The Sangamon Astronomical Society is a registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising the public’s awareness about the science of astronomy and to increasing 
the interest of astronomical science to education in the Springfield area. We aim our telescopes and intentions on developing friendships based upon a hobby that engages the mind and raises the appreciation of the universe around us. S.A.S. origins date back to 1953 when six local amateur astronomers decided to formally organize and offer regularly scheduled public meetings. These monthly meetings have continued in various places throughout the years. S.A.S. is available for public presentations to groups of all sizes. Sharing astronomy is not only part of the hobby, it’s our mission. For further information of our organization contact us at our email sas_sky@hotmail.com. Applicants for membership Click Here to print a membership form.
The S.A.S. is a member of the Astronomical League, a national association of member societies that all have the same mission – to promote the science of astronomy in the community. The Astronomical League is made up of over 200 member amateur organizations from the United States and individual members-at-large from around the world.
Sangamon Astronomical Society is also proud to be a member of the Night Sky Network, an educational outreach program sponsored by NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratories and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The purpose of this program and one of the functions of our organization as well, is to make public observing nights available for the public and area school programs introducing the night sky and astronomy to those interested.
Minutes of SAS Meeting – April 19, 2012
At the April meeting at the Observatory we were treated with a practical how-to about taking astrophotos a-focally (with a camera through the lense) by our vice-president Gary Woerner.
The Steady Pix universal camera mount from Orion is the key piece of equipment. It’s adjustable to allow you to use the popular point-and-shoot cameras. Garyalso demonstrated how more expensive SLR cameras can be used with a T-ring attachment to connect the camera to the telescope focuser.
The discussion also included taking solar pictures with white light solar filters/Baader film and how to easily align your scope with the sun (once you have the proper mirror and lense protections in place) with a product called the Helio Pod.
For those of you who have been with the group for a few years, you might remember the Solar Filter workshop we did several years ago at a meeting. Using Baader solar filter film we constructed our own solar filters customized for our personal scopes. Maybe we should do this again.
Here are a few Internet links you might find helpful:
For Baader film
http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/sofi_start_e.htm
http://www.astro-physics.com/index.htm?products/accessories/solar_acc/astrosolar
Customizing your solar filter
http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/bauanleitung_e.htm
http://www.jotabout.com/portuesi/astro/solar_filter.html
Orion SteadyPix Deluxe Camera Mount
http://www.telescope.com/Orion-SteadyPix-Deluxe-Camera-Mount/p/5338.uts?keyword=afocal
Orion SteadyPix Telescope Photo Adapter for iPhone
Orion SteadyPix Universal Camera Mount
Helio Pod
http://www.farlaboratories.com/dyna-hp1.html
Upcoming Events –
*** On May 11, the LincolnMagnet Schoolfrom Springfieldwill be making a return visit to the Observatory. One of the sixth grade students started the Cosmos Club for students interested in Astronomy. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to help out.
*** Mark your calendars for June 5. SAS will join with UIS and host the last Venus Transit viewable from Earth for more than 100+ years. Again, we need your participation to provide extra scopes and to answer questions from the public. More details are coming.
*** 2012 IDSSP. The dates for our 11th annual start party have been confirmed. We’d like to see a huge SAS turnout for this event we have hosted since 2002. This year’s dates are October 11 -14, 2012. You are on the list for IDSSP News Alerts coming soon.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY, MAY 17 AT THE OBSERVATORY.
June 5, 2012 at 5:15 pm
YOUR LAST CHANCE OF A LIFETIME TO SEE
THE TRANSIT OF VENUS
The next time a Venus Transit will be seen from Earth is 2117, so don’t miss this visible spectacle. Come to Southwind Park (<click for directions) on June 5th before 5:15 in the evening. The Sangamon Astronomical Society and the University of Illinois Springfield will provide telescopes, equipped with special solar filters to safely show you the Planet Venus crossing the face of the Sun. (Looking directly at the sun without eye protection can damage your eyes and looking at the sun through binoculars or other optical devices without special solar filters can cause permanent loss of vision.
Approximate view in our telescopes:
What Is the Transit of Venus- 2012?
A transit of Venus occurs when Venus passes directly between the sun and earth. This alignment is rare, coming in pairs that are eight years apart but separated by over a century. The last transit of Venus was a thrilling sight in 2004. After June 2012, the next event occurs in 2117.
Transits of Venus have a strange pattern of frequency. A transit will not have happened for about 121 ½ years (prior to 2004, the last one was 1882). Then there will be one transit (such as the one in 2004) followed by another transit of Venus eight years later (in the year 2012). Then there will be a span of about 105 ½ years before the next pair of transits occur, again separated by eight years. Then the pattern repeats (121 ½ , 8, 105 ½ , 8).
Transit of Venus pairs since the invention of the telescope:
* 1631 (not witnessed) & 1639
* 1761 & 1769
* 1874 & 1882
* 2004 & 2012
If Venus and the earth orbited the sun in the same plane as the sun, transits would happen frequently. However, the orbit of Venus is inclined to the orbit of earth, so when Venus passes between the sun and the earth every 1.6 years, Venus usually is a little bit above or a little bit below the sun, invisible in the sun’s glare.
A similar thing happens with our moon. Every month the moon passes between the sun and the earth, yet we do not see a solar eclipse every month. That’s because the moon’s orbit is also slightly inclined to earth’s orbit, so the new moon is usually a little above or a little below the sun. The transit of Venus is essentially an annular eclipse of the sun by Venus.
Observers from two locations on earth see two distinct paths (red and blue) of Venus across the sun. The slight difference in times Venus takes, moving from edge to edge, can mathematically unlock the distance from earth to the sun, and thus the size of our solar system.
Edmund Halley admonished nations to send expeditions around the globe to time future transits of Venus across the sun. For 17th & 18th century transits, intrepid explorers challenged both the risks and the frustrations to answer a leading question of mankind. Not all of them made the voyage back home.
Location, location, location
Whether and when you can see the 2012 transit of Venus depends on your location. Here in Springfield, Illinois, the transit will be visible from 5:15pm until sunset. Key highlights of a transit include the four “contacts” near the beginning and end of the transit when Venus appears to touch the edge of the sun. Most of North America sees the beginning of the transit in the afternoon and evening on June 5.
Illinois Dark Skies Star Party – 2012
Oct. 11 – 14, 2012
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area
Registration opens in April – Check Here later for registration details
Sangamon Astronomical Society