November 2020 Meeting Notes

Bartlesville Astronomical Society Minutes

November 2, 2020

13 were present for tonight’s meeting, ten members and three visitors, including a visitor from the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club

Thank you to Denise Gregg and Evan Zorn for Zoom setup

The library still unavailable for meetings. We will continue to have meetings via Zoom, probably at least through January and possibly further into next year.

Thanks to John Grismore, John Blaesi, Mike Woods, and others for the Shut-in Newsletter and our regular newsletter

Minutes of previous meeting as posted online by Denise were approved

Treasurer’s Report – Evan:

• • Ending balance Sept. 30 $2963.92

  • Added four ($500-each) Volunteer Grants, three from COP and one from P66, totaling $2000.00

  • No expenses this month

  • Ending balance Oct. 31 $4963.92

    • Committee Reports:

  • Astronomical League news and activities - Rick Buck. Rick wasn’t in attendance.

  • Youth club (BYA) news - Rick Bryant. Rick wasn’t in attendance. The BYA is starting to meet again, but outside only, with precautions. Adults without youth are not to attend, but if you would like to help Rick Bryant with telescopes, contact him.

  • Library Display – Update: Rescheduled for April 2021. If you need anything from the storage room at First Christian Church in the meantime, let Craig know.

    • Old business:

    • Need Astronomical League coordinator - Rick Buck has been filling in for Kristi

    • Need web wizard and social media wrangler – Denise has been filling in for Derek

    • Denise has written a manual/cookbook for web administration - Thanks!

    • Need someone with Facebook and Twitter skills

    • New business:

    • Elections:

  • Candidates for office--

  • President - Craig Brockmeier

  • Vice President - Richard Buck

  • Secretary - Denise Gregg

  • Treasurer - Evan Zorn

  • At Large - Duane Perkins

  • At Large - Karen Cruce

  • Appointed positions

  • Astronomical League Coordinator - Denise Gregg

  • Observing programs - Richard Buck

  • Bartian Youth Astronomers - Rick Bryant

  • Newsletter - Mike Woods

  • Meeting program - Bob Young

  • Meeting arrangements - Daryl Doughty

  • Web site and social media - Denise Gregg

    • Other nominations? None were made at the meeting.

    • John Blaesi moved that we accept the nominations by acclamation, and this was approved by all members present. Those who voted in advance by mail and by phone also approved the above slate in advance.

    • Dues for 2021: Dues for current members are extended to 2021, but if any current members would like to pay dues, they certainly can.

    • Adult $25

    • Student $10

    • Family $30 for 2, $40 for 3 or more

    • If you would like to mail a check, mail to:

    • Bartlesville Astronomical Society

    • PO Box 302

    • Bartlesville, OK 74005

    • Website migration from Classic Google Sites to New Google Sites:

    • This has to be done before end of 2021, and hope to have done by end of February, in case links and/or QR codes change. (We would then need to update and reprint materials in time for the April library display.)

    • Astronomy News and Events:

  • Astronomy News - Abby Bollenbach—Abby wasn’t present this evening, but we still have updates! She has been making presentations for Astronomy magazine. Her latest two are on Saturn’s rings and The Artemis Missions - View at http://astronomy.com , then click on the Videos tab

  • Astronomy Club of Tulsa

    • • At their last meeting, they had a presentation on Understanding the Active Sun by Dr. Aaron Coyner - check it out on youtube.com

      • John Land - Anything to announce? John wasn’t present at this meeting.

  • Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Zoom meetings:

  • November 7, December 6, January 9, February 6 Virtual viewing sessions using a 20” telescope in Arizona

  • Introduction to Astronomy - January 12 - 2 days a week for 12 weeks

  • Introduction to Amateur Astronomy - January 23 5 sessions 2 every 2 weeks

  • Need to register online!

  • Member photos—None this evening

    • Upcoming astronomical events:

  • Asteroid near pass-bys this month:

  • November 2—asteroid 2018 VP1

  • November 29—asteroid (153201) 2000 WO107--may be visible in a 6-8 inch telescope approximately 500m size; 12-magnitude asteroid between Castor and Betelgeuse. Anyone going to try to see it?

