Monday, February 1, 7:00 p.m.

Bartlesville Public Library

7:15 p.m.

A Super Simple, Inexpensive, DIY

Astrophotography Tracking Mount

Minimize the tech - concentrate on the art

by Rick Bryant and Abigail Bollenbach

If you are a beginning astronomer or interested in starting your journey into astrophotography, then this presentation is for you. Many astrophotographers get caught up in the science, or more often, the technology used to take astro images. In fact many budding astrophotgraphers end up bypassing the development of many basic skills because of all the flashy bits of technology that are so readily available. In this presentation, we will present a simple DIY tracking system that: (1) minimizes the technology required to take astro images, (2) may help you start learning the basic skills of astrophotography, (3) can grow with you as you develop your skills, and (4) allow you to concentrate on the art of astro imaging.

(Orion, taken 1/15/16, unguided, f2.0, 5sec exposure, ISO 3200, 50mm lens on a Canon 60D, processed with Photoshop Elements, by M Woods)

Texas Star Party – Last chance to sign up now!

The great tradition of dark sky observing continues with the 37th Annual

TEXAS STAR PARTY, May 1-8, 2016!

near Ft Davis, Texas

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 22, 2016.

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/

Find the latest news at:

http://texasstarparty.org/news/

Find out about our new Mirror-making Workshop, where you can make your own mirror during TSP!

https://texasstarparty.org/mirror-making-workshop/

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

Accurate Polar Alignment

By: Alan MacRobert | July 17, 2006 | Comments 1

Long-exposure astrophotography requires an accurately aligned equatorial mount.

- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-equipment/equipment-diy/#sthash.54pqzBDM.dpuf

Live Astrophotography Tutorial: PixInsight Primer

By: Sean Walker | November 4, 2015 | Comments 0

Sky & Telescope is starting a series of webinars with premier astrophotographers that have a look in each of the image-processing software on the market today: our first is an overview of PixInsight with guest expert Warren Keller.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/astrophotography-tips/#sthash.3nyo8I1F.dpuf

Shooting with Modified DSLR Cameras

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | September 7, 2015 | Comments 1

Expanding the spectral response of your camera opens up many new imaging opportunities.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/astrophotography-tips/#sthash.3nyo8I1F.dpuf

The ABC’s of CCD Imaging

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | August 17, 2015 | Comments 0

Follow these simple suggestions to get the most out of your CCD images.

Tips for Shooting Great Nightscapes

By: Babak Tafreshi | August 10, 2015 | Comments 0

Capturing the Earth and sky in one great composition is surprisingly easy.

Deep Sky with your DSLR

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | August 3, 2015 | Comments 1

Getting started in astrophotography has never been easier.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/astrophotography-tips/#sthash.3nyo8I1F.dpuf

How to Start Right in Backyard Astronomy

By: Alan MacRobert | August 1, 2006 | Comments 0

Astronomy doesn't deserve its reputation as a tough, expensive hobby. You just need to begin with the right advice.

- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/stargazing-basics/learn-the-sky/#sthash.qwlK82D6.dpuf

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

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

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 .

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

With Mercury’s Arrival, Five Planets in View

By: Peter Tyson | January 25, 2016 | Comments 1

Early risers have been patiently waiting for the innermost planet to join four others — and the Moon — in the predawn sky. Now they're all in view.

Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2016

By: Kelly Beatty | January 22, 2016 | Comments 2

There will be four eclipses in 2016. Highlights are a total solar eclipse on March 9th (visible from Indonesia) and an annular solar eclipse on September 1st (central Africa). But we'll see just two barely-there penumbral eclipses, on March 23rd and September 16th.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/#sthash.67jBp6mu.dpuf

S&T‘s Astronomy Podcast for January 2016

By: Kelly Beatty | December 30, 2015 | Comments 0

The first month of 2016 offers a close pairing of Venus and Saturn before dawn, a strong meteor shower, and a parade of bright stars after sunset.

Mercury Shines at Dusk This Weekend

By: Alan MacRobert | December 30, 2015 | Comments 0

Mercury is usually a shy and elusive catch for naked-eye skywatchers, but for the next few days it shows itself boldly if you look at the right time.

Meteor Showers in 2016

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | December 28, 2015 | Comments 0

Sky & Telescope predicts that the two best meteor showers in 2016 will be the Quadrantids in early January and the Perseids in mid-August.

What to See with Your New Telescope

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | December 25, 2015 | Comments 2

Thousands of telescopes are given and received as gifts during the holidays. But once you've assembled your new treasure, then what? Moon, stars, planets? The editors of Sky & Telescopemagazine point the way.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/#sthash.j4bXNyMm.dpuf

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

January 24 - Full Moon. 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 01:46 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Wolf Moon because this was the time of year when hungry wolf packs howled outside their camps. This moon has also been know as the Old Moon and the Moon After Yule.

February 7 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 25.6 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.

February 8 - 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 14:39 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.

February 22 - Full Moon. 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 18:20 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Snow Moon because the heaviest snows usually fell during this time of the year. Since hunting is difficult, this moon has also been known by some tribes as the Full Hunger Moon, since the harsh weather made hunting difficult.

March 8 - Jupiter at Opposition. The giant 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 and photograph Jupiter and its moons. A medium-sized telescope should be able to show you some of the details in Jupiter's cloud bands. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter's four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the planet.

March 9 - 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 01:54 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.

March 9 - Total Solar Eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the Sun, revealing the Sun's beautiful outer atmosphere known as the corona. The path of totality will only be visible in parts of central Indonesia and the Pacific Ocean. A partial eclipse will be visible in most parts of northern Australia and southeast Asia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information) (NASA Interactive Google Map)

• • (Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2016.html)

2016 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

March 7, 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.