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cover EN.qxp_l'astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:26 Page 1
THE FREE MULTIMEDIA MAGAZINE THAT KEEPS YOU UPDATED ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SPACE
Bi-monthly magazine of scientific and technical information ✶ March-April 2020
Communicating
Astronomy
our experiences
www.astropublishing.com ✶ www.facebook.com/astropublishing ✶ info@astropublishing.com
colophon EN_l'astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:26 Page 2
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colophon EN_l'astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:26 Page 3
S U M M A R Y
6
BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF SCIENTIFIC Amateur astronomy and
AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
outreach – a local perspective
FREELY AVAILABLE THROUGH
THE INTERNET by Damian G. Allis
Amateur astronomy began for me on Yahoo! in 2003. After finding the
March-April 2020
Syracuse Astronomical Society in Central New York (CNY), a first visit in-
cluded a slide projector presentation, an expensive sign that the presenter,
Cover image by Oshin Zakarian
Dr. Stu Forster, had given this same talk many times before. The public
viewing included my first Messiers, found by members who had positions...
18
20 years of astronomy communication
by José Carlos Millán López
The digital knowledge society in which we live, the so-called “Society 5.0,”
requires reliable, real-time information to move through all of the multiple
communication channels we enjoy. The scientific fields are, sometimes by
their very nature, the ones which lag behind in many respects in terms of
this rapid communication, mainly due to three factors: confusion from...
26
The experiences of the Safor
by Marcelino Álvarez
English edition of the magazine
The Agrupación Astronómica de la Safor (AAS), based in Gandía in the au-
l’
ASTROFILO tonomous Valencian Community, was founded in 1994 with two main goals:
to bring together all astronomy and space science enthusiasts from Gandía
Editor in chief and the Safor region, and to promote the diffusion of this beautiful science
Michele Ferrara in any social and cultural area in an active and selfless way. The activities...
Scientific advisor
34
Prof. Enrico Maria Corsini
The popularization of astronomy in Jerez
Publisher
Astro Publishing di Pirlo L. by Manuel Jiménez del Barco Ruiz Herrera
Via Bonomelli, 106
25049 Iseo - BS - ITALY
email info@astropublishing.com The society of the 21st century changes at a dizzying rate in many ways,
including its needs, concerns and fears. The customs of individuals, their
Internet Service Provider habits, their training and their relationships with peers do not resemble those
Aruba S.p.A.
of twenty or thirty years ago. Science is continually evolving, and if you want
Via San Clemente, 53
24036 Ponte San Pietro - BG - ITALY to be aware of the changes, you have to update yourself continuously...
Copyright
42
All material in this magazine is, unless
otherwise stated, property of Astro New times for amateur astronomy
Publishing di Pirlo L. or included with
permission of its author. Reproduction by Aniceto Porcel, Jesús Carmona y Miguel Sánchez
or retransmission of the materials, in
whole or in part, in any manner, with-
out the prior written consent of the It was around 1984 when amateur astronomy in Spain underwent an un-
copyright holder, is a violation of copy- precedented boom. The reason was Halley’s Comet, to which the media gave
right law. A single copy of the materi- exhaustive coverage. At that time, the Internet was still an embryo and, if
als available through this course may you wanted to deepen your knowledge of the comet, you had to resort to
be made, solely for personal, noncom- libraries, specialized press, and amateur astronomy associations (especially...
mercial use. Users may not distribute
such copies to others, whether or not
in electronic form, whether or not for
50
a charge or other consideration, with-
out prior written consent of the copy-
The evolution of astronomy magazines
right holder of the materials. The
by Michele Ferrara
publisher makes available itself with
having rights for possible not charac-
terized iconographic sources.
Amateur astronomers have always existed, and the former, perhaps, were not
Advertising - Administration even human. Contemplation of the night sky in the pre-industrial era was
Astro Publishing di Pirlo L. usual. This is demonstrated by the countless myths and legends that the most
Via Bonomelli, 106 disparate peoples created by admiring the night sky. Over the past two cen-
25049 Iseo - BS - ITALY turies, this link between human beings and Nature’s wider spectacle has...
email admin@astropublishing.com
colophon EN_l'astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:26 Page 4
colophon EN_l'astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:27 Page 5
www.newmoontelescopes.com ryan@newmoontelescopes.com
Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 6
6 OUR EXPERIENCES
Amateur astronom
outreach – a local
perspective
by Damian G. Allis
NASA Solar System Ambassador
A
mateur astronomy began for
me on Yahoo! in 2003. After
finding the Syracuse Astro- sive sign that the presenter, Dr. Stu by members who had positions
nomical Society in Central New York Forster, had given this same talk memorized from years of moving an
(CNY), a first visit included a slide many times before. The public view- old 16” Cave Newtonian, and more
projector presentation, an expen- ing included my first Messiers, found obscure objects found using a mas-
MARCH-APRIL 2020
Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 7
OUR EXPERIENCES 7
omy and T he winter sky above
the Baltimore Woods
Nature Center, NY.
bassador using media from ongoing
missions, with astronomy.fm or ISS
sive laminated Sky Atlas. Email was when three copies were mailed to feeds in the background, maintain a
the primary mode of contact, but members without internet access. website for an outreach organiza-
the monthly newsletter was still Seventeen years later, I prepare lec- tion I live too far away to attend
mailed to all members until 2010, tures as a NASA Solar System Am- events for, and read through open
MARCH-APRIL 2020
Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 8
omy as purely a hobby, the differ-
T he gathering crowd along the
Syracuse, NY Creekwalk for the
June 5, 2012 Transit of Venus.
Old and new
amateur astronomy
ence between amateur and profes-
sional astronomy was, for some, just
the paycheck.
