Planetary Nebula Abell 31 in Cancer, by Chuck Manges, Astronomy Magazine Picture of the Day

Upcoming AAAP Star Parties – September 10th & 24th at Wagman Observatory – September 23rd & 24th at Mingo Observatory

September 10, 2016 by Heather Panek

The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh opens its observatories to the public on the following dates and locations: Wagman Observatory on September 10th & 24th (both Saturdays) and Mingo Observatory on September 23rd (Friday) & 24th (Saturday). 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: Mingo Star Parties Guide
https://3ap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Mingo-Star-Party-Schedule-2016.pdf

More information: Wagman Star Parties Guide
https://3ap.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Wagman_Sched_2016.pdf

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. [Read more…] about Upcoming AAAP Star Parties – September 10th & 24th at Wagman Observatory – September 23rd & 24th at Mingo Observatory

AAAP September 9, 2016 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 PM, Bayer Science Stage, Carnegie Science Center

September 9, 2016 by DeSantisK

Meeting Update:

Thank you to Astrobotic Technology and their Public Relations and Customer Care Coordinator Mandy Fleeger and Senior Electronic Engineer John Branthoover and the 28 Members and 3 Guests who attended the AAAP September Meeting! Not bad attendance considering the Liberty Bridge was closed. Mandy and John informed us on Astrobotic Technology, the premier private space technology corporation in the world, and is it based here in Pittsburgh! John’s talk was fascinating with still images and video showing robots fit for harshest terrains and conditions, flying autonomous crafts capable of LIDAR informed decision making for landing site selection and independent landing, drones in lava tubes, etc. Astrobotic is the only firm to win all three Google Milestone Prizes. Mr. Branthooler designed the camera which won Astrobotic’s Google Milestone Imaging Prize. In contention for the Google Lunar X Prize, Astrobotic will launch to the Moon no later than the end of 2017. In the meantime they are partnered with Airbus and DHL and continue with each additional freight contract to increase the profitability of the mission. We have special announcement for AAAP members who attended the meeting as well as those who missed it. Let this announce to our Members Only we are invited to a private tour. If you are interested in one of the proposed tours, date/time to be determined, please send and email to VicePresidentAT3ap.org with “A Private Tour” in the header stating your preference to day or evening along with your full name as registered on the AAAP Membership List, email address and phone number. A $5 across the dues increase will occur January 1, 2017. It does not apply to Student Memberships. Early bird 2017 dues paying now, prior to January 1 avoids the increase. AAAP is Participating in Washington Gives Day, Tuesday September 13, 2016. Please see the calendar for upcoming observatory star parties and off-site observing events. Best Regards. Kathy D. , AAAP Vice President

AAAP Business Meeting – Friday, September 9th, 2016 at the Carnegie Science Center

September 9, 2016 by Heather Panek

Guest Speaker John Branthoover Soft-Lands On the Moon

The September 9, 2016 meeting speaker comes to us from Astrobotic Technology, the lunar logistics firm spun out of CMU’s robotics institute in 2007. John Branthoover, one of Astrobotics’ senior electrical engineers, is our guest. Team Astrobotic won three Google Milestone Prizes: The Landing Prize ($1 million), Mobility Prize ($500,000), and Imaging Prize ($250,000), for a total of $1.75 million in prize winnings! Astrobotic has entered into partnerships with DHL and Airbus in their competition for the Google LunarXprize as well as their quest to establish a regular privately-owned lunar payload system. Astrobotic is one of three companies partnered with NASA through the Lunar Cargo Transport and Landing by Soft Touchdown (CATALYST) to advance robotic landing capabilities. Their newly unveiled Peregrine lander features Aerojet Rocketdyne engines. Their next launch is planned for 2017.

The September meeting takes place in the Carnegie Science Center’s Bayer Science Stage starting at 7:30 pm. It’s been a long time since the U.S. soft-landed anything on the Moon. This is a good chance to learn about the next Giant Leap.

WCCF Gives Day September 13, 2016

September 9, 2016 by DeSantisK

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

WCCF Gives 2016 – Tuesday, September 13

Give Online beginning at 8 a.m. on September 13 to 8 p. m. September 13,

or by Check before September 13 (must be in hands of WCCF by 8 PM, September 13).

Please click here to be taken to the donation “button,” which will be “active” on September 13, 2016.

Last year WCCF Gives Day raised over $300 for the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.

WCCF Gives is a one-day event, in which each donation you make to your favorite Washington County non-profit via www.wccfgives.org or by check will be increased by a percentage of a bonus pool estimated to be at least $100,000.

Donations made to the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh through the Washington County Community Foundation’s Washington Gives Day on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, online that day or by check anytime before that day will be matched from a 100,000 donor pool. All donations will be used to further enhance our educational programs and outreach. [Read more…] about WCCF Gives Day September 13, 2016

Amazon Smile: You Shop, Amazon Gives to AAAP

September 1, 2016 by DeSantisK

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh is Participating in Amazon Smile. "AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. " From http://smile.amazon.com/ . — **Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh is participating in Amazon Smile**. “Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. ” From http://smile.amazon.com/ .

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. A simple designation of Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh as your favorite charity lets you shop while Amazon gives and AAAP benefits. Thank you!

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Respectfully submitted, Kathy DeSantis.