Next BAS Meeting:

Monday, May 6, 2019

6:30 pm Setup/Social, 7:00 pm Meeting

Bartlesville Public Library, Meeting Room A (second floor)

"Oklahoma Link to the Europa Submarine" by Ian Mitchell

BAS meetings are usually on the first Monday of each month.

Meetings are open to the public and visitors are welcome.

Follow our Facebook page for details on our activities.

Next BYA Meeting:

Monday, May 20, 2019

6:30 pm Setup/Social, 7:00 pm Meeting

Our Savior Lutheran Church, 300 NE Madison Boulevard, Bartlesville

Program: Asterisms

BYA meetings are usually on the third Monday of each month.

BYA is for youth ages seven through high school.

Meetings are open to the public and visitors are welcome. Follow our Facebook page for details.

The next club event is:

Saturday, April 27, 2019 7:45 PM: BAS and BYA Club Members and invited guests for an Ice Cream and Star Party at Bob and Glenda’s. (See directions in your club email.) Bring your camera, binoculars, telescopes, or just a sense of humor and astronomical adventure.

Note: We need volunteers to bring ice cream toppings, cookies, cake, etc. Ice Cream will be provided.

Cancelation: If it is overcast or rainy or icy or below 40 degrees or so windy a tripod does not stand up - don’t come. If cancelled for any other reason an email will be sent to the group as soon as possible.

Backup Date: TBD - It could be the next day...

Details:

Members are asked to bring soft drinks and water..

• Setup at Sunset

• Ice Cream around that time.

• There will be restroom access

• No set ending time - when we get tired or cold

  • Remember star party etiquette

    • No white lights

    • Mind your headlights

    • No bug spray around scopes

    • No smoking

    • No alcohol

    • Leave no trash

    • Thank our hosts!

What’s UP:

• • Sunset: 20:07

  • Astronomical Dusk: 21:42

  • Moon Set: 12:27

  • Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous 56%

  • Planets: Mars

  • Messier Objects

    • 1 - Crab Nebula

    • 38 - Starfish Cluster

    • 44 - Beehive Cluster

    • 45 - Pleiades

  • Lyrids Meteor Shower

  • Comets: Find 12P/West-Hartly

This would be a great time for the youth group or any member to get help with their scope or other help.

Texas Star Party

The great tradition of dark sky observing continues with the 41st Annual TEXAS STAR PARTY, April 28 – May 5, 2019, 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 18, 2019. 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!

https://texasstarparty.org/get-started/

SIGN UP NOW!

You can find out the status of your TSP Registration at any time by visiting:

https://texasstarparty.org/account/

Find the latest news at:

https://texasstarparty.org/news/

We have NEW Texas Imaging Workshops, where you can learn more about imaging from our experts during TSP!

https://texasstarparty.org/tsp-imaging-workshops/

Questions? Visit our web site for the latest and complete details!

https://texasstarparty.org/ or email tsprooms@texasstarparty.org

We look forward to seeing you next April!

Sincerely,

The Volunteers for Texas Star Party

ALCon 2019

The Astronomical League has announced plans for their next national convention, ALCon 2019. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, the Astro League's convention will include a tour of Kennedy Space Center in Florida and a three-day Southern Sky cruise to the Bahamas. It will take place July 25 - 29, 2019. For more information, go to alcon2019.astroleague.org/#ALCon2019

Apps for Consideration

Distant Suns, your personal guide to the cosmos, lists Night Sky Network astronomy club star parties, safe solar gazing events, and lectures in the main navigation bar. Distant Suns is available for Android, Apple iOS, Kindle, and Nook.

SkySafari, a powerful planetarium that fits in your pocket, lists Night Sky Network astronomy club star parties, safe solar observing events, and lectures in the help menu. SkySafari is available for Android and Apple devices and computers.

Family Fun with Sky Watching

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

Clear Sky Predictor for Bartlesville: http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/BrtlsvlOKkey.html

Interesting You-Tube video of photographing the Orion Nebula and processing with Deep Sky Stacker and Photoshop.

Orion Nebula (M42) with a DSLR, Start to Finish - Deep Sky Astrophotography

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

Hubble Confirms Interstellar Buckyballs

By: AAS Nova | April 29, 2019 | Comments 0

From a jumble of confusing clues in Hubble observations of interstellar space, scientists have picked out evidence of a celebrity molecule: ionized Buckminsterfullerene, or buckyballs.

What the First Marsquake Means for NASA’s Insight

By: Javier Barbuzano | April 26, 2019 | Comments 1

After two months, InSight’s seismometer has picked up the first rumblings in Martian soil. Turns out marsquakes may be less frequent than thought.

Third Planet Found Orbiting Binary Star System Kepler 47

By: Steve Murray | April 24, 2019 | Comments 1

Astronomers have found a third planet circling a pair of stars in the Kepler 47 system.

How Astronomers Used Asteroids to Measure Stars

By: David Dickinson | April 23, 2019 | Comments 6

Astronomers have used a unique method and an extraordinary telescope array to reveal the diameters of distant stars.

