Once in a Blue Moon' in June?
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Hamilton Amateur Astronomers
May 1996 Volume 3 Issue 7
'Once in a Blue Moon' in June?
raditionally, the moon can moon', in June. You won't see anything
appear blue when its red light different and unless you're told you
is filtered out by dense smoke won't even know it's 'blue'.
or dust in the upper atmosphere, leaving
only the bluish shades for us to see. This second-full-moon-of-the-
This chance occurrence is rare and month definition has seen popular use
certainly unpredictable, hence the well- for barely a decade. The origin is
known expression "once in a blue uncertain, but the Old Farmers'
moon." September 24/25, 1950 saw Almanac may have listed one of these
blue moons when smoke from a second full moons as "blue" on
Canadian forest fire darkened the sky. occasion. It wasn't commonly known by
the general public though. Folklore
historian, Philip Hiscock, in the May/
“Perhaps the most widespread June issue of "Sky News", contends that moon' does come along people are more
and famous blue moon in the game of Trivial Pursuit might be aware of it, though it is certainly not a
new concept.
modern history occurred in responsible in large measure for the
1883, when the Indonesian revival of this unusual tidbit of folklore.
It appears that the popular game, A full moon occurs globally
island of Krakatoa blew apart” introduced in the early 1980s, used the normally only once a month when the
Perhaps the most widespread and 'blue moon' as the subject of one of its sun, earth and moon are lined up and
famous blue moon in modern history questions. As a result, when a 'blue (Continued on page 4)
occurred in 1883, when the Indonesian
island of Krakatoa blew apart, spewing
forth enormous clouds of volcanic ash
and dust. For the better part of two
years, vivid red sunsets and blue moons
were commonly seen.
through her telescope and for
Thanks to the evolution of am sad to say that April was everything else; Patti for helping to set
language, we will now be more aware my last meeting as HAJA long term goals for the junior group and
of, and can plan ahead for our blue coordinator because I am moving to for helping the kids make a telescope;
moon event. A very predictable and London (Ontario). I had the best time Nina for her great demonstrations and
very unimaginative blue moon appears with everyone who has been involved all her help; Rosa for putting together a
to have caught the attention of the with me for the past year and a half. I'd great junior newsletter and all her help;
public. This less colourful blue moon is like to thank everyone who helped me and, of course, the kids for being so full
said to be the second full moon and came out to the meetings. A of questions and enthusiasm.
occurring in the same month. Locally special thanks goes out to: Grant for
we are going to have a second full being able to put on a fabulous As you can tell from the list
moon of the month, a so-called 'blue planetarium show in a moments notice; above, HAJA is a group effort to which
Ann for showing the kids the skies (Continued on page 6)
Editorial page 2 What’s Your I.O. page 5
inside... Chair’s Report page 2 H.A.A. Crests page 6
Roman Around page 4 June Skies page 7
Sonoluminescence page 5 Letter to the Editor page 8Page 2
Editorial
t almost looks like we will get in next month’s Event Horizon. If you
summer again this year and want more details just give Ann
that means lots of warm nights Tekatch a call at 575-5433.
to go observing at our organized
observing sessions or attending various As if that wasn’t enough, Tony
star parties. Wallace is making arrangements for a vent Horizon is a publication
weekend trip to Algonquin Park of the Hamilton Amateur
We will be having our own third sometime this summer. This will take Astronomers (HAA).
annual Hamilton Amateur Astronomers' place at the site of the Radio Telescope.
Star Party (HAASP '96) on June 21, 22 For more details contact Tony at 526- The HAA is an amateur
and 23 at the York Soaring Association 6154. astronomy club dedicated to the
airfield. Since we have no speakers, promotion and enjoyment of astronomy
displays, meals or door prizes we will Anyone who could read the for people of all ages and experience
cancel (or postpone) this event if the cartoon on page 8 of last month’s issue levels
weather is not favourable. What we probably deserves a prize. Instead, you
will have is a good time viewing the will find a readable version on page 8 in The cost of the subscription is
night sky and soaring during the day. this issue. included in the $15 individual or $20
Camping is only $2.00 a night per site family membership fee for the year.