NASA/ESA/ESO/ALMA browser tabs as Books could be dedicated to the Today, anyone online can contribute
I edit the English language version of ways that amateur astronomy has to astronomy research in the form of
this magazine produced an entire changed because of advances in
ocean away from me – all of which manufacturing and internet access.
is “doing” amateur astronomy, but A small sampling is considered
none of which involve looking below.
through a telescope. An early Association of Lunar &
Those benefiting from greater con- Planetary Observers (ALPO) podcast
nectivity appreciate having so much featured an interview with Dr.
more on their screens, while others Thomas Williams, author of Getting
may reminisce about a time when Organized: A history of amateur as-
enjoying the celestial sights meant tronomy in the United States. Dr.
being outside. For young as- Williams went into detail about how
tronomers, this new technology is a early amateur astronomy in the U.S.
fact of life, and becoming an ama- had, like the Royal Astronomical So-
teur astronomer now need not ever ciety, AAVSO, IOTA, and ALPO still
involve a telescope, much less a club today, worked to produce original,
affiliation. While this magazine has publication-quality scientific re-
international coverage, the changes search. Before the mass production
to astronomy and outreach are fa- of inexpensive scopes lead to the
miliar to those engaged in either, popularization of amateur astron-
even if some specifics differ by loca-
tion. What follows is a perspective
on our changing hobby as experi-
B arlow Bob (in yellow NEAF Solar
Star Party attire), Calcium K-line
and H-alpha Solar Scopes at Darling
enced by one person within the CNY Hill Observatory in Tully, NY.
amateur astronomy community.
MARCH-APRIL 2020
Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 9
projects like Planet Hunters, Galaxy cial rent-a-scope projects like Slooh
Zoo, and others from Zooniverse, or
the long-running SETI@Home.
and iTelescope.
We no longer wait for a Hubble
A ttendees at a city-wide Syracuse
“Maker Faire” playing an infor-
mational game of “Meteor Madness.”
For observing hobbyists, there’s no photobook to be available at a local
longer a need to buy an expensive bookstore – just visit hubblesite.org. the Buffalo Astronomical Associa-
telescope at all thanks to commer- A daily tweet reminds us of just how tion. The benefits to amateur as-
far away both Voyager probes are. tronomers of such online groups
Discussions and debates are no can be highly advantageous! Not
longer scheduled, as virtual organi- only can you be given early notice
zations and email lists like Cloudy of meteor shower activity with
Nights, Astronomical Spectroscopy, enough time zone coverage, but
and HASTRO-L host exchanges in observers separated by a few hours’
near-real time, with collective mem- drive can get reasonable expecta-
berships in excess of any local as- tions of approaching cloud cover –
tronomy club on the planet. combined with Aurorasaurus, Ad-
Gone are the days of needing pa- miral Robert FitzRoy himself could
pers of incorporation and board not have asked for a better real-
meetings. Create a Facebook group, time (amateur astronomy) forecast-
make a few local connections, and ing service. The easy access to
soon you’ve members reading and information does come at the cost
commenting without establishing a of strong opinions or misinforma-
non-profit or buying insurance, ever tion – cases where local organiza-
meeting face-to-face, or charging tions with knowledgeable members
fees. James Callens’ “Western NY are still indispensable. One could be
Astronomers” Facebook group is a led to conclude that there is no in-
great example of just that, with troductory telescope worth pur-
members from around the world chasing based on reviews from
and active local contributors from people who look away from their
the east in the Mohawk Valley As- Takahashi just long enough to focus
tronomical Society to the west in an Astromaster. Perhaps most insid-
MARCH-APRIL 2020
Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 10
10 OUR EXPERIENCES
ious is the ease with which anti-in- sider the profound roles of celestial recently is how our access to high-
tellectual conspiracy theories, such mechanics and spectroscopy, we resolution images from world-class
as Flat Earth and Moon Landing find that our rapidly-improving equipment has changed our rela-
Hoax “movements,” can gain sup- technologies owe their existence to tionship to the personal telescope.
port thanks to fancy websites and stars that have changed little since In CNY, Attilla Danko’s Clear Sky
click-followers unconcerned with even the most primitive theories Charts are more famous for the an-
the consequences. were developed to describe them. nouncements a subscriber
Just in the last century has our view doesn’t get due to over-
of outer space been dramatically cast conditions. It is diffi-
Problem and solution altered by the inclusion of Earth it- cult to argue against the
self as part of the backdrop thanks speed, convenience, and
There is no hiding the nighttime to missions programmed to “turn weather-indifferent accessi-
sky, for which countless generations around” and take pictures. bility of using your web
have seen it as a calendar, a stage, While the heavens have not browser as an eyepiece, this at
or an omen. Excluding the occa- changed significantly in all a time when the mass produc-
sional supernova, you are observing this time, our ability to see tion of observing equipment
the same stars in nearly the same what is up there has. The from reputable companies
arrangement as your ancestors have most significant change provides new observers
for several millennia. When we con- to amateur astronomy with telescopes that can
MARCH-APRIL 2020Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 11
O bservers under
the Autumn skies
of West Monroe, NY.Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 12
12 OUR EXPERIENCES
tion into the Diagnostic and Statisti- attendees would rather spend time
C NY Observers Larry Slosberg (left)
and Bob Piekiel (standing at right)
at a joint solar observing session,
cal Manual of Mental Disorders.
Those who have ever run a public
taking saturated pictures of the
Moon through an eyepiece than sim-
Baltimore Woods Nature Center in observing session know how some ply giving the Moon a look.
Marcellus, NY.
exceed the quality of those used T he author’s solution to the problem of
winter observing in Central New York.
throughout the history of amateur
astronomy.
The purists among us would argue
that the only thing an amateur as-
tronomer should have on their
screen is red acetate. At arm’s length,
our smartphones cover five degrees
of sky, yet can account for all of our
attention. Bright screens are not only
a star party annoyance, but have be-
come invasive enough that nomo-
phobia, fear of being without/losing
a mobile device (as in “no-mo”bile
phone), is being considered for addi-
MARCH-APRIL 2020Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 13
OUR EXPERIENCES 13
Quality articles and galleries are al- Safety (and preserva- meetings for, a “no religion, no poli-
ways worth a click, but those who see tics” discussion rule is enforced).
