September 2003

• MARS MANIA!
  
  
• The Great Space Observatories
  
  
• Planetary Update
  
  
• Constellation of the Month
  
  
• The Moon
  

MARS MANIA!

It's wonderful that everyone is so thrilled about Mars. Every once in a while an event occurs that triggers an incredible interest in backyard astronomy. I remember the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1986. The Comet Hale Bopp made a tremendous appearance in 1997 -- it was quite easily seen (an oft-referenced quote from that event: "MOMMY, MOMMY, I saw the VOMIT!" - Anonymous 4-year old). Eclipses tend to get people somewhat riled up, to a lesser extent, as well.

But I have never seen a reaction like this! From e-mails, to phone calls, to forwarded messages, to interviews with local reporters, to notes slid under my office door to people stopping me on the street -- it seems that everyone is feeling a little Martian Fever these days.

Many people have heard that, at the end of August, Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth ever. This is certainly the case. If you head out around midnight this month, and look low in the south, you will see a bright golden glow. It is truly unmistakable -- this is Mars. I truly encourage you to go out and see it with your own eyes... you shall be impressed.

Many people have also heard some impressive statistics -- that you will be able to see features on Mars with binoculars or a small telescope. This is really untrue. You will need at least an 8 inch scope in order to see any real variations in the color. Also, Mars is reflecting so much light right now that its face is really washed out by the glare.

Also, Mars will be up there, easy to view with the naked eye, through the fall. In fact, as we go through September, into October, each night Mars will be rising earlier and earlier in the evening, making it less necessary to stay up past your bedtime. And, as the atmosphere grows cooler and less humid in the fall, the viewing gets better. Mars will be getting less bright, but more clear as fall progresses.

Here at CCM we really don't have a facility to view the planet, but there are a couple observatories in the vicinity that may have some activities planned. They each have 16 inch reflecting telescopes -- those will certainly be large enough to observe surface features on Mars. Please contact them for information...

The Greenwood Observatory at Jenny Jump State Forest in Hope, NJ

The Sheep Hill Observatory in Boonton, NJ

The NASA Great Observatories

Many people are familiar with the pictures taken from the Hubble Space telescope, and understand the important discoveries it has made. But Hubble is just one of a group of four space telescopes, each of them adding different views of the space around us.

These telescopes were designed, built, and implemented over the past few decades, and the fourth was just launched on August 25. I would like to introduce you to the entire family of telescopes that make up the NASA Great Observatories...

Chandra X-Ray Observatory

The Chandra X-Ray observatory traces a long narrow oval orbit around the Earth. In its 64 hour orbit, this 10,560 pound satellite varies from as little as 6,000 miles, to as far as 86,000 miles above our planet.

The colossal energy of quasars at the heart of galaxies, the birth and death of stars, and black holes is basically invisible to the naked eye. This energy is released, in part, in the form of X-Rays. These X-Rays, invisible to the naked eye, may hold information about the strength and nature of some of the most complicated mysteries of space.

Our atmosphere filters out most of the X-Ray emissions that head our way. This is a good thing for our survival -- we don't want to be bombarded with X-Rays! -- but bad for Earth-bound astronomers who wish to study their nature. The Chandra space telescope studies something which would actually be impossible to examine from within our atmosphere.

The information which Chandra receives is converted into a colorized image, so we can see what these X-Ray emissions "look like". These false color images not only provide much insight into the nature of stars, black holes, and galaxies, but are eerily artistic, as well.

Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

In April 1991, NASA placed the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory into space. At over 17 tons it was the heaviest satellite ever deployed! The nine year mission ended in June 2000, when the observatory was returned to Earth.

During its time in space, The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory studied emissions known as Gamma Rays (as the name may have indicated!). Gamma rays are the most energetic in the electromagnetic spectrum, and are only caused by the most intense astronomical events. Colliding stars, the creation of black holes, spinning neutron stars (known as pulsars)... each of these give off gamma radiation.

It is thought that the study of this radiation can reveal much about the nature of space, and how the most extreme objects in space are formed. It is thought that an explosion of the magnitude of a Big Bang would have left a large 'residue' of gamma radiation throughout the universe. So, a study of Gamma radiation may reveal some details on events dating back to the very beginning of the universe.

The Compton GRO has revealed some information about the structure of our own Milky Way galaxy. We can study the birth of stars and black holes in our own 'neighborhood'. Scientists are still sorting through and studying the collection of data retrieved from the Compton GRO.

Hubble Space Telescope

Imagine a telescope which is about the size of a school bus, orbiting approximately 375 miles above Earth's surface, at a speed of 5 miles per second. This impressive set of statistics describes the Hubble space telescope.

Hubble is probably the most famous of the great observatories. The images from Hubble have shown us that objects in space certainly are works of art. The dramatic images of deep space have presented vistas previously unimagined.

Hubble has a series of cameras that collect information in a variety of wavelengths -- Hubble can show us the 'true colors' of the universe, as well as show us things in the ultraviolet and infrared parts of the spectrum.

Hubble is not only the most complex telescope ever built, it is the most complex satellite ever placed in orbit. Because of the variety of sensitive and upgradeable components on Hubble, it was the first satellite ever designed to be, and has been successfully, serviced in orbit. Hubble's components are set into the side of the satellite sort of like a series of drawers that astronauts can withdraw, and replace with new parts (it IS a bit more complicated than that, but basically that's the scenario).

