May 2023
Next BAS Monthly Meeting:
ACEAP (Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program) and Professional Astronomy in Chile
Byron Labadie
This team visited several of the large observatory complexes in the Andes Mountains and the Atacama Desert.
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
• 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:
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/
Scientists are refining the definition of the habitable zone in an effort to aid future efforts at finding life.
BY: LAUREN SGRO APRIL 30, 2023
The Arch of Spring across the west enfolds Mars and Venus. Wintry Sirius nears its heliacal setting low in the southwest. The Summer Triangle stars come into view one by one in the east.
BY: ALAN MACROBERT APRIL 28, 2023
When the Moon’s shadow swept across Earth on April 20th, tens of thousands traveled to Australia, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia to witness the celestial spectacle.
BY: J. KELLY BEATTY APRIL 27, 2023
For the first time, astronomers have seen how the big plasma jet shot out by a supermassive black hole connects to the material falling into the black hole.
BY: CAMILLE M. CARLISLE APRIL 26, 2023
The Hakuto R lander, built by Tokyo-based iSpace, was to be a commercial mission to the Moon, but it has yet to phone home on landing day.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON APRIL 25, 2023
We have an exciting week ahead with a crescent Moon that might break your observing record followed by a well-timed Lyrid meteor shower.
BY: BOB KING APRIL 18, 2023
We have an exciting week ahead with a crescent Moon that might break your observing record followed by a well-timed Lyrid meteor shower.
BY: BOB KING APRIL 18, 2023
A new analysis of Event Horizon Telescope data sharpens our view of the glowing gas encircling the black hole.
BY: CAMILLE M. CARLISLE APRIL 18, 2023
The most distant pair of supermassive black holes discovered offers a unique insight into how galaxies merge.
BY: JURE JAPELJ APRIL 17, 2023
The European Space Agency’s first dedicated mission to the icy moons of Jupiter has launched successfully.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON APRIL 14, 2023
A new catalog pinpoints volcanic cones in the best available surface images of Venus – those gathered 30 years ago by NASA’s Magellan spacecraft.
BY: JAVIER BARBUZANO APRIL 14, 2023
JWST's detection of early galaxies that are far more massive than astronomers had expected could mean we need to rewrite our understanding of the cosmos.
BY: COLIN STUART APRIL 13, 2023
Flashes of radio waves — whose exact sources are still a bit of a mystery — are helping astronomers learn about the hot gas that surrounds the Milky Way.
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING APRIL 12, 2023
Leading theories say giant planets shouldn’t be able to form around very low-mass stars. But a new study finds that, nevertheless, they do.
BY: ARWEN RIMMER APRIL 10, 2023
Astronomers have discovered an asteroid that orbits the Sun with Earth, earning it the moniker "quasi-moon."
BY: DAVID L. CHANDLER APRIL 7, 2023
A long totality passing through Mexico, the U.S., and Canada beckons — and planning ahead will be crucial.
BY: JAMIE CARTER APRIL 7, 2023
Webb has returned an image of ringed Uranus, currently experiencing the dog days of northern hemisphere summer.
BY: MONICA YOUNG APRIL 6, 2023
NASA has announced the names for the Artemis 2 crew headed to the Moon in 2024. Meanwhile, the Artemis program as a whole is taking shape.
BY: DAVID DICKINSON APRIL 3, 2023
Gamma-ray bursts are the most luminous explosions in the universe, and we’ve learned much about these superlative outbursts since their discovery in 1967.
BY: AAS NOVA MARCH 31, 2023
New evidence suggests the first stars to shine in the universe formed in groups.
BY: GOVERT SCHILLING MARCH 30, 2023
Do you still see animal shapes in clouds? If so, you'll enjoy doing the same with the Moon, home to the Moon Maiden, a giant pair of scissors, and other fantastic specters of light and shadow.
BY: BOB KING MARCH 29, 2023
Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2021.html)
2023
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.
June 1, 2 - Mars in the Beehive. The planet Mars will pass through the beehive cluster, an open cluster of stars located in the constellation Cancer. Mars can be seen in or very near the cluster on the nights of June 1st and 2nd. A good pair of binoculars should be enough to see this rare event all though a telescope will provide a much better view.
June 4 - 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 03:43 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Rose Moon and the Honey Moon.
June 4 - Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 45.4 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 evening sky. Look for the bright planet in the western sky after sunset.
June 12, 13 - Venus in the Beehive. The planet Venus will pass through the beehive cluster, an open cluster of stars located in the constellation Cancer. Venus can be seen in or very near the cluster on the nights of June 12 and 13. A good pair of binoculars should be enough to see this rare event all though a telescope will provide a much better view.
June 18 - 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 04:39 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.
June 21 - June Solstice. The June solstice occurs at 14:51 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.
July 1 - Conjunction of Venus and Mars. The planets Venus and Mars will pass within 3 1/2 degrees of each other. The event will take place on the morning of July 1 at 2:48 AM (06:48 UTC). Both planets will be visible with the naked eye in the constellation Leo.
July 3 - Full Moon, Supermoon. 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 11:40 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the 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 Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon. This is also the first of four supermoons for 2023. The Moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
July 17 - 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 18:33 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.
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 nearly full moon will block most of the fainter meteors this year. But if you are patient, you may still 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.
August 1 - Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be located opposite the Earth from the Sun and will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth. This phase occurs at 18:33 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Sturgeon Moon because the large sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon. This is also the second of four supermoons for 2023. The Moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
August 10 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 27.4 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.
August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The crescent moon should not be too much of a problem this year. Skies should still be dark enough for a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
August 16 - 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 09:39 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.
August 24 - Moon Occults Antares. The Moon pass in front of the bright star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. This rare event will happen at 10:29 PM (02:29 UTC) and will be visible in the central US and northern Florida. (Occultation Map and Details)
August 27 - 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.
August 31 - Full Moon, Supermoon, Blue 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 01:37 UTC. This is also the third of four supermoons for 2023. The Moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual. Since this is the second full moon in the same month, it is sometimes referred to as a blue moon.
Next Month's BAS Meeting: June 5, 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