Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh
Your Bridge to the Stars
Astronomy Magazine picked AAAPer Matt Dieterich’s Great Lagoon Nebula image from Mt. Rainier for their August 3, 2016 Picture of the Day! http://www.astronomy.com/photos/picture-of-day More info at Matt’s website: http://www.mdieterichphoto.com/
Congratulations Matt!
The Greater Pittsburgh Area public is invited to view the 2016 Perseid Meteors with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh at six viewing events including the designated Perseid Viewing Party at AAAP’s Mingo Observatory, August 11 into the morning of August 12, 2016, AAAP’s Wagman Obseratory August 11-12 Perseid Meteor Viewing and the regular August Star Parties at Mingo Observatory and at Wagman Observatory, Friday and Saturday evenings, August 12 and 13, 2016.
The regular Friday and Saturday star parties will be regular hours, generally beginning at dusk. Wagman’s Thursday Perseid Meteor Event (See more below.) does not begin until after 12 Midnight and ends before 5 AM, and will only occur under clear skies. The Thursday Mingo event begins at 9 PM and carries on long past Midnight in order to avail that night’s anticipated outburst of Perseid meteors, which may be as high as 200 meteors per hour. To catch this rare opportunity no equipment or experience is needed, as meteors are best observed with the unaided eye. With peak occuring in daylight the morning of August 12, best viewing is projected to be between moonset and prior to the first light of dawn Friday morning, August 12. [Read more…] about Greater Pittsburgh Viewing of 2016 Perseid Meteor Shower, Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, Six Events at Two Venues
Free Public Event – Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party
The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh Invites you to a Special Star Party at Mingo Creek Park Observatory Located in Mingo Creek Park, Mansion Hill Extension, past Shelter 10 in Washington County, PA. Phone #: 724-348-6150
Date: Thursday, August 11
WEATHER PERMITTING
Come and observe the annual Perseid Meteor Shower at the Mingo Creek Park Observatory located in Mingo Creek Park (map , directions ) up the hill past Shelter 10. This is a special Star Party concentrating on the Perseid Meteor Shower. No experience is needed to enjoy observing the meteor shower. Weather permitting the observatory will also be staffed during this time. Predictions are that the best viewing will be after midnight into the early hours of the morning on Friday, August 12. For your comfort you should plan your visit using the following guidelines:
The best way to observe the meteors is to lie down and look toward the northeast. Bring a chair and/or a blanket. The nights can get cool so plan on bringing layers to add as the night progresses. Bring snacks and something to drink that will help keep away the chill. You may want to bring some bug spray.
NOTE: Mingo Creek Park Observatory and its grounds, as a part of Mingo Creek County Park, are a no smoking and no alcohol permitted area. [Read more…] about Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party at Mingo Observatory
Note: Both Wagman and Mingo Star Parties are on for Friday evening. If the weather would turn less favorable, perhaps call ahead if you have a long drive. Saturday’s weather should be somewhat better than today’s.
AAAP Star Parties at both Wagman Observatory and Mingo Observatory, Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9, 2016 will feature a choice array of planets, bright stars and deep sky objects. Planet Jupiter in the news this week as the JUNO spacecraft orbits the giant planet. Take a look at Jupiter and its moons through telescopes at AAAP July star parties. Facing South around 10 PM not long after darkness has fallen look left for bright star Altair in constellation Aquila, the Eagle. Almost due South see close grouping of planet Saturn, just below to the right, with bright star Antares, the red heart of the Scorpion. To the right again, level with Saturn see planet Mars. Then more to your right in the West, see the Moon a few days before First Quarter and then the bright planet Jupiter. In addition to these and many more unaided eye observations, through the AAAP observatory telescopes and members telescopes see close up views of the planets, stars and deep sky objects. “See a region of space where stars are being born, catch a dazzling views of the ringed planet, visit the craters of the moon and marvel at our Milky Way Galaxy’s finest clusters and nebulae.” (as per T.R.)
The star parties which are weather permitting are free and open to the public. Times are approximate: Mingo Observatory, safe solar observing, 6:30 PM; night sky observing, 9 PM. Wagman Observatory, 8:50 PM. [Read more…] about AAAP July 8 & 9 Star Parties at Wagman Observatory and Mingo Observatory
If you have a few seconds to give, you can help AAAP win a grant through Washington County Community Foundation’s ‘Clicks for Cash.” Simply visit AAAP’s charity’s profile page on wccfgives.org from June 6 to 12. Anyone can vote for AAAP from an Internet enabled device: phone, desktop, laptop, tablet, etc. It is one vote per device, as opposed to one vote per person. Consider recruiting friends and family to support the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s 2016 Clicks for Cash campaign.
A visit to this URL From June 6 -12, 2016 counts as a vote.
https://www.wccfgives.org/organizations/amateur-astronomers-association-of-pittsburgh
The charity receiving the most unique pageviews during the contest period will receive a $3,000 unrestricted grant. Additionally, the WCCF will use the contest results to distribute four $500 unrestricted grants based on a lottery. Each charity will receive one chance for each unique pageview, so the more unique pageviews a charity receives, the more chances that charity will have in the lottery. A computer program will choose the lottery winners at random.
AAAP Star Parties at both Wagman Observatory and Mingo Observatory, Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, 2016 will feature a rich array of celestial delights. Bright Jupiter trails close to the First Quarter Moon. Ringed Planet, Saturn follows not far from the Red Planet, Mars. Mars, not long from its May 30 close approach is still prime for viewing . Saturn, too near its June 2-3, 2016 opposition, is prime for its best viewing of the year. Jupiter is up all evening too, along with all four of its moons. Planet Venus, too graces the sky until just before 9 PM. It only begins with the Moon and these four bright planets. Experience the AAAP telescopes and those of our members as they reveal our solar system and more distant objects, including galaxies and nebula. See the sparkling Great Cluster, M13, in the constellation Hercules and other delights. Look forward to the likelihood of meteor sighting, too. The star parties are free and open to the public.
[Read more…] about AAAP June 10 & 11 Star Parties at Wagman Observatory and Mingo Observatory