June 2013

Monday, June 3, 2013

Bartlesville Public Library Meeting Room

6:45 p.m. Setup and Conversation

7:00 p.m. Club Business

7:15 p.m. Current Astronomy News

Object of the Month

7:30 p.m.

Epsilon Auriga

by Brad Ferguson

Brad Ferguson, president of the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club, will talk about an intriguing and puzzling astronomical object. Epsilon Aurigae is a variable star in the constellation of Auriga, the charioteer, one of the prominent northern constellations. It is apparently an eclipsing binary system, where one component periodically passes in front of the main component as seen from Earth. However, the light output from the star system shows exotic properties during the eclipse which have made interpretation interesting and difficult.

Photo by Daryl Doughty

Canon DSLR, focal length 35mm,

Taken 5/25/13

Whether you’re a fan of “Dancing with the Stars” or not, you’ll want to catch

the Dance of the Planets now going on in the western sky just after sunset.

The brilliant planet Venus leads the trio, joined by illusive Mercury and regal Jupiter. The gathering of planets has already begun low on the NW horizon

Venus and Mercury are rising out of the twilight while Jupiter is slipping lower into the twilight. This gathering of planets is called a planetary conjunction. The next triple planetary conjunction will not occur until January 2021. While you’re out don’t forget to check out Saturn in the Midway up in the SE sky.

Check out these weekly short sky videos featuring things to see in the night sky.

Stargazersonline.org is a weekly 5 min video featuring interesting events for star gazers like you.

This episode discusses the planet conjunction http://stargazersonline.org/episodes/1319.html[stargazersonline.org]

Also Sky and telescope has a weekly feature called SkyWeek

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/videos/skyweek/May-20---26-2013-203197461.html[skyandtelescope.com]

Watch the Month long conjunction of Venus and Mercury from May 20 to June 20

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance[skyandtelescope.com]

May 27 - June 2, 2013

The three-planet conjunction continues this week. And Virgo the Maiden takes center stage in the south. It’s home to the quasar 3C 273, the most distant object visible through most backyard telescopes.

Jim Zyskowski sends this link to a wonderful video of the full moon rising over Mt. Victoria Lookout point near Wellington, New Zeeland https://vimeo.com/58385453

The LADEE mission to the Moon is scheduled for launch this September, but we want to get on the radar of NSN clubs for outreach opportunities related to both the launch and mission science now.

The thin lunar atmosphere may be generated in part by meteoroid impacts. The majority of these impacts are too small to be observable from Earth, but there is a correlation between the meteors seen in our own atmosphere and meteoroid impacts on the Moon. Comparing variations in the rates of meteors counted by observers on Earth with changes LADEE’s instruments see in the structure and composition of the lunar atmosphere can help us better understand the role of impacts as a source for the lunar atmosphere.

There's a free app to help you count meteors and automatically submit the data to NASA. It's called Meteor Counter and is available for both Android and iPhone/Pad platforms. Download the Meteor Counter app now and practice so you'll be ready to contribute to the science of our next mission to the moon in the Fall.

To find out more about the LADEE mission, go here:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LADEE/main/get-involved.html

Proposed ALCON 2017 / Total Eclipse Event Member Feedback

The Astronomical League is considering having the 2017 ALCON in Casper, Wyoming so that the attendees may also view the total solar eclipse on August 21st. The path of the maximum eclipse track passes through the southern part of Casper.

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

Current News from Sky and Telescope

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news

Clarity Sought on a Crucial Variable Star — May 24, 2013

SS Cygni, one of the most-watched variable stars, lies at a distance that’s hotly disputed. The truth will determine whether we understand how these types of variables work.

The Ring Nebula's Most Detailed Images — May 23, 2013

New images from the Hubble Space Telescope in orbit, combined with meticulous processing on the ground, reveal whole new depths to an object you've known forever.

A Cosmic Sleight of Hand — May 10, 2013

Astronomers have been waiting for our galaxy’s slumbering supermassive black hole to stir for a snack. Instead, the universe handed them a different treat.

Earth and Moon: Sharing a Drink — May 9, 2013

New analysis of Apollo samples shows that water trapped in eruptions from the Moon's interior have the same isotopic fingerprint as terrestrial water — a key confirmation that the Moon formed after something big hit Earth.

The Mysterious Seven — May 8, 2013

Seven clouds of hydrogen dotting the space between two iconic galaxies might be crumbs from a past encounter or evidence for the elusive cosmic web theorized to fuel galaxy growth.

Brilliant GRB Blast with an Amateur Twist — May 6, 2013

An exceptionally powerful gamma-ray burst on April 27th wowed astronomers around the world — and its fading was tracked by an alert backyard observer.

Lingering Echoes of Comet S-L 9's Demise — May 3, 2013

It's been nearly 19 years since fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 slammed into Jupiter. Recent observations show that water delivered by the comet still lingers in the planet's stratosphere.

Saturn is Making Waves — May 1, 2013

Just as it's coming closest to Earth, the big ringed planet is in the news in multiple ways — including the discovery of a long-lasting hurricane at its north pole.

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

    • May 25 - 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 04:25 UTC. This phase occurs at 11:09 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Flower Moon because this was the time of year when spring flowers appeared in abundance. This moon has also been known as the Full Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.

    • May 28 - Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. Conjunctions are rare events where two or more objects will appear extremely close together in the night sky. The two bright planets will be within 1 degree of each other in the evening sky. The planet Mercury will also will also be visible nearby. Look to the west near sunset.

    • May 25 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the Moon will darken slightly but not completely. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of North America, South America, western Europe, and western Africa. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

    • June 8 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 15:56 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

    • June 12 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury will be at its furthest angle from the Sun, known as greatest elongation. It will be at its highest point in the night sky after sunset. This is the best time to try to view Mercury since it stays so close to the Sun and doesn't usually climb very high above the horizon.

    • June 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 05:04 UTC. The North Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude. This is the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.

    • June 8 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 15:56 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

    • June 23 - 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 11:32 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Strawberry Moon because it signaled the time of year to gather ripening fruit. It also coincides with the peak of the strawberry harvesting season. This moon has also been known as the Full Rose Moon and the Full Honey Moon.

    • July 8 - New Moon. The Moon will be directly between the Earth and the Sun and will not be visible from Earth. This phase occurs at 07:14 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2013.html)

2013 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

July 1, 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

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

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