Monday, August 7, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Setup and Casual Conversation starting at 6:30 p.m.

Bartlesville Public Library

7:15 p.m.

The Apollo Missions

by

Karen Cruce

A brief history of Man's quest to explore the Moon.

All sorts of unexpected solar eclipse tips:

Like bring a red light – During Totality you’ll need it to see setting on your equipment.

Cautions about the fact that the basic infrastructure of our complex social life will likely be overwhelmed with the numbers of people crowding into the path of totality.

Cell service, Internet will likely be jammed.

BRING cash because your plastic may not work!

Traffic will be gridlocked in many places- so be sure you have a full tank of gas as supplies may run low.

Bring your own snacks and water. Even bring personal hygiene supplies if you’re going to a heavily populated destination.

The following is a good interactive map to view details of the eclipse, including time of start and time of end for totality by any location.

USA - 2017 August 21 Total Solar Eclipse - Interactive Google Map ...

2017 August 21 Total Solar Eclipse in the United States of America (Great American Eclipse) by Xavier Jubier.

2017 Total Solar Eclipse: A Guide to Totality on August 21, 2017

(http://www.skyandtelescope.com/total-solar-eclipse-august-2017/)

Emmanuele Sordini / Online Photo Gallery

The Moon's umbral shadow will cross the continental United States on August 21, 2017, creating a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse visible to millions. This is one celestial event that people will be talking about for years to come.

We've assembled the resources here to help you prepare for this grand celestial spectacle. From how to watch to where to stay, you'll find what you need to make the most of this total solar eclipse.

Watch the solar eclipse safely

Plan for the eclipse with maps, timing information, and weather forecasts

Find eclipse-day events and places to stay

Spread the word! Resources for education and public outreach

Participate in eclipse citizen science

Warning FAKE ECLIPSE glasses being sold online

NASA has issued a warning about untested uncertified Eclipse glasses from overseas manufacturers being sold online.

http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/fake_glasses.htm

How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely

https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/safe-viewing

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/august-21-2017-solar-eclipse-4-planets-bright-stars

Link to a photography blog regarding the Eclipse:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/outdoors/features/mark-your-calendars-north-american-solar-eclipse-2017?utm_medium=Email%201624387&utm_campaign=Content&utm_source=WeeklyContent%20160827&utm_content=Explora&utm_term=mark-calendars-north-american-solar-eclipse-2017

Have your hotel ready?

John Blaesi

Featured Resource: 2017 Solar Eclipse Resource List

Are you ready for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse? Is your community ready? Check out this collection of resources to prepare the 99% of the country who will see a partial eclipse. Find the list at: https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=588

MSRAL Society Presidents and ALCors:

Please encourage your members to mark their calendars now for an exciting 2017 Mid-States convention, scheduled for June 9-11, 2017 at MO State University in Springfield, MO. The convention is being jointly sponsored by the Springfield Astronomical Society and the Ozarks Amateur Astronomers Club.

We have many wonderful speakers scheduled, including Dr. Angela Speck, University of MO-Columbia, who is giving a presentation on the 2017 Total Solar. We are inviting your society members to give papers as well (see contact information below).

Since the university is between sessions, some economical lodging will be available in University student housing, for approximately $30 per person per night. Hotels with convention rates will be announced soon.

Please make sure we have the website url for your society so we can list it on the MSRAL page to further showcase what is happening with your group.

MORE REGISTRATION AND OTHER INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON, SO CHECK THE CONVENTION WEBSITE OFTEN!

The contact information for the event is: Henry Stratmann, Chair

hgstratmannjr53@gmail.com

(417) 631-5202

http://www.springfieldastronomy.org/index.asp?Q=MSRAL

Here’s another reminder that amateur astronomers can make important contributions to science.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/amateur-observers-discover-asteroid-moon/

John G

Family Fun with Sky Watching

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/stargazing-basics/family-projects-and-experiments/

Hello BAS members

Please use link below to access Member Presentations.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4CQup8TdDvCfnBiUlE5RURWWTl4Y0IyVVlyMnVwWlVtQW9uWnAxTDJHMHk4VmVuNFkxeXc

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/

Saturn Surprises Right Up Until Cassini’s End

By: David Dickinson | July 31, 2017 | Comments 0

Saturn keeps its secrets as NASA's Cassini spacecraft heads towards its September grand finale.

Star Party Season

By: JR | July 31, 2017 | Comments 0

After a slog through this spring's wet and cloudy weather, it was a relief to hit the clear skies of summer. Most of my observing happens from my backyard, of course, but I always have one eye on my calendar, counting down the days to when I can start packing for my first summer star party.…

Stellafane: A Weekend on Breezy Hill

By: Sean Walker | July 28, 2017 | Comments 4

Several hundred amateurs gathering on Breezy Hill in Springfield, Vermont for the 82nd annual Stellafane convention.