(no hydro). For those of you interested Stewart Attlesey Event Horizon is published 10 times a
in flying, $35 will get you a ride in a stewart@io.org year.
glider. A map and directions will appear
HAA Council
Chair Ann Tekatch
Second Chair Doug Welch
Chair’s Report Honorary Chair Jim Winger
Secretary Juliana Light
never have to worry about collectively as "the girls". As you know Treasurer Barbara Wight
finding something to write from reading your newsletter or Education Dir. Grant Dixon
about in these monthly reports. attending our meetings, "the girls" have Obs. Dir Charles Baetsen
It seems that every month we have become invaluable council members. Editor Stewart Attlesey
another new HAA celebrity! This past Raechel Carson has been marvelous as Recorder Nina Snaith
month, Aaron Simpson was interviewed our junior group co-ordinator. Nina Membership Dir Rosa Assalone
by TV Ontario for a special report on Snaith has provided the most ingenious HAJA Coord Raechel Carson
amateur astronomers. The show was (and entertaining) demonstrations at our Councillors
aired on TVO's Studio 2, April 20th. I HAJA meetings as well as doing a Patricia Baetesen
was quite impressed with the stellar job of keeping council minutes. Denise Kaisler
confidence Aaron displayed during his R o s a A s s alone has quietly and Patricia Marsh
appearance. He even managed to efficiently maintained membership lists, Les Nagy
squeeze in a plug for the Hamilton distributed newsletters, published the Rob Roy
Amateur Junior Astronomers. Well junior group's newsletter and helped out Bill Tekatch
done, Aaron! By the way, have you at the HAJA meetings whenever she
decided on a name for that planet, yet? was needed. Most importantly, "the
girls" have been great fun to work with!
Meanwhile, Denise Kaisler's report on
the newly discovered planets (sorry, Eventually, however, all undergrads
Aaron, not yours!) appeared in the become grads and I'm both pleased and
recent issue of SkyNews. sad to announce that Raechel will be
Congratulations, Denise! leaving us for teacher's college in
London, Ontario shortly while Nina
Two years ago, we corralled three heads off to Bristol, England to join the
young McMaster University undergrads hordes of quantum chaologists gathered
into joining our council: Raechel there. I know I speak for all of us when
Carson, Nina Snaith and Rosa Assalone. I wish them the very best of luck and
We have come to refer to them happiness!
(Continued on page 3)
Event Horizon - Hamilton AmateurPage 3
Chair’s Report ...
(Continued from page 2) groups. Participants in the Climbathon
will follow a 3 km route which includes
Rosa has put down roots in Hamilton 600 escarpment steps at Garth Street
and will continue her studies at and Cliffview Park. It is hoped that
McMaster University. She has members of the local astronomy
volunteered to take on Raechel's community including the Hamilton
responsibilities as HAJA co-ordinator, Amateur Astronomers can participate
but she'll need help. If you'd like to lend and show our support for the new
a hand with HAJA, please give her a observatory! Registration is at Chedoke
call at 540-8793. Middle School, 500 Bendamere,
Hamilton or contact Carmen at 643-
On April 27th., Bill and I had the 7283.
pleasure of attending the NFCAAA
meeting hosted by the Niagara Centre Finally, I'm very pleased to announce
of the R.A.S.C. at their annual banquet. the birth of a son to Mickey Copley,
The NFCAAA(Niagara Frontier as pleasant as possible for us. We were one of our newer members.
