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2020 General Meetings: Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8, Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13
2020 Mingo Star Parties: Apr 24 & 25; May 15 & 16; Jun 19 & 20; Jul 17 & 18; Aug 7 & 8; Sep 11 & 12; Oct 23 & 24; Nov 14
2020 Wagman Star Parties: Apr 3 & 4; May 1, 2, 29 & 30; Jun 26 & 27; Jul 24 & 25; Aug 21 & 22; Sep 5 & 26; Oct 10 & 24; Nov 7
Please Note: Alternate views of events (such as calendar view) are available by clicking the drop-down next to the word ‘Agenda’.
September 23 – September Equinox. The September equinox occurs at 07:50 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 fall (autumnal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
September 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 18:26 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.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
CANCELLED due to inclement weather
Presentation at 7:15pm, sky viewing to follow
Please Note: This event will take place in Millennium Park
3AP Contact: Tim Kelly (t.m.kelly349@gmail.com)
CANCELLED: Due to inclement weather, tonight’s star party has been cancelled.
Exact times and locations are still TBD
3AP Contact: Bill Moutz (sailboat25@verizon.net)
3AP Contact: Terry Trees (treest@comcast.net)
This star gazing party is scheduled to start at dusk, WEATHER PERMITTING.
Kunkle Park is located behind the Washington Township Municipal Building. For GPS users, that’s 285 Pine Run Church Road, Apollo, PA 15613. (Near the State Police barracks on Route 66.) GPS users can also insert the following coordinates: 40 degrees, 32.92 minutes north latitude, 79 degrees, 36.26 minutes west longitude.
For more information, please visit our Star Party link at:
http://wp.3ap.org/resources/star-parties/
Wagman Observatory Phone: (724)224-2510
For Moonset, Moonrise, and Sunset times, please visit the Time and Date website at:
https://www.timeanddate.com/
October 8 – Draconids Meteor Shower. The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner which was first discovered in 1900. The Draconids is an unusual shower in that the best viewing is in the early evening instead of early morning like most other showers. The shower runs annually from October 6-10 and peaks this year on the the night of the 8th. The first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight leaving fairly dark skies for observing. Best viewing will be in the early evening from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
Presentation at 6:30pm, sky viewing to follow
3AP Contact: Tim Kelly (t.m.kelly349@gmail.com)
October 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 21:09 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Hunters Moon because at this time of year the leaves are falling and the game is fat and ready to hunt. This moon has also been known as the Travel Moon and the Blood Moon.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
6:45pm – Presentation "Star Life"
7:15pm – Sky Viewing
Notes: There will be no moon that night, but 4 planets will be visible as well as many deep sky objects. The event takes place at the model airplane field. This is on top of a hill with
clear viewing in all directions.
Information for 3AP Volunteers: Those with scopes can drive onto the runway to setup.
Directions to Hillman SP's Radio Control Airport/Airfield:
From the North (Beaver)
Take PA-18 south
Turn Left at Light in Florence onto Steubenville Pike Continue 1.5 miles on Steubenville Pike Turn Left on Haul Road Continue 1.7 miles on Haul Road (Gravel and Asphalt Road) Turn Right on Kramer Road (Gravel Road) Continue 0.7 miles on Kramer Road and turn left into entrance of Hillman State Park's Model Airfield Follow gravel road to airfield at top of hill.
**Please note that once you enter Hillman State Park, follow signage for Radio Control Model Airport to find Hillman State Park's Model Airfield.
From the South (Burgettstown and Washington)
Take PA-18 north
Turn Right at Light in Florence onto Steubenville Pike Continue 1.5 miles on Steubenville Pike Turn Left on Haul Road Continue 1.7 miles on Haul Road (Gravel and Asphalt Road) Turn Right on Kramer Road (Gravel Road) Continue 0.7 miles on Kramer Road and turn left into entrance of Hillman State Park's Model Airfield Follow gravel road to airfield at top of hill.
**Please note that once you enter Hillman State Park, follow signage for Radio Control Model Airport to find Hillman State Park's Model Airfield.
From East (Pittsburgh)
Take US-22 West
Take the PA-18 exit for Florence/Burgettstown Turn Left at Light onto PA-18 North Turn Right at Light onto Steubenville Pike Continue 1.5 miles on Steubenville Pike Turn Left on Haul Road Continue 1.7 miles on Haul Road (Gravel and Asphalt Road) Turn Right on Kramer Road (Gravel Road) Continue 0.7 miles on Kramer Road and turn left into entrance of Hillman State Park's Model Airfield Follow gravel road to airfield at top of hill.
**Please note that once you enter Hillman State Park, follow signage for Radio Control Model Airport to find Hillman State Park's Model Airfield.
From West (Weirton and Steubenville)
Take US-22 East
Take the PA-18 exit for Florence/Burgettstown Turn Left onto PA-18 North Turn Right at Light onto Steubenville Pike Continue 1.5 miles on Steubenville Pike Turn Left on Haul Road Continue 1.7 miles on Haul Road (Gravel and Asphalt Road) Turn Right on Kramer Road (Gravel Road) Continue 0.7 miles on Kramer Road and turn left into entrance of Hillman State Park's Model Airfield Follow gravel road to airfield at top of hill.
**Please note that once you enter Hillman State Park, follow signage for Radio Control Model Airport to find Hillman State Park's Model Airfield.
For more information, please visit our Star Party link at:
http://wp.3ap.org/resources/star-parties/
Wagman Observatory Phone: (724)224-2510
For Moonset, Moonrise, and Sunset times, please visit the Time and Date website at:
https://www.timeanddate.com/
October 20 – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 24.6 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.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
October 21-22 – Orionids Meteor Shower. The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. It peaks this year on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. The second quarter moon will block some of the fainter meteors this year but the Orionids tend to be fairly bright so it could still be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
For more information, please visit our Star Party link at:
http://wp.3ap.org/resources/star-parties/
Mingo Observatory Phone: (724)348-6150
Please Note: Safe solar observing begins approximately 2 hours prior to the event start time, with a break until dark sky observing begins.
For Moonset, Moonrise, and Sunset times, please visit the Time and Date website at:
https://www.timeanddate.com/
For more information, please visit our Star Party link at:
http://wp.3ap.org/resources/star-parties/
Mingo Observatory Phone: (724)348-6150
Please Note: Safe solar observing begins approximately 2 hours prior to the event start time, with a break until dark sky observing begins.
For Moonset, Moonrise, and Sunset times, please visit the Time and Date website at:
https://www.timeanddate.com/
October 27 – Uranus at Opposition. The blue-green 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 Uranus. Due to its distance it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
October 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 03:39 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.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
For more information, please visit our Star Party link at:
http://wp.3ap.org/resources/star-parties/
Wagman Observatory Phone: (724)224-2510
For Moonset, Moonrise, and Sunset times, please visit the Time and Date website at:
https://www.timeanddate.com/
November 5-6 – Taurids Meteor Shower. The Taurids is a long-running minor meteor shower producing only about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams. The first is produced by dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10. The second stream is produced by debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke. The shower runs annually from September 7 to December 10. It peaks this year on the the night of November 5. The first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight leaving dark skies for viewing. Best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Taurus but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Source: http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2019.html
General Business Meeting
Guest speaker and topic: Annual Kevin J. Brunelle Astrophotography Contest