Monday, May 1, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

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

Bartlesville Public Library

BAS Board Meeting

room opens at 5:30 p.m.

meeting starts between 5:30 and 5:45

7:15 p.m.

Eclipse Trip Lessons Learned Roundtable

by

BAS Members

Members who have had previous experience with solar eclipse trips

will offer advice on traveling to, and fully experiencing,

the upcoming total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.

Greetings Members,

At our May 1st meeting a Board meeting will be held before the meeting, start time will be 5:30 - 5:45 for that. Then at the regular meeting, we will be voting on a donation to Ranch Heights Elementary for their Literacy Fair that we will be participating at. Also, T-shirts for the Eclipse trip from the youth group, all members of the club will be able to order them, the current price is for 25 t-shirts is $18.75 each, the price goes down for more than 25 so come on members lets push the order up, Kristi will be taking orders at the meeting. I've attached the front and back for your viewing pleasure. See you at the meeting.

Jerry

Sorry wrong price, they are $18.17.

Jerry

okiestarman Koenig

Bartlesville Astronomical Society

The great tradition of dark sky observing continues with the 39th Annual

TEXAS STAR PARTY, May 21-28, 2017!

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 20, 2017.

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

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

Club might be interested in this link - what you might see during the eclipse. Please pass it on.

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

Is the club doing a group buy of solar eclipse glasses? I might be interested in several pair.

Thank you

John Blaesi

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

Resource: It's All Done with Mirrors

These simple demonstrations are a great way to illustrate the path of light as it reflects off of mirrors and how this is used in telescopes, especially if you have ever been asked why the Moon appears "flipped" or "upside down" in your eyepiece! Check out this activity, complete with demo video and list of materials, on the NSN website at:

https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=345

Universe Discovery Guide: The Fate of Our Universe

Universe Discovery Guide for November: The Fate of Our Universe

https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=548

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/

LISA Pathfinder: From Gravitational Waves to Space Dust

By: David Dickinson | April 24, 2017 | Comments 0

LISA Pathfinder, the technology testbed mission for a future gravitational-wave detector, turns out to be a surprisingly good micrometeoroid hunter.

Welcome to LHS 1140b: A Super-Earth in the Habitable Zone

By: David Dickinson | April 19, 2017 | Comments 7

The MEarth exoplanet survey nabs LHS 1140 b, a rocky planet transiting its host star just 41 light-years distant.

Enceladus: Hydrothermal Heating Confirmed

By: Camille M. Carlisle | April 13, 2017 | Comments 2

Astronomers have more evidence that the hidden ocean inside Saturn’s moon Enceladus is heated by hydrothermal activity.

Sun Triggers Ceres’ Fleeting Atmosphere

By: Camille M. Carlisle | April 11, 2017 | Comments 0

Planetary scientists think the Sun may inadvertently create a transitory, tenuous atmosphere around the dwarf planet Ceres — and in an unexpected way.

Comet PanSTARRS (C/2015 ER61) in Outburst and Binocular Bright

By: Bob King | April 5, 2017 | Comments 12

Dawn comet C/2015 ER61 PanSTARRS just underwent a bright outburst and is now an easy binocular object. Take a look before the Moon returns!

Mars Lost Atmosphere to Space

By: Camille M. Carlisle | March 30, 2017 | Comments 3

NASA’s MAVEN mission has confirmed that the solar wind stripped the Red Planet of its atmosphere.

Stars Born in Galactic Wind

By: Camille M. Carlisle | March 27, 2017 | Comments 2

Astronomers have found newborn stars in gas pouring out of a galactic nucleus.

Bright Supernova Erupts in NGC 5643 in Lupus

By: Bob King | March 25, 2017 | Comments 11

A recently discovered supernova in Lupus now shines around magnitude +11.5, bright enough to see in a modest telescope. With photos and maps, we'll get you there. I wished I lived in Georgia and not just for the peach trees and warmer weather. No, I'd be able to get up early tomorrow morning to marvel at…

Skyweek

April 22, 23 - Lyrids Meteor Shower. The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. It peaks this year on the night of the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The crescent moon should not be too much of a problem this year. Skies should still be dark enough for a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

April 26 - 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 12:17 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.

April 29 - International Astronomy Day. Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals. The theme of Astronomy Day is "Bringing Astronomy to the People," and on this day astronomy and stargazing clubs and other organizations around the world will plan special events. You can find out about special local events by contacting your local astronomy club or planetarium. You can also find more about Astronomy Day by checking the Web site for the Astronomical League.

May 6, 7 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. It peaks this year on the night of May 6 and the morning of the May 7. The waxing gibbous moon will block out many of the fainter meteors this year. But if you are patient, you should be able to catch quite a few of the brighter ones. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

May 10 - 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 21:42 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 17 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 25.8 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.

May 25 - 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 19:45 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 3 - Venus at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 45.9 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.

June 9 - 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 13:10 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.

June 15 - Saturn at Opposition. The ringed 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 Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn's rings and a few of its brightest moons.

June 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 04:24 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 24 - 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 02:31 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-2017.html)

2017 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

June 5, 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.