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Next BAS Monthly Meeting:
Monday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the library (meeting room C) and via Zoom
Got a telescope for Christmas? Wondering what to do next?
Christmas morning brought you that shiny, new telescope you’ve been dreaming of, and now you’re excited to explore the night sky! But where do you start? Join us at the Bartlesville Astronomy Society’s January meeting to get tips, tricks, and expert advice to kickstart your stargazing journey. We’d love to help you make the most of your new telescope!
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.
https://sites.google.com/site/bartlesvilleastronomyclub/
The email address is bvilleastro+comments@gmail.com .
John Blaesi and I have put together a short article showing the kind of hypothetical astronomy conversations that can be generated with current AI chatbots. It’s attached below as a PDF, so if you decide it’s appropriate for the newsletter and works with your existing format, you can, hopefully, just copy and paste.
John G
Astronomy Fun With AI — Carl and Leonardo
by John Blaesi and John Grismore © December 2024
Artificial Intelligence has been in the news a lot recently. The abilities of AI chatbots in 2024 has surprised people, even many experts. They are in general, impressively conversant and fairly knowledgable over a broad domain of topics. Recently we have been having some fun experimenting with a chatbot named ChatGPT. We’re not calculating orbits, predicting transits, or pursuing other technical answers. Instead we’ve been asking ChatGPT to channel what it knows about some well known astronomers and scientists to produce hypothetical conversations. Here we have The AI Carl Sagan and The AI Leonardo da Vinci discussing the nature of nature. First a Disclaimer Just as solar observing must be accompanied by appropriate warnings, so too should interaction with AI chatbots be accompanied by cautionary disclaimers. Here’s ours: Warning About AI Chatbot Use AI chatbots may produce inaccurate, biased, or outdated information, especially on complex or sensitive topics. Avoid sharing personal, nancial, or condential data, as interactions might not be fully secure or private. Chatbots cannot replace professional advice, critical thinking, or human judgment, so verify important information from trusted sources. Be cautious of misinformation and over-reliance on AI for decision-making. Always use them responsibly and as a supplement to other reliable resources
Prompt to ChatGPT: Generate an image of Carl Sagan and Leonardo da Vinci discussing the nature of nature in a virtual library under a dark, starry sky. Here is the AI generated image of Carl Sagan and Leonardo da Vinci discussing the nature of the universe in a virtual library under a starry sky.
Prompt to ChatGPT: Create a conversation between Carl Sagan and Leonardo da Vinci about the most important aspect of nature.
Setting: A timeless library filled with ancient manuscripts and futuristic models of the cosmos. Carl Sagan, the visionary astronomer, and Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance polymath, meet for a conversation. ---
Leonardo da Vinci: Ah, Carl Sagan! I've long admired how you interpret the heavens. Tell me, in your view, what is the most profound aspect of nature?
Carl Sagan: Leonardo, it's an honor to speak with someone who saw the unity of art and science so deeply. To me, the most important aspect of nature is its “connectedness”. The universe is a tapestry, where the smallest particle and the largest galaxy are intricately linked. What about you?
Leonardo: Fascinating. I, too, see nature as a great interconnected system. For me, “proportion” and “harmony” are paramount. Look at the golden ratio or the workings of the human body—they reflect a divine order in everything. Nature’s forms speak a universal language.
Sagan: Yes, the language of patterns and laws. Physics describes how these patterns manifest, from atoms to stars. Have you ever considered that the principles guiding a falling apple might govern the motion of planets?
Leonardo: Your idea echoes my thoughts on motion and balance. The flight of a bird, the flow of water— all follow hidden laws. Yet, you suggest these earthly principles reach beyond the skies?
Sagan: Absolutely. Newton's laws of motion show us that the universe is not a chaotic collection of events, but a cosmic dance governed by fundamental rules. The same forces that sculpt rivers also shape galaxies. This deep symmetry is awe-inspiring.
Leonardo: A universal dance, indeed! In my studies, I sought to uncover nature's mechanisms through observation. But your modern tools let you peer deeper. What lies beyond our senses?
Sagan: Through telescopes, we see light from galaxies billions of light-years away. It's like looking back in time. Nature isn't just what we perceive—it’s layers upon layers of history and mystery. The cosmos tells us the story of our origins.
Leonardo: Marvelous! So, our human nature, too, is written in the stars?
Sagan: Yes. The elements in our bodies—carbon, oxygen—were forged in the cores of ancient stars. We are literally made of stardust. This connection reminds us of our shared origins and the fragility of our existence.
Leonardo: "Stardust"—poetic and profound. It humbles us, does it not? Nature's truths remind me that we are both insignificant and extraordinary.
