SPICA - No 03 - 2003 Mars

Magazine Overview

Title: SPICA NEWS
Issue: N°3
Date: March 2003
Publisher: association SPICA
Country: France
Language: French

This issue of SPICA NEWS, the third of the year, focuses on the association's activities and its new online presence. The cover prominently features "SPICA sur Internet" and a photograph of red lights observed above Strasbourg on August 21, 2002. The magazine is published by the association SPICA, based in Odratzheim.

Editorial (Le Président)

The editorial section, written by the President, announces a new editor for SPICA NEWS, Thierry Meckes, who has stepped down due to time constraints but is thanked for his work in establishing the magazine's foundation and the association's accounting. The President has taken over the editorial role and hopes a new editor will be found for the next issue. The association is developing, with priorities set on member meetings, training sessions, and observation nights. The editorial mentions the third number of SPICA News for the year and the upcoming break in publication. It highlights the effort involved in producing the revue, including writing, layout, printing, and the dedication of volunteers. The association's website, launched in December, is also promoted, with a call for contributions to its still-under-construction pages. The issue contains usual articles, a new section "A lire", and an article on meteorology.

SPICA on the Internet

SPICA launched its website in December, created by Christian Kiefer and Christian Morgenthaler. The site covers various themes of the association, including astronomy, ufology, aeronautics, meteorology, and astronautics, with dedicated pages and sub-sections. It also features ephemerides, ongoing ufological investigations, observation lists, and general association information such as statutes and contact details. Users can contact the association or report phenomena through the site, which also has a reserved section for members and pages detailing past and future activities. While some pages are still under construction, they are being progressively filled with content.

Key Articles and Features

"Arrêt sur Ciel N°1: La Lune occulte Saturne ou comment les astres nous la font façon Gulliver."

This article, written by Dominique Schall, details the astronomical event of the Moon occulting Saturn on the night of November 3-4, 2001. The author describes the observation from 21h30 local time, noting the clear sky and the telescope's preparation. The occultation began around 21h58, with the Moon gradually covering Saturn and its rings. The event is described as timeless and almost carnal, emphasizing the vast distances involved. The article also touches upon the Earth's axial precession, noting that 5000 years ago, the pole star was alpha Draconis. The author mentions that the phenomenon could be observed with the naked eye under less ideal conditions. The article concludes by noting that the constellation of Ursa Minor is important for navigation in the Northern Hemisphere due to Polaris, the North Star.

"Dernières activités: 12° NUIT DES ETOILES: SPICA DANS LES NUAGES."

Dominique Schall reports on the 12th Night of Stars event, held from August 8-10, under the theme "The stars shine for everyone." Despite the participation of seven associations, including SPICA and the Strasbourg planetarium, the event was severely hampered by clouds and humidity. The association had prepared a new indoor animation allowing the public to direct a telescope, but the adverse weather conditions prevented any clear sky viewing. Only about fifty people attended over the two days. The author expresses gratitude to those who came and acknowledges the efforts of Frédéric Morgenthaler and his team, noting relief that only the car suffered from the bad weather.

"UNE EXPO QUI VAUT LE DÉTOUR: "Fête de la science" à Hégenheim le 19 et 20 octobre 2002."

J.J. Goetschy recounts the "Festival of Science" held in Hégenheim on October 19-20, 2002, which was a first for the region. The event featured two exhibitions: astronomical and ufological. The astronomical panels explained the solar system, constellations, and galaxies, while the ufological panels covered OVNI phenomena, misidentifications, and crop circles. The exhibition included astronomical instruments and telescopes loaned by M. Diemer, meteorites, aircraft models, and two video films. The event was considered a great success, providing a morale boost after previous difficulties, particularly with the weather during the Night of Stars. Special thanks are extended to M. Diemer, the press (DNA and Alsace), Mme Mougel, Mme Heijkopp (president of Hégenheim Animations), and Aurélie Loos for her artistic contribution.

"LES NOMS DES ÉTOILES"

Céline Hansen explores the origin of constellation names, tracing the term "constellation" back to Latin. The article discusses how stars were named for differentiation and identification, referencing Hipparchus's star catalog and the use of Greek letters (Alpha, Beta) to denote brightness. Ancient civilizations associated star patterns with mythological creatures and heroes, leading to the 88 constellations we know today. The article notes that many constellation names have Latin origins, such as Ursa Major (Grande Ourse) and Virgo (Vierge). It also mentions the Babylonian origin of some constellations and their subsequent renaming by the Greeks and Romans. The article concludes by posing a question about how we should view the sky: with a new or an ancient perspective.