Jupiter through quality optics know
tion) in numbers Members know the usual benefits –
that there is something special about comparing eyepieces and listening
photons from the source. This mes- If you’ve ever setup in a dark area, to complaints about a scope brand,
sage, and conveying it to the public, heard commotion in the distance, people reporting on recent discov-
literally and figuratively keep the as- and shined a flashlight around only eries, seeing an academic lecture or
slides from yet another eclipse tour,
R yan Goodson of New Moon Telescopes lecturing on telescope history and
design for TACNY Jr. Café Scientifique at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum
of Science & Technology, Syracuse, NY.
then hopefully rolling back a roof
to see a few Messiers and NGCs. I
pay dues to several CNY clubs for
tronomy outreach community up at to see a pair of eyes blink and disap- these reasons, and one of the best
night. The solution is as simple for pear, you know why some people things you can do to help support
amateur astronomers as it is for some love group observing. Astronomy the hobby even without attending
extraterrestrials – let others know clubs provide a place where like- meetings is to keep local clubs vi-
you are out there. Contrary to the minded people can talk astronomy or able. Mirrors do not recoat them-
alien agenda, amateur astronomers let the discussion vary while observ- selves, donation boxes do not
need to let themselves be found. ing (among a few clubs I’ve attended auto-fill, and the board members
MARCH-APRIL 2020Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 14
14 OUR EXPERIENCES
A CNY Observers presentation table at a NASA-sponsored Ying Tri Regional
Science & Engineering Fair (Ying-TRSEF) event in Syracuse, NY.
hobby has – the combination of
membership and media has pro-
running observing sessions, answer- member support – both financially
ing phone calls from local reporters,
and maintaining the social media
and in greater attendance – is
there. Public sessions are also the
T he Kopernik Astronomical Society
(and friends) corner at the Cherry
Springs Star Party, Coudersport, PA.
presence appreciate knowing the best form of local outreach theDamian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 15
OUR EXPERIENCES 15
C NY Observers hosting
a solar observing ses-
sion outside of the Milton
J. Rubenstein Museum of
Science & Technology,
Syracuse, NY.
duced the largest public
events I’ve ever attended,
including the Venus Tran-
sit of 2012 from down-
town Syracuse (350 at-
tendees), a multi-library
session for the 2017 solar
eclipse (300 attendees),
and the close approach of
Mars in 2003 (well over
500 in a six-hour period).
Clubs not only provide a
place to learn from estab-
lished members, but are
key to keeping the obser-
vatory sky dark. This is not
hyperbole. Strong paral-
lels exist between light pollution ban sprawl. For both, there is no forefront – attending city council
and climate change – the effects of quick fix – the changes are upon us meetings where ordinances and ac-
both are rapid in terms of human and, for now, the immediate solu- ceptable lighting standards are dis-
history, but the actual changes from tion is to adjust to the new normal, cussed, making the community
“subtle” to “measurable” are ones accept that things will get worse in aware of studies linking excessive
that have received attention over the near-term, and hope the will ex- lighting to health issues, and even
just a few decades as, for astron- ists to keep matters from getting starting to organize against the un-
omy, observatories have seen their worse. True to both, nothing will necessary use of the nighttime sky
horizons glow brighter with urban change unless people take action. for corporate promotion. A March-
development blending with subur- Astronomy clubs should be at the April 2019 article in this magazine isDamian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 16
heard. Joining the chorus locally himself and his solar scopes avail-
S olar observing session in Baader,
H-alpha, and with NASA Night Sky
Network resources for the Syracuse
also helps counter the inevitable
ebb and flow of membership some
able to local clubs. His star chart
contained one star at -26.8 magni-
City School District in Syracuse, NY. smaller astronomy clubs experience tude and he had no interest in any-
over time, keeping their voice loud. thing dimmer. His solar and other
worth reading for those unaware of The International Dark Sky Associa- astronomy articles were published
efforts to make such orbiting dis- tion, Commission for Dark Skies, in several local club newsletters,
plays a reality. If Sputnik taught us and CieloBuio are excellent re- earning the praise of those respon-
nothing else, it is that low-Earth sources for those wanting more in- sible for content. When he passed,
orbit is an excellent place to make formation. the Kopernik Astronomical Society
the world aware of your brand – an in Vestal, NY dedicated a plaque in
equally inescapable aspect of his name.
SpaceX’s Starlink effort. Bright lights in outreach Some may know Robert Piekiel
CNY was fortunate to have the dark from his 1800-page magnum opus –
sky champion Dr. John McMahon, Moore (Sky At Night). Tombaugh Celestron: The Early Years. Bob has
whose actions and emails kept clubs (Pluto). Simmons (Astronomers run observing sessions on New
and the community aware of both Without Borders). Burnham Jr. (Ce- Moon weekends and major events
the science of light pollution and lestial Handbook) Bopp, Levy, Love- at Baltimore Woods Nature Center
legislation being developed to joy (Comets). Dobson. There are in Marcellus, NY for well over a
make New York a darker place to global names in amateur astron- decade. Besides writing books on
observe – actions he continues to omy, people who have made others telescopic topics, Bob also makes
take now from north of the bright say “I want to do that.” Hopefully, himself available to local clubs to
lights of New York City. you have local “stars” that make lecture on the history, testing, and
Buying larger aperture telescopes is similar impacts in your community, maintenance of modern telescope
easier than changing public policy. just as CNY has its share. equipment.
That said, clubs organize members, Robert “Barlow Bob” Godfrey David Bishop of the Astronomy Sec-
organized members make for founded the NEAF Solar Star Party tion of the Rochester Academy of
louder voices, and louder voices get and, upon settling in CNY, made Science is internationally known for
MARCH-APRIL 2020Damian EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:25 Page 17
17
his supernova website. He also pres- dome, but instead make themselves
ents to local clubs a special “Year In and their equipment available to
Space” lecture – a collection of the community. It is the nature of
sights from the previous year that the hobby to constantly improve on
he narrates with context and a clear aspects you enjoy the most. Some
sense of enjoyment. He has found take the extra step of allowing the
an excellent balance of internet public to benefit from their efforts.
give-and-take – using web sources You can absolutely make a lasting
for his lectures while maintaining a contribution to amateur astronomy
go-to website for the most impres- in your area simply by the fact that
sive of stellar phenomena. you know more than others about
CNY Observers co-founder Larry *some* aspect of astronomy.
