January 2013
January 7, 2013
Bartlesville Public Library Meeting Room
6:45 p.m. Setup and Discussion
7:00 p.m. Club Business
7:15 p.m. Current Astronomy News
Object of the Month
7:00 p.m.
Astro Image Processing Using PhotoShop and Other General Purpose Image Processing Programs
by Bob Young
Adobe PS and other general image processing programs can be used as either a main image processing program or as the final “tweaking” program for Astro imaging.
A surprising amount of information can be obtained from “snapshot” images captured by DSLRs and point and shoot digital cameras; particularly DSLR images captured in RAW format.
Examples of data retrievable from “lowly” JPEG images as well as from RAW images will be shown.
To avoid discriminating against any “dinosaurs” such as myself, a retired paleontologist, examples of data “tweaked” from scanned film (transparency, negative, and print) images will be examined.
If my both my computer knowledge and computer allow, this will be an interactive program and attendees are welcome to bring images to manipulate. Please restrict to JPG, TIF, PSD, or DNG formats.
A little follow-up from our last program
The Star of Bethlehem is a popular topic at planetarium shows this time of year.
One to the best articles on the subject I have read is from a Dec 1996 article From Hillsdale College newsletter Imprimis
http://www.hillsdale.edu/hctools/ImprimisTool/archives/1996_12_Imprimis.pdf
Personally I don’t think it was a planet conjunction. The planets were well know to all ancient cultures even thought the Jewish culture did not “worship” the stars as others did they surely would have known about the planets. Whatever it was it was noticeable to people who studied the sky – much as our astronomy club members do today.
John Land Astronomy Club of Tulsa astroclubbiz@windstream.net
In the Dec 2012 Sky & Tel they are advertising a Great Courses offer on Experiencing Hubble: Understanding the Greatest Images of the Universe
http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1884
Twelve 30 min lectures for $40 plus shipping until Jan 4th
Description says: Because of the highly visual nature of the subject matter, this course is available exclusively on DVD. It features more than 450 visual elements, including breathtaking images from the Hubble Space Telescope, detailed animations and graphics, and historical stock footage.
While searching The Great Courses website I also found a set of 96 lectures on sale for $ 230
Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy, 2nd Edition
http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1810
Are you a science hobbyist?
We need your help with a new National Science Foundation sponsored research study that will investigate the characteristics and educational experiences of people who are active in science hobbies. More and more people are engaging in science hobbies; schools and science centers would like to know more about the characteristics of science hobbyists and how these organizations might better support hobbyists’ networking and education.
What will happen if you take part in the study?
The information gained from this research can help science educators and researchers understand how to better teach science in schools and museums, and how to design better community-based science programs. Participation in this study is voluntary. Information you provide will be anonymous. If you complete the survey, you may elect to enter a drawing for a $100 Target gift card.
Click on this link when you are ready to complete the survey:
http://ncsu.qualtrics.com//SE/?SID=SV_7OOsR9G0Pkp5I2N
We have been contacted by Mrs. Judy Moreland to participate in the upcoming Symphony Under the Stars program. This will be held out at Prairie Song the evening of May 16, 2013. This is a Thursday and Mrs. Moreland told me they are limiting tickets to 100 people and she wants our club to have members out there with telescopes so that we can show and explain the night sky. I checked that date with Stellarium and the night sky will be dark enough by 9 PM to see several prominent objects: Jupiter will be low in the west, setting about 10 PM. The Moon will be easily seen, about 5-6 days from new Moon. Saturn will be easily visible in the constellation, Virgo, in the southeast. The Big Dipper will be high in the sky and other prominent constellations will be visible, including Hercules rising in the northeast with M13.
She mentioned a program they had years ago while Ken Willcox was still with the club, and how he had a large tarp he spread out on the ground with people laying head to head so they could look up easily. She mentioned she worked in a planetarium and how she used a laser pointer to locate objects. When I told her we had members with pointers that could do that out in the open she seemed excited. In order to get set to print up the program notices she needs to know how many of our members would be participating and she needs that information in the next few days. As an inducement, you will get a free meal and an ensemble orchestra program. She would like our members to sit amongst the guests so they could visit with us during the meal. Please let me know if you would be interested as soon as possible. Thanks for your attention.
Daryl Doughty
Moose Jaw Observatory
Telescope workshop 101 - Sat Jan. 5 and Sun Jan. 6 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM
So you got a telescope for Christmas, now what? Tulsa Air & Space Museum (TASM) is here to help!
Bring your telescopes to the planetarium on Saturday, January 5 or Sunday, January 6 from 3-5 pm.
Volunteers from TASM and the Tulsa Astronomy Club will be available for hands-on instruction and help
spark the astronomy bug for this fun and exciting hobby. This is a Telescope 101 class for first time users and those who need to be reacquainted with the scope that’s been hiding in the closet.
