February 2023
This is the 65th Anniversary of the Bartlesville Astronomical Society!
Cake will be served at the February meeting at the library. Come early!
Next BAS Monthly Meeting:
Monday, February 6, 2023 at 7:00 at the library (meeting room B) or via Zoom
Program: International Dark Skies Association - Gordon Meredith
IDA Darksky certifications for parks, communities and developments. Procedures and Oklahoma opportunities.
Gordon is driving up from Ardmore to present. Please plan to attend in person.
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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Registration for:
TSP 2023 10 am May 14th, to Sunday 10 am, May 21, 2023
Please go online at https://texasstarparty.org/register/. Login, confirm your profile information and register.
The great tradition of Dark Sky Observing continues with the 43rd Annual TEXAS STAR PARTY, May 14 to 21, 2023 near Fort Davis, Texas!
IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW
• Friday, Feb 17th – close regular registrations.
• Friday, Feb 17th through Monday, Feb 20th – run the random lottery and start housing assignments
• Monday, Feb 20th through Sunday, March 5th – do housing assignments (this gives us two weeks)
• Monday, March 6th – confirmation emails go out to regular registrants
• Wednesday, March 8th – late registration open and late housing assignments made (whatever is left)
Late Registration will close April 28, 2023.
Last day to cancel and receive a refund is April 28, 2023 at 11:59 pm CDT. Your email must be time and date stamped at or prior to 11:59 pm (23:59 hours) Central Daylight Saving Time to receive a refund. Special Conditions apply to refunds
New for this year:
A. Application and Registration are now combined into one registration form, and TSP
Payment for registrations is due at the time of registration.
B. Please consider making a donation to one of “Fund Programs”. Donations made to these programs are restricted to be used only for these programs. The registration form includes the ability to make donations to:
1. Friends of TSP Fund Program
2. John Wagoner Memorial Student Astronomer Award Fund Program
3. TSP Youth Outreach Fund Program
4. TSP Operations Fund Program
Items that you can purchase when you register:
C. You can purchase these items while registering for TSP 2023:
1. TSP 2023 Group Photo
2. TSP 2023 Hat
3. TSP 2023 Official T-Shirt
You can purchase these items when completing your registration form.
You can pick your items up during TSP 2023 at the Sales and Information Desk in the meeting hall.
D. Cancellation and Refund Deadline is April 25, 2023
Please read
Go to our website to review our “Registration webpage” https://texasstarparty.org/registration/ for additional information regarding “Timelines, important dates, cancelling and refunds.
Your Ranch Housing accommodations request can only be submitted, processed and assigned by TSP Housing Staff. Please do not contact Prude Ranch for information regarding your accommodations. This also pertains to requesting a change to your assigned Ranch accommodation(s).
Once you have received your Confirmation of Ranch Housing Assignment from TSP Housing, you can either wait to pay your Ranch deposit via the information in the email the Ranch will send out. Or you can mail your deposit payment to the Ranch address provided in your Confirmation of TSP Housing Assignment email that TSP Housing will send to you. That email will be sent out in approximately 8 to 10 weeks from the date of this email.
If you have any questions, please email us at tsprooms@texasstarparty.org.
Sincerely, The volunteers for Texas Star Party and Texas Star Party, Inc Management
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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 .
The BAS has storage at First Christian Church for club equipment and records. We are trying to consolidate and we are requesting any members with club equipment or records to contact one of the officers to arrange to move the items to storage and log it into our inventory.
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/
Forget the hype and go outside to enjoy the real thing — a relatively bright comet you can see in binoculars from a dark sky.
BY: BOB KING JANUARY 27, 2023
A recently discovered asteroid will pass exceptionally close to Earth on January 26th. Here's how to see it. Also, Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3) is brightening nicely, with three tails visible in binos.
BY: BOB KING JANUARY 26, 2023
The James Webb Space Telescope has found the tiny tail of a close-in exoplanet that's losing its atmosphere.