Council on Amateur Astronomical given parking spots at the ROM lot, free Congratulations, Mickey! Live long and
Associations) is a very loose knit admission and help to carry everything prosper, Gareth Nigel.
organization that offers a forum for into the museum. For our help, the
local astronomy associations in ROM is also giving us an honorarium of Ann Tekatch
southern Ontario and western New $125! (All that fun and money, too!!) 575-5433
York to gather and share information a7503934@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca
and experiences. Nina Snaith had so much fun at the
ROM that she has decided to do a
Bill and I joined Roger Hill, Dave & repeat performance at "Kid's World" in
Pam Coulson and John Kezys of Ancaster on June 8th. (There's a rumour
Hamilton Centre for the Niagara circulating that Nina has become a coke
Centre's banquet at the Skylon Tower. addict. Cocoa, that is!) If you can help
After an absolutely delicious buffet out on June 8th., please contact Nina at
dinner, we heard brief reports from the 627-5478. It would be especially nice to
groups in attendance and were then see some of our HAJA members in
entertained by Terry Dickinson with his attendance, demonstrating the art of
photos of Comet Hyakutake. It was a cratering!
wonderful evening and Niagara Centre
is to be congratulated for organizing it! Wayne Terryberry has asked fellow
members of the HAA to help him host a
The next day, Charles, Patti & Hypatia small star party for McMaster
Baetsen, Nina Snaith, Bill and I manned University on Wednesday, June 12th.
an activity centre at the Royal Ontario
Museum for their Astronomy Family
The location and exact time aren't set as
I write this. We need telescope owners
to join us in showing the night sky to
Did You
Day. We demonstrated the arts of
shooting elastic bands and crater-
making to about 100 children. Views
approximately 15-20 people. Give me a
call and let me know if you can come Know That
through a small telescope and a tripod- out.
mounted pair of binoculars were also astronomer John Herschel
offered to everyone in attendance. We You all know that the new Saltfleet proposed sodium thiosulfate
had a great time in spite of getting High School is to have its very own 'hypo' as a fixer for
covered head to toe in flour and cocoa! observatory, thanks to the efforts of photographic images. Before this
The HAA was only one of three groups Carmen Martino. Efforts to raise money breakthrough, pictures would often
that helped the ROM celebrate for a telescope and other equipment are quickly fade. Herschel also suggested
Astronomy Family Day. The Toronto underway and one of the first of these the terms negative and positive and
Centre of the RASC and the Toronto efforts is a joint Climbathon between even coined the word "photography".
Sidewalk Astronomers also helped out. Saltfleet High School and Participation
I must add that the staff at the ROM House on June 1st. Money from the Rob Roy
went out of their way to make the day event will be split between the two
Event Horizon - Hamilton AmateurPage 4
Roman Around
ulcan (Greek - Hephaestus) Vulcan was the god of the Tiber. During the festival of Vulcan,
was one of the oldest of Latin thunderbolt and of the sun, then the god little fish and often other animals were
gods, ante-dating even Jupiter. of fires whose ravages he could arrest, sometimes thrown into the fire. These
Under the name Volcanus, he was the and finally became the god who was offerings represented human lives and
first Jupiter of Rome whose foundation associated with the attribute of life- they were offered to Vulcan in order to
he protected. In his aspect of Jupiter he giving warmth. preserve lives. His altar in the Forum
formed a couple with Juno. He was was the Volcanal.
also associated wit h Maia, an He was invoked as the divinity
incarnation of the Earth Mother, and of the hearth and, as he was united with The Romans always
with Vesta, considered as goddess of Maia, mother of springs, he was represented him as bearded, sometimes
the earth. He was not allied with Venus considered the first god of the Tiber. with a slight facial deformity which
who in those remote times still played a He even possessed warlike functions doubtless recalled his infirmity. Near
small part in Roman mythology. and may have preceded Mars as god of him stand the hammer, tongs and anvil,
Volcanus was the father of Cacus who battles. In the early history of Rome, attributes which came from Greece. He
was attributed the paternity of Servius then, Volcanus was a more important wears a bonnet (pileus) and a short
Tallius, King of Rome. personage than the later Vulcan. tunic which leaves his right arm and
shoulder free.
