Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

Your Bridge to the Stars

DeSantisK

Mars At Closest Proximity To Earth In 11 Years

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Image of Mars in the night sky in May 2016. source:http://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/nightsky/mars-close-approach/
Image of Mars in the night sky in May 2016. source:http://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/nightsky/mars-close-approach/

From May 18 to June 3, 2016 Mars will be at its brightest.  Just go outside and look up (SE) for a bright “orange star” that does not flicker. That will be the “red” planet Mars.

It takes the planet Mars about two Earth years minus 50 days to make its trip about the Sun. Mars appears brightest * in our Earth sky when Earth is in the line between Mars and the Sun.  This happens about every other Earth year. Those other years Mars appears dimmer in our sky because at those times Mars and Earth are on opposite sides of the Sun. Some opposition years find Mars and Earth not only on the same side of the Sun, but also in closer proximity. 2016 is one of those years. Enjoy the view!

This year to the unaided eye Mars looks brigher and through a telescope Mars looks larger. Enjoy close-up views of the planet Mars and other wonders of the night sky at the June 10 and 11 Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh Star Parties scheduled at the Wagman Observatory and at the Mingo Observatory.

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Weather Cancellation – Tonight’s May15, 2016 Wagman Star Party

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Last updated 2016-05-14 12:01:09. No Image below? Read this. Not showing todays data? Clear your cache.
Near Deer Lakes Park, Russellton. Observatory of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

There is now 100% that tonight’s SP is canceled. See yinz in June. The next good weather that we will see will probably be next weekend during Full Moon. Typical for our area. Except for that week or so in Mid-April, it’s been a lousy Spring. The Sky gods are probably balancing out the good observing weather in Jan, Feb and March.
 
Tom Reiland

Transit of Mercury May 9, 2016, Eastern Horizon

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Public Viewing of the Transit of Mercury at Mingo Observatory:

AAAP has announced safe public viewing through the Lunt solar telescope of the Mingo Observatory in the Washington Observer-Reporter beginning at approximately at 8 AM.  Astronomy club members arriving earlier who set up their telescopes on the hill will not have the orientation of the observatory building blocking the low eastern horizon and will get to view the transit from the start.

May 11, 1016 Update:Many AAAP members and members of the public enjoyed live views of the Transit of Mercury from our two observatories, Wagman and Mingo. Enjoy the Mercury Transit video from NASA’s SDO. It is the May 11, 2016 NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).

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Mingo Star Parties May 6 & 7, 2016

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Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh opens Mingo Observatory to the public Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 2016. No reservations. No charge. No limit to group size. Just show up. Please refer to the Mingo 2016 Star Party Schedule.  The Observatory is located in Mingo Creek County Park, Nottingham Township, and is 10 miles east of Washington PA. The park is located off Route 88 or Route 136 in the northeast section of Washington County. Inside the park, the observatory is at the end of Mansion Hill Ext. Road (across from the Henry Covered Bridge) on the top of the hill past Shelter 10. Observatory  Site: Lat: 40° 12’ 42” N Long: 80° 1’ 14” W Elevation: 1180 ft. (360 m). Observatory Phone 724-348-6150.

Solar Observing and Telescope Viewing at Carrie Furnaces, Steel to Sustainable Festival

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Enjoy solar observing  with AAAP at the Carrie Furnaces Steel to Sustainable Festival on Saturday, 7 PM,  April 23, 2016. See Rivers of Steel for ticket prices.

The Carrie Furnaces (40.4130° N, 79.8907° W) Steel to Sustainable Festival  includes a 100th year anniversary of the hard hat art show, three bands and many food trucks. It is a ticketed event and supports the Carrie Furnace National Monument, part of the National Parks Service. AAAP members will offer safe solar viewing through solar filtered telescopes. AAAP members volunteer need to register prior to the event in order to get their gate pass. Those AAAP members who have not yet indicated their intention, may request a volunteer gate pass to through comments on the website by Friday.

The Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7 are extremely rare examples of pre-WW II ironmaking. They tower 92 feet high and have brick lined walls of  2.5″ thick steel plate. From 1907 to 1978 they provided iron for the Homestead Mill  and will become one of the focal points of the proposed Homestead Works National Park.

This event is an opportunity for not only astronomy outreach to our guests but also an opportunity for AAAP members to see a part of local history and to support an event which in turn supports a National Monument. Our National Parks celebrate 100 years this year.

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For more information please check back and follow us on Facebook, via the button below.sXo9nvMkpao4qAaYhkKYjKpO7JTfXg9ijWl+sn2v89x0ktrsIL3tVR+QSwhn+2SLagAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==

Respectfully submitted, Kathy DeSantis.

Solar Observing at Mt. Lebanon Earth Day, 10 AM – 2 PM, April 23, 2016

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Sunspot Group AR 12192 of October 25, 2014. It was the largest sunspot in 24 years. Olympus Digital Camera. Photo Credit Dan Pedan

Large Sunspot Group AR 12192 of October 25, 2014. Olympus Digital Camera. Photo Credit Dan Pedan
The above image is the sort of view one will see through the member telescopes. AAAP member Dan, above caught an unusually  large sunspot.

Join in the family fun at Mt. Lebanon Earth Day and get hands-on experience looking through safe solar filtered telescopes.

Warning:  Never look directly at the Sun with or without a telescope. Permanent eye damage can result. Only safe specialized solar observing filters can shield the invisible damaging rays.

AAAP solar observing outreach will be featured again this year at the 2016 Mt. Lebanon Earth Day Celebration, 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, April 23, 2016 in Uptown Mt. Lebanon. AAAP is thrilled to return with an all new crew to this annual event sponsored by the Mt. Lebanon Environmental Team.  Click here for a list of sponsors and non-profits including AAAP participating in this fun event.

Terry Mealy is leading the AAAP delegation to Mt. Lebanon Earth Day. If you are an AAAP member and would like more information on how you can still volunteer at this event send an email or leave a comment on this website. Please finalize your arrangements at least 24 hours prior to the event. The event is free and open to the public.

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