Slosberg has perfected timing and In CNY, this has happened by way
location – bringing his trusty New of local libraries, where long rela-
Moon Telescope Dobsonian to a tionships give the libraries and
local ice cream shop to thrill young clubs well-attended opportunities
and old alike with views of the to promote amateur astronomy. A
Moon and bright planets. With kind social media presence or a simple
permission from the owners and a email is enough to make introduc-
stack of napkins close by, one can tions and start you on your out-
only imagine how many leave in- reach path. There are likely STEM
spired to learn more. organizations in your area that
The common thread is outreach – would be delighted to host a lec-
they could all be observing in a ture or observing session. You
might even be fortunate
enough to have something
like the Technology Alliance
of CNY, an “organization or
organizations” where many
STEM groups keep in con-
tact through lectures, a
large email list, and a
monthly youth version of
Café Scientifique.
Add to the solution
Preserving the nighttime
sky, keeping the community
growing, and giving inter-
ested people a place to go
to encourage their astro-
nomical pursuits is vital to
preserving the hobby and
the nighttime sky. If there
are things that you have
found to work, do not keep
them to yourself! Consider
adding to the discussion on
M arty Pepe of the Astr Section, Rochester Academy of Science, demonstrating his
DishTV solar observing rig at a NEAF Solar Star Party. this issue’s Facebook an-
nouncement. !
MARCH-APRIL 2020Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 18
18 OUR EXPERIENCES
20 years of astron
communication
by José Carlos Millán López
Asociación Astronómica Hubble - Presidente
revised by Damian G. Allis
NASA Solar System Ambassador
A mateur astronomers
in Vadojaén.Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 19
OUR EXPERIENCES 19
onomy T
he digital knowledge society in have likely gone unknown through-
which we live, the so-called out history precisely because of the
“Society 5.0,” requires reliable, lack of communication of their dis-
real-time information to move coveries, with credit instead going to
through all of the multiple communi- other scientists who communicated
cation channels we enjoy. The scien- their new findings effectively and ad-
tific fields are, sometimes by their equately. Reaching the unskilled pub-
very nature, the ones which lag be- lic is not easy. The communicators, in
hind in many respects in terms of addition to needing a solid and spe-
this rapid communication, mainly cialized scientific training, must also
due to three factors: confusion from be capable communicators to arouse
untested or unverified information, the interest of the people to whom
a lack of technical-scientific training an article, an informal speech, or a
among non-specialized journalists, conference is directed. The communi-
and the inability of some scientists to cator must be very flexible to adapt
communicate. For many years, there to the audience and situation at all
have been courses and study modules times and know how to connect with
focused on and specialized in science an audience that is sometimes more
communication within both univer- varied in its combined level of under-
sity and postgraduate scientific or- standing than the one expected. Em-
ganizations. Some great discoverers pathy is essential.Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 20
C omparison between
the size of the Moon in
the apogee and perigee.
As popularizers, one of the funniest meaning of “probability” and we by bringing him to an astronomy
anecdotes we can tell is of a child’s could only convince him of the low speech addressed to adults.
fear during a speech about the prob- probability with examples under- Dissemination is one of the objec-
ability of an impact of an asteroid, standable at his 8 or 9 years of age - tives of the Asociación Astronómica
since he had not understood the an oversight, perhaps, of his parents Hubble, as clearly stated within its
D issemination
Outreach and
observation activi-
ties in the Castle of
Jaén on the occa-
sion of the Interna-
tional Year of
Astronomy 2009.
statutes from its
founding in Novem-
ber 2001. For this rea-
son, we take great
care in the smallest
details in readings,
conferences, semi-
nars, and public ob-
servations in schools
and institutes. Our
goal is not only to
spread astronomy in-
formation, but also to
communicate it cor-
rectly, in a bidirec-
MARCH-APRIL 2020Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 21
OUR EXPERIENCES 21
I mage of the Xauen-1A
probe on the ground a
few days before the launch.
tional way, and adapt it to
the public, to whom the ac-
tivities are addressed.
If the communicator does
not achieve such a connec-
tion, then there will be no in-
terest from the public − even
if the listeners are interested
momentarily, their attention
will be inconstant.
One of the first areas that
the association worked to
popularize was that of ama-
teur weather observations.
We currently hold the posi-
tion of secretary within the
Sociedad de Observadores
de Cometas Y Meteoros de
España (SOMYCE), repre-
senting the International
Meteor Organization in Spain. The more, it is an activity that, thanks to organize public observations of the
study of meteors is a very practical its extraordinary beauty, helps to Perseids. Since 2004, the association
route for getting closer to astron- arouse interest in science in general has managed the www.asocia-
omy since, with a suitable methodol- and astronomy in particular. As part cionhubble.org website. It highlights
ogy, it is possible to obtain valuable, of this type of activity, in the years what have been the most visited
scientifically useful data. Further- when the moon phases allow it, we Spanish astronomy forums on the
O ne of the many public
events organized by the
Asociación Astronómica Hubble.
web for many years, with over
10k users and a documentary
database of with over 50k dis-
cussions. The database has over
50 GB of information. Due to
the technological “fashion”,
we subsequently started to be
added our presence to in social
networks such as Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/
AsociacionHubble/) and Insta-
gram, where we “landed” just
a few months ago.
Our goal is to give more visibil-
ity to our activities and high-
light the scientific milestones
of every moment.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 22
22 OUR EXPERIENCES
formational component.
Therefore, with many of
our images, we do not
strive to be first-rate astro-
photographers (of which
there are many in Spain).
Instead, we look for topics
and subjects to propose a
process for in conferences
F oto estratosférica de la
provincia de Jaén con
el Parque Natural de Ca-
zorla, Segura y las Villas
en primer plano.
