Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

Your Bridge to the Stars

DeSantisK

Earth Hour, 19 March 2016, 8.30 p.m. Local Time

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EarthHour

On 19 March 2016, 8.30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour sweeps across the globe, as people turn out their lights for one hour. Pittsburghers are called to turn off non-essential lighting for one hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. Earth Hour has become a worldwide call to “shine a light on climate action.” From astronomy there is shared interest in reduction of light pollution which also saves evergy. There is also interest to see if there is a noticeable difference in the sky during Earth Hour.

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh is a strong supporter of dark sky conservation and encourages light pollution education. Light pollution not only takes away the stars and interfers with vision and sleep, it is also an economic drain.  Please look ahead to International Dark Sky Week, April 4-10, 2016.  For more information visit http://darksky.org/.

 

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Carnegie Science Center “Space Out! (Astronomy) Weekend ” March 19 & 20, 2016

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Carnegie Science Center Logo

Carnegie Science Center ” Space Out! (Astronomy) Weekend “

March 19 & 20, 2016

Guests please come out and enjoy Astronomy Weekend included with your Carnegie Science admission.  AAAP Members, please participate in 2016 Carnegie Science Center “Space Out! (Astronomy) Weekend” volunteering with the AAAP on Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20, with the AAAP displays and potentially your telescope. Enjoy fellowship with AAAP members and the Science Center. Telescopes are set up both outside and inside along with astronomy displays in the lobby. It is a great way to outreach for our club and to support the Carnegie Science Center. See club officers for more information and  AAAP Facebook and detailed information in the AAAP March Guide Star Newsletter. Members volunteering will have their admission and parking compted.

 

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Respectfully submitted, Kathy DeSantis

March AAAP Meeting, 7:30 PM, Friday, March 18, 2016, Carnegie Science Center, Dr. Carles Badenes , Binary White Dwarf Mergers

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Kick-off Carnegie Science Center “Space Out! (Astronomy) Weekend*” at the AAAP March Meeting, 7:30 PM, Friday, March 18, 2016, Carnegie Science Center. The featured guest speaker is Dr. Carles Badenes  from the University of Pittsburgh. Previously another program was announced, but upon that presenter’s unavailibilty AAAP has the good fortune of host Dr. Badenes.

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Dr. Badenes  will talk about binary white dwarfs and what happens when they merge.  A team of astronomers led by Carles Badenes helped to clarify the origins of an important type of exploding star utilizing data from a little-known feature of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III) .

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AAAP February Meeting Features Brashear Time Capsule 7:30 PM, Friday, February 12, 2016

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AAAP February Meeting, 7:30 PM, Friday, February 12, 2016 features guest speaker Art Glaser from the Heinz History Center to discuss the contents of the Brashear Time Capsule found during the March 17, 2015 demolition of the John A. Brashear Factory  (Perry South neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). The meeting location is Allegheny Observatory, 159 Riverview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15214, United States. Carpooling is encouraged to economize parking. For more information and updates check back here as the date nears, AAAP Facebook and look forward to the AAAP February Guide Star Newsletter. Read more about John A. Brashear here.

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Respectfully submitted, Kathy DeSantis.

21+Rocket Science Tonight at Carnegie Science Center

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Meet with AAAP president and interested AAAP members tonight January 15, 2016, 6-10 PM, at 21+Rocket Science at Carnegie Science Center.  Just drop in no reservation needed.  Guests may purchase tickets from the CSC website or at the door.  Guests should see CSC for more info. AAAP members can check with the AAAPgh List and or club officers. AAAP supports CSC and holds many of its monthly meetings at the Science Center. This is a great opportunity to share club and astronomy information with the public and to promote the Carnegie Science Center.

Carnegie Science Center plans an unforgetable evening exploring the Space Race and Rocket Science teaming up with the City Theatre to present present scenes from the world premiere of “Some Brighter Distance,” which explores the true story of Arthur Rudolph, a German rocket scientist who helped American win the space race before being cast out of the country. Preview scenes from the play even before its theatrical debut on Jan. 23. Actors will perform under the stars in the Buhl Planetarium; a planetarium show will follow the performance.

Bring your questions for a Q-and-A session with some of the cast and crew and astronomers to learn about this important time in American history.

All that, plus explosive demonstrations in the Works Theater, design and launch your own straw-rocket, ride on the zero-gravity simulator, build a space shuttle glider and in the Science Stage, watch vintage films depicting what people thought space travel would be like in the future.*

Also, if in town earlier in the day enjoy AAAP Member Bill Snyder’s Astrophotography  Exhibit in the Conney M. Kimbo Gallery at the University of Pittsburgh, there from January  11th to 22, 2016. Hours: Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday noon–5 p.m.

 

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Updates and additional astronomy and AAAP information on AAAP’s Facebook Page.

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Respectfully submitted, Kathy DeSantis.

Quadrantids, First Meteor Shower of 2016, January 3-4, 2016

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The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks Sunday night into Monday Morning, January 3-4, 2016.  The Waning Crescent Moon should be little interference. Sky shown here is 1:00 AM, Monday January 4, 2016 Quadrantid radiant, is approximately 15 degrees above the horizon (Stellarium screen capture). The Quadrantid radiant is in the corner of a right angle formed by the Big Dipper and bright star Arcturus.  Notice the accompanying meteor showers labeled in aqua and gold: pi Geminids, delta Cancerids, December Leonis Minorids, as well as Comet Catalina  (c/2013 u10), slightly east azimuth 65 degrees.

2016 Quadrantids

As indicated in Accuweather’s  the national weather map thumbnail below for Sunday Dusk through Monday Dawn Pittsburgh local weather is hindered by partial clouds however much of the country in a wide band from Texas through southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond anticipates good viewing.

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AAAP’s Weather Resources indicate those in the Northern and Eastern Greater Pittsburgh Area may have an ideal clear sky opportunity on either side of Midnight.  Considering Pittsburgh weather it can vary.   If you cannot watch the Quadrantid meteors live you can see them with the Slooh Space Camera and with Ustream . The NASA Ustream channel includes a lively commentary by NASA scientists. [Read more…] about Quadrantids, First Meteor Shower of 2016, January 3-4, 2016