February 22, 2014 ALP NAW Closing Activity Report

February 22, 2014 ALP NAW Closing Activity Report
by James Kevin Ty , Norman Marigza & Peter Benedict Tubalinal
Images by Alberto Lao

Last February 22 , members of the Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP) held their NAW 2014 closing activity via the 2014 Philippine Astronomy Convention at Manila Planetarium. Members who were present were ALP President James Kevin Ty, wife Charito and son Kendrick Cole KC Ty; VP Jett Aguilar, Treasurer and NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan & Iah Serna ; Secretary Christopher Louie Lu, Auditor Edgar Ang, directors Arnel Campos , John Ray Cabrera , Peter Benedict Tubalinal ; Christopher Go, Alberto Lao, Jason Comia, Per Edman , Manuel Goseco, Mark Ian Singson, Norman Marigza, Edge Lat, Justine Garcia, Mike Enage, Ronald Sison, Miguel Cajita, Planetarium curator Bel Pabunan and staffs Nel Lagda, Liza Quitlong and numerous students from RTU.

NAW opening started at around 1:30pm with ALP NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan welcoming members and guests to the closing event. Then the Philippine National Anthem was played and proceeded by a prayer invocation by ALP director Peter Benedict Tubalinal. First lecturer was ALPer Christopher Go who gave an interesting lecture on Advance Imaging Processing: Planetary Imaging Techniques . He started with providing some tips on the importance of seeing as well as high resolution monochrome imaging webcams and the compbination of LRGB and special filters like Methane Band Filter which are the basics to get a successful planetary images. He then later proceeded to showing how the acquired planetary AVis be processed by using Registax and AutoStakkert softwares.

Then a 15 minute break to let members and guests have some snacks and drinks prepared by the organization. They also use this opportunity to have the traditional group shot taken at the entrance of Manila Planetarium.

This was followed by film show entitled Starry Starry Night courtesy of Manila Planetarium was shown to the memebrs and guests. Then the trio tandem of RTU Astro students Val Gerald Garrido, Julie Anne Delda & Xyrene Angeles who presented their joint lecture entitled Solar Flare and Sunspot Group Analysis of Solar Maxima for Solar Cycle 24 . The following is a paper presentation from RTU's Solar Observation Program. The paper characterizes the solar maximum 2013 for the solar cycle 24 in terms of the analysis of X-ray solar flares and sunspot groupings. This study sunspot groups and corresponding flare rates for the year 2013 against historical flare rates and class frequencies from previous cycles. Testing statistical flare rates against the flare history for past solar cycles will help characterize the predicted weak solar maxima for solar cycle 24. The year 2013 corresponds to a period of increased solar activity brought about by the solar maxima. Flare rates over this period are compared to the statistical flare history to see if they match the frequency distribution and flare probability. This will also identify whether or not sunspot group associations and flare probability can be characterized over short periods within the cycle.

Last but not the least is the lecture of ALP director Peter Benedict Tubalinal who presented an interesting lecture entitled Messier Marathon.

Messier-hunting has been one of the most celebrated events by astronomers worldwide. It is considered as the most

challenging test for observation, patience, and stamina for the astronomer.

Mainly categorized by star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies that comprise the 106 messier objects, the other four messiers come from a milky way patch, a double star, and the two stellar satellites of the Andromeda galaxy that completes the messier list.

Spotting all the messier objects can only be possible during the vernal equinox, where it will take the 12 hours of working through the night and so would it also require having the proper health to make it through the night.

Because they vary in brightness and time, a good strategy is needed in order to successfully find them. One must have a sequenced plan. It lists the order of finding them primarily based on time. This comes with a good star chart which contains the location of the messier objects. Any chart can be used, either local one, a star atlas, interactive (computerized) star chart software such as Starry Night, Sky Map, and others.