Although in the association, there
are excellent astrophotographers
of both night landscapes and
S tratospheric image of
eastern Andalusia. You
can see the Sierra Nevada
deep-sky objects, the members of and the Mediterranean
the association have always tried Sea in the background.
to make images with a clear, in-
presentations or to aid in
explaining simple con-
cepts.
Of all dissemination activi-
ties, the central one in our
activity plan is the Encuen-
tro Astronómico Astro-
Martos, of which eleven
editions have been held
since 2002. In the meeting,
amateurs from all over the
national territory meet in
our locality to participate
in conferences and presen-
tations made by top-level
scientists. There is also a
night observation activity
open to the public, which
P hoto of the partici-
pants atin the VII
AstroMartos Astronomi-
cal Meeting 2008.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 23
OUR EXPERIENCES 23
usually includes an informational
seminar on constellation recogni-
tion, meteoric observation, and me-
C hildren's work-
shop for the
construction of a
teor video recording. We have the celestial plani-
privilege of having counted more sphere. V Jornadas
than 200 participants from all over de Turismo de la
Spain in some editions. Ciudad de Martos,
One of the most intense significant September 2019.
moments of for our popularization
task effort was in 2009 for the Inter- recording systems
national Year of Astronomy, in 2009, (one lateral and
held 400 years after the first tele- one vertical) and a
scopic astronomical observations by GPS for tracking.
Galileo Galilei. As members of the The total weight of
Organizing Committee, we have par- the system had
ticipated in various meetings and been calculated in
joined a multitude of activities that detail, as well as
have highlighted the importance of the quantity of he-
astronomy in all areas of our society: lium to be intro-
Astronomy in the streets, The 100 duced into the
hours of astronomy, The stellar par- 2-meter diameter
ties, etc. balloon. It man-
Another activity that has attracted aged to reach an
more attention in recent years was altitude of reach
the launch in 2016 of a probe bal- 34,000 kilometers
loon into the Earth’s stratosphere of altitude, taking
thanks to a dissemination project fi- beautiful images of
nanced by the Diputación de Jaén. our Earth. One of
We had built an effortless, simple the most ambitious
probe, with containing two image objectives we set
for ourselves at the begin-
ning of our journey was to
raise awareness of and the
fight against the light pol-
lution that was already
starting to threaten our sky.
It was the dawn of 2000
and an unprecedented
waste of energy accompa-
nied economic develop-
ment across the country.
We have begun to catalog
the light sources in our mu-
nicipality and province, and
the first steps have been
taken to increase aware-
ness of our light pollution
problem. Eventually, our as-
sociation and other realities
D elivery of the 2008 An-
dalusian Flag award.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:23 Page 24
environmental groups in the field of of the Iberus-Hubble consortium each of the two areas described
the environment proposed to the and the completion of certification above, joined the Declaración de la
administrations and development work such as Reserva y Destino turís- Palma and opted for a strong stance
associations of the territory how to tico Starlight de la Sierra Sur de Jaén against this type of light pollution,
combat this terrible problem, by y Sierra Morena (España). The esti- and as well as for sustainable eco-
way of the certifications offered by mates analyses were made by the nomic development policies aimed
the Fundación Starlight, an associa- Foundation’s technicians, and the at reducing the emission of light to-
tion of the Instituto de Astrofísica involvement of the local administra- wards the heavens.
de Canarias. This initiative culmi- tions was achieved, since all the mu- Since the association was founded
nated in 2013, with the formation nicipalities, without exception in as a “youth association”, and we
MARCH-APRIL 2020Jose EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:24 Page 25
25
face details and the nomenclature
C ombined olive oil
tasting and astro-
nomical observation
used. Local history and our intangi-
ble heritage are common themes
activity. Without a often recur in our activities. We can
doubt, experiences for combine with the topics of Andalu-
the senses. sian and medieval astronomy during
a tourist visit to with the cultural
purpose, a multitude heritage of our province and region,
of practical seminars or combine the immense heritage
have been organized, linked to the olive oil of our land
as well as cross-cutting with astronomical observation. Un-
science-centered activi- doubtedly, we can confirm from our
ties, but often with a experience of over these past years
more attractive youth- that the public, even when not par-
engaging common ticularly interested in astronomy,
thread for to them, can become involved in it thanks to
such as a game, a tale, this the use of such type of “hook”
or a story or an activity activities.
of discovery (the so- The Association is proud to have
called “rallyes de pis- been awarded, as best youth associ-
tas”). The latest activi- ation in the province, the Jaén
ties for children carried Joven Prize in 2003 for its promo-
out by the association tion of science, a prize awarded to
have been involved the best youth association in the
working groups for the province, because of the promotion
construction of a plani- of science, and well as the Bandera
sphere and a vertical de Andalucía Award 2008 in the cat-
sundial, in the context egory of associations, for the popu-
of the fifth Jornadas de lar projection outside our sphere.
Turismo de la Ciudad These awards have been an addi-
de Martos. tional incentive and motivation to
The transversality qual- make all of our members see the im-
ity we have always portance of the mission that has
tried to achieve in our been developed.
activities has culmi- After over 300 activities and collab-
nated in general recre- orations with over 100 different en-
ational activities with tities, both public and private and,
an important compo- including schools and institutes,
nent of astronomy. We these almost 20 years of activity have
can highlight, for ex- been, without doubt, a solid foun-
ample, the combined dation on which to build a structure
activities of night hik- in that supports support both our
have always considered children and ing with and the interpretation of scientific science culture and that
young people to be the targets on the sky or, if they are carried out in the culture of the public we have
which to focus our dissemination the phase of a Full Moon, a hiking reached. This structure must remain
outreach efforts. The goal has al- presentation themed with on our useful to ensure that, in the future,
ways been to create a scientific cul- natural satellite. For example, each our children and young people will
ture in the public in general and in of the breaks along the way is used be increasingly more interested in
children in particular, to guarantee to talk about a different topic re- science and will develop critical ana-
a future with that promotes scien- lated to the Moon, whether it’s its lytical abilities in many aspects of
tific vocations and a critical way of mythology, its geological history, daily life. We will continue to work
thinking in every situation. For this the history of its observation, or sur- to achieve this. !
