Monday December 7, 7:00 p.m.

Bartlesville Public Library

7:15 p.m.

Tips, Lessons Learned, and Resources

for Beginning Astronomy Enthusiasts

by Rich Kowalczyk

Rich will discuss how to get started as a novice astronomy enthusiast.

2016 annual BAS Membership Dues Notice: Thank you to all members who have already renewed membership!

Dues amounts for most renewing members will be $20; Students $10; and couples (or two in a family) $30. Members, only if agreeable to this request, who joined during 2015 are asked to pay a prorated amount to bring all members up to the club renewal month of November, 2016. Treasurer may be contacted at miltvend@sbcglobal.net for BAS mailing address or any other questions concerning dues amounts.

Thank you.

Featured Article: The Future of Exoplanets: The Next 20 Years of Exploration

Twenty years ago this month, the detection of the first planet orbiting a Sun-like star was announce. As we celebrate the anniversary of this historic discovery, we look ahead to see what discoveries we will make in the next twenty years and how we will make those discoveries. You can read up on more of the incredible future of exoplanet research here.

Featured Article: Help Discover Exoplanets

Hunting for exoplanets is not just for astronomers with years of training and specialized equipment-you too can join the hunt for worlds around other stars! There are many citizen science projects you can join to help find more planets and assist in the search for life around other stars. Amateur astronomers also help confirm exoplanets from their own backyards, and have even made a few discoveries of their own! To find out how you can help find exoplanets, check our our mini guide here.

Featured Activity: Keys to the Rainbow

Discover how we learn about stars and the atmospheres of exoplanet s by examining their light in greater detail. Match up the spectra of stars and planets with their atmospheric ingredients. In particular, what ingredients are we looking for in planets that may harbor life? Find out more about this activity here.

The Sky-Watchers Handbook, written by the staff of the ASP and NSN, is out soon!

Night Sky Network Admins David Prosper and Vivian White, along with ASP Director Linda Shore, are pl ease to announce that their new book, The Total Skywatchers Manual, is out next week. This is a fully illustrated and family friendly guide for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.

This quintessential guide will help you choose the best telescope, identify constellations and objects in the night sky, search for extraterrestrial phenomena, plan star parties, capture beautiful space imagery, and much more.

For more information and a few preview pages, go to http://www.astrosociety.org/skywatchers

You can reach both of us any time at nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org

Wishing you clear skies!

Vivian White & David Prosper

The Night Sky Network Team

nightskyinfo@astrosociety.org

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/

Leonid Meteors in 2015: Modest but Moonless

By: Kelly Beatty | November 17, 2015 | Comments 0

This year's Leonid meteor shower, which peaks tonight, will offer modest numbers of "shooting stars" — but might reward you with some dazzling fireballs.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/#sthash.WL34zMh6.dpuf

Comet Catalina Sails Into Northern Skies

By: Bob King | November 11, 2015 | Comments 8

Comet Catalina returns this month with naked-eye potential. Follow its every move with our guide and maps.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/#sthash.Dubb4GJd.dpuf

Taurid Fireballs Continue!

By: Alan MacRobert | November 6, 2015 | Comments 3

Big bits of Comet Encke are streaking into Earth's upper atmosphere and attracting attention around the world, as the Taurid fireball display of 2015 continues.

2015 TB145 — Rogue Asteroid or Dead Comet?

By: Kelly Beatty | October 31, 2015 | Comments 3

Astronomers can't decide whether the sizable object known as 2015 TB145, which is cruising past Earth today, is a renegade asteroid or a dead comet.

Tour November’s Sky: Treats at Dawn & Dusk

By: Kelly Beatty | October 30, 2015 | Comments 1

Bright planets are putting on a show in the predawn sky, and evenings feature a mythical horse flying upside-down across the sky.- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/#sthash.Wlysug4w.dpuf

Close-in Asteroid Offers Halloween Treat

By: Kelly Beatty | October 22, 2015 | Comments 0

The recently discovered asteroid 2015 TB145 won't come especially close to Earth on October 31st, but it's big enough to be seen in medium-size backyard telescopes.

Skyweek from Sky and Telescope Magazine also presents a variety of astronomical events for the naked eye as well as telescope viewing.http://www.skyandtelescope.com/videos/skyweek

November 25 - 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 22:44 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full 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 Hunter's Moon.

December 7 - Conjunction of the Moon and Venus. A conjunction of the Moon and Venus will take place on the morning of December 7. The crescent moon will come with 2 degrees of bright planet Venus in the early morning sky. Look to the east just before sunrise.

December 11 - 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 10:29 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 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 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 Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

December 22 - December Solstice. The December solstice occurs at 04:48 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. This year the waxing gibbous moon will be bright enough to hide most of the fainter meteors. If you are patient, you might still be able to catch some of the brighter 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.

December 25 - 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 11:11 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full 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 Moon Before Yule and the Full Long Nights Moon.

December 29 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 19.7 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.

• • (Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2015.html)

• 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 second quarter moon will block out all but the brightest meteors this year, but it could still be a good show if you are patient. 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 10 - 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 01:30 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.

(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2016.html)

2015 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

January 4, 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.