• M83 and Radio Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5139) form two sub-centres of a joint galaxy association.

Observing M83 M83 is seen nearly face-on, with an inclination of only 24° from our line of sight. It is one of the most beautiful galaxies for visual observation and can be spotted with 10 × 50 binoculars easily in a dark sky as a tiny, round, misty patch.

An aperture of 6 inches or larger under ideal conditions will show a very bright core surrounded by a circular, nebulous halo containing asymetrical structures indicating the spiral arms.

Three steps to locating M83 • Locate Alpha and Beta Crucis in the Cross. Extend the line between Alpha and Beta 5½ times to reach the

2nd-magnitude star Theta Centauri. Locate Beta and Epsilon Corvi in Corvus. Extend the line between Epsilon and Beta Corvi approx 2½ times to reach the 3rd-magnitude star Gamma Hydrae.

• Locate the 5th-magnitude stars 2, 3, h and i Centauri (use your finderscope). • Locate the 6th-magnitude stars HIP 65969, 66065, 66060 and 66563 (use your finderscope). M83 is a nudge

away from HIP 66563.

M83�close�up

M83’s�core

34� BAS OBSERVER

STEP�1:�LOCATE�GAMMA�HYDRAE�AND�THETA�CENTAURI�(zoom�in�for�closer�view)

STEP�2:�LOCATE��2,�3,�h�AND�i�CENTAURI�(zoom�in�for�closer�view)

EDITOR’S NOTEI must express my sincere thanks to Andy for this timely contribution. The newsletter has been suffering a lack of deep-sky content for some time now, and this excellent and extremely interesting article is just what was needed. Thanks again, Andy.—ED. ■

SEPTEMBER 2013 35

STEP�3:�LOCATE�HIP�65969,�66065,�66060,�66563�AND�M83�(zoom�in�for�closer�view)�

Have you ever considered writing an article or con tributing images (astrophotos or other wise) to the BAS Observer? A regular column on your own particular interest or area of expertise would be great, but one-off con tributions are just as welcome. Here are a few ideas:

BAS eventsMany members are unable to attend BAS events on a regular basis, and keep ing them informed on what’s been happening is very important. Please remember to take your camera along and submit images for the newsletter (please don’t forget to supply captions as well), and if you could write a short piece on the event, that would be even better! Good examples are the Astrofest report and image gallery in this issue, which I’m sure will be of great interest to those members who were unable to attend.

Articles on the latest developments in astronomyThere’s a lot happening in astronomy, and we’re very fortunate that we have the World Wide Web to inform us of it. Mind you, it’s unlikely everyone is going to be aware of all the latest developments, so if you come across something interesting, please submit it. Just be careful of copyright issues. (It may be necessary to obtain permission to use images or reproduce text verbatim. Permission is usually easy to obtain, however, and all that’s generally requested is the inclusion of a source credit.)

Book and equipment reviewsEverybody loves reviews, so if you’ve recently read a good book or acquired a new piece of equipment, please do share the experience with your fellow members.

Items for saleNo, it doesn’t have to be a telescope, mount or eyepiece. As former BAS President Dennis Neil used to say, ‘anything from a telescope to parts of a yabby pump’! You may just find a buyer.—ED.

Newsletter Contributions

36� BAS OBSERVER

Lunar and planetary guideA Solar System reference for September from Paul Floyd

Venus is visible low above the western horizon as evening twilight ends. Saturn is visible above the western horizon at the end of evening twilight. Mars and Jupiter are visible low above the north-eastern horizon before morning twilight begins. Neptune is visible all month in the evening sky, and Uranus rises just before 7.00 p.m.

mid-month. Mercury appears above the western horizon mid-month in the evening twilight; it continues to move higher above the horizon as September draws to a close, and reaches maximum elongation from the Sun next month.

Note that to the unaided eye all planets look like stars. The word ‘planet’ is from the Ancient Greek πλανήτης αστήρ (planētēs astēr), meaning ‘wandering star’. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are easily visible to the unaided eye. Due to their faintness, Uranus and Neptune will require a a large pair of binoculars and a detailed finder chart to locate (see http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/12435011.html).

1st September, 2013 Waning crescent Moon located to the left of Jupiter in the morning pre-dawn sky.2nd September, 2013 Slim, waning crescent Moon located above Mars in the morning pre-dawn sky.5th September, 2013 9.36 p.m.: New Moon.6th September, 2013 Venus and Spica (the brightest star in the ancient Greek constellation Virgo, the Virgin)

close in the early evening sky.9th September, 2013 Slim, waxing crescent Moon located between Venus and Saturn in the early evening sky.10th September, 2013 Waxing crescent Moon located above Saturn in the early evening sky.13th September, 2013 3.08 a.m.: First Quarter Moon.14th September, 2013 Mercury at descending node.16th September, 2013 3.00 a.m.: Moon at perigee (367 391 km from Earth in its orbit).17th September, 2013 Look above the western horizon as evening twilight ends to see Mercury, Venus and

Saturn.19th September, 2013 9.13 p.m.: Full Moon.20th September, 2013 3.00 p.m.: Pluto stationary.21st September, 2013 2.00 a.m.: Minor planet 4 Juno stationary.23rd September, 2013 7.00 a.m.: Spring Equinox (Southern Hemisphere).25th September, 2013 Mercury and Spica close as evening twilight ends.25th September, 2013 Mercury at aphelion.27th September, 2013 1.55 p.m.: Last Quarter Moon.28th September, 2013 4.00 a.m.: Moon at apogee (404 308 km from Earth in its orbit).28th–29th September, 2013 Waning crescent Moon passes above Jupiter in the morning sky.All�times�AEST.