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:22 Page 26
26 OUR EXPERIENCES
The experiences
of the Safor
by Marcelino Álvarez
Agrupación Astronómica de la Safor
revised by Damian G. Allis
NASA Solar System Ambassador
T
he Agrupación Astronómica ters, which is located in the center of in any Safor municipality. For astro-
de la Safor (AAS), based in the city of Gandía. We publish a bul- nomical observations, we move to
Gandía in the autonomous Va- letin, Huygens, which is distributed the outskirts of Gandía, provided it
lencian Community, was founded in among members, public centers and is not cloudy. Lately, we have agreed
1994 with two main goals: to bring libraries. It has been bimonthly, al- with the city council on the use of a
together all astronomy and space though it is currently quarterly. It is stone building, located in the Marx-
science enthusiasts from Gandía and based on what the members them- uquera district, where we can mount
the Safor region, and to promote selves write and what other authors telescopes and also have a room to
the diffusion of this beautiful sci- send us. Its reading is fun and suit- rest. Observation days are Fridays.
ence in any social and cultural area able for everyone. We also have a li- We also organize observations for
in an active and selfless way. brary: general astronomy books, extraordinary events, such as the
The activities carried out by the exchanges of magazines from other passages of comets, falling star rains
Agrupación Astronómica de la Safor groups, astronomy software, etc. Ad- (meteor showers), eclipses, etc.
are very differentiated. On Friday ditionally, we run conferences in var- The AAS has spread astronomy in
evenings we meet at the headquar- ious educational or cultural centers schools and institutes for 25 years,
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:22 Page 27
OUR EXPERIENCES 27
P hoto of the Sun passing through
“La Foradá” of Benialí, illuminat-
ing with its rays the chapel of San
Francisco de Assisi, in the disap-
peared Monastery of Benitaia.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:22 Page 28
for cultural weeks organized in Together with didactics and educa-
many municipalities of Safor, in sem-
inars held in libraries, through pho-
tional work, to which a great ef-
fort is dedicated, the AAS, through
F amily photo of those attending
the XX Congreso Estatal de Astro-
nomía, organized in Gandia with the
tographic exhibitions, conferences, working groups created within it, assistance of more than 200 people.
public observations, and through has emerged as a participant in the
communications to the press, radio field of amateur astronomical re- In the field of archeoastronomy, the
and local television about astronom- search through the discovery of sev- AAS located the position of an old
ical phenomena of general interest. eral asteroids. monastery now disappeared in the
Gallinera Valley, where the Sun’s
rays passing through a perforated
rock on the day of San Francisco of
Assisi (October 3rd) hit the saint’s
altar, illuminating it while leaving
the surrounding environment in the
shade. The AAS also provided con-
text for an ancient legend in
Penáguila, a city near Alcoy (accord-
ing to which, pregnancies were
given favor by the Sun’s rays if those
rays crossed another perforated
rock and touched a woman during
the winter solstice).
A part of the expedition of sev-
eral astronomical associations,
which went to China to observe
the longest solar eclipse of the 21st
century.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:22 Page 29
OUR EXPERIENCES 29
A glimpse into the past
and the present
In 1999, an expedition to Turkish
Kurdistan was planned to observe
the total solar eclipse of August 11.
The observation from Basnik, near
Diyarbakir, was a great success, and
the trip was an unforgettable ex-
perience. Other members went to
Paris, but they were unlucky, as the
rain prevented them from admiring
the spectacle.
In 2005, the region of La Safor was
touched by an annular eclipse, with
Gandía in the centrality of the
event during the October 3rd pa-
tronal feast of San Francisco de
Borja. To better enjoy the phenom-
enon, an exhibition with large servational instruments. Even ama-
posters was prepared, presented in
the Municipal Library and at the
teur astronomers from Italy, Bel-
gium and France attended.
S undial of Beniganim, also this
by Joan Olivares, which has the
“particularity” of projecting the
Hotel Bayrén, where we received The fact of organizing, spreading shadow in a circle, and the hour is
over 200 amateur astronomers from and finally carrying out the obser- illuminated above the metal support.
various groups, along with their ob- vation gave us the definitive stimu-
lus to aspire to more relevant activ-
ities for the future. It is interesting
to note that on the beach, where
several telescopes had been in-
stalled, the influx was considerable,
with more than 1000 people pres-
ent at some times.
We had just recovered from the
eclipse when our member Josep
Juliá, who had already discovered
two asteroids, announced the dis-
covery of a third, which was the
first to receive the initials “VI” (Vir-
tual Impactor) as one of the most
“grazing” of the Earth, passing up
to a third of the Earth-Moon dis-
tance − about 120,000 km.
In March 2006, just six months after
the annular eclipse, a new trip was
organized to Turkey to observe a
total eclipse. In this new journey, 90
V isit to one of the Sundials by Joan Olivares, located in Salem, a town in
the Albaida Valley region, near Safor. It is a multignomon clock, since each
edge corresponds to a shadow cast on a face and changes as the day pro-
participants filled two buses.