"EPHÉMÉRIDES"

This section provides a calendar of astronomical events for March, April, and May. Notable events include the New Moon, Full Moon, First Quarter, and Last Quarter phases for each month, as well as specific conjunctions of planets and the Moon (e.g., Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus), meteor showers (Lyrides, Eta Aquarides, Sagittarides), and a lunar eclipse in May.

"Constellation de la Grande Ourse"

This page features a star chart of the constellation Ursa Minor (The Little Dipper) and provides detailed information about it. It explains the constellation's importance for navigation due to Polaris, the North Star. The article discusses the precession of the Earth's axis and how it affects the apparent position of the pole star over millennia. It mentions the historical naming of the constellation and its association with the Greek astronomer Thales of Milet. The article also describes Polaris as a yellow supergiant and mentions two apparent double stars within the constellation, Umi and Pherkad. It notes that Ursa Minor does not contain easily observable deep-sky objects like galaxies or nebulae.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPICA NEWS are astronomy, ufology, and the activities of the SPICA association. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting scientific curiosity, encouraging member participation, and sharing astronomical knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on the association's efforts to engage the public through events, publications, and its new website. The magazine aims to educate its readers on astronomical phenomena, historical aspects of stargazing, and current events related to the field, while also fostering a sense of community among its members.

This issue, titled "CARTE DU CIEL" (Celestial Map), appears to be a French-language publication focused on astronomy, meteorology, and unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP). The cover provides celestial viewing times for Odratzheim, France, for specific dates in March, April, and May, along with an illustration of an observatory.

Celestial Information and Meteorology

The issue includes "ÉPHÉMÉRIDES PLANÉTAIRES" (Planetary Ephemerides) detailing the rising and setting times for the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn for several dates between March 1st and June 1st. It notes that Saturn and Jupiter will be observable in the early part of the night, and Venus is a morning planet. Mars will require patience or early rising for observation in the summer. A section on "LES NUAGES" (Clouds) classifies clouds based on their form (stratus, cumulus) and altitude (lower, middle, upper troposphere), introducing prefixes like 'cirro-' and 'alto-' and the suffix 'nimbus' for precipitation-producing clouds.

Telescope Optics

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the necessity of parabolic mirrors in telescopes. The article "DE LA NÉCESSITÉ D'UN MIROIR PARABOLIQUE" (On the Necessity of a Parabolic Mirror) explains the principles of light reflection and convergence. It details how flat mirrors reflect light parallelly, while curved mirrors can converge light. The text elaborates on the difference between spherical and parabolic mirrors, illustrating how spherical mirrors can cause rays to converge at slightly different points, an issue that parabolic mirrors resolve. It suggests that for telescopes with a high F/D ratio (greater than 10), the difference between spherical and parabolic mirrors becomes negligible for practical observation.

UAP Phenomenon of August 21, 2002

The issue features an in-depth report on a phenomenon observed on August 21, 2002, around 21:30, following a request from the FFU. Two individuals from Strasbourg reported hearing a significant low-frequency sound and seeing three red lights forming a triangle passing overhead. The report highlights the unusual nature of the sighting, especially given its passage over the strictly regulated airspace of Strasbourg city center and during local events. The article appeals for more witnesses, noting that initial reports were limited but expanded after subsequent publications in "Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace" (DNA).

Testimonies describe the phenomenon's trajectory across various locations in Alsace, including Hautepierre, the city center, Neudorf, Meinau, Illkirch Graffenstaden, Fégersheim, and Erstein. The three lights were generally seen in a triangle, with only one witness perceiving a triangular shape. The sound was described as a low-frequency hum, distinct from jet engines or propellers, and surprisingly, it was only audible to those directly beneath the phenomenon, with silence reported beyond 200-300 meters. No unusual odors or electromagnetic disturbances were reported.

Further details are provided on the estimated speed of the phenomenon (110-150 km/h) and its movement. The report also references another UAP investigation by Christian Kiefer concerning a triangular phenomenon observed on September 22nd in Schopperten, which also involved red lights and a low hum.

SPICA Association

The final pages promote the SPICA association, which is interested in astronomy, meteorology, aeronautics, space exploration, and ufology. SPICA encourages members to share knowledge and conduct scientific research objectively, avoiding dogmatism and sensationalism. They invite witnesses of unusual phenomena to contact them for research and explanation, guaranteeing anonymity and offering collaboration.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are celestial observation, meteorological phenomena, the technical aspects of astronomical equipment (telescope optics), and the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly regarding UAP, emphasizes scientific investigation and objective analysis, as promoted by the SPICA association, while also acknowledging the need for public reporting and witness accounts. The publication aims to educate readers on astronomical events and encourage critical inquiry into unexplained occurrences.