December 2021
Next BAS Monthly Meeting:
Monday, December 6, 2021 at 7:00 via Zoom (due to COVID-19)
Members will be sent a link to the Zoom meeting. Here is a link to the Join page on our website! If you are not a Club member but would like to attend, please email bvilleastro@gmail.com and ask to have the Zoom link sent to you!
BAS meetings feature presentations on a variety of astronomy and space science topics. Meetings are usually on the first Monday evening of each month and are open to the public. Guests are always welcome. More event details are listed on our calendar.
Program:
Chicxulub Crater - Bob Young
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BAS meetings feature presentations on a variety of astronomy and space science topics. Meetings are usually on the first Monday evening of each month and are open to the public. Guests are always welcome. More event details are listed on our calendar.
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Free online "Introduction to Astronomy" class!
The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society will present a five-part "Introduction to Amateur Astronomy" lecture series online via Zoom.
The lectures will take place biweekly on Saturdays from January 15 to March 12 at 12:00-2:00 Central time (1:00-3:00 Eastern timezone).
To see the announcement for the course: Class brochure
The course is offered at no cost, but you need to register to attend, get the Zoom meeting link, and receive the lecture notes.
To get more information and register: https://www.kasonline.org/amastro.html
This is a great opportunity! Don't miss out!
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ALCON 2022 in Albuquerque, July 28 - 30, at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque.
April 8, 2024, there will be another total eclipse ‘across’ America.
Are you ready?
Do you plan to go?
Don’t wait until 2024 to make your plans!
NASA Site
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsearch/SEsearchmap.php?Ecl=20240408
Weather Site
https://eclipsophile.com/2024tse/
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The great tradition of dark sky observing continues with the 42nd Annual
TEXAS STAR PARTY, April 24 to May 1, 2022!
near Ft Davis, Texas
Greetings from the Texas Star Party!
Hello Everyone!
It is that time of the Year!
On Wednesday November 24, 2022., TSP Management is opening the Application Page for you to apply fot TSP 2022.
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For those members of the Mid-States Region who were unable to attend the annual business meeting this past June, it was announced that the St. Louis Astronomical Society (SLAS) has volunteered to host the MSRAL regional convention in 2022. We are hoping that we can finally get together next year and that we will not experience any last minute cancellations at the request of the League.
The convention chair is Jim Small, who is currently President of SLAS. The Vice-Chair is Mark Jones, who is currently the Secretary of SLAS and MSRAL 2022 Treasurer is Cook Feldman who is a past Treasurer and Board Member of SLAS (this position is only for the MSRAL Convention). All 3 individuals have held these same positions for the 2006, 2014 and 2016 MSRAL Conventions. The St. Louis MSRAL Committee has held 3 planning meetings so far and I would like to let you know we are progressing.
Tentatively, the Convention is scheduled for June 2022. The exact dates in June are dependent upon the availability of the venue(s) to hold the actual meetings. We are currently are pursuing one of 3 possible locations. We do know that the Friday Night Star-B-Que will be held at Jefferson College which is the home of our new Observatory located in Hillsboro, Mo. Hillsboro is located approximately 25 miles southwest of St. Louis County. Directions will be provided as we get closer to the convention date.
As we progress towards our milestone dates, we will attempt to keep everyone updated as to our progress. Please pass this information along to your general membership to keep them in the loop. We are not a region without their participation.
Please stay healthy and take care of yourselves, see you in June 2022.
Cook Feldman
Treasurer, MSRAL 2022 Convention
Reflections on Astronomy
Brief essays about experiences in astronomy.
The email address is bvilleastro+comments@gmail.com .
The BAS now has storage at First Christian Church for club equipment and records. We are trying to consolidate and we are requesting any members with club equipment or records to contact one of the officers to arrange to move the items to storage and log it into our inventory.
Apps for Consideration
Family Fun with Sky Watching
Clear Sky Predictor for Bartlesville:
https://clearskyalarmclock.com/index.php
Sky and Telescope News https://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/
The first-ever planetary defense mission is now on its way to the asteroid Didymos and its moon, Dimorphos.
BY: EMILY LAKDAWALLA NOVEMBER 24, 2021
Astronomers have observed an object like ‘Oumuamua — but unlike the first known interstellar visitor, this one is in the solar system.
BY: MONICA YOUNG NOVEMBER 22, 2021
Astronomers might have spotted a stellar-mass black hole in another galaxy — but not everyone agrees with what they found.
BY: BEN SKUSE NOVEMBER 19, 2021
A quasi-satellite of Earth, named Kamoʻoalewa, might actually be a chip off our Moon.
BY: JEFF HECHT NOVEMBER 16, 2021
Huge chunks and twisted slabs of dark glass are strewn across a patch of the Chilean Atacama Desert. Do they have a cosmic origin?
BY: THOMAS A. DOBBINS NOVEMBER 15, 2021
NASA has revealed the landing site for Intuitive Machines’ ambitious drilling mission, set to launch for the Moon in 2022.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON NOVEMBER 15, 2021
A half century ago, Mariner 9 — our first orbiter at another planet — showed us the real Mars.
BY: DAVID GRINSPOON NOVEMBER 14, 2021
Concerned about light pollution? Join a virtual conference this weekend that looks at ongoing global efforts to mitigate it.