The Volcanalia were
celebrated on the August 23rd in his Ev Butterworth
“Vulcan was the god of the role of god of the Tiber, Volturnus
thunderbolt and of the sun” being one of this river's religious
A maiden in the names. August 17th was the festival of
neighbourhood of Praeneste was seated the Portunalia also consecrated to the
one day near the fire when a spark fell
on her; some months afterwards she
gave birth to a son. She exposed him in
the forest where some girls found him Blue Moon...
beside a lighted fire. For this reason he
was regarded as a son of Vulcan and There are approximately 29.5
(Continued from page 1) days between full moons, one lunar
because of the smallness of his eyes
the moon's face is evenly and fully month. February, therefore, even in a
they named him Coeculus. When he
illuminated from side to side. The local leap year, can never have a 'blue moon',
grew up he founded the town of
time of a full moon depends on the time although it could have a blue moon.
Praeneste, celebrating the occasion with
zone of the location. For instance, in Because of the extra day the seven
public games. As some of those present
our Eastern Daylight time zone the first 31-day months have a better chance of
cast doubts on his paternity he invoked
full moon of June is in the afternoon of having a 'blue moon' than the others.
his father Vulcan and the crowd was
June 1 at 4:47pm. It can be seen only What are the odds for a blue 'blue
immediately surrounded by flames.
from the other side of the earth where it moon'?
is dark and the moon is visible in the
night sky. We are very close to missing On average, a 'blue moon'
a second full moon in June, a 'blue comes around once every two and a
Did You moon', because it occurs at 11:58pm on
June 30, just two minutes before July 1.
half years or so. If you want to plan
something special for this particular
"once in a 'blue moon'," don't wait, the
Know That Because of the one hour time-
zone difference, Atlantic Canada sees
next one won't be along until 1999.
That year, however, both January and
recently, the Hubble Space this full moon at the same time, but 'one March will have second full moons,
Telescope took a ten day hour later.' One hour later for them is while February has no full moon at all,
exposure of the same small 12:58am, which is the next day, July 1. a 'once in a blue moon' event indeed.
part of the sky, recording galaxies up to Their second full moon of the month
30th magnitude. This is like seeing a doesn't occur until July 30. East of the
glowing cigar on the moon! time zone border between Eastern Rob Roy
Daylight Time and Atlantic Daylight a5817394@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca
Rob Roy Time, July has the 'blue moon'. As
already explained, people west of this
border witness a 'blue moon' in June.
Event Horizon - Hamilton AmateurPage 5
A New Theory of Sonoluminescence
ound energy, in the form of a escapes. Eberlein asserts that degrees).
beam of ultrasonic waves, can researchers can put her theory to an 6) Iris, which is an asteroid. All the rest are
be partly converted into light experimental test and compare the planetary satellites.
energy by aiming the sound at an air r e s u l t s t o o t h e r m o d e l s of
bubble in a sample of water. The sound sonoluminescence. (Claudia Eberlein, The trees are budding and the grass
causes the bubble to collapse and to upcoming article in Physical Review is green. Take a blanket and cold drink
emit sharp (less than 12 picosecond) Letters.) outside and enjoy the fresh air as you
light pulses. The light's spectrum answer these questions.
Bill Tekatch
1) T/F The only month which can
“sonoluminescence may represent the lack a new moon is February.
first observable manifestation of from:
PHYSICS NEWS UPDATE 2) T/F The brightest comet of the
quantum vacuum radiation” twentieth century, so far, has been
The American Institute of Physics
implies that the source of the radiation Bulletin of Physics News Kohoutek's Comet of 1973.
is similar to a black-body object at a Number 267 April 23, 1996 by 3) T/F Aurorae or polar lights are
temperature of tens of thousands of Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein caused by electrified particles sent out
Kelvins. Theorists have tried to explain http://aip.org/pinet/listserver/PHYSNEWS.latest.html by the Sun.
sonoluminescence by saying, for 4) The UHURU satellite, launched in
example, that the radiation comes fro m 1971, carried a special type of
a plasma formed by the collapse of the telescope. What was this telescope
bubble. But mostly the mechanism designed to study?
behind the production of the pulses 5) What is meant by escape velocity,
remains a mystery. Now Claudia and what is its value in the case of the
Eberlein of Cambridge University Earth?
(cce20@phy.cam.ac.uk, 44-1223-337- 6) T/F Forbidden lines are works
458) offers a more daring explanation. condemned as heretical by the
he flowers are blooming and Inquisition before the trial of Galileo in
She believes the light is being emitted everything is green again.
by the vacuum surrounding the bubble. 1634.
