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.

Video: Using Star Charts and Star Wheels

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | March 24, 2011 | Comments 6

Watch S&T senior editor Alan MacRobert show and explain how to use star charts and planispheres (star wheels).

Make a Star Wheel

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | April 15, 2007 | Comments 1

Would you like to be able to navigate your way around the night sky with confidence? Using this simple, easy-to-make Star Wheel, you can "dial the sky" for any time or date.

How to Start Right in Backyard Astronomy

By: Alan MacRobert | August 1, 2006 | Comments 0

Astronomy doesn't deserve its reputation as a tough, expensive hobby. You just need to begin with the right advice.

- See more at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/stargazing-basics/learn-the-sky/#sthash.qwlK82D6.dpuf

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/

What to See with Your New Telescope

By: The Editors of Sky Telescope | December 25, 2015 | Comments 0

Thousands of telescopes are given and received as gifts during the holidays. But once you've assembled your new treasure, then what? Moon, stars, planets? The editors of Sky & Telescope magazine point the way.

Geminids in 2015: Moonless and MarvelousBy: Alan MacRobert | December 8, 2015 | Comments 1

The nights of December 13th and 14th offer dark nights for this popular under-appreciated meteor display.

Get a Predawn Peek of Comet Catalina

By: Kelly Beatty | December 3, 2015 | Comments 10

Our current visitor from the Oort Cloud, rising into northern skies at last, can be glimpsed with binoculars low in the east before dawn. Spotting it will be especially easy on December 7th.

Moon Occults Venus on December 7th

By: Bob King | December 2, 2015 | Comments 14

After taking us to Comet Catalina's doorstep, the Moon covers Venus in a spectacular daytime occultation visible from most of North and Central America on Monday, December 7, 2015.

Tour December’s Sky: Planets and Meteors

By: Kelly Beatty | November 27, 2015 | Comments 1

This month offers great variety in the night sky: planets (and a comet!) before dawn, a strong meteor shower, and a parade of bright stars after sunset.

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.

Comet Catalina Sails Into Northern Skies

By: Bob King | November 11, 2015 | Comments 10

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.e4AioHgk.dpuf

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

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.

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.

January 24 - 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 01:46 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full 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 7 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 25.6 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 morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

February 8 - 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 14:39 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-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)

2016 BAS Programs

Next Meeting

February 1, 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.