Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

Your Bridge to the Stars

Allegheny Observatory Open House, Friday, October 7, 2016

AAAP Star Party at Wagman Observatory, Saturday, October 22, 2016

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The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh opens its observatories to the public on the following dates and locations: Wagman Observatory on October 22nd. No reservations. No charge. No limit to group size. Just show up. Our star parties feature a rich array of celestial delights. Experience the AAAP telescopes and those of our members as they reveal our solar system and more distant objects, including galaxies and nebula.

More information: Wagman Star Parties Guide

Although admission is free, we gladly accept donations at the observatory entrance desks to cover the cost of operation. There is no smoking or alcohol permitted on our observatory grounds. Please drive slowly and carefully and be aware of pedestrians, especially children. Children must be under direct parental supervision at all times.

Our helpful and informed all volunteer staff will be happy to assist you to gain in knowledge and appreciation of the night sky. Mingo and Wagman Observatories are owned and operated by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, a 501(3)(c) and your donations are tax deductible.

Directions to Wagman Observatory:
The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Observatory Phone 724-224-2510.

AAAP Mingo Star Parties, October 21 and 22, 2016

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stellariumpittsburgh10222016sw
Pittsburgh Sky October 22, 2016, 7:30 PM, SW. Stellarium.org Screen Capture.

The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invites the public to the Mingo Observatory October Star Parties on October 21 and 22, 2016.

The Friday, October 21 Star Party begins at approximately 6:30 PM.  The Saturday, October 22 Star Party begins at 4:30 PM with Safe Solar Viewing through the 4” Lunt Hydrogen Alpha telescope.   Following safe solar viewing during the day, viewing of the night sky will begin at approximately 6:30 PM.  Sunset is 6:29 PM.  View the night sky through the AAAP’s  10” D & G Refractor and the 24” Optical Guidance Systems Reflector Telescope and the AAAP Member Telescopes on the observing hill. Other offerings include planetarium shows and presentations inside the Richard Y. Haddad Planetarium and tours of the stars and constellations under the night sky.

Mingo Observatory is located inside of Washington County’s Mingo Creek County Park, at 1 Shelter 10 Road Finleyville, PA 15332,  Latitude 40.211 degrees Longitude -80.020 degrees.  If using GPS, coordinates work better than the address.  Call 724-258-6150 for more information.

These October Star Parties will feature planets: red Mars, ringed Saturn, and brilliant Venus. The features of the Moons craters and plains will be seen. The Orionid Meteors, remnants of Comet Halley peaking October 20-21, 2016 will streak the skies over Mingo this weekend. Our large telescopes will reveals mysteries of  Autumn Deep Sky Objects such as spiral galaxy NGC 210,  the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635), the Pinwheel Galaxy (M33), Stephan’s Quintet, and more! ISS Pass and Iridium flare information here.

There is no charge for your visit, but we greatly appreciate donations to help cover operating expenses.  Reservations are not needed and there is no limit on group size. The observatory and its outdoor park style restroom are accessible to persons with disabilities. There is no running water on the premises. Guests are reminded to dress for the chill in the October night air, especially on the observing hill. As we are located inside of Mingo Creek County Park there is  no alcohol or smoking permitted.  Please drive slowly and cautiously especially in darkness and be alert for pedestrians and guests in place. After dark please limit the use of white lights as safety permits.  Our entirely volunteer AAAP Member staff looks forward to your visit. [Read more…] about AAAP Mingo Star Parties, October 21 and 22, 2016

AAAP Wagman Observatory Star Party, Saturday, October 8, 2016

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Stellarium Screen Capture: Pittsburgh, October8, 2016, 8PM, SW.
Stellarium Screen Capture: Pittsburgh, October8, 2016, 8PM, SW.

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invites the public to the  Wagman Observatory Star Party, Saturday, October 8 at 6:50 PM, EDT, Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh.  Wagman Observatory is located at 225 Kurn Road Tarentum, PA 15084 ~ 724-224-2510 ~ Latitude 40.627 degrees Longitude -79.813 degrees. This post will be updated after 4:30 PM today in regards to the evening sky conditions as they develop.