  • Asteroid near pass later on: Apophis on April 13, 2029; it will pass within 31000 km of Earth, on a less than geosynchronous orbit

  • Leonids meteor shower - November 16-17

    • Club Events:

  • School star parties: Rick Buck

  • Dewey School - TBA

  • St. Luke’s - TBA

  • Wayside School - TBA

  • Osage Hills First Light midnight hike on Jan. 1, 2021 - Will we have it? Don’t know yet.

  • Other club events? None brought up.

    • Tonight’s Program on Osage Hills Dark Skies - John Blaesi and Nick Conner:

    • “Osage Hills State Park International Dark Sky Park Designation”

    • Ranger Nick, Park Manager at Osage Hills State Park, was unable to join us this evening, but John did an excellent presentation!

  • Osage Hills would like to obtain Dark Sky Park status from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).

  • The IDA is the recognized authority on light pollution and is the leading organization combating light pollution worldwide with this singular purpose—to protect the night from light pollution. Their website is www.darksky.org.

  • As of right now, there aren’t any certified dark sky places in Oklahoma, although there are good dark sky areas in Oklahoma, especially in the southeast and northwest areas of the state. When you take into account Oklahoma’s 50 state parks, 2 large wildlife management areas and 5 national wildlife refuges, Oklahoma has the potential to become a leader within America’s dark sky movement.

  • An IDA Dark Sky Park is defined as a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.

  • To become a Dark Sky Park, there is a rigorous application process, requiring applicants to demonstrate robust community support for dark sky protection and to document designation-specific program requirements. This is where we as a Club can help!

  • Basic steps in the application process:

  • Measure the dark sky (sky quality survey)

  • Create a lighting inventory

  • Establish a Lighting Management Plan (LMP)

  • Apply for Dark Sky Park designation

  • Implement Lighting Management Plan

  • Promote the dark sky

  • Maintain activities

• • Sky quality survey requirements: Measurements taken monthly, quarterly and yearly, from the Park entrance, bike trails and tennis courts. These need to be taken after astronomical dusk, and within five days either side of the New Moon. Three to five measurements need to be taken at each site each time it is measured. Need volunteers!

  • Lighting inventory requirements: Identify each outdoor fixture and light containment for indoor fixtures. Need volunteers!

  • LMP: This is a written policy, approved by Park management, including plans such as:

  • Use of outdoor lights

  • Appropriate shielding of any visible lights

  • Lighting controls

  • Lighting color and brightness

  • Regulated visitor lighting within reasonable limits

  • Regulation of temporary lighting

  • Application for Dark Sky Park designation:

  • Phase I—Initial inquiry: This is already completed! In October, this was sent in, and it got a good response from the IDA!

  • Phase II—Formal application: This takes 1-3 years

  • Phase III—Certification: This takes 90-150 days

  • After implementation, the Park lighting must be brought up to the level of the LMP within 10 years, with interim timelines

  • After implementation, Osage Hills is to promote dark sky leadership involving project work and dark sky public education. Project work can involve working with external partners and/or nearby municipalities. Dark sky public education includes interpretive programs four or more times a year; promoting dark sky through publications and/or social outreach programs; and public signage identifying the Dark Sky Park.

  • Need volunteers with the above!

  • Maintenance activities include:

  • Annual report, including dark sky readings; park activities and initiatives; list of events and outreach efforts; lighting retrofit projects

  • Updating the LMP

  • Establishing dark sky events and outreach

  • What can our Club do?

  • Assist with IDA planning and paperwork

  • Regular sky quality measurements

  • Help with Park dark sky educational clinics, such as by creating canned programs; doing nighttime show-and-tells; and working with the Park to promote astronomical events

  • Promote and use the Dark Sky overall

  • Tell Nick how much you enjoy going to Osage Hills. Send pictures and say thank you!

  • Volunteer!

    • Next meeting - December 7--Upcoming program to be determined

    • Volunteers needed for upcoming meetings - Bob Young

    • Ice cream at virtual Braum’s!!!