Monday October 5, 7:00 p.m.

Bartlesville Public Library

7:15 p.m.

Mars update

Virgil Reese

Virgil will discuss all the latest news about Mars, including NASA’s just announced discovery of compelling evidence that liquid water currently flows on the surface. This will be a timely topic, since 20th Century Fox is releasing “The Martian” just three days before, as a teaser for Virgil’s talk. :-)

White House Astronomy Day: October 19

NSN member clubs are invited to host outreach events on White House Astronomy Day this October 19th. White House Astronomy Day events have been held since 2009, and serve to expand the public's knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in an informal setting and to entice young people to become the next generation of great scientists, engineers and inventors in our fast-paced and technology-driven world.

The White House will be hosting their own special event this October 19. Scientists, engineers, and luminaries from the space industry and astronomy will gather on the South Lawn of the White House for an evening of fascinating talks and stargazing. Astronomy clubs are invited to host their own events in conjunction with the White House and help bring the wonders of STEM to their own communities from sidewalks, libraries, observatories, museums, and parks across the country! If you or your club are interested in partnering with the upcoming White House Astronomy Night, let the organizers know here.

The Sky-Watchers Handbook, written by the staff of the ASP and NSN, is out soon!

Night Sky Network Admins David Prosper and Vivian White, along with ASP Director Linda Shore, are pl ease to announce that their new book, The Total Skywatchers Manual, is out next week. This is a fully illustrated and family friendly guide for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.

This quintessential guide will help you choose the best telescope, identify constellations and objects in the night sky, search for extraterrestrial phenomena, plan star parties, capture beautiful space imagery, and much more.

For more information and a few preview pages, go to http://www.astrosociety.org/skywatchers

Featured Article: Help Discover Exoplanets

Hunting for exoplanets is not just for astronomers with years of training and specialized equipment-you too can join the hunt for worlds around other stars! There are many citizen science projects you can join to help find more planets and assist in the search for life around other stars. Amateur astronomers also help confirm exoplanets from their own backyards, and have even made a few discoveries of their own! To find out how you can help find exoplanets, check our our mini guide here.

You can reach both of us any time at nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org

Wishing you clear skies!

Vivian White & David Prosper

The Night Sky Network Team

nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org

Join us at the annual Eldorado Star Party (ESP),

October 5-10, 2015.

Just for amateur astronomers who want dark skies and a protected

environment, the 7,100 acre X-Bar Ranch is 20 miles WNW of Sonora,Texas.

Sponsored by the Austin, San Antonio, and Fredricksburg astronomy clubs,

and assisted by volunteers throughout Texas, this event brings dark skies closer

to the amateur astronomer... ESP's central location is within easy

driving distance of many Texas cities... 3 hours west of San Antonio,

and 5 1/2 to 6 hours from Dallas and Houston.

The site is eight miles north of Interstate-10, and has a convenient

all-weather road and nearby light-shielded parking area at the observing

fields. The main observing area includes power for telescopes and

equipment, and is organized so that you may drive on-off from the nearby

parking area at night without impacting the observers on the fields.

The same darkout rules that you see at TSP will be in effect here!

Here's some of what you will find at this year's ESP:

* Star party activities including special observing programs, afternoon speakers,

and doorprizes. And don't miss the nearby Caverns of Sonora!

* Camping (and hot water showers), special rates at nearby motels, catered meals.

* New! Safari Bed Tent! You can sleep in a comfortable bed on site and

avoid the drive to a motel at a nearby town. Or if you already enjoy camping at ESP,

now you can avoid the transport/setup/take down of your own tent, and get a real bed!

* Internet available at Lodge and observing field.

* Convenient ONLINE registration and payment via check or credit card!

Want to learn more? There's lots of information on the ESP web site!

Register online NOW at:

http://www.eldoradostarparty.org

Pre-register soon, to save money before our rates go up!

Hello BAS Members --

With so many people interested in AstroPhotography in the group, we have thought of having a "Astro Picture of the Month" competition each month at our meetings.

Entry Rules:

Send one picture of the night sky/ object of the current month with a description of the picture and the equipment used to take this.

Mail it to bvilleastro@gmail.com.

Best picture is chosen in the next meeting and uploaded to our Facebook/Twitter pages with your mention!

So let the entries pouring in for our next meeting on the Feb 2, 2015.

Thanks

BAS President .

Take the Future of Amateur Astronomers Survey

The Night Sky Network is doing a new survey of amateur astronomers located in the United States. We are attempting to understand the landscape of educational outreach performed by astronomy clubs and assess the needs of the amateur astronomy community for the next 5 years. We want to hear your voice.

Please let us know what your needs are and how we can better help you and your clubs by taking our survey, located here: http://bit.ly/2014astrosurvey

Pass this announcement along to any other persons or organizations that would have an interest in this survey as well. Thank you all!

You can see daily images of the Sun on www.Spaceweather.com

See a Fantastic image comparing sunspot to size of earth

http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=18&month=10&year=2014

Sky and Telescope News http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news

Is the Milky Way’s Black Hole Feeding?

By: Monica Young | September 24, 2015 | Comments 1

The answer is a tantalizing maybe. Astronomers are investigating whether an increase in the number of flares from Sgr A* are due to the recent close passage of a dusty object known as G2.

