September 2011

September 6, 2011 Meeting

Due to the holiday, the meeting will be on the first Tuesday rather than the first Monday

Bartlesville Public Library Meeting Room

6:45 p.m. Setup and open discussion

7:00 p.m. Club Business

7:15 p.m. Introduction to ...

7:30 p.m.

Future Programs Workshop

by Daryl Doughty (Program Chairman)

The program this month will focus on planning future meeting programs. We will discuss new program ideas and solicit feedback for future topics. Feedback from members and interested individuals is critical to the club's ability to provide interesting and informative programs. We will not require anyone to give a presentation, but it should be noted that those attending the meeting will have a chance to defend themselves, while those NOT attending the meeting run the risk of being assigned a program "in absentia". :-)

See you there.

8:15 p.m. Open Discussion

Four Infamous Telescope Myths

by Gary Seronik

(http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/visualobserving/3305656.html?page=3&c=y)

BAS Observing Sites

August 10, 2011

One of the objectives for our club this year was to establish a viewing site for our club. Since last summer we have secured the use of the following sites. Features offered by each includes an unobstructed view of the sky, easy access by car, close proximity to Bartlesville, a reasonably flat observing field, and some arrangement for use free of charge to club members. Because the advantages and limitations are different for each location, circumstances dictate choices.

Skull Creek (Hulah Reservoir). This property is privately owned, but we have recently obtained verbal approval to use the location for stargazing. Best features: Darkest sky in the surrounding Bartlesville area (metered: 21.32-21.36, average conditions). The club has unlimited access. Limitations: No facilities available. Not as close to Bartlesville (40 min drive). Some maintenance is required (mowing the observing field). Primary Use: Site is accessible to club members anytime (contact John Grismore if you intend to use it), and this site offers the best observing sky for serious viewing. Lack of facilities is manageable, but some provisions may need to be made. The Astronomy Club of Tulsa is envious of our dark skies here, and they are considering establishing a presence for their club.

Wah-Shah-She Girl Scout Camp. This property is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts, rented out for many groups (not just scouts). We can use the facility, but its use requires prior approval. Best features: Reasonably dark sky (meter: 20.09-21.05, average conditions). Excellent facilities available (electricity, rest rooms, adjacent dining hall). No site maintenance. Close to Bartlesville (15 min drive). Limitations: Use is subject to availability. Often, the facilities are being used by other groups, and we cannot plan more than 2-3 weeks ahead. Primary Use: When available, this site is the overall best choice for club stargazing activities.

Sooner Park (near swimming pool). This is a public park, and no permission is required for its use. Best features: Located in Bartlesville. No site maintenance. Everyone including the general public knows the location. Limitations: In-town light pollution and surrounding street lamps compromises views of deep sky objects and less bright stars (metered around 18.5). Park closes at 11:00 pm. Primary Use: Currently, this site is the best choice for public events.

Other sites are also being considered, but at this time are not part of normal club use, including the Tuxedo Ball Park, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (Osage County), and other Hulah Reservoir government land areas. Private residences may also sometimes be made available.

• • August 29 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 03:04 UTC.

  • September 12 - Full Moon. The Moon will be directly opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 09:27 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Corn Moon because the corn is harvested around this time of year. This moon is also known as the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the September equinox each year.

  • September 23 - September Equinox. The September equinox occurs at 09:05 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the southern hemisphere.

  • September 25 - Uranus at Opposition. The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This is the best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

  • September 27 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 11:09 UTC.

  • October 1 - Astronomy Day Part 2. Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. The theme of Astronomy Day is "Bringing Astronomy to the People," and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events. You can find out about special local events by contacting your local astronomy club or planetarium. You can also find more about Astronomy Day by checking the Web site for the Astronomical League.

(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2011.html)

2011 Programs

Next Meeting

October 3, Monday. Bartlesville Public Library Meeting Room (tentative)

Newsletter Contributions Needed

Our club newsletter is reaching more people each month, and member contributions in the form of short articles, interesting news items, alerts of upcoming astronomical events or activities, descriptions of personal observations or useful equipment, and observing tips, are encouraged. Recurring columns or multipart articles are also welcome. Please submit your contributions to Mike Woods or to bvilleastro@gmail.com .

BAS Public Website: http://sites.google.com/site/bartlesvilleastronomyclub/

BAS Yahoo Group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BvilleAstro/

If you want to have your email address removed from the Bartlesville Astronomical Society mailing list, please send an email requesting removal to bvilleastro@gmail.com