Soon it will be what you call
Modern quantum theory holds that hot. How's the observing going this
unseeable virtual photons abound in the This is the month for fire crackers.
year? Mine has taken great strides. It Enjoy the splendour, but be safe.
vacuum. The behavior of these "zero- never ceases to amaze me how curious
point fluctuations" is influenced by the Nights are still a bit cool so bundle up.
humans are. Everywhere I go, I meet Keep observing.
properties of the surrounding medium. people who have questions and love
The rapidly moving air-water interface nothing better to do than answer them.
(where two media different indices of Io, Keeper of the Flame
So here you go. More! Jupiter Co-ordinator
refraction come together) may facilitate
the conversion of virtual photons into 1) (a) The Sea of Clouds. (b) The Bay of
real photons. In fact, Eberlein says, Heats, (c) The Marsh of Clouds (d) The Central
sonoluminescence may represent the Bay, (e) Humbolt's Sea.
first observable manifestation of 2) True. The barycentre is the centre of
gravity of the Earth-Moon system; because the
quantum vacuum radiation. This Moon has only 1/81 the mass of the Earth, the
scenario can be compared to the "Unruh barycentre lies deep within the Earth's globe.
effect," a hypothetical phenomenon in 3) True, because the atmosphere of Venus acts
which photons are emitted by a mirror as a 'greenhouse' and raises the temperature
above that of airless Mercury - even though
accelerating through a vacuum. Mercury is considerably closer to the Sun.
"Hawking radiation," the hypothetical 4) Thuban (Alpha Draconis). It is no longer
emission of particles from black holes, the pole star because the north celestial pole has
is yet another example of energy since been shifted, by the effect known as
precession. As the Earth spins, it is 'wobbling'
seemingly coming out of nowhere; at very slowly in the manner of a gyroscope which is
the black hole's Schwarzschild radius starting to topple. The effect is very slight, but
(inside of which, light cannot escape), over the centuries it becomes appreciable.
space is so warped that energy from the Today, the Earth's axis points northward to a
point within one degree of Polaris. In 12,000
black hole can be converted into years' time Vega will be the north pole star.
particle-antipartic le pairs; one particle 5) True; it covers only 68 square degrees. The
falls back into the hole while its partner next smallest constellation is Equuleus (72 square Halley’s Comet of 684
Event Horizon - Hamilton AmateurPage 6
HAJA ...
(Continued from page 1) is, interview! Way to go Aaron! I hope
many people have contributed. Rosa or talk to Rosa at a general meeting. that some of you had a chance to see it
has kindly agreed to take my place in because the date on which the show
May. But, Nina will be leaving in the One of HAJA's members, aired was not what we expected.
fall which means that Rosa is going to Aaron Simpson, was interviewed by
need to recruit some new helpers. It is TVO a fe w weeks ago and he appeared I hope that everything goes as
very rewarding and enjoyable being a on the TV program Studio Two on well for Rosa as it did for me! Thanks
part of HAJA. If anyone is interested in April 18th! He did a really great job, everyone!
helping Rosa, please come out to a and even mentioned Hamilton Amateur
junior group and see how much fun it Junior Astronomers during the Raechel Carson
HAA Crests anyone?
ou liked the t-shirts. You loved craze....
the sweatshirts!! You'll go wild
over the crests!!! We're Ann Tekatch
thinking of putting in an order for (905) 575-5433
embroidered crests (about 2" x 4" in
size). These will be black with our logo
in yellow/gold. The cost will be $4.
each or 3 for $10. They can be sewn
onto your favourite baseball (or Tilley)
Announcements
hat or jacket.
une 14, 1996 Hamilton This month's trip to Pt. Pelee to
Amateur Astronomers general view Omega Centauri has been
We have to place an order for at least
meeting will be held at 7:30 p. cancelled. The regular
100, so we need to know that you'll
m. in the Spectator Building. Our Binbrook observing session will take
want one (or three!). Contact me and let
speaker will be Dr. Peter Sutherland of place on the first clear night of May
me know if you'd like one (or more) set
McMaster University, topic: black 11,17 or 18.