Astronomers Find Stars Streaming from Our Galaxy’s Biggest Cluster

By: Monica Young | April 22, 2019 | Comments 1

Astronomers have discovered a stream of stars pulled from Omega Centauri, the largest and most brilliant globular cluster around the Milky Way — and perhaps a one-time dwarf galaxy.

Peer Deep Within the Large Magellanic Cloud

By: Sean Walker | April 18, 2019 | Comments 1

A team of amateurs reveals the Large Magellanic Cloud, a galactic neighbor, in an exceedingly deep, high-resolution mosaic.

Astronomers Find Universe’s First Molecule

By: Monica Young | April 17, 2019 | Comments 0

After decades of searching, astronomers have definitively detected helium hydride, the first molecule to form in the early universe.

Sounding Rockets Spark Dramatic Arctic “Aurora”

By: David Dickinson | April 16, 2019 | Comments 0

The spectacular AZURE experiment is the latest of several missions probing the interface of Earth and space over the Arctic.

Israel’s Beresheet Mission Crashes on the Moon

By: David Dickinson | April 12, 2019 | Comments 1

SpaceIL attempted, but missed, a historic first for private spaceflight and Israel — a soft landing on the Moon.

The Martian Methane Mystery Continues

By: Javier Barbuzano | April 11, 2019 | Comments 0

The most advanced instrument ever sent to Mars to study its atmosphere has failed to find any methane after months of searching.

Why Are Two Ghost Galaxies Missing Dark Matter?

By: Monica Young | April 5, 2019 | Comments 6

Ultra-diffuse galaxies are usually dark matter-rich. But astronomers have discovered two of these galaxies that lack dark matter altogether.

What India’s Anti-Satellite Test Means for Space Debris

By: David Dickinson | April 5, 2019 | Comments 6

A recent anti-satellite missile test by India added hundreds of pieces of debris to an already cluttered low-Earth orbit.

Curiosity Sees Phobos Transit . . . After Sunset

By: David Dickinson | April 4, 2019 | Comments 0

NASA's Curiosity rover just spied transits of both Martian moons across the face of the Sun — including one that happened after the Sun had set.

New Study Confirms Methane on Mars – But It’s Not Definitive

By: Javier Barbuzano | April 1, 2019 | Comments 0

Independent methane detections in the Martian atmosphere by the Curiosity rover and Mars Express orbiter add confusion to a convoluted story.

Saturn’s Rings Built Up Its Tiny, Close-in Moons

By: Camille M. Carlisle | March 28, 2019 | Comments 0

A new study of observations from NASA's Cassini sheds light on the tiny moons that orbit within Saturn's vast ring system.

Best View Yet of Baby Giant Exoplanet

By: Monica Young | March 27, 2019 | Comments 1

Astronomers have taken the best spectrum yet of exoplanet HR 8799e, a gas giant in its infancy.

It’s Just 100 Days until the Next Total Solar Eclipse

By: Jamie Carter | March 25, 2019 | Comments 0

Here’s everything you need to know about the first of South America's two total solar eclipses within 18 months.

Quaking Aspen Leaves Inspire Potential Power Source For Mars Rovers

By: David Dickinson | March 25, 2019 | Comments 0

A unique concept could serve as an emergency power backup for future missions.

Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events

(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html)

May 4 - 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 22:46 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.

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 been 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 thin crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving 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 Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

May 18 - Full Moon, Blue Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 21:11 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. Since this is the third of four full moons in this season, it is known as a blue moon. This rare calendar event only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term, “once in a blue moon.” There are normally only three full moons in each season of the year. But since full moons occur every 29.53 days, occasionally a season will contain 4 full moons. The extra full moon of the season is known as a blue moon. Blue moons occur on average once every 2.7 years.

June 3 - 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 10:02 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 10 - 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.

June 17 - Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 08:31 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 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 15:54 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 23 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 25.2 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.

July 2 - 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 19:16 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.

July 2 - 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 the southern pacific Ocean, central Chile, and central Argentina. A partial eclipse will be visible in most parts of the southern Pacific Ocean and western South America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

(NASA Interactive Google Map)

July 9 - 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.

July 16 - 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 21:38 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Buck Moon because the male buck deer would begin to grow their new antlers at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Full Thunder Moon and the Full Hay Moon.

July 16 - 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 Europe, Africa, central Asia, and the Indian Ocean. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

July 28, 29 - 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 28 and morning of July 29. The waning crescent moon will not be too much of a problem this year. The skies should be dark enough for what could be a good 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.

(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html)

2019 BAS Programs

Next Meeting: June 3, Monday. Bartlesville Public Library Meeting Room A (tentative), Presenter: TBA

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 multi-part articles are also welcome. Please submit your contributions to Mike Woods or to bvilleastro@gmail.com.

Bartlesville Astronomical Society is an organization of people interested in astronomy and related fields of science. Membership is open to everyone interested in any aspects of astronomy.

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