Information about the finder chartsCharts accompanying this article have been produced with permission using the highly recommended Sky Safari Pro tablet app. Stars are shown to 5th magnitude. This is a compromise between what would be seen from a dark-sky site and the reality that most people live in cities or towns with significant light pollution.

REFERENCESAstronomy 2013, Quasar Publishing (http://www.quasarastronomy.com.au).Sky Safari Pro iPad app (to generate finder charts – reproduced with permission of the software writers).https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet

SEPTEMBER 2013 37

JUPITER�AND�MOON�FINDER�CHART�FOR�1st�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�4.30�a.m.

JUPITER,�MOON�AND�MARS�FINDER�CHART�FOR�2nd�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�4.30�a.m.

38� BAS OBSERVER

MOON,�SPICA�AND�VENUS�FINDER�CHART�FOR�8th�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�7.00�p.m.

SEPTEMBER 2013 39

MOON,�VENUS�AND�SATURN�FINDER�CHART�FOR�9th�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�7.00�p.m.

40� BAS OBSERVER

MERCURY,�SATURN,�SPICA�AND�VENUS�FINDER�CHART�FOR�17th�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�6.45�p.m.

SEPTEMBER 2013 41

MERCURY,�SATURN,�SPICA�AND�VENUS�FINDER�CHART�FOR�25th�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�6.45�p.m.

42� BAS OBSERVER

SATURN,�SPICA�AND�VENUS�FINDER�CHART�FOR�6th�SEPTEMBER,�2013,�AT�7.00�p.m.

Meade 12-inch LX200 Classic, OTA only: $2000’Scope and carrying case only (removed from the forks), no other accessories. The corrector plate needs a clean, and there are two small water spots on the main mirror. (Meade 12-inch LX200 shown at right with accessories that are not included.)

Meade 10-inch LX200 Classic forks and $500electronics:

Useful for spare parts for Classic LX200s.

Meade tripod from 10-inch LX200 Classic: $200(Not shown.)

Contact: Brendan Downs (thunderchildobs on IIS)Email: brendan.downs@bigpond.comPhone: (07) 3812 2813

Also�a�lot�of�Games�Workshop�figures�for�40K�and�Fantasy.

Meade Equipment for Sale

SEPTEMBER 2013 43

Equipment hireThe club has an extensive range of astronomical equipment available for hire at reasonable rates:

• 250 mm (10-inch) Dobsonian reflectors (two available)• 200 mm (8-inch) Dobsonian reflectors (one standard and one collapsible)• 150 mm (6-inch) Maksutov Cassegrain• Personal Solar Telescope (PST)• 115 mm (4.5-inch) equatorial reflector• 10 × 50 binoculars• Argo Navis: with club ’scope, extra $10.00• Argo Navis: with own ’scope, $15.00

Equipment hire is for a period of three months to allow time to use the equipment if the weather should beinclement. Hire fees will be required before hiring.

Note: In the case of new members, a probationary period of three months is required before eligibility to hire.

LibraryAn extensive range of books and magazines may be borrowed at meetings free of charge for a period of onemonth. Please note that a fine of $2.00 per item per month applies to overdue material.

Membership subscriptionsFull Membership: $30.00Full Family Membership: $36.00Junior Membership: $18.00Country Family Membership: $32.50Country Membership: $26.50Pensioner Membership: $18.00

The membership year is 1st July to 30th June, and renewal is due on 1st July each year.

New members joining after 1st January and before 30th April will pay a reduced amount of 50 per cent of the above, while amounts paid on or after 1st May will go towards the following financial year.

BAS Information

WILSON ACCOUNTANTS Telephone: (07) 3255 1455Facsimile: (07) 3255 1466

are pleased to support theBrisbane Astronomical Society Inc.

�C�a�l�l� �u�s� �f�o�r� �a�l�l� �y�o�u�r� �p�e�r�s�o�n�a�l� �t�a�x� �a�n�d� �s�m�a�l�l� �b�u�s�i�n�e�s�s� �a�d�v�i�c�e� �n�e�e�d�s�.

Unit 1 P.O. Box 1431 63 Annerley Road Coorparoo DC 4151 Woolloongabba 4102

www.bas.asn.au

This� image,� made� available� by� the� European� Southern� Observatory� using�radio�and�visible�light�frequencies,�shows�the�Herbig-Haro�object�HH�46/47.�The�orange�and�green�(lower�right)�of�the�newborn�star�reveal�a�large,�ener-getic�jet�moving�away�from�the�Earth,�which,�in�visible�frequencies,�is�hidden�by�dust�and�gas.�To�the�left,�in�pink�and�purple,�the�visible�part�of�the�jet�is�

seen,�streaming�partly�towards�the�Earth.�Source: AP.�

Many�thanks�to�Chris�Landman�for�supplying�this�spectacular�image.

ALMA�TELESCOPE�IN�CHILE�CAPTURES�DRAMATIC�MOMENT�OF�STARBIRTH