Globular Clusters for Faint Galaxies

By: AAS Nova | July 28, 2017 | Comments 0

The origin of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) has posed a long-standing mystery for astronomers. New observations of several of these faint giants with the Hubble Space Telescope are now lending support to one theory.

Sky Surprises: New Comet ASASSN1, Nova in Scutum, and Supernova in Pisces!

By: Bob King | July 26, 2017 | Comments 23

Between the discovery of the new comet ASASSN1 and two stellar explosions, there's a lot happening in the sky this week. Take your telescope out and see what all the excitement's about.

Amateur Observers Find an Asteroid’s MoonBy: Kelly Beatty | July 14, 2017 | Comments 1

A team of amateurs observers, some armed with just 3-inch telescopes, have found that the main-belt asteroid 113 Amalthea probably has a small companion.

By Jove! Juno Images Jupiter’s Great Red Spot

By: David Dickinson | July 13, 2017 | Comments 1

NASA's Juno Spacecraft delivers stunning closeup views of Jupiter's famous swirling Great Red Spot storm.

Incredible Resolution: Reconstructed Galaxy Pushes Hubble’s Limits

By: Janine Myszka | July 13, 2017 | Comments 2

Thanks to the effects of gravitational lensing, a team of astronomers was able to reconstruct a distant galaxy and study its unexpectedly clumpy star forming regions.

Let’s Find Pluto!

By: Bob King | July 12, 2017 | Comments 6

At opposition this week and as bright as it will be for the next 190 years, it's time to find your way to Pluto, a frigid enigma at the edge of night.

“Gecko Gripper” Tech to Clean Up Space Junk

By: David Dickinson | July 6, 2017 | Comments 1

Researchers are figuring out how to use a nature-inspired "gecko gripper" technology to solve the mounting problem of space debris.

NASA Eyes “Ice Giant” Missions in the 2030s

By: David Dickinson | June 29, 2017 | Comments 5

A recent NASA study outlines possible dedicated missions to the "ice giant" planets Uranus and Neptune that might leave Earth as early as 2030.

NEAF 2017 Astronomy Equipment Videos

By: The Editors of Sky & Telescope | June 23, 2017 | Comments 1

Dennis di Cicco interviews several vendors about their newest products — watch and find out full details on new lines of astronomy equipment.

NASA Closes Out Its Asteroid Redirect Mission

By: David Dickinson | June 22, 2017 | Comments 3

Following the release of the 2018 budget, the space agency has ordered an “orderly closeout” for the Asteroid Redirect program.

A Partly Cloudy Exoplanet

By: AAS Nova | June 22, 2017 | Comments 3

Direct imaging of exoplanets was once only possible for the brightest of planets orbiting the dimmest of stars — but improving technology is turning this into an increasingly powerful technique. In a new study, direct-imaging observations of the Jupiter-like exoplanet 51 Eridani b provide tantalizing clues about its atmosphere.

NASA Closes Out Its Asteroid Redirect Mission

By: David Dickinson | June 22, 2017 | Comments 2

Following the release of the 2018 budget, the space agency has ordered an “orderly closeout” for the Asteroid Redirect program.

New Wrinkles in the Search for “Planet X”

By: Kelly Beatty | June 21, 2017 | Comments 2

Are astronomers being misled about a possible ninth planet by the quirky alignment of orbits that they’re finding in the distant Kuiper Belt?

Eclipse 2017: T–2 Months and Counting

By: Janine Myszka | June 21, 2017 | Comments 1

With two months to go until the total solar eclipse on August 21, it's time to get planning — if you haven't already!

Skyweek

July 29, 30 - Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to August 23. It peaks this year on the night of July 29 and morning of July 30. The crescent moon will set by midnight, leaving dark skies for what should be a good early morning show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

July 30 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 27.2 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 evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.

August 7 - 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 18:11 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Sturgeon Moon because the large sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon.

August 7 - Partial Lunar Eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, or penumbra, and only a portion of it passes through the darkest shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse a part of the Moon will darken as it moves through the Earth's shadow. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of eastern Africa, central Asia, the Indian Ocean, and Australia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

August 11,12 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 11 and the morning of August 12. The waning gibbous moon will block out many of the fainter meteors this year, but the Perseids are so bright and numerous that it should still be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

August 21 - 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 18:30 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.

August 21 - 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. This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime event for viewers in the United States. The last total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States occurred in 1979 and the next one will not take place until 2024. The path of totality will begin in the Pacific Ocean and travel through the center of the United States. The total eclipse will be visible in parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina before ending in the Atlantic Ocean. A partial eclipse will be visible in most of North America and parts of northern South America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information | Detailed Zoomable Map of Eclipse Path)

September 5 - Neptune at Opposition. The blue 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 Neptune. Due to its extreme distance from Earth, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

September 6 - 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 07:03 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.

September 12 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 17.9 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.

September 20 - 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 05:30 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.

September 22 - September Equinox. The September equinox occurs at 20:02 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.

• • (Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2017.html)

2017 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

September 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.