Messenger No. 4 (March 1976)

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1-2 (PDF)
ESO
Supernovae in the Magellanic Clouds

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4Q...1.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The study of the Small and the Large Magellanic Clouds is a 9reat privilege of the astronomers in the southern hemisphere. Their importance is mainly due to the small distance from us (50 and 63 kpc), which allows the astronomer to observe in them fine details and faint objects. In addition, the Clou.ds appear to be in an evolutionary stage quite different from that of our own galaxy, as witnessed for instance by the relatively high percentage of mass in gaseous form. In order to gain more understanding of the evolution of stars and galaxies, it is therefore very important to investigate in the Magellanic Clouds questions such as th~ metal content or the detailed properties o.f regions of star formation and death. Astronomers have been going after these questions for years and one can imagine that the forthcoming large E:SO telesco-pe will help-elucidating many of the present problems.
1-1 (PDF)
ESO
ESO European Headquarters in Munich

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4R...1.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The Council, at its meeting of December 2, 1975, took some decisions of far-reaching importance for the future of ESO.
2-2 (PDF)
ESO
Proflie of a Visitor's Programme: Spectra of Bright Southern Stars

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4R...2.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
When Danish astronomer Johannes Andersen and his Swedish-born wife, Birgitta Nordström, also astronomer, appear on La Silla, the night assistants at the ESO 1.5 m spectroscopic telescope know that they are in for some hard nights' work. For although their observing programme may not seem. glamorous when compared. to present-day X-ray sources and black holes, it is certainly a very important and fundamental one, demanding a lot of first-class astronomical observations.
2-2 (PDF)
ESO
New Staff Representatives Elected

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4Q...2.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Staff association news
3-3 (PDF)
ESO
ESO 3.6 m Telescope on its Way to La Silla!

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4....3.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
November 14, 1975 was an important date for the large ESO telescope. On that day, a meeting with about ten participants took place in Geneva. Around the table were the President of the Council, the Chairman of the Instrumentation Committee, the Director-General of ESO and members of the TP Division who had the privilege to report on the final results of. the mechanical and controls tests carried out in the assembly hall of Creusot-Loire at St.-Chamond.
4-4 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Invents New Method to Stabilize a Large Telescope

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4Q...4.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The principle of the ESO computerized telescope control system, developed by the Controls Group, has been extensively tested on La Silla on the photometrie and Schmidt telescopes respectively. A summary description of this system is given in Technical Report number 6 of May 1975.
4-4 (PDF)
ESO
Astronomy, Hydrodynamics and Stamps

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4R...4.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
What have these to do with each other? Weil, according to Mr. Dumoulin of the ESO Sky Atlas Laboratory in Geneva, very much indeed. In order to ensure a very uniform background density on the glass copies of ESO Schmidt plates. he uses a special machine,. a so-called tray-rocker, to develop these plates. As the name implies, it is really a tray that rocks and rotates so that the developer floats across the plate. from one side to another. In the hope of improving the process. advice was sought from the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne where Messrs. Bruchat. Boillat and Giraud undertook a detailed study of the movements of the. developer as a function of tray geometry, rocking' and rotating rate, etc.
5-5 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Schmidt Telescope Improved

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4Q...5.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Improvements made on the Schmidt telescope during 1974 and 1975 have resulted in an encouraging rise in plate production.
5-5 (PDF)
ESO
Tentative Meeting Schedule

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4R...5.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Tentative Meeting Schedule
6-7 (PDF)
ESO
Some Words About Garching/Munich

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4Q...6.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Now that it has been decided that ESO will establish its European headquarters in Garching, near Munich, in 1978, many ESO employees have become interested in their future surroundings. "How does the ESO site look like ?", "Where should one live in Munich?", etc. are common questions among ESO people in Hamburg and Geneva.
6-6 (PDF)
ESO
Visiting Astronomers - April-September 1976

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4R...6.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Visiting Astronomers - April-September 1976
8-8 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Comet Rounds the Sun

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4Q...8.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Comet 1975n (also known as comet West) was found on three plates from the ESO 1 m Schmidt telescope, taken by brothers Oscar and Guido Pizarro. Early predictions by B. Marsden at the Smithsonian Observatory, Cambridge, Mass. USA, indicated that the comet could become a naked-eye object at the beginning of March 1976, just after perihelion passage on February 25.
8-8 (PDF)
ESO
Algunos Resumenes

ADS BibCode:
1976Msngr...4R...8.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
La sede principal europea de ESO en München; 1a. serie de diapositivas de ESO disponible; Organizacion para el Personal Local, La Silla