What Will You Be Doing on April 8th?

    Have you decided what you are going to do on April 8^th, 2024? If you are anywhere close to where I live, you are within a couple hours drive to the path of totality for the solar eclipse! The eclipse will be visible across the entire continental US, though it will be a partial eclipse for most of states. For those living in or near a narrow path between Texas and Maine, they will be able to experience totality!

    Here in Pittsburgh, the sun will almost be covered by the moon, only 3% will remain uncovered. While it will get dark, you will still need proper protection for your eyes when you are looking at the sun. I met a woman during the last partial solar eclipse who was afraid to look up into the sky because she was afraid she might get blinded. When I offered her my filtered glasses to look through, she politely declined. She decided to stay in the car rather than risk her eyesight. Sadly she missed something that she might have remembered for the rest of her life.

    By driving a couple hours to the north or the west you can enter the path of the eclipse, where the sun will be completely covered by the moon. If you have the opportunity, I’d take it! For most of us, this will be a once in a lifetime event.

      Depending on where you are located, the amount of totality will differ. The entire eclipse will last about 2 1/2 hours (+/-) while totality, the time when the sun is completely covered, will last about four minutes. Less if you’re sitting away from the center of the path. People in Erie will be treated to 3 minutes and 40 seconds of totality while people further south in Edinboro will be getting 3 minutes and 19 seconds. Those in Titusville will be getting about 51 seconds. Your location from the centerline determines how long totality lasts.

    Doing any internet search about the eclipse will stress the importance of proper protection of your eyes. Please don’t stare at the sun without proper shielding! Sunglasses or neutral density filters won’t do the trick; they will allow the infrared light through which can damage your retinas. Solar filters or glasses bought through a reputable company are worth the cost spent on them! If you have a welding filter, #12 or 13, sitting on a shelf, like I do, these can be used in a pinch but it is always worthwhile to do as much as you can to protect your eyesight! Make a projection box if you don’t have anything else. (Instructions can be found on-line)

    It is estimated that 31 million people will be within the narrow strip of totality, stretching from Texas to Maine. Many more will be traveling to get to this stretch of totality. That is a lot of people who will see this event. Municipalities near the bigger cities have been planning and preparing for this event for quite a while! Traffic jams after it happens are expected. If you go anywhere that is crowded, plan on this!

    Some of us have been looking forward to this and planning for it for years! Some are just learning about it in the past few weeks. Whatever you do, no matter where you are, if the weather permits it , go outside and take a look. Chances are, there will be clouds involved, especially if you’re anywhere near where I am. (I seem to have a cloud over my head during astronomical events!)

    Pay attention to your surroundings, listen to what is happening, enjoy the gasps and yelling and cheering of those around you. If possible, consider recording the sounds on your phone. It will help you relive the experience, possibly even bring back goose bumps and maybe even a tear to your eyes! Take some pictures if you’re equipped to do it but take time to enjoy the event, ignore the camera and soak in the experience! You will see lots of pictures of it later; don’t miss it while trying to get one of your own! Step back and enjoy the experience!

    As of today, the eclipse is just two weeks away…keep your fingers crossed for clear skies!

    Note: my public library was giving away free eclipse glasses, check around, they are out there if you haven’t gotten a pair yet!

    Also, star parties are starting next month! Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Park will be hosting them on April 13^th and 20^th! For more details and other dates, click the link below;

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh (3ap.org)

What Can We Do This Weekend?

 Nothing planned for the upcoming weekend, are you looking for something to do? Let me give you a couple ideas…

    Foremost on my list are the two star parties being held by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, (AAAP) at the Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Park. On  Friday and Saturday nights, the 28^th and 29^th of April, the club members will have a variety of telescopes set up on the observatory grounds and the two permanently mounted scopes will be open for viewing also.

    The bright planet Venus will be one of the objects viewed along with the moon, double stars and galaxies. If you’ve never been to a star party, this is your chance! If you’ve been to one in the past, come on back! You can’t beat the price, it’s free!

    For more information about the AAAP and the star parties, go to;

3AP.ORG

    The second item on this short list is that Saturday April 28^th is Independent Bookstore Day!  While you are out and about during the day, stop into your favorite independent bookstore. Many of the store will be having special events to celebrate the day.

    Before we go up to Wagman, we will be stopping at City Books, located on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Open from 11 to 5, they will have along with their great selection of used books (and new), Haley Clancy who will be composing poems for interested customers. She types them on her typewriter as she creates them, each one an individual one-of-a-kind poem.

    For more information on City Books, go to;

CityBooksPgh.com

    Support your local bookstores, they bring both knowledge and class to our neighborhoods! If you happen to visit City Books or come up to the star parties, keep an eye out for me. I’d love to see you there!

“There are stores that enrich the streets with their presence, and the most precious of them are the shops that sells old books!”

― Mehmet Murat ildan

Welcome to the Star Party

 Welcome to a night under the stars. If this is your first time visiting a star party, here are a few guidelines.

    Star parties are held to allow the general public access to the telescopes owned by astronomy clubs and astronomers. The goal is to introduce you to the night sky and astronomy. On a good night you can expect to see double stars, galaxies and nebulas along with the moon, planets and satellites. Every time you visit one, different things can be seen.

    The telescopes are set up there for you to observe through. All you need to do to look through these instruments is to ask! These are often very expensive, be careful when looking through them and follow the owners instructions. Don’t touch the optics or move the scopes. If you want to look at something else, ask and if possible, the owner will show you.