In 2008, we participated, together
gresses. In addition, it has a sign (imperceptible in the photo), which indicates with other organizations, at the Se-
where the shadow runs on the day of San Miguel, patron of the town. mana de la Ciencia y el Cambio Cli-
mático (SECICA), which had its first
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 11:15 Page 30
30 OUR EXPERIENCES
Casa de la Mar-
A part of the telescope area
inside the Bayren hotel dur-
ing the annular eclipse of 2005.
quesa, which is the
cultural center of
the city. Guest
speakers included
the Spanish astro-
naut Pedro Duque
and the scientific
director of the Ciu-
dad de las Artes y
las Ciencias de Va-
lencia, D. Manuel
Toharia. In 2009,
on the occasion of
the celebration of
the International
Year of Astron-
omy, a collabora-
tion was estab-
lished with the
Musical Union of
San Francisco de
Borja and an astro-
nomical concert
edition that year. It was a whole various seminars and exhibition was offered, during which images
week of hectic activities, serving stands mounted for the occasion, following the rhythm of the music
over 2500 students from all Safor and with a guest conference every were projected. A new total solar
schools, establishing visits to the day that filled the main hall of the eclipse, although this time in China,
A view through the clouds of the partial solar eclipse, visible
from Gandía beach at dawn on January 4, 2011. The clouds
gave a ghostly appearance and served as a decoration.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 11:15 Page 31
OUR EXPERIENCES 31
shops, conferences
O bservation zone of the total solar eclipse of 2006 in
Turkey. We were in the city of Side, in a place specially
equipped for observation, inside the Temple of Apollo. The
and round tables
were organized, at-
stones on which we put the material and around which we tended by over 200
were would have delighted any museum. people from all over
Spain. The fact that
the Congress head-
quarters was made
up of the buildings
of the Universidad
Politécnica de Valen-
cia, Campus de
Gandía, contributed
to its success, since
we were able to
broadcast some of
the essential presen-
tations live on the
Internet and record
the rest for the final
publication. Despite
all this activity, the
current situation is
far from lively. After
was the opportunity for organizing and celebrated the XX Congreso those years of euphoria, today we
a new trip. On this occasion, and Estatal de Astronomía, a meeting are immersed in a profound cri-
despite the distance to be covered, of most of the astronomical associ- sis that can have serious conse-
the number of participants reached ations of Spanish amateurs. For quences, as collaborations that
60, including amateurs from other four days, presentations, work- maintain the activity are lacking.
associations, who appreci-
ated both the trip and the
eclipse. Despite being cloudy
in most of the region, they
were able to see the phe-
nomenon almost entirely.
The observation area was lo-
cated near the new Shanghai
Astronomical Observatory,
the site the Chinese govern-
ment had chosen to observe
the eclipse. During the sum-
mer of 2010, we also partici-
pated as organizers in the
Reunión anual de Construc-
tores Aficionados de Telesco-
pios (RETA), which is an
annual meeting of amateur
telescope manufacturers. It
took place in Aras de los
S
ome participants in the trip to China, on the occasion of the
largest eclipse of the entire 21st century. The area where we
were staying was chosen because it was close to the new
Olmos, with a participation Shanghai Observatory, which was moved to Anji, due to the
of over 100 people. In De- great pollution suffered by the one existing in the city.
cember 2012, we organized
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:22 Page 32
Where before there were several
What about the future? cars loaded with telescopes, tables,
batteries, etc., now there is only one
A spect of the stand of the Agru-
pación Astronómica de la Safor
during the celebration of Science
Since 2007, probably due to the eco- to take everything, and the merri- and Climate Change Week (SECICA).
nomic crisis that has particularly af- ment enjoyed at each observing
fected Spain, the entry of new outing has significantly decreased. ered, but it is likely that there are
members has slowed down and only Among the possible causes, we other factors, such as the following.
slightly recovered in the last year. have mentioned the severe eco- The first is the natural change we
The active participation of the mem- nomic crisis suffered by Spain, from are experiencing due to the evolu-
bers has, however, decreased a lot. which we have not yet fully recov- tion of personal life, since the for-
mer students are now cur-
rent workers, many with chil-
dren dependent on them
and therefore with less time
to devote to the association.
On the other hand, the of-
fering of astronomical stuff
is today abundant, of excel-
lent quality, with much
higher performances and
much lower prices when
compared with those of a
few years ago. In past times,
every amateur astronomer
would have to belong to an
association if he wanted to
T he visit of the Spanish
astronaut Pedro Duque
to the stand of the Agru-
pación Astronómica de la
Safor during SECICA 2008.
MARCH-APRIL 2020Marcelino EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:22 Page 33
OUR EXPERIENCES 33
C omet Holmes,
in November
2007 after the out-
break that brought
up its luminosity
several magnitudes.
progress in astro-
nomical knowledge,
learn to use a tele-
scope or even make
observation equip-
ment himself. Today,
many tutorials exist
on the Internet that
simplify learning and
practical construction
of different instru-
ments.
Furthermore, the ar-
rival of digital elec-
tronics in this field
has meant a com-
plete revolution, and
it is, therefore, possi-
ble to achieve results that were pre- didn’t exist many years ago has now share knowledge, since we have
viously the prerogative of profes- become abundant. It is not bad that everything we need directly at
sionals, large companies and institu- this happens, but regardless of the home. Finally, the terrible light pol-
tions with amateur instruments. pleasure or disgust it produces, it lution we suffer causes many ama-
These new possibilities have seg- has completely changed the condi- teurs not to see stars normally, and
mented amateur astronomers, who tions of the amateur astronomers’ this prevents newbies from growing
have fallen into different classes, market. alongside more expert members.
some very specialized. And so it happens that we don’t Amateur astronomer groups and
Due to, or thanks to, all the above, have to wait for information, but publications are languishing and
the market has been flooded with now have less certainty in the days gradually being replaced by emails,
infinite possibilities. Something that or times we gather together and WhatsApp and other forms of com-
munication, relegating to last place
T he astrophysi-
cist Francisco
Sánchez Martínez,
the merriment in social observing.
At least, this is what we have suf-
fered in the AAS. The “specialist”
during the inau-
gural conference
members have gradually moved
of the XX C.E.A. away from the “normal” members,
He was the and the result is a weak association
founder and then that fails to fulfill the purposes for
director of the In- which it was created, such as the dis-
stituto Astrofísico semination of astronomy.
de Canarias. Fue The passion for the stars can suffer
el impulsor del ups and downs, but there will al-
Gran Telescopio ways be this passion, and times will
Canarias, que es come that will not be like ours now,
el mayor del
but instead will be excellent for the
mundo todavía.
new amateurs. !
