Link to a photography blog regarding the Eclipse:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/outdoors/features/mark-your-calendars-north-american-solar-eclipse-2017?utm_medium=Email%201624387&utm_campaign=Content&utm_source=WeeklyContent%20160827&utm_content=Explora&utm_term=mark-calendars-north-american-solar-eclipse-2017

Have your hotel ready?

John Blaesi

Featured Resource: 2017 Solar Eclipse Resource List

Are you ready for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse? Is your community ready? Check out this collection of resources to prepare the 99% of the country who will see a partial eclipse. Find the list at: https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=588

Resource: It's All Done with Mirrors

These simple demonstrations are a great way to illustrate the path of light as it reflects off of mirrors and how this is used in telescopes, especially if you have ever been asked why the Moon appears "flipped" or "upside down" in your eyepiece! Check out this activity, complete with demo video and list of materials, on the NSN website at:

https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=345

Universe Discovery Guide: The Fate of Our Universe

Universe Discovery Guide for November: The Fate of Our Universe

https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=548

Family Fun with Sky Watching

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/stargazing-basics/family-projects-and-experiments/

Hello BAS members

Please use link below to access Member Presentations.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4CQup8TdDvCfnBiUlE5RURWWTl4Y0IyVVlyMnVwWlVtQW9uWnAxTDJHMHk4VmVuNFkxeXc

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/

Mission to Asteroid Psyche to Launch Earlier Than Anticipated

By: Janine Myszka | May 29, 2017 | Comments 0

The Psyche mission to asteroid 16 Psyche had its launch date pushed up — and will now arrive well before originally planned.

New Impact Flash Seen on Jupiter

By: Bob King | May 28, 2017 | Comments 2

Flash! A comet or asteroid fragment whacked Jupiter on May 26th. It's the sixth time that observers on Earth have witnessed an impact on the giant planet.

Juno: Surprises in First Science Results

By: David Dickinson | May 25, 2017 | Comments 5

From its dynamic atmosphere to its hidden depths, the Juno spacecraft has Jupiter as never before — surprising NASA scientists with unexpected complexity.

How Hard Did It Rain on Ancient Mars?

By: Camille M. Carlisle | May 22, 2017 | Comments 0

Mars was once far wetter than it is now — but just how much rain fell, and when?

Water Flow Gives Insights on Mars and Titan

By: Janine Myszka | May 19, 2017 | Comments 0

A team of researchers led by Benjamin Black (City College of New York) used global drainage patterns of Titan, Earth, and Mars' surfaces to determine the likelihood of recent tectonic activity.

Astronomers Discover Magnetic Bridge Between Magellanic Clouds

By: Summer Ash | May 19, 2017 | Comments 0

A magnetic field appears to span the space between the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, the two dwarf galaxies being consumed by our Milky Way Galaxy.

Meet Valkyrie, NASA’s Space Robot

By: Monica Young | May 17, 2017 | Comments 7

In just a month, teams will guide this 300-pound, 6-foot-tall humanoid robot in a series of simulated trials as part of NASA’s Space Robotics Challenge.

Possible Bright Supernova Discovered in ‘Fireworks Galaxy’ NGC 6946

By: Bob King | May 14, 2017 | Comments 5

A brand new supernova in NGC 6946 is bright enough to see in modest-sized telescopes. Here's how to find it.

Amazing New Views of Near-Earth Asteroid

By: David Dickinson | May 12, 2017 | Comments 2

Large asteroid 2014 JO25 cruised past Earth on April 19, and Goldstone and Arecibo radars were at the ready to capture what turned out to be yet another twin-lobed asteroid.

Watery Skies of “Warm Neptune” Hint at Planet’s Formation

By: Monica Young | May 12, 2017 | Comments 0

Astronomers have detected water in the cloud-free skies of "warm Neptune" HAT-P-26b, a clue in the larger mystery of how these planets formed.

Watch Comet Johnson Sprint Through Boötes

By: Bob King | May 10, 2017 | Comments 8

Another binocular comet? You better believe it. Comet Johnson takes center stage at nightfall this month and next.

Gravitational Lensing Reveals “Iceball Earth” 13,000 Light-Years Away

By: Summer Ash | May 4, 2017 | Comments 2

Astronomers have discovered an "iceball Earth" orbiting a star 13,000 light-years away. Multiple eyes on the sky have revealed some of this world's secrets.

Cassini Traverses “Big Empty” on First Grand Finale Pass

By: David Dickinson | May 3, 2017 | Comments 0

The Grand Finale is underway, as NASA's Cassini spacecraft sails through a clear gap between Saturn and its rings.

