April 2007

April 6: Monthly Meeting

Rovers on Mars: Joys and Frustrations of Remote Spectroscopy

Darby Dyar
The primary goal of Darby Dyar's research is to understand how hydrogen and oxygen are distributed throughout our solar system, particularly in terrestrial bodies such as the Earth, the Moon, Mars, and the parent bodies of meteorites. Dr. Dyar uses several different types of spectroscopy to study rocks that originated from 90- to 0-km depth in the Earth, as well as lunar rocks and Martian meteorite samples collected from Antarctica.

April begins our 2007-2008 fiscal year and membership dues are once again payable. There is a renewal form on the back page of the April issue of The Skyscraper. If you joined during January, February, or March, you do not have to renew until April 2008.

Elections will be held at the April meeting. There is a ballot form in the April issue of The Skyscraper. Bring it with you to the April meeting or follow the mailing instructions on the ballot form.

A Selection of Double Stars in Corona Borealis

: By Glenn Chaple
It’s time to come out of hibernation! After two months of intense cold weather here in the Northeast, mild temperatures are returning. Celebrate spring with a visit to one of the season’s loveliest constellations, Corona Borealis. The Northern Crown is home to a splendid collection of double stars. Here are ten of the most noteworthy.

April Meteor Shower

: By Dave Huestis
I haven't written about the April Lyrids for a few years now because the shower had been in decline, and the observing conditions were always poor to fair at best. Well, this year the shower will be best observed on the peak night of April 22-23, after the almost first quarter Moon sets around 1:00 am on the 23rd.

Total Lunar Eclipse: an Update

: By Dave Huestis
At one point we had perhaps 300 people waiting at Tasca Field in Scituate for the Moon to rise. A dozen telescopes set up by Skyscrapers members dotted the landscape, waiting to be pointed at the Moon. While waiting, we showed the crowd Venus, and we talked to many individuals and families about various topics in astronomy.

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