MARCH-APRIL 2020Lito EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:21 Page 34
34 OUR EXPERIENCES
The popularizatio
of astronomy
in Jerez
by Manuel Jiménez del Barco Ruiz Herrera
Agrupación Astronómica Magallanes
revised by Damian G. Allis
NASA Solar System AmbassadorLito EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:21 Page 35
OUR EXPERIENCES 35
ion T
he society of the 21st century
changes at a dizzying rate in
many ways, including its needs,
concerns and fears. The customs of in-
dividuals, their habits, their training
and their relationships with peers do
not resemble those of twenty or thirty
years ago. Science is continually evolv-
ing, and if you want to be aware of the
changes, you have to update yourself
continuously. My vocation as a popu-
larizer created a need that stimulated
me to keep up-to-date in my fields of
astronomy and astrophysics. To explain
some complicated concepts to ordinary
people, you have to master what you
are talking about and you must know
how to invite people to listen to you
before they see you as a chatterer who
is saying annoying things. During my
stay at university, I had my first expe-
riences as a popularizer, but I recognize
that those beginnings were more com-
fortable. I talked to college students
and people related to that world, which
favored communication.
P ortrait of the Agrupación Astronó-
mica Magallanes in a night sky ob-
servation session.Lito EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:21 Page 36
36 OUR EXPERIENCES
Spreading astronomy but above all we have personally of course, wanted to listen to sci-
experienced the evolution of the ence and expand their knowledge.
on the radio media, of the tools that must be The other great revolution we ex-
used to reach the listeners, and also perienced (and we still experience)
The situation changed when I left the change of our listeners’ wishes. was technical and decisively influ-
the university, dedicating myself to A striking example of this evolution enced the quality of the program.
teaching, joining an astronomical is the way we broadcast the pro- In the radio studios we frequent
group and, above all, taking the op- gram. We started from a modulated today (belonging to the University
portunity to collaborate on a radio frequency (FM) station called of Cadiz, in particular, those of
program of scientific populariza- “Radio Frontera,” which took its Radio INDESS), in addition to hav-
tion. The program in question is name from the city from which we ing modern audio equipment and
called “Un Punto Azul” in honor of still broadcast, Jerez de la Frontera, facilities, the simple incorporation
Carl Sagan, a popularizer admired broadcasting live, sometimes with- of the Skype app into our recording
by all who probably triggered the out recording the program and device has allowed us to conduct in-
spark of astronomy and the desire without replicated broadcasts. Af- terviews that we never thought of
to spread it among many of us. terwards, we were able to record doing. We no longer have geo-
We started as an experiment, but it the broadcasts, thus being able to graphical barriers with our respon-
stopped being just an experiment replicate them. At the time, we dents, and we can interview Span-
many years ago. In this 2019-2020 learned to take advantage of the ish scientists everywhere in our
season, we have completed twenty Internet and the ability to upload country and even those who work
years of transmission, a duration our programs to the web in order abroad. At the same time, we also
that very few radio programs can to allow our listeners to follow noticed an evolution in the type of
boast. As the reader may imagine, them when they wanted − what we listeners who follow us. We moved
in that period, we went through now call podcasts. This step was our from the neighborhood listener,
many different situations: crises, first big revolution, to go beyond with mere curiosity about some sci-
successes, interruptions, changes of traditional listeners (with a radio entific topic, to the student who
all kinds. The site of diffusion and device) and open up to anyone who uses multiple social networks and
the collaborators have changed, had a computer or music player and, digital devices, up to other astron-
P hoto of the first
broad- casts of “Un
Punto Azul” at the facil-
ities of Frontera Radio,
in Jerez de la Frontera.
omy amateurs or scien-
tific professionals who
listen to us and also col-
laborate sporadically in
our broadcasts. This re-
sult makes us happy and
enriches us consider-
ably. One thing has not
changed since our in-
ception: we always have
opened the program to
questions and doubts
from listeners to clarify
fake news or misunder-
standings of scientific
news, and these ques-
tions have not dimin-
ished, as might have
MARCH-APRIL 2020Lito EN_l'Astrofilo 01/03/2020 09:21 Page 37
OUR EXPERIENCES 37
been expected with the universality
Other dissemination
of Internet access and ease of access
to news. activities S napshot from season 2019 of “Un
Punto Azul” in the studies of Ra-
dio INDESS, at the University of Cádiz.
The problem has perhaps increased,
which shows that over-information In addition to the realization of a kids in these years of experience. Cu-
interferes considerably and free ac- radio program for scientific popular- riosity and interest among young
cess is not the problem; rather, it is ization, our group carries out train- people have not changed, but what
the lack of criteria by some of ing activities in schools and we have noticed is a change in the
choosing reliable sources and estab- institutes. We are fortunate to have age of children interested in astron-
lishing a scientific culture strong teachers, professors and education- omy. For some time now, secondary
enough to allow for the distin- related people among our associates school teachers asking for collabo-
guishing of fake news or exaggera- who have made bridges between rations have declined, while activi-
tions of reliable news. their centers or knowledge and the ties for younger children have in-
I think one of the strengths of our group. In these years, there has been creased, from kindergarten to pri-
podcast is that we make it very no shortage of conversations about mary school. Another aspect that
pleasant and fun. Of course, we planets and stars, observations of changed is the activity in schools
have had diverging opinions, but the Sun with different instruments, after school hours, which allowed us
we believe that, to spread science, and even nocturnal observations to make nocturnal or even early
it is necessary to give it that playful after school hours. The age range is morning observations.
touch, to transmit that science is also broad, from children (up to 6 I take this opportunity to thank the
not boring. This does not imply ne- years of age) and primary school efforts of the teachers who organ-
glecting scientific rigor. In my opin- (from 6 to 12 years), to secondary ize these activities due to the com-
ion, you can be rigorous and fun at school (from 12 to 18 years) and plexities it entails.
the same time. This is what we try adults. We, therefore, have a com- One of the most successful activities
to do with “Un Punto Azul.” plete idea of the evolution of our among the youngest, and also one
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