Sagan: Well said, Leonardo. To understand nature is to find our place in the cosmos. The more we learn, the more we appreciate the intricate beauty of it all. Your work paved the way for this kind of thinking—seeing science as art and art as science.
Leonardo: And you have shown me that the heavens are not distant but deeply woven into our being. Let us continue exploring, for nature’s wonders are endless.
Sagan: Indeed. After all, we're just beginning to know the universe—and ourselves. --- End ChatGPT
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/
A Christmas Eve pass will take the Parker Solar Probe closer to the Sun than ever before.
By: David Dickinson December 23, 2024
Orion now rises in twilight, seemingly enlarged by the Moon illusion. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars span the evening sky. And here comes another weird pattern of Jupiter's moons.
By: Alan MacRobert December 20, 2024
Io, the innermost of Jupiter’s four largest Galilean moons, is covered with hundreds of volcanoes, some shooting lava fountains dozens of miles high. But what kind of interior could drive this magma fury? After NASA’s Juno orbiter made two close flyovers of Io, planetary scientists now think they know. Ever…
By: Arielle Frommer December 20, 2024
The Southern Hemisphere should get a good show of Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3). Mid-northern latitude observers not so much.
By: Bob King December 18, 2024
It’s been a long upward climb for NASA’s premier rover. But the commanding view — and the geology — were worth it.
By: Jeff Hecht December 16, 2024
When JWST looked at what was supposed to be a hot Jupiter, it found something else instead: a fluffy, shrinking planet that’s more like Neptune.
By: Benjamin Cassese December 13, 2024
NASA’s Lucy mission makes another visit to Earth Thursday night, en route to explore the Trojan asteroids.
By: David Dickinson December 12, 2024
Strategies for making the most of this week's Moon-soaked Geminid meteor shower.
By: Bob King December 11, 2024
A new view of archival Webb telescope data reveals small asteroids in the main asteroid belt are more numerous than we thought.
By: David L. Chandler December 9, 2024
Don't let the cold keep you inside — Jupiter beckons with a brand new storm!
By: Bob King December 6, 2024
The pioneering observatory will use two spacecraft to create artificial solar eclipses from Earth orbit in order to study the solar corona.
By: David Dickinson December 5, 2024
Astronomers have poured cold water on the idea that Venus once hosted oceans on its surface, suggesting instead that the planet's interior has been dry for most of its history.
By: Colin Stuart December 2, 2024
A dark-sky quest leads to encounters with two Milky Way companion galaxies and other dim delectables.
By: Bob King November 27, 2024
Which of the nearly 6,000 known exoplanets have atmospheres? With help from the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers are inching closer to an answer.
By: AAS Nova November 26, 2024
Scientists have found the highest-energy cosmic-ray electrons yet, and their source might be surprisingly nearby.
By: Govert Schilling November 25, 2024
Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events
(Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-current.html)
2024
December 25 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 22 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.
December 30 - 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 22:28 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.
2025
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 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 Bootes, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
January 10 - Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of 47.2 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.
January 13 - 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 22:28 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.
January 16 - Mars at Opposition. The red 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 Mars. A medium-sized telescope will allow you to see some of the dark details on the planet's orange surface.
January 29 - 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 12:37 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 12 - 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 13:55 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.
February 28 - 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 00:46 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.
March 8 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.2 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.
March 14 - 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 06:56 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 14 - Total Lunar Eclipse. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's dark shadow, or umbra. During this type of eclipse, the Moon will gradually get darker and then take on a rusty or blood red color. The eclipse will be visible throughout all of North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
March 20 - March Equinox. The March equinox occurs at 08:58 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 29 - 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 11:00 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.
March 29 - Partial Solar Eclipse. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers only a part of the Sun, sometimes resembling a bite taken out of a cookie. A partial solar eclipse can only be safely observed with a special solar filter or by looking at the Sun's reflection. This partial eclipse will be visible throughout Greenland and most of northern Europe and northern Russia. It will be best seen from Canada with 93% coverage.
(NASA Map and Eclipse Information)
Next Month's BAS Meeting: February 3, 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
John Grismore
Vice President
Pat Stefanopoulos
Secretary
Denise Gregg
Treasurer
Evan Zorn
Appointed Positions and Board Members:
Program Director
TBD
Mike Woods
Events Coordinator
Luann Wright
Member-at-Large
Brian Turner
Member-at-Large
Craig Brockmeier
Additional Appointed Positions:
Bartian Youth Astronomers Leader
TBD
Meeting Arrangements Coordinator
Denise Gregg
Website and Social Media Administrator
Denise Gregg, Katlynn Hanks, John Blaesi
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
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