aside for you.
holes. Charles Baetsen
Don't miss out on the latest fashion
Ann Tekatch charlesb@abelcomputers.com
Event Horizon - Hamilton AmateurPage 7
June Skies
Event Horizon - Hamilton AmateurPage 8
Letter to the Editor
i Stewart. Here it is time again Doesn't your computer fix up all of that Meanwhile, are you going to get
for another EH, eh? I said I stuff? another one from me for the next issue?
was going to lie low for a Well....... maybe!
while, but I can't help myself. I started They don't need to discover
looking into this "blue moon" thing and anything, either. Even popular authors Happy editing. Rob
before an asteroid occultation was over, like Terry Dickinson and Patrick Moore
I had another article for EH. If you don't do original research, do they? For
asked frequent contributors like Ev and the most part, they have to dig up their
Bob, I'm sure they would say that it's material from somewhere; they just
fun, it's addictive and it gets easier and
easier.
happen to be the best at presenting it to
the public. You only have to keep your
eyes open for interesting tidbits here
Cosmology
I started sending one-line "Did and there. he next Cosmology Discussion
you know that..." because I remembered Group meeting will be held on
what Sally went through for 18 years, We already have the best Saturday May 25, 1996 in the
as editor of a newsletter. Lack of amateur newsletter going, but wouldn't Burke Science Building, the room
contributions forced her to write 90% of it be terrific to be able to boast that over beside the planetarium, B148, at 8:00
the stuff herself- not fair. Everybody 90% (or even 80%) of the membership PM. Our topic will be "Early Life on
can write some little thing. contributed something at one time or Earth" and how it relates to cosmology.
another? Wouldn't it be great if you "Early" in this case is from the time that
You should let members know that they had to spend as much time on the phone complex organic molecules began to
don't have to start with a full page. apologizing, that since you had so form to the time of that the Burgess
Anything, one line, or a short paragraph much, "Would you mind if I kept your Shale was laid down.
would be plenty. Are they worried article until next month?"
about spelling and grammar, maybe? Bill Tekatch
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
♦ May 11, 17 or 18, 1996 BINBROOK OBSERVING NIGHT - On the first clear night of the three dates
Call Charles Baetsen (524-0148 or e-mail charlesb@abelcomputers.com) for details
♦ Mon. May 13, 1996 7:30 PM AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKERS - are meeting at the home of Jim Winger
in Caledonia. For directions and details please call Jim at 765-4649.
♦ Tue. May 21, 1996 7:00 PM HAMILTON AMATEUR JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS - Mac Burke Science
Building, Rm B148 (beside the planetarium)
The topic will be "Exploring Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus."
♦ Fri. May 24, 1996 7:30 PM COUNCIL MEETING- at the home of Ann and Bill Tekatch
Call Ann Tekatch at 575-5433 if you're interested in attending.
♦ Sat May 25, 1996 8:00 PM COSMOLOGY DISCUSSION GROUP - Mac Burke Science Building
Rm B148 (beside the planetarium) “Early Life on Earth”
♦ Mon. May 27, 1996 7:30 PM AMATEUR TELESCOPE MAKERS - are meeting at the home of Jim Winger
in Caledonia. For directions and details please call Jim at 765-4649.
♦ Thu. June 6, 1996 8:00 PM ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA Hamilton Centre-
General Meeting - McMaster University Medical Building Room 1A6
♦ Fri. June 7, 1996 11:59 PM EVENT HORIZON DEADLINE - Please submit your articles and pictures to
Stewart Attlesey, stewart@io.org or modem (905)827-9105 or snail mail to
1317 Mapleridge Cres., Oakville, L6M 2G8
♦ Fri June 14, 1996 7:30 PM H.A.A. GENERAL MEETING - Spectator Auditorium. Our speaker will be
Peter Sutherland and the topic: "Black Holes".
♦ June 21, 22 and 23 H.A.A. STAR PARTY - York Soaring Association airfield near Arthur
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