Another Trip Around the Sun

Happy New Year! January marks one year since the old Sudekum Planetarium closed so we could begin building our new dome home. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in that time, but there’s still plenty of work left to be done. If you haven’t taken a look lately, visit our gallery of construction images and movies. Relive the demolition of the old building, marvel at the erection of the high steel, and see the latest images of the construction. We can’t wait to see you in the new dome this summer!

January Skies

Despite the cold temperatures, this is a great time of year to get acquainted with the night sky. With the help of this star chart, look for mighty Orion the Hunter high in the south in the early evening. Notice Betelgeuse, the red star indicating Orion’s shoulder, and Rigel, the blue star marking his foot. Orion looks surprisingly large in the real sky.

Under dark skies, away from streetlights and other light pollution, look just below Orion’s belt for a faint smudge of light. That’s the Great Orion Nebula, a vast cloud of gas and dust where stars are being formed. Try looking at it with binoculars or a small telescope.

Once you meet Orion, he can help you find other nearby constellations. Trace an imaginary line through Orions three belt stars and extend that line up and to the right to find Aldebaran, the red star that marks the eye of Taurus the Bull. Extend the same line down and to the left to find Sirius, in the constellation of Canis Major, the big dog.

Directly above Orion’s head is a bright red- orange point of light. That’s the planet Mars! This month, Mars is a bit brighter than usual, having just made a close approach to Earth in December.

Another beautiful planet is rising into view in the early evening. Saturn rises in the east about 9:15 PM at the beginning of January, and just after 7:00 PM by the end of the month. Unless you have a perfectly flat, clear horizon to the east, it helps to wait an hour or two after the planet rises so you can see it over the trees and buildings that might be in the way. Saturn is currently beneath the constellation Leo the Lion.

If you have binoculars, take a look at Saturn. If it doesn’t look perfectly round, that’s because you’re seeing Saturn’s rings. Binoculars aren’t quite powerful enough to clearly resolve the rings, so they just make Saturn look oval-shaped. A small telescope can provide a clear view of the rings. There are many beautiful sights in the winter night sky. Don’t get overwhelmed! There’s plenty of time to take it all in. Stargazing takes patience and practice, so start slowly and keep a close tab on those stars and planets you can find. Keep building your knowledge of the sky a little bit at a time. Soon enough, the planets and constellations will be familiar friends!

Star Parties

Important Update: The location of the star party on February 9 has changed! It will now be at the Ridgefield site at Edwin Warner Park.

The next FREE public star party is schduled for Saturday, February 9, at the Ridgefield site at Edwin Warner Park, from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. The Barnard Seyfert Astronomical Society (BSAS) will be on hand with telescopes to help visitors enjoy the late winter night sky.

Then, on February 20, 2008, join us in front of Adventure Science Center for a FREE total lunar eclipse star party. The event runs from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. The eclipse itself starts at 7:43 pm, with totality beginning at 9:01. We’re planning to have a short program before and during the eclipse to explain what is happening in the sky. Check our web site soon for more details.

During both star parties, we’ll also have great views of Saturn, Mars, and plenty of other celestial sights. As always, star parties are weather permitting. If it’s cloudy or worse, the star party will be cancelled. If the weather is iffy, check the Sudekum Planetarium web site or call Astroline at (615) 401-5092 before traveling.

How to Use Your New Astronomy Toys

Spencer L. Buckner, Lonnie Puterbaugh,
Chuck Schlemm, and Keith Burneson
January 17, 7:30pm

Woo hoo! You got the astronomy gift you wanted for Christmas. Boo hoo.... The skies didn’t cooperate on Christmas night. You’ve gone out every clear night since, but you still aren’t sure how to use that new toy.

Woo hoo! The January meeting of the Barnard Seyfert Astronomical Society will feature several local amateur astronomers who can help make the most of your new astronomy gadget. You do not have to be a member to attend on Thursday, January 17, from 7:30 to 9:15pm. Anyone interested in observing the night sky, buying a telescope, or learning to make the most of their telescope is invited to join.

Topics will include how to set-up your new telescope, which eyepiece to use when, how to attach a new camera for astro-imaging, and how to use your new sky guide device. Presenters will explain a variety of equipment and gadgets popular this Christmas.

For more about the Barnard Seyfert Astronomical Society, visit their web site at www.bsasnashville.com.