Since the earth constantly rotates, the messiers will eventually set. Thus you need to prioritize the messier that needs to be located first before they disappear onto the horizon. Another thing to consider is the cloud condition. Time may occur when some of the messiers are obstructed by clouds, and waiting for them to come out in accordance to your planned list will eat a lot of time. What you can do is to locate for the other messier that follows on the list which is visible at the moment as you wait for the clouds to move out. This way, you maximize your time spotting the others and go back to the missed messier you skipped. Another thing to consider is to analyze the blending of your eyepieces with your telescope. Messier objects have different brightness, thus eyepieces will vary as well. If you are using

binoculars, it is best to bring along additional binoculars that have different magnifications since it is impossible to replace its eyepieces. One important strategy is how to spot them through your equipment. It is not a problem when the messier object is bright, however if it will be faint, that will be our concern. One method that you can do is star-hopping. Using a star chart, identify a bright star that serves as your starting point. Then proceed with locating the next stars near it and so on until you reach the faint messier object. Sometimes the object is just too dim to be spotted directly when observed into the eyepiece. Such cases require an additional technique called 'averted vision'. Since the most sensitive part of our eyes are situated away from the retina, you do not directly look at the faint object. One must look at least 8 to 16 degrees at the side of the object. Look left of the messier object when you are using your left eye, and right when using your right eye. If one is using binoculars, both eyes must look upwards from the object in order to see it.

The final two weeks would be crucial as you have to be fit in preparation for the Messier Marathon. Eat with a balance

diet, get enough sleep, and practice doing the marathon yourself so you get to foresee the unexpected -- equipment adjustments, viewing techniques and timing, to name a few. Having learned the strategies of observing will now bring one to joining the messier marathon. One will need to prepare stuffs that will make you comfortable for observing like relaxing necessities, food, communication devices, and others. Everything has to be ready two nights before so the last night should be for one to relax. Lastly, get ready for the Messier Marathon 2014 and hunt down the messier objects!

The Astronomical League of the Philippines, Inc. would like to thanks the following sponsors for their support and assistance in this years National Astronomy Week.

Astronomical League of the Philippines

President James Kevin Ty

ALP Board of directors, Officers & Members

National Museum

Director Jeremy Barns

National Museum Planetarium

Curator Bel Pabunan

National Museum Planetarium Staff

Rizal Technological University & RTU Astronomical Society

President Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres

Colleague/Assistant Ruby Ann Dela Cruz

SM by the Bay

Asst Mall Manager Egan Jed Marcelo

Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project (CBSAP)

Stephen Ramsden

Cutting Edge / Celestron

Cynthia Jason

After the conclusion of the ALP NAW Opening Activity, they proceeded to Rajah Sulayman Park to conduct a free public stargazing session.

ALP Treasurer and NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan welcome members and guests to the closing activity of 2014 Philippine Astronomy Convention.	ALP director Peter Benedict Tubalinal leads the prayer invocation.
ALPers and guests bow down their head as ALPer Peter leads the prayer invocation.	ALPers and guests listen attentively as first lecturer of the day starts.
ALPers and guests listen attentively as first lecturer of the day starts.	ALPer Christopher Go gave an interesting lecture on Advance Imaging Processing: Planetary Imaging Techniques .
ALPer Christopher Go was presented a certificate of appreciation and token of appreciation by ALP and Cutting Edge respectively.	ALP Astro kid Kendrick Cole KC Ty posed with ALP President James Kevin Ty and ALP Great Planetary Imager Christopher Go. Who knows? Maybe KC will follow their footsteps in to serious astronomy in the future.
RTU Astro students Val Gerald Garrido, Julie Anne Delda & Xyrene Angeles who presented their joint lecture entitled Solar Flare and Sunspot Group Analysis of Solar Maxima for Solar Cycle 24 .	ALP director Peter Benedict Tubalinal who presented an interesting lecture entitled Messier Marathon.
ALPer Secretary Christopher Louie Lu was presented a certificate of appreciation and token of appreciation from ALP and Cutting Edge respectively.	ALPer Norman Marigza was presented a certificate of appreciation and token of appreciation from ALP and Cutting Edge respectively.
ALP President James Kevin Ty accepted on behalf of ALP VP Jett Aguilar his certificate of appreciation and token of appreciation from ALP and Cutting Edge respectively.	RTU students Val Gerald Garrido, Julie Anne Delda & Xyrene Angeles were presented a certificate of appreciation and token of appreciation from ALP and Cutting Edge respectively.
ALP director Peter Benedict Tubalinal was presented a certificate of appreciation and token of appreciation from ALP and Cutting Edge respectively.	ALP Treasurer and NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan thank members and guests for their participation on the closing activity of the 2014 Philippine Astronomy Convention.