See large clusters of stars, beautiful colored double stars, visit the craters of the moon and view the planets Venus, Saturn, Mars, Uranus and Neptune. It’s all part of the show during October Star Party sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.

This is an opportunity for amateur astronomers, students and the general public to observe the wonders of both the summer and autumn skies including the First Quarter Moon, The Great Hercules Star Cluster, the Andromeda Galaxy and Double Cluster in Perseus in the telescopes at the Observatory. Did you get a new telescope recently and don’t know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help!

Looking to buy a telescope, accessories, star charts and books? Wagman Observatory is the place to start. We’ll have free handouts, guides and booklets to point visitors in the right direction.

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. [Read more…] about AAAP Wagman Observatory Star Party, Saturday, October 8, 2016

AAAP October 14 Meeting, 7:30 PM, NASA Mission Specialist, Mark “Indy” Kochte, “New Horizons: The Adventure to Pluto.”

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AAAP Logo - 0314 x 0314 - photo white on black - rev 2

The October Meeting of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will be held at 7:30 PM, October 14, 2016, at Carnegie Science Center, Riverview Cafe, One Allegheny Ave.Pittsburgh, PA 15212  and features the  NASA New Horizons Mission Specialist Mark “Indy” Kochte*, speaking on “New Horizons: The Adventure to Pluto.”  * Please refer to bio at the end of this post.

Pluto has long been considered an oddball planet since it’s discovery, but over the decades we have learned much about what it is and what it isn’t. Now, after a 9.5 year voyage that covered over 3 billion miles, the New Horizons spacecraft, the first manmade object from Earth to visit this little planet, has shown us that Pluto is SO unique and unlike anything we might have imagined since it’s discovery 70-odd years ago. What new wonders await discovery? Join Mission Operations team member Mark ‘Indy’ Kochte on a journey of wonder to a place in our own solar system that the awesome Hubble Space Telescope can only barely resolve.

The speaker will be at the top of the evening shortly after 7:30 PM.  Following the speaker there will be a brief recess followed by the monthly business meeting. Please check back for updates.

NASA New Horizons Mission Specialist, Mark "Indy" Kochte, Photo Credit: Kyle Cassidy
NASA New Horizons Mission Specialist, Mark “Indy” Kochte, Photo Credit: Kyle Cassidy

Heads up there is a 21+ Night  upstairs in the Carnegie Science during the meeting. There are also some extra activities going on around the building. It should be great fun!

Carnegie Science Center Parking Lot charges a flat $5 fee. AAAP Meetings are free and open to the public.

Carnegie Science Center Logo

[Read more…] about AAAP October 14 Meeting, 7:30 PM, NASA Mission Specialist, Mark “Indy” Kochte, “New Horizons: The Adventure to Pluto.”

Allegheny Observatory Open House, Friday, October 7, 2016

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Allegheny Observatory Source: http://www.pitt.edu/~aobsvtry/

Allegheny Observatory:  Source: http://www.pitt.edu/~aobsvtry/

It is Annual Open House Tour time at Allegheny Observatory!

The tour is free and open to the public but reservations are required and limited in number. Members of the public who would like to attend the open house should telephone the observatory at 412-321-2400 between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday.

AAAP members who would like to volunteer should email  Lou Coban as outlined in AAAP’s September Guide Star Newsletter. The AAAP has been helping out at the Allegheny Observatory Open House for at least half a century. Our members  keep that tradition going by showing a strong by offering to set up scopes on the observatory’s front lawn and in other capacities.

The Allegheny Observatory, founded on February 15, 1859, is one of the world’s major astronomical research institutions.  It is four miles north of the Golden Triangle (downtown Pittsburgh) atop Observatory Hill in Riverview Park. AO is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh , eight miles away in Oakland. Originally dedicated to general public education,  by 1867 the facility was [Read more…] about Allegheny Observatory Open House, Friday, October 7, 2016