News

With the current weather forecast, there is a high risk that the November 11 open house may be cancelled.  Please watch here for updates.

Due to the current and impending weather, low temperatures, and the expected road conditions, the October 29, 2019 Public Night has been canceled for both volunteers and guests.

Join the DAS and DU at Chamberlin Observatory on November 11, 2019 for the MERCURY TRANSIT. The next one after that is November 13, 2032. We are planning to observe the transit with both the Alvin-Clark telescope and solar telescopes on the lawn. 

We need volunteers with solar telescopes, some dome volunteers/certified telescope operators, ticket takers, traffic flow at staircase, and a few people for observatory tours. So far, we have the volunteers below. Thanks!

You can also join us for this rare astronomical event just for fun! No need to volunteer unless you want to.

Let me know if you would like to help! Email me at: julycandia@gmail.com

Set-up at 7:00 AM. Observing starts at 7:30 AM

VOLUNTEERS: 

Dome/Scope: Joe Godwin-Austen, July Candia

Solar Scopes: Ron #3

Tours/Social: Jason Cordova

Keyholder/General: Dena McClung

https://twitter.com/denverastro?lang=en

https://www.denverastro.org/?ai1ec_event=transit-of-mercury&instance_id=583

http://www.stargazersonline.org/episodes/1940.html

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/denver

Due to the event at Sandstone Ranch, there will be no In-Reach this evening.

Hello All,

Dr. Stencil and I are planning a Mercury Transit Event at Chamberlin on November 11, 2019. We are planning to observe the transit with both the Alvin-Clark telescope and telescopes on the lawn. 

We need volunteers with with solar telescopes, some dome volunteers/certified operators, ticket takers, traffic flow at staircase, and a few people for observatory tours. We also need a keyholder to open up that day.

Start time: Set-up at 7:00 or 7:30 AM. Observing starts at ~ 8:00 AM.

http://www.stargazersonline.org/episodes/1940.html

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/denver

Please reply at julycandia@gmail.com if you would like to help. I will also post under the General Forum. Thanks!

Wednesday, Oct 2, STAR PARTY

Julie Wesling 6th grade. Stargate Charter School, 14530 Washington St, Thornton, CO 80023. Phone: (303) 450-3936

Getting More details.

Contact: julie.wesling@stargateschool.org

__________

Saturday, 10/05/19, SOLAR VIEWING

- Location NAME and Address: Lakewood Library 10200 W. 20^th St. Lakewood, CO 80215

- Check in procedures: Come in to the front desk and ask for Grace, Tina, or Gloria

- Contact person and phone for volunteers (if further questions): Grace Peterson. Cell 928-301-8966 or call the Library at 303-235-5275 and ask for Grace at Lakewood    EMAIL: Grace.Peterson@JeffcoLibrary.org

- Start Time: Event starts at 2pm to 4pm. We have allowed for an hour of set up and take down.

- # of visitors expected: 50

- Set-up Location for SOLAR telescopes (will need close car access to unload): We have a patio and lawn area off of Miller street that a telescope can be set up at. It is right next to the parking lot and we will mark off a few spaces for you.

- Parking: We have a public parking lot and we will mark off 4 spaces for you. If you need more please let me know.

• Inclement weather plan/preferences:  We have our meeting room reserved and will be having activities indoors as well.

____________

Saturday, 10/05/19. GIRL SCOUT DAY

Girl Scout Day—October 19:

Join us for our annual Girl Scout Day at Dinosaur Ridge! It's also National Fossil Day, so come learn about fossils and celebrate. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. We'll have a representative from area STEM organizations with activities for the girls.

For all the details please see: http://dinoridge.org/girl-scout-day/

Contact: Eileen Barela, ojohnny70@hotmail.com, 303-922-9179

CONTACT JULYCANDIA@GMAIL.COM OR OUTREACH@DENVERASTRO.ORG IF YOU CAN HELP WITH ANY EVENTS. THANKS!

As a sneak peek, I have taken a look at some of the scopes that are going to be at the Annual Auction.  I have a quick summary list here.  I'll be getting more details posted as they become available.

• Celestron C8 with tripod (1990's vintage)
• Celestron NexStar 8 in original shipping box with tripod (never used?)
• Meade ETX-125EC in original box
• Meade ETX-90 in nice case
• Zhumell (Bird-Jones style) small Newtonian with GEM mount and tripod
• Huge Newtonian (20" mirror possibly?) hand made with dob style mount
• A collection of Meade 2" Super Plossl EPs (14, 32, 40, and 56mm)
• A full set of Meade Series 5000 UWA EPs (5.5, 8.8, 24, 30mm)
• A full set of Meade Series 5000 HD-60 EPs(4.5, 6.5, 9, 12, 18, 24mm)
• A collection of Celestron Ultima EPs (12.5, 30, 42mm)
• Other assorted EPs
• Photographic tripod with fluid head
• Books

This is just what the DAS is putting into the auction.  Who knows what else is being brought in by individuals?

Some of these will be up with no reserve!

What other deals might be found?!

Come join us on October 12 @ 11 am when the auction starts.

I had the chance to "fly" the DAS 444, the Society's 17.5-inch Dobsonian, a few weeks ago, on its first dark-sky test--the telescope will soon be available to experienced DAS members.

The 444 is a real beauty, with power to spare and movements as creamy as butter. Stuart Hutchins and Digby Kirby worked hard on this, and it shows. 

As the 'scope was just out for a short "test hop" the night I came to the dark sky site, we hit a few of the usual suspects--M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy), M57 (Ring Nebula), and so forth. The 444 easily showed M31's dark lanes with a 35mm eyepiece, at roughly 60x; the field was wide enough to include the satellite galaxy, M110, as well. The dark lanes were even easier with a 21mm eyepiece at about 95x. 

M110 itself revealed much more detail than I am used to seeing in my 12-inch. With the 21mm in the 444, M110 clearly displayed structure, with a distinct inner core and extended halo. Usually, this small galaxy is an afterthought while viewing M31, but with the big 'scope, it was a beautiful object on its own. 

Though the Ring Nebula is visible even in a 4-inch Mak, the 444 has enough oomph to project a notably large and bright image, easily viewed with direct vision--it was lovely. 

If you haven't heard, the 444 won recognition at the recent Rocky Mountain Star Stare, and for good reason, I think. Still, the real proof of any telescope is in its images, and this one truly shines. My hat is off to these two fellows for the work they've put in, and for the quality of the result. We are very fortunate to have this instrument.  

Experienced DAS observers interested in training (or those just wanting to check the 444 out), get in touch with Digby Kirby: odigby@gmail.com or 970-301-2287.

--Zach Singer

External Outreach events are posted for August and September. Please see the OUTREACH FORUM.

We would love to have new volunteers. We have enthusiastic DAS mentors available for you. You will meet new people from all backgrounds and you may actually have fun too! 

"Please, everyone, consider volunteering at future outreach events. It's a wonderful way to get to know your fellow DAS members, share your knowledge, and learn from others. The following quote, attributed to Aristotle, seems relevant:

“The more you know, the more you know you don't know.”

So, let's just volunteer no matter how much or how little we know! We're bound to benefit ourselves in the long run and help DAS in furthering their mission of spreading interest in exploring and enjoying the wonders of the universe."

-- Mary Ann Wallace