BY: DIANA HANNIKAINEN NOVEMBER 11, 2021
A near-total lunar eclipse will be widely visible across North America on the night of November 18–19. Dress warmly and go for it!
BY: BOB KING NOVEMBER 10, 2021
The latest results from LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA bring several key revelations, including that black holes tend to come with certain masses.
BY: CAMILLE M. CARLISLE NOVEMBER 9, 2021
Massive stars can produce twice as much carbon when they have a close binary companion, according to a new study. The result is a small but important step in understanding the cosmic origin of elements.
BY: JURE JAPELJ NOVEMBER 3, 2021
After decades of studying Venus, many questions remain about our planetary next-door neighbor. One question has particularly intrigued astronomers: which, if any, of Venus’s 1,600 volcanoes are still active?
BY: AAS NOVA NOVEMBER 2, 2021
Astronomers using an innovative method have detected the signal of what could be an extragalactic exoplanet. But confirming its existence will be difficult.
BY: MONICA YOUNG NOVEMBER 1, 2021
NASA’s Juno mission has obtained measurements that finally say just how deep the Great Red Spot goes.
BY: MONICA YOUNG OCTOBER 29, 2021
Journey to a remote planet then double back to check in on the latest stirrings of Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann before touching the finger of dawn.
BY: BOB KING OCTOBER 27, 2021
Astronomers witness the unfurling of a black hole-powered mushroom cloud, a baby super-Jupiter, and a magnetic "tunnel" around the solar system.
BY: MONICA YOUNG OCTOBER 25, 2021
The largest haul of fast radio burst observations ever recorded, all from a single fast radio burst, is helping astronomers understand what causes these fleeting cosmic phenomena
BY: BEN SKUSE OCTOBER 21, 2021
Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2021.html)
November 19 - 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 08:59 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Beaver Moon because this was the time of year to set the beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It has also been known as the Frosty Moon and the Dark Moon.
November 19 - 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 Russia, Japan, the Pacific Ocean, North America, Mexico, Central America, and parts of western South America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
December 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 07:44 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.
December 4- 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 for this eclipse will be limited to Antarctica and the southern Atlantic Ocean. A partial eclipse will bee visible throughout much of South Africa. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information) (Interactive NASA Google)
December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower. The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. It peaks this year on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The waxing gibbous moon will block out most of the fainter meteors this year. But the Geminids are so numerous and bright that this could still be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
December 19 - 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 04:37 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Cold Moon because this is the time of year when the cold winter air settles in and the nights become long and dark. This moon has also been known as the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule.
December 21 - December Solstice. The December solstice occurs at 15:50 UTC. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
December 21, 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower. The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790. The shower runs annually from December 17-25. It peaks this year on the the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. The nearly full moon will be a problem this year, blocking all but the brightest meteors. But if you are patient enough, 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 Ursa Minor, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
2022
January 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 18:35 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.
January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower. The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered in 2003. The shower runs annually from January 1-5. It peaks this year on the night of the 3rd and morning of the 4th. The thin, crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
January 7 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 19.2 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.
January 17 - 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 23:51 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 1 - 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 05:48 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 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 16:59 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Hunger Moon, since the harsh weather made hunting difficult.
February 16 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 26.3 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.
March 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 17:38 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 18 - 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 07:20 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Worm Moon because this was the time of year when the ground would begin to soften and the earthworms would reappear. This moon has also been known as the Crow Moon, the Crust Moon, the Sap Moon, and the Lenten Moon.
March 20 - March Equinox. The March equinox occurs at 15:24 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 spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
Next Month's BAS Meeting: January 3, Monday. 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.
Elected Officers and Board Members:
President
Craig Brockmeier
Vice President
Rick Buck
Secretary
Denise Gregg
Treasurer
Evan Zorn
Appointed Positions and Board Members:
Program Director
Bob Young
Mike Woods
Observing Program Coordinator
Rick Buck
Member-at-Large
Duane Perkins
Member-at-Large
Karen Cruce
Additional Appointed Positions:
Bartian Youth Astronomers Leader
Rick Bryant
Meeting Arrangements Coordinator
Daryl Doughty
Website and Social Media Administrator
Denise Gregg
Astronomical League Coordinator
Denise Gregg
Our officers and some individuals holding other club positions can be reached by email. To send an email, just click on a title above.
Membership Rates
Regular Membership
For age 18 or older. Holds one vote for BAS business.
$25 per year
Student Membership
For age 13 through high school, or age 18 or older and enrolled full-time at a post-secondary educational institution. Holds no vote for BAS business. A student younger than age 13 may join with an adult on a Family Membership.
$10 per year
Family Membership:
Two People
For two people, with at least one member age 18 or older. Holds one shared vote for BAS business.
$30 per year
Family Membership:
Three or More People
For three or more people, with at least one member age 18 or older. Holds one shared vote for BAS business.
$40 per year
Members are eligible for these discounted magazine subscriptions:
Sky and Telescope
Astronomy Technology Today
Astronomy Magazine
Please check with the BAS Treasurer for current discounted subscription rates.
Comments: Send email to bvilleastro+comments@gmail.com or our newsletter editor: bvilleastro+newsletter@gmail.com