    They will tell you what you are looking at and hopefully be able to answer any questions you might have. If they don’t know the answer, chances are that someone else near-by will!

    Weather plays a big part in star parties. If there are clouds in the sky, chances are the telescopes won’t be set up. Heavy clouds hamper viewing and the members don’t want any moisture getting onto the optics. So saying, rain will cancel these events. If the weather looks threatening, call the observatory before driving up!

(Observatory phone #’s are usually on the clubs web site)

    If you have a telescope at home, bring it along. Most star parties have darker skies than those closer to the cities; this will enable you to see more than you normally do. If you’ve never used your telescope before, come up early, while the sky is still light, and someone will be able to help you set it up and explain how it works. If you have a pair of binoculars, bring them along also. You will be surprised at how many stars you can see through ordinary field glasses. Bring a lawn chair if you want, to just sit and enjoy the skies above.

    If you are considering buying a telescope, a star party is a great place to see what is available. Compare the views you get through different styles and brands, ask the owners what they like about their scopes and what they would recommend.

    Bringing a jacket and a hat and wearing long pants is suggested since the temperature quickly drops after sunset. Most star parties are held on hilltops and there is usually a slight breeze blowing!

    There is no smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed near the telescopes and it’s best to leave your pets at home to avoid any problems.

    Another important thing is, don’t bring a flashlight! Bright lights are frowned upon at star parties. If you don’t know how to dim your cars lights, please park near the entrance and walk up to the site, it’s won’t be far! This will preserve everyone’s night vision.

    After being in the dark for awhile, your eyes become accustomed to the dim light. Your pupils open up to permit more light in, allowing you to see more. Just a brief glimpse from a white flashlight or a car headlight will cause your pupils to shrink. It will then take up to 20 minutes for you to regain the night vision you had before. Astronomers use red flashlights since this won’t cause your pupils to react.

    Children are very welcome at star parties; we hope to instill the love of astronomy in them at an early age! Keep your children close at hand. Explain to them about how costly these instruments are and share the need to respect the equipment and the owners.

    When you go on trips, check to see if there are any astronomy clubs in the areas you will be visiting. They will usually have the dates of star parties they have planned on their web sites. Major parks have star parties also, their skies are often much darker than what you experience normally and they want to share this with you. Check before you visit. Commonly, star parties are held during the summer months and whenever something special happens, such as eclipses or meteor showers. Keep an eye out for them and come up and visit!

    Should you be bitten by the astronomy bug, members will be more than happy to tell you how you can join the club, anyone is welcome to join! You don’t need any expensive equipment, just your enthusiasm!

    To find out more about the Pittsburgh club, the AAAP, their two observatories and their star party schedule, visit;

http://3AP.Org

    The night sky is a treasure which is often over looked; a visit to a star party just might help you see what great things you’ve been missing! Chances are, I'll be there and I’ll be watching for you! Be sure to say "hi"!

Finally, Another Star Party! August 14, 2021

         After nearly two years, 21 months to be exact, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh (AAAP) has finally been able to hold another star party! The one scheduled for the night before, (Friday the 13^th of Aug.) was cancelled due to rain, or possibly bad luck! Saturday had turned out to be a perfect night to hang out in a field and share the skies with others.

        I arrived early, around 7PM, joining 7 or 8 other members setting up their scopes.  We watched a weather balloon for awhile as we waited for the darkness to arrive.

        A couple friends came up with a new telescope and the three of us started to set it up. Then some other members with more knowledge finished the job, getting it aligned and tracking correctly. They offered their help and then stopped by a few times during the night to make sure everything was operating properly. It is what our club does! Their help and concern was appreciated!

        As the sun set and the skies started darkening, more and more people started arriving. Some had scopes, some brought their children and some were just here to get outside and mingle once again. We were more than happy to show them the stars while they were there.

        Almost everyone started with the moon. It was the only thing visible! As the night darkened, Venus showed up in the west and Jupiter appeared on the eastern horizon. It wasn’t much later that Saturn showed up to join the party!

         I would guess that there was over 100 people who came to visit. Groups of people were walking past, laughing and talking and every so often, yelling about seeing a meteor!

        I showed most of the objects on my list; the planets,(Saturn is always a show stopper!) double stars, the Ring Nebula and the Coat Hanger Cluster to name just a few.

        Just listening, I learnt a few things from the members set up on either side of us. I love looking through other telescopes and hearing about how they work and operate. I talked with people I hadn’t seen in years and met some people I know only by way of the list-server. People continued to come by as the night went on.

        During a bit of free time, I went inside the observatory and took a look through the two big telescopes mounted there. What more can I say but…nice! M13, a globular cluster was in one scope, with thousands of stars looking like a mound of sugar.  Jupiter was in the other scope, its cloud bands visible and its moons nice and crisp in front of the background stars. The seeing was great, all the views I saw were nice and steady.

        The sky stayed clear until midnight neared.  The public started to leave as the air got cooler leaving mostly members behind. Then they started packing up. It was a little after midnight when I left. A bright Perseid meteor was my last observation for the night, a lucky one, I just happened to look up at the right time!

        This evening had done me good! I couldn’t help but be in a good mood the next morning, even though I felt like I needed more sleep.

        Our next star party at the Wagman Observatory will be on September 11^th, a Saturday and the one after that will be on September 24^th, two weeks later. The second party will be a Moonrise Star Party. We will be able to watch the moon rising in the east during this party, something that's always nice to see and photograph.

        Until the next time, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies and keep looking up!