October Out of Doors

Did you see any stars last month? We hardly did. September 2009 was almost a record breaker for rainfall totals in Middle Tennessee. With luck, October weather will be more suitable for astronomy.

If you can find a clear evening sky, there is certainly plenty to see. High in the west just after sunset are the three bright stars of the Summer Triangle. These stars can help you find the constellations Cygnus the swan, Aquila the eagle, and Lyra the harp.

That bright star almost due south after sunset doesn’t belong to any constellation. This “wandering star” is really the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter.

High in the eastern sky are four stars of roughly equal brightness that form the Great Square of Pegasus. They may not be the brightest stars, but they seem to stand out against the relatively faint stars of autumn.

In mythology, Pegasus was a flying horse, but most people have trouble seeing such a creature in the sky. The two, long, curving lines of stars that look like they should be the hind legs of Pegasus are actually part of Andromeda the princess.

Face the eastern horizon with Pegasus and Andromeda in front of you. High and to the left, you should be able to see the “W” shape of Cassiopeia the queen. Imagine the central point of the “W” is the tip of an arrow, that points you toward Polaris, the north star.

Many people have learned to find north using the outer two stars of the bowl of the Big Dipper to point to Polaris. Unfortunately at this time of year, the Big Dipper is low, near the northwestern horizon, which makes it very difficult to see. If you continue the line from Cassiopeia through Polaris, you will run into the Big Dipper – and vice versa.

Cooler temperatures and earlier sunsets make it easier to relax under the real stars, even on a school night. Get a chair, a cool drink, and your family, and get out and look at the real sky. Read on for exciting astronomy programs that will take place both indoors and out.

Join the World-Wide Star Count

How dark are the skies over your home? Contribute to the World-Wide Star Count October 9-23, 2009. Go outside after dark, count the stars you see in Cygnus the swan, and report what you see online. To learn more, visit www.windows.ucar.edu/starcount.

All About Telescopes

October 15, 2009

The October meeting of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society will start early, at 7:00 pm, with the presentation of Two Small Pieces of Glass in the Sudekum Planetarium. This short program examines how telescopes have changed our view of the universe. Then at 7:30 pm the regular BSAS program will begin. Galileo: Contributions and Challenges will highlight Galileo’s contributions to physics and astronomy as well as the challenges he faced after announcing that Earth is not at the center of the universe. BSAS and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State are offering this program as part of the International Year of Astronomy, Learn more about this worldwide celebration by visiting astronomy2009.org and 400years.org.

November 19, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Thinking of buying a telescope for a friend for Christmas? How and where do you buy one? How do you avoid junk without breaking the bank? Dr. Spencer Buckner of Austin Peay State University will address these questions and more during All I Want For Christmas Are Astronomy Presents.

There are lots of great gifts you can give to your favorite amateur astronomer with prices ranging from under $20 to over $10,000. Selecting the right gift that fits your budget and the recipient can seem like a daunting task.

Dr. Buckner will explain the basic types of telescopes and mounts along with their pros and cons. He will also include suggestions on where to find good equipment at reasonable prices and sales people knowledgeable about the products they sell.

Get Your Own Galileoscope

Get Your Own Galileoscope A cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy was to create a good quality yet inexpensive telescope anyone can use. You can read more about the Galileoscope at www.galileoscope.org

You can BUY a Galileoscope in the Science Center Gift Shop for just $25 -- cheaper than ordering online, even when you include sales tax. Even better, your purchase helps Adventure Science Center!

Free Telescopes, Sort Of

Not everyone has a telescope or wants to bother with owning one. That is why members of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society set up their telescopes so everyone can look at the planets or other celestial sights.

The next two FREE public star parties are Saturday, October 24, from 8:00-10:00 PM at the Longhunter State Park Visitors Center and Saturday, November 21 from 8:00-10:00 PM at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center.

Star parties may be cancelled due to poor weather. If the weather is questionable, visit our web site or call AstroLine at (615) 401- 5092 before leaving home.