May 2022
Monday, May 2, 2022 at 7:00 at the library and via Zoom (due to COVID-19)
Due to a Tornado Watch, the meeting has been changed to May 5, 2022 at 7:00pm at the library.
We will also present the meeting via Zoom
Program Topic:
Astrophotography Using a Star Tracker - Rick
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.
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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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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.
Below is a link that will allow your members to directly access the file.
https://www.slasonline.org/events/msral
You can also copy & paste the link to your browser to open the page.
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 5has 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/
People have been watching the annual Lyrid meteor shower for more than 2,700 years. Come join the crowd!
BY: BOB KING APRIL 21, 2022
A distant object in a deep Hubble Space Telescope field could be in transition from ordinary galaxy to brilliant beacon of light.
BY: MONICA YOUNG APRIL 21, 2022
Big winners in the planetary science decadal survey include a Uranus flagship mission, a orbiter and lander for Enceladus, and an emphasis on planetary defense.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON APRIL 20, 2022
Here's what to know if you want to see this hybrid (mostly total) solar eclipse next year.
BY: JAMIE CARTER APRIL 20, 2022
Big winners in the planetary science decadal survey include a Uranus flagship mission, a orbiter and lander for Enceladus, and an emphasis on planetary defense.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON APRIL 20, 2022
Radar measurements of ice on Earth suggest that Jupiter's moon Europa might host water near its surface.
BY: COLIN STUART APRIL 19, 2022
Radar measurements of ice on Earth suggest that Jupiter's moon Europa might host water near its surface.
BY: COLIN STUART APRIL 19, 2022
Even though Neptune is entering its version of summer, it's actually cooling down — except for its poles, which are mysteriously warming up.
BY: COLIN STUART APRIL 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of Defense has released data on some 1,000 bright fireballs. Scientists are still debating if the data confirm an interstellar meteor.
BY: MONICA YOUNG APRIL 11, 2022
Even though Neptune is entering its version of summer, it's actually cooling down — except for its poles, which are mysteriously warming up.
BY: COLIN STUART APRIL 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of Defense has released data on some 1,000 bright fireballs. Scientists are still debating if the data confirm an interstellar meteor.
BY: MONICA YOUNG APRIL 11, 2022
Two microphones on Mars, carried on NASA's Perseverance rover, are for the first time revealing the sounds of another planet.
BY: JEFF HECHT APRIL 8, 2022
It’s never too early to start getting excited — and begin planning — for an event as spectacular as a total solar eclipse.
BY: DIANA HANNIKAINEN APRIL 8, 2022
Two fuzzy red objects in the early universe may be galaxies shining at us from only a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
BY: CAMILLE M. CARLISLE APRIL 7, 2022
At the extremes: A hot Jupiter reveals extreme chemistry on a sizzling world, and a cold Jupiter sheds light on giant planet formation.
BY: MONICA YOUNG APRIL 6, 2022
Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2021.html)
2022
April 29 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 20.6 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 evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
April 30 - 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 20:30 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.
April 30 - Partial Solar Eclipse. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers only a part of the Sun, sometimes resembling a bite taken out of a cookie. A partial solar eclipse can only be safely observed with a special solar filter or by looking at the Sun's reflection. This partial eclipse will be visible throughout most of the southeast Pacific Ocean and southern South America. It will be best seen from Argentina with 53% coverage.
(NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
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 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 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 Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
May 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 04:15 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Flower Moon because this was the time of year when spring flowers appeared in abundance. This moon has also been known as the Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
May 16 - Total Lunar Eclipse. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's dark shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse, the Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red color. The eclipse will be visible throughout all of North America, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of western Europe and western Africa. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
May 30 - 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 11:32 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 14 - Full Moon, Supermoon. 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 11:52 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Rose Moon and the Honey Moon. This is also the first of three supermoons for 2022. The Moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
June 16 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 23.2 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 morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
June 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 09:05 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 29 - 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 02:53 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 13 - Full Moon, Supermoon. 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 18:38 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon. This is also the second of three supermoons for 2022. The Moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
July 28 - 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 17:55 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 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. This is a great year for this shower because the new moon means dark skies for what should be an excellent. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Next Month's BAS Meeting: April 4, 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
John Blaesi
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