Cassini Survives First “Grand Finale” Dive

By: David Dickinson | April 28, 2017 | Comments 1

Cassini's Grand Finale has begun, as the spacecraft threaded the needle between Saturn and its rings, following several fantastic moon passes and a final glance back at Earth.

Skyweek

May 25 - 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 19:45 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 3 - Venus at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 45.9 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the bright planet in the eastern sky before sunrise.

June 9 - 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 13:10 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full 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 Full Rose Moon and the Full Honey Moon.

June 15 - Saturn at Opposition. The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn's rings and a few of its brightest moons.

June 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 04:24 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 24 - 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 02:31 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 9 - 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 04:07 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full 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 Full Thunder Moon and the Full Hay Moon.

July 23 - 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 09:46 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 29, 30 - 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 29 and morning of July 30. The crescent moon will set by midnight, leaving dark skies for what should be a good early morning 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.

July 30 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 27.2 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.

• • (Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2017.html)

2017 BAS Programs

Monday, June 5, 7:00 p.m.

Setup and Casual Conversation starting at 6:30 p.m.

Bartlesville Public Library

7:15 p.m.

MSRAL

by

Jerry Koenig

Saturday, May 27, 2017 11:24 PM (courtesy of John Land, Tulsa)

​Comet Johnson C/ 2015 V2 is putting on a nice show high overhead near the star Arcturus in the constellation Bootes.

"Watch Comet Johnson Sprints Through Boötes" Finder Maps at

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/comet-johnson-makes-a-splendid-sprint-through-bootes/

Comet Johnson is at its best now as it passes closest to Earth on June 5th and reaches perihelion ( closest to the Sun ) June 12

The comet is currently around 6.8 magnitude which makes it accessible to most small to medium sized telescopes even from suburban skies. Since the comet is up most of the night try to time your observations when the moon is not interfering with its light.

To locate Arcturus follow the curve of the Big Dipper's handle to a bright orange colored star high overhead..

Start with a low power eyepiece and scan the area indicated on the maps. The comet will appear as a fuzzy ball of light looking like a fingerprint of light. This is the comet's COMA - the outer cloud of gases surrounding the central nucleus which is usually not visible. Unless you are in dark skies the tail of the comet will not be visible. Although it looks greenish in photos, you should expect only to see it as a dim glow of white. (Our eyes don't see color when we are using our night vision.)

Real Time Comet Photo Gallery

http://spaceweathergallery.com/comet_gallery.html

Get a Sneak Preview of Aug 21st Solar Eclipse

On Monday night May 30 the moon will be just to the right of the star Regulus in Leo.

This is also where it will be during the eclipse on Aug 21st.

If you can locate the 5 day old moon in the daytime sky about 6:00 PM it will be at the approximate location

that the sun will be a maximum eclipse around 1:00 PM Aug 21, 2017 - Altitude 65 and Azimuth 166

Warning FAKE ECLIPSE glasses being sold online

NASA has issued a warning about untested uncertified Eclipse glasses from overseas manufacturers being sold online.

http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/fake_glasses.htm

How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely

https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/safe-viewing

MSRAL Society Presidents and ALCors:

Please encourage your members to mark their calendars now for an exciting 2017 Mid-States convention, scheduled for June 9-11, 2017 at MO State University in Springfield, MO. The convention is being jointly sponsored by the Springfield Astronomical Society and the Ozarks Amateur Astronomers Club.

We have many wonderful speakers scheduled, including Dr. Angela Speck, University of MO-Columbia, who is giving a presentation on the 2017 Total Solar. We are inviting your society members to give papers as well (see contact information below).

Since the university is between sessions, some economical lodging will be available in University student housing, for approximately $30 per person per night. Hotels with convention rates will be announced soon.

Please make sure we have the website url for your society so we can list it on the MSRAL page to further showcase what is happening with your group.

MORE REGISTRATION AND OTHER INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON, SO CHECK THE CONVENTION WEBSITE OFTEN!

The contact information for the event is: Henry Stratmann, Chair

hgstratmannjr53@gmail.com

(417) 631-5202

http://www.springfieldastronomy.org/index.asp?Q=MSRAL

Club might be interested in this link - what you might see during the eclipse. Please pass it on.

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/august-21-2017-solar-eclipse-4-planets-bright-stars

Is the club doing a group buy of solar eclipse glasses? I might be interested in several pair.

Thank you

John Blaesi

Next Meeting

July 3, 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.