Beautiful, Informative Maps of the Moon

By: Kelly Beatty | September 24, 2015 | Comments 1

A pair of poster-size lunar maps, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, let you roam around the Moon's surface and explore the lunar landscape.

New Mid-size Black Hole

By: Camille M. Carlisle | September 22, 2015 | Comments 0

Astronomers think a bright X-ray source in the galaxy NGC 1313 is a mid-size black hole.

White Dwarf Stars with Hiccups

By: Natalia Guerrero | September 21, 2015 | Comments 1

Observations of two cool white dwarfs show irregular outbursts in the stars’ otherwise steady rhythm of pulsations.

New Pluto Panorama Shows Jumbled Peaks

By: Kelly Beatty | September 18, 2015 | Comments 1

A striking, just-released image from NASA's New Horizons mission shows a crescent Pluto panorama. Dramatic backlighting accentuates the dwarf planet's surprisingly rugged mountains.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/#sthash.vduH4iCT.dpuf

F-Hunters Needs Solar Observers (Sept. 19–27)

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | September 14, 2015 | Comments 0

Does your version of stargazing involve pointing your telescope at the Sun? With the right equipment, you can aid a project that aims to catch a solar flare in the act of erupting. The observing campaign is coming up soon: September 19 - 27, 2015.

Best-yet New Horizons Views of Pluto

By: Kelly Beatty | September 11, 2015 | Comments 2

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has returned high-resolution, richly detailed images of Pluto and its moon Charon, revealing surfaces that are confounding in their complexity.

Twin Stars Simplify Distance Measurements

By: Shannon Hall | September 10, 2015 | Comments 0

A new technique that relies on identifying stellar twins yields a novel way to measure the distances to stars.

New View of Ceres’ Amazing Spots

By: Camille M. Carlisle | September 10, 2015 | Comments 2

The latest image from NASA's Dawn spacecraft reveals structure in the bright spots on the asteroid 1 Ceres.

Watch This Month’s Lunar Eclipse Live!

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | September 8, 2015 | Comments 1

Visit SkyandTelescope.com on the night of September 27th to watch our exclusive webcast of the last total lunar eclipse anywhere until 2018.

ISS Photos Yield “Cities at Night” World Map

By: Babak Tafreshi | September 5, 2015 | Comments 1

Researchers on the ground have combed through a trove of images taken by orbiting astronauts to reveal unprecedented details about light pollution streaming from Earth's major cities.

Kuiper Belt Target Picked for New Horizons

By: Kelly Beatty | September 3, 2015 | Comments 7

A small body known as 2014 MU69, found by the Hubble Space Telescope barely a year ago, will be the next destination for NASA's New Horizons spacecraft.

Amateurs Help Discover Rare Eclipsing Binary

By: David Dickinson | September 1, 2015 | Comments 4

A collaboration of amateur and professional astronomers has uncovered a rare variety of eclipsing binary star - and a supernova in the making.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/#sthash.TyloXCbZ.dpuf- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/#sthash.TyloXCbZ.dpuf

Tour September’s Sky: A Lunar Eclipse!

By: Kelly Beatty | August 31, 2015 | Comments 0

This month's stargazing features pretty planetary treats in the eastern sky before dawn — and the last total lunar eclipse visible until 2018.

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

September 23 - September Equinox. The September equinox occurs at 08:21 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 28 - Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 02:50 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. This is also the second of three supermoons for 2015. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual. This will be the closest full moon of the year.

September 28 - Total Lunar Eclipse. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's dark shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse, the Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red color. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and western Asia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

October 1 - Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina. Newly discovered comet C/2013 US10 Catalina may reach naked eye visibility on October 1. The comet will continue to brighten and could reach magnitude 5 by November 6.

October 8 - Draconids Meteor Shower. The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, which was first discovered in 1900. The Draconids is an unusual shower in that the best viewing is in the early evening instead of early morning like most other showers. The shower runs annually from October 6-10 and peaks this year on the the night of the 8th. The second quarter moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. If you are patient, you may be able to spot a few good ones. Best viewing will be in the early evening from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

October 11 - 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. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. 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.

October 16 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 18.1 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

October 13 - New Moon. The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 00:06 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.

October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower. The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. It peaks this year on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. The first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight leaving fairly dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

October 26 - Venus at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 46.4 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the bright planet in the eastern sky before sunrise.

October 26 - Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. A conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will take place on October 26. The two bright planets will be visible within 1 degree of each other in the early morning sky. Look to the east just before sunrise for this impressive planetary pair.

October 27 - Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 12:05 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Hunters Moon because at this time of year the leaves are falling and the game is fat and ready to hunt. This moon has also been known as the Travel Moon and the Blood Moon. This is also the last of three supermoons for 2015. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

October 28 - Conjunction of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. A rare, 3-planet conjunction will be visible on the morning of October 28. The planets Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will all form a tight 1-degree triangle in the early morning sky. Look to the east just before sunrise for this spectacular event.

November 5, 6 - Taurids Meteor Shower. The Taurids is a long-running minor meteor shower producing only about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams. The first is produced by dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10. The second stream is produced by debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke. The shower runs annually from September 7 to December 10. It peaks this year on the the night of November 5. The second quarter moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year. If you are patient, you may still be able to catch a few good ones. Best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Taurus, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

November 11 - New Moon. The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 17:47 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-2015.html)

2015 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

November 2, 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.