Call 918-834-9900 Ext 116 to enroll. Details at http://www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.org/index.php
The great tradition of dark sky observing continues with the 35th Annual TEXAS STAR PARTY, May 5-12, 2013!
Staying on the Ranch in housing, RV, or camping? Staying off-site in other accommodations? Everyone needs to enter the TSP drawing, held in late January. You should submit a Registration/Reservation Request Form to ENTER THE TSP DRAWING before January 15, 2013. This will provide you the highest possible chance of being selected as one of the 500 people who will be able to attend TSP this year.
Follow this link to get started!
http://texasstarparty.org/get-started/
SIGN UP NOW!
You can find out the status of your TSP Registration at any time by visiting http://texasstarparty.org/account/
We have some really neat new stuff for TSP 2013... including
- The 1st annual Texas Imaging Symposium,
- Scope Check Using Resolution Target (SCURT),
- Map my Scope feature
Find out about these and other news at:
http://texasstarparty.org/news/
Questions? Visit our web site for the latest and complete details!
http://www.texasstarparty.org/ or email TSPRooms@TexasStarParty.org
We look forward to seeing you next May!
Sincerely, the volunteers for Texas Star Party
Current News from Sky and Telescope
S&T's Audio Sky Tour for December 2012
Mars lurks low in the west after sunset, just as Jupiter rises dramatically in the east. Meanwhile, a mythic tale unfolds among the stars and constellations overhead.
Using Star Charts and Planispheres.
Radio Astronomy in the Aussie Outback — December 27, 2012
It's not easy to get to the Murchison Radio Observatory in Western Australia. Being in one of the most remote regions of the country means there's hardly any radio interference that might otherwise compromise the astronomical observations. It's one of the most radio-quiet zones on the planet.
Sutter's Mill: A Meteoritic Gold Mine — December 24, 2012
When a brilliant daylight fireball broke apart over California on April 22nd, professional and amateur meteorite hunters sprang into action — and their effort to recover fragments quickly has been dramatically rewarded.
Planets Around Tau Ceti? Not So Fast. — December 20, 2012
News media have pounced on the recent announcement of a five-planet system around Tau Ceti, a nearby Sun-like star. But is the hubbub merited?
Big River on Titan — December 12, 2012
The Cassini spacecraft has spotted what could be the longest river system seen beyond Earth. The river looks like it's feeding into a sea on Saturn's moon Titan.
Toutatis Revealed by Chinese Spacecraft — December 15, 2012
Chang'e 2, a Chinese spacecraft that was orbiting the Moon 18 months ago, has wowed space-watchers around the world by returning detailed images of asteroid 4179 Toutatis taken during a close-in, high-speed flyby.
On the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 17 — December 14, 2012
Forty years after the last human visitors departed the Moon aboard Apollo 17, space historian Andrew Chaikin talks about why we should return.
Spacetime Ripples on the Horizon? — December 7, 2012
Scientists might be closer to detecting one prediction of Einstein's theory of gravity than they thought they were.
What to Know Before You Buy — November 20, 2012
Christmas is just around the corner and telescopes make the perfect gift. But they come in an overwhelming variety of sizes, shapes, and prices. Find out how to make sense of this embarrassment of riches.
Skyweek from Sky and Telescope Magazine also presents a variety of astronomical events for the naked eye as well as telescope viewing.http://www.skyandtelescope.com/videos/skyweek
Let’s Go Stargazing http://www.skyandtelescope.com/letsgo
Lots of activities and information for families and novice astronomers.
Courtesy of John Land, Astronomy Club of Tulsa. astroclubbiz@windstream.net
December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower. Considered by many to be the best meteor shower in the heavens, the Geminids are known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour at their peak. The peak of the shower usually occurs around December 13 & 14, although some meteors should be visible from December 6 - 19. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Gemini. This year the new moon will guarantee a dark sky for what should be an awesome show. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight from a dark location.
December 21 - December Solstice. The December solstice occurs at 11:12 UTC. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the southern hemisphere.
December 28 - 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 10:21 UTC.
January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower. The Quadrantids are an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on January 3 & 4, but some meteors can be visible from January 1 - 5. The near last quarter moon will hide many of the fainter meteors with its glare. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation Bootes.
January 11 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 19:44 UTC.
January 27 - 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 04:38 UTC.
February 10 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 07:20 UTC.
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2013.html)
2013 BAS Programs
Next Meeting
February 4, 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 .
Bartlesville Astronomical Society - Membership
B.A.S. is an organization of people interested in Astronomy and related fields of science.
The current officers are:
The current board members are:
Additional club positions:
Membership is open to everyone interested in any aspects of astronomy.
Adult. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00
Students (through 12th grade) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00
Magazine Subscription (reduced rate for members)
Sky & Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $32.95
Astronomy Technology Today Magazine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.00
Astronomy Magazine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34.00/yr
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
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