BY: AAS NOVA JANUARY 23, 2023
The James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed its first exoplanet, a rocky Earth-size planet, and attempted to take the measure of its atmosphere.
BY: MONICA YOUNG JANUARY 15, 2023
Astronomers at this month's big winter conference explored intriguing small galaxies at various points in cosmic history.
BY: THE EDITORS OF SKY & TELESCOPE JANUARY 26, 2023Hubble and Webb Image Galaxies’ Lost Stars
Deep images of galaxy clusters reveals the light of wandering stars. What set these stars free from their hosts?
BY: MONICA YOUNG JANUARY 25, 2023
An arc that glows green thanks to doubly ionized oxygen appears near the Andromeda Galaxy in a photo obtained by amateur astronomers.
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING JANUARY 17, 2023
Astronomers have discovered that one of the Milky Way’s nearest galactic neighbors has dramatically changed its looks in the recent past.
BY: CAMILLE M. CARLISLE JANUARY 17, 2023
A supernova that skywatchers in the Far East observed almost 850 years ago has produced the most unusual remnant astronomers have ever found
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING JANUARY 14, 2023
A tiny binary system is not only small but also ancient, billions of years older than other such systems, which raises questions about its origins.
BY: ELISE CUTTS JANUARY 13, 2023
A red giant star thousands of light-years away "blinked," dimming significantly for seven long years, before returning to normal.
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING JANUARY 11, 2023
Images and spectra from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest that the first galaxies in the universe are too many or too bright compared to what astronomers expected.
BY: MONICA YOUNG JANUARY 10, 2023
A tour of Jupiter’s moons and a mission to a "metal asteroid" are among the spacecraft to be launched in 2023.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON JANUARY 3, 2023
NASA's groundbreaking Insight lander on Mars has fallen silent.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON DECEMBER 29, 2022
New data from a detector tucked under a mountain in Italy has shed light on what's inside the Sun.
BY: COLIN STUART DECEMBER 28, 2022
The two richest, most reliable annual meteor showers, the Perseids and Geminids, are Moon-free in 2023. Others showers await you too.
BY: ALAN MACROBERT DECEMBER 27, 2022
Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2021.html)
2023
January 30 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 25 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 5 - 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 18:30 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.
February 20 - 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 07:08 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.
March 7 - 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 12:42 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Worm Moon because this was the time of year when the ground would begin to soften and the earthworms would reappear. This moon has also been known as the Crow Moon, the Crust Moon, the Sap Moon, and the Lenten Moon.
March 20 - March Equinox. The March equinox occurs at 21:17 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
March 21 - 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 17:25 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.
April 6 - 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 04:37 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Pink Moon because it marked the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the first spring flowers. This moon has also been known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon, and the Egg Moon. Many coastal tribes called it the Fish Moon because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.
April 11 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 19.5 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 evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
April 20 - 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 04:15 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.
April 20 - Hybrid Solar Eclipse. A hybrid solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is almost too close to the Earth to completely block the Sun. This type of eclipse will appear as a total eclipse to some parts of the world and will appear annular to others. The eclipse path will begin in the southern Indian Ocean and move across parts of western Australia and southern Indonesia. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout most of Indonesia and Australia. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information) (NASA Interactive Google Map)
April 22, 23 - Lyrids Meteor Shower. The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. It peaks this year on the night of the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The thin 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 Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
May 5 - 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 17:36 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Flower Moon because this was the time of year when spring flowers appeared in abundance. This moon has also been known as the Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
May 5 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the Moon will darken slightly but not completely. The eclipse will be visible throughout all of Asia and Australia and parts of eastern Europe and eastern Africa. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
May 6, 7 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower, capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has been observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. It peaks this year on the night of May 6 and the morning of the May 7. The nearly full moon will be a problem this year, blocking out all but the brightest meteors. If you are patient, you should still should be able to catch a few good ones. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
May 19 - 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 15:55 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.
May 29 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 24.9 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.
Next Month's BAS Meeting: March 6, Monday. 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
Craig Brockmeier
Vice President
Rick Buck
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