December 2023
Next BAS Monthly Meeting:
Monday, December 4, 2023 at 7:00pm at the library (meeting room C) and via Zoom
Topic: TBD
Club 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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A Members Message:
What? What is this? A new feature? Well, stay tuned. We are planning to put in a monthly 'Member Message' and we are always looking for new content.. So to start with, that will be me - John Blaesi.
But first off, I am honored to be your incoming president and I want to acknowledge the leadership provided by Craig Brockmeier and Denise Gregg over the last several years and especially during the days of covid. And I am excited to welcome new and returning members.
So the big news is: Come out and check the Washington Park Mall display!
Several members added their talent, wit, art, sweat, and aching joints to create this display. The display is located near the Dillards end of the mall (east wing) where one of the Gap Stores used to be. It is looking pretty nice. And soon we will have one of the center aisle displays down by the movie theater to display more astronomy club information. SO - go to the mall, at least walk around. Maybe even shop for Christmas!
We had a very good turn out at our November Public Observing Night at Jo Allyn Lowe Park. We had about six scopes from 3" to 10" setup viewing the skies and there were several members and visitors enjoying the starry night. It was a great night - not too hot, not too cold, no clouds, no mosquitoes, and lots of stars. Stay tuned for the next one! If you have a scope and need help setting it up, bring it out. If you have binoculars, bring them out. If you have eyes in the front of your head, bring yourself out. If you have eyes in the back of your head - well, er....
Meanwhile, start making plans RIGHT NOW for The Great American Eclipse of April 8, 2024! The more south you can go the more likely you are to have clear skies. As you go farther NE, the more chance of clouds you will get. The eclipse in Bartlesville will be a deep partial (with magnitude 93.8%) and already several members have been making plans to get out of town for this event. I am not going to post any links here - just search for 'Great American Eclipse 2024' and you will find lots of information.
In addition, our club meetings for the first quarter of 2024 will be eclipse focused including experiences from past eclipse, how to view the eclipse, how to photograph the eclipse, where to go, etc. We are looking for volunteers for these presentations. Let us know if you can help.
Contact: bvilleastro+comments@gmail.com
Don't forget - this club does not succeed without you!
So - who wants to do the next Members Message??
Seriously. Let me know.
JohnB
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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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The email address is bvilleastro+comments@gmail.com .
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/
This Tuesday the 28th we will see the Moon rise in twilight as far north as it possibly can. Do you know why?
BY: ALAN MACROBERT NOVEMBER 24, 2023
A brilliant flash of blue light briefly outshined its host galaxy before fading away — but then it exploded again and again, shedding light on the nature of its source.
BY: MONICA YOUNG NOVEMBER 21, 2023
Before the advent of computers or even a working theory of the solar system, the ancients predicted solar eclipses. How did they do it?
BY: FRED ESPENAK NOVEMBER 20, 2023
Observers across much of the U.S. and Canada have a unique opportunity Monday night, November 20–21, to see Uranus's brightest moon occult a star.
BY: BOB KING NOVEMBER 20, 2023
Jupiter's Great Red Spot may be reaching a milestone this year by shrinking to its smallest size in recorded observational history.
BY: BOB KING NOVEMBER 15, 2023
A mere 200 light-years away, there's a planet with the density of styrofoam and clouds of sand. How did it get so weird?
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING NOVEMBER 15, 2023
New data provide direct evidence for the existence of atomic oxygen in Venus's upper atmosphere, enabling new science on our sister planet.
BY: ARWEN RIMMER NOVEMBER 14, 2023
New observations have turned up evidence that icy pebbles deliver the water to inner regions of planet-forming disks.
BY: COLIN STUART NOVEMBER 13, 2023
Astronomers are gearing up for an unusual celestial event: an asteroid’s occultation of an iconic star.
BY: JAN HATTENBACH NOVEMBER 12, 2023
The Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes have revealed a bounty of galaxies in a pair of colliding clusters, capturing twinkling lights within.
BY: MONICA YOUNG NOVEMBER 9, 2023
The Lucy mission's flyby of the main-belt asteroid Dinkinesh resulted in a surprise — yet another asteroid moon!
BY: EMILY LAKDAWALLA NOVEMBER 8, 2023
The Horsehead Nebula and other stunning scenes highlight the talents of the just-launched Euclid mission. The telescope will reach into the depths of the cosmos to understand dark matter and dark energy.
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING NOVEMBER 7, 2023
A "smoking gun" for the ancient calamity that formed Earth’s large Moon may still exist deep in the mantle of our planet.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON NOVEMBER 2, 2023
Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2021.html)
2023
November 27 - 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 09:17 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Dark Moon.
December 4 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 21.3 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.
December 12 - 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 23:33 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. This should be an great year for the Geminids. The nearly new moon means 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 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. The waxing gibbous moon will block out most of the faintest meteors this year. But if you are patient, you should still be able to catch a few good 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 22 - December Solstice. The December solstice occurs at 03:21 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 27 - 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 00:34 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule.
2024
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 waning gibbous moon will block out some of the fainter meteors, but if you are patient this could still be a good show. 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 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 11:59 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 12 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 23.5 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.
January 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 17:55 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 9 - 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 23:00 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.
February 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 12:32 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Snow Moon because the heaviest snows usually fell during this time of the year. Since hunting is difficult, this moon has also been known by some tribes as the Hunger Moon, since the harsh weather made hunting difficult.
Next Month's BAS Meeting: January 4, Thursday. 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
John Blaesi
Vice President
John Grismore
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