Author: NOVAC
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Observing Omega Centauri by John Raymond
Introduction What is Omega Centauri? It is a globular cluster located in the southern constellation Centaurus. It is the brightest globular , but not easy to see in Virginia due to its low elevation. With proper timing Omega can be viewed given good transparency. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Centauri Observation This morning the skies were finally clear again. It was cool and breezy with no frost. I went out around 5:30 AM. There is a fortunate gap in the trees Read more […] -
Mysteries of Lyra
Lyra is a prominent and fascinating constellation that passes overhead for us in the mid-northern latitudes. Its visible most of the year. It has one of the brightest stars, Vega. The other bright stars are famous multiples: Epsilon, Zeta, Delta, Beta, Theta, and Eta. It has two bright Messier objects, planetary M57 and globular M56. Every Read more […] -
September 2022 Night Sky
The big news this month is that Jupiter will be in opposition on the 26th and will be the closest distance to Earth in decades. We also have the Autumnal Equinox on the 22nd and the full Moon on the 10th. This month’s full Moon is commonly referred to as the Harvest Moon due to its proximity to the Autumn Equinox, also rising around sunset it is thought to provide extra light for farmers bringing in the harvest. Several planets continue to be visible in September including: Saturn: Rises Read more […] -
August 2022 Night Sky
A short list of interesting events in the August sky with ‘x’ and ‘v’ shapes on the moon, Jovian moon shadows across Jupiter, Saturn at opposition and the Summer Triangle starting to become more easily visible throughout the night. Dates and times based on observing from Alexandria, VA. as predicted using Stellarium. Thursday, August 4 Lunar X and V around 4 PM EDT (daylight) https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/lunar-x-v/ Monday, August 8 Jupiter: shadows of Europa and Ganymede Read more […] -
May 15 – Public Monthly Meeting – Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover: From Launch to Landing
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover: From Launch to Landing Swati Mohan, Ph.D. Sunday, May 15, 2022 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST Online event meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti Monthly Meeting – Public Invited Abstract: The Mars 2020 mission was created to build off of the discoveries of its predecessors. The previous 4 rovers had found the building blocks for life on Mars. The Mars 2020 perseverance rover is the most advanced rover of the set, with each upgrade carefully Read more […] -
Fairfax County Announces First Annual One Dark Hour Event
The Fairfax County Park Authority is encouraging participation in the first annual One Dark Hour event. On April 22, the Fairfax County Park Authority is hoping residents will join them in turning off their lights to raise awareness of the importance of dark skies. Park Authorities ask you take part by turning off your outdoor lights between 9 and 10 p.m. on Friday, April 22, and encourage your neighbors to do the same. For more information see the official announcement or visit Fairfax Read more […] -
April 10 – Public Monthly Meeting – How to Measure Velocities of Distant Galaxy Clusters, and Why
How to Measure Velocities of Distant Galaxy Clusters, and Why Arthur Kosowsky, Ph.D. Sunday, April 12, 2022 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST Online event meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti Monthly Meeting – Public Invited Abstract: Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound objects in the universe. Their hot ionized gas scatters photons of the cosmic microwave background, creating a microwave spectrum distortion (called the Thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect) which Read more […] -
January 9 – Public Monthly Meeting – Two Eyes are Better than One
Two Eyes are Better than OnePhilip S. Harrington, FRASAstronomy Author/EducatorContributing editor, Astronomy magazineSunday, January 9, 20227:30 PM to 9:00 PM ESTOnline eventhttps://meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gtiMonthly Meeting – Public Invited Abstract:Binoculars are NOT just for beginners, as this talk will stress. After various binocular-related terms are defined, Phil Harrington will offer consumer tips to help the audience weed out astronomically worthy binoculars from a vast ocean of models Read more […] -
Two Vintage Optics Brought to Life in a New Century
In late 2017 I found an 8″ f/4 Enterprise Optics primary for sale on Astromart. I had been wanting a small portable dob for a while. The size and focal ratio were “just right” But was it a good mirror? Read more […] -
November 14 – Public Monthly Meeting – Come Fly Away to the Sun
Come Fly Away to the Sun Dr. Kelly Korreck Sunday, November 14, 2021 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST Online event meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti Monthly Meeting – Public Invited Abstract: What is faster than a speeding bullet? What can fly through turbulence without fastening its seat belt? What can tell us about the origin of our solar system at same time performing its main mission to understand our closest star? NASA’s Parker Solar Probe! The Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft was Read more […]
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