Hubble has improved our knowledge of the structure and nature of the universe more than any other optical telescope. It has shown us evidence of planets beyond our solar system, black holes, dark interstellar matter, and the birth of stars. Hubble has taken well over 300,000 images focused on 25,000 different celestial bodies in deep space. It will likely take decades before we begin to understand much of the information that Hubble has collected. Until then, for all of us, those images are just wonderful to view and ponder.

Space Infrared Telescope Facility

On August 25, 2003, the last of the Great Observatories was launched. It is the final member of the family of orbiting telescopes whose combined data will complete, quite literally, the wide spectrum of information radiating from objects in deep space.

The Space Infrared Telescope will focus on the infrared radiation, basically the heat, that is emitted by all space objects whose temperature exceeds absolute zero (approximately -460 degrees Fahrenheit). Here on Earth, the atmosphere absorbs much of the infrared radiation from space, and there is too much distorting heat all around us for a telescope of this nature to function. So, much like the others described above, we put it in space!

It will have a very unique orbit; instead of orbiting the Earth, it will actually share Earth's orbit around the sun. The Space Infrared Telescope will trail behind the Earth, following us through our orbit. It will remain far enough away from the Earth that our infrared will not disturb its findings, and it will carry a large solar shield which will protect it from the huge amount of infrared broadcast from the sun.

This telescope will be concentrating on the objects that are generally too dim to be seen with optical telescopes -- such as brown dwarf stars and planets beyond our solar system -- and will have the ability to 'pierce' cool, dark clouds of interstellar gas that can block our view of distant galaxies.

Planetary Update

Mars is obviously still the highlight of the sky.... and it will remain so into the fall. Don't worry if you haven't seen it yet -- there is still plenty of opportunity to see the red planet next door.

I have been peering at Mars on a regular basis, but probably the best viewing was back on August 14, when a bunch of events came together just right. First, it was a clear night. Next, Mars was approaching its brightest. Even more, a large gibbous moon was close by in the sky. But what made it best was that most of the northeast United States was in the dark. On the night of the big power failure, Mars and The Moon graced the sky in grand fashion.

The power has been restored, but a similar sight will grace the skies on September 7, 8, 9, and 10, as The Moon drifts through the same part of the sky as Mars.

Mars will remain in the southern skies, right after sunset, drifting across the sky throughout the night for all of September. This will be great time to spot it, even with the electricity flowing.

At around 2:00 AM (EST), Saturn begins its journey across the early morning sky. The viewing of Saturn will get easier as we move into fall, but we get a preview of this great planet in the wee hours of the morning.

Jupiter is also on its way back into view. By the end of September, you should be able to pick out Jupiter, low in the eastern sky, about one-half hour before sunrise.

During the last week of September, you might even be able to see The Sun's little next-door neighbor, Mercury. Mercury will peek over the horizon about an hour before the sun rises. If you want to see him, you'll likely have to find a high, dark place; try to get as high above the trees as you can. On September 24th, at about 5:30 AM (EST), Jupiter, Mercury, and a crescent moon will huddle together low in the east.

There is a planet, visible with the naked eye, which I have previously neglected to mention in any Digital Skyline. To see this one, you just need to go outside and look straight down. Yes, I am referring to our home world, the Earth. I mention our planet this month because on September 23rd, the Earth's axis is aligned so that we are sort of 'standing up straight' in relation to the sun. This is called the Autumnal Equinox. It happens on the other side of our orbit, heralding the beginning of spring, as well. On the 23rd of this month, every location on our planet will have exactly 12 hours of daylight, and 12 hours in the dark.

Constellation of the Month

I hope you're thirsty. The Constellation of the Month is the Water Bearer: Aquarius!

I chose Aquarius to feature since it the pattern of stars that is wrapped around our planetary hero for this month: Mars.

Aquarius [with Mars nearby]

Aquarius is a tricky one to spot, but since Mars will be resting underneath it, you will have a bright signpost putting you in the right general area of the sky. Right above Mars, in the southern part of the sky throughout the night, will be a curved line of stars stretching comfortably around the planet like a tossed-off scarf.

The brightest stars are in the middle. There is a tight zigzag of stars -- a sort of bent triangle -- which represents the water jug. These will likely be the first stars you spot. The line to the right of that represents the arm of Aquarius which is holding the jug. The wide "V" of stars down and to the left is the water cascading out. (Almost as often, you see Aquarius drawn in a reverse fashion -- with the "V" representing his body, and the line to the right as the water. Either way you imagine it is fine!)

Normally, Aquarius is a dim fellow, difficult to distinguish, but the placement of Mars gives you a great opportunity to pick out this reclusive fellow!

Some stories and information related to Aquarius can be obtained here.

The Moon

The phases for this month:

If you would like to receive this newsletter in your own e-mail box at the beginning of every month by simply send a note requesting subscription to "The Digital Skyline".

Your e-mail address remains private and secure - we shall never provide your e-mail address to any other party. You will simply receive the Digital Skyline at the beginning of every month, and occassional reminders of some significant sky event (such as a meteor shower or eclipse).

The Digital Skyline may be freely distributed.

The Digital Skyline content and banner logo: ©2002-2003, Chris Fenwick, Astronomer, County College of Morris