OCR Text |
Show On a clear nigh? vhe sCry opens up On a clear night the heavens twinkle with stars, but are they just stars or could they be planets, bionary stars, star clusters, or nebuli? Astronomy, the study of celestial bodies and their magnitudes, motions, and constitutions, pricks man's curiosity curiosi-ty in the unknown and leaves him asking ask-ing why. "There is sort of a fascination about the unknown," said David Ahrnsbrak, local artist who has been active in astronomy the last five years. Looking at the stars for most people is a hobby. Most people only do it once or twice a year, Mr. Ahrnsbrak said. But, there are those who take an active part in watching and studying the stars. 4f or different reasons..' "They come for different reasons," Mr. Ahnrsbrak said. "Some people are interested in UFO's and like to look at the sky for that reason. Others have interests in-terests in the sun and would like to specialize in something like the sun, photography, or deep space objects." According to Mr. Ahrnsbrak, "Astronomy is still a lot of theories." . As they get more facts, the theories are supported or abandoned. Roger Benson who is in charge of the Uintah Astronomical Society states most people who actively watch the stars "watch the stars to observe planets, bionary stars, star clusters, and nebulas." There are about 18-20 members involved in-volved in the society. "Within the Uintah Uin-tah Basin there is probably about 35-40 people who are active in astronomy," Mr. Benson said. Plans have been made for the Uintah Astronomical Society to meet with the society in Salt Lake Gty for some star parties. par-ties. The society is organized so those with astronomical interests can gather together to share what they observe. They will also have special films and speakers available at their meetings. When asked why he feels most people watch the stars, Mr. Benson responded, "I imagine because it is the space age we're in right now." The more we learn about it, the more we learn about ourselves, he added. There are three types of astronomy: naked eye, binocular, and telescope astronomy. With the naked eye you can see up to the sixth magnitude stars. With telescope astronomy using an eight inch telescope it will let you go up to the sixteenth magnitude stars. "You will be able to see more than double the objects seen with the naked eye. It will pull 800 times more than the human eye," said Mr. Benson. Mr. Benson has donated a three meter obsevatory to the Altamont High School. The domes came from Plain-field, Plain-field, Illinois. They were made by Astrodome and have now been completed. com-pleted. He has also set up a science trust scholarship for those interested in pursuing the field of science. An observatory built in Vernal was designed by amatuer astronomer Peter Troester of Maeser. The over seven-foot high domb observatory obser-vatory is located in Troester s back yard. "I designed it much larger, but had some problems with the canyon winds," Troester said. During the construction con-struction phase of the observatory the rotating dome part of the observatory was blown over. Troester's observatory is wired with electrical outlets and a red light. SUN SPOTS at lower left side show up in photograph through telescope equiped to look at the sun. V:. ' V ". " ,i " ; y I h - k: y . -.... I- v - : , i f.! .: Tk. , ' I"'.'' -.11 I .- ' STAR GAZER, David Ahrnsbrak, uses an eight-inch eight-inch telescope to look at sun spots. His -V y fid- A DEEP space nebula photographed through a telescope is undetactable to the naked eye. Nebuli are made up of gas and "The eye isn't as sensitive to red light which makes it good lor use in the observatory," Troester said. Troester said his interest in astronomy developed when he was in high schooi. "It's interesting just lo see what's up there," he said He said he hoped that an astronomy club could set up an observatory in the Vernal area, "but things like that are hard to get going." Whatever it is, there must be something in the dark night skies which keeps their necks cocked for hours awing aw-ing at pecks of light from substances no longer there. Story and photography by Marylan Bird Society Editor and Steven Wallis News Editor telescope is equiped with a special filter for observing the sun. dust in interstellar space. One hypothesis in astronomy is that the solar system evolved from a hot gaseous nebula. - j WITH YOUR eye to the glass, who knows what you might find looking through a telescope. Ar- tist and astronomy enthusist, David Ahrns sees similarities in the two facets of his me- |