BASADMIN

AstroAtlas

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Author: Herald & Bobroff

(This large format book is rare, fragile and not available for loan and field use.)

214 Star Charts for Equinox J2000, covering the whole sky at different scales. Provides detailed information on all objects plotted.  The book provides – six series of charts, drawn at different scales. Three series of charts each cover the whole sky (at different scales). A further three series provide detailed charts of selected regions of the sky; and symbols which conveniently encode considerable information about each object plotted – eliminating the need to access catalogues to ascertain the principal characteristics of objects. (255 pages A3, Published 1994)

Online Astronomy Educational Resources

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At our March 2021 meeting, BAS member Greg Newman, gave a talk on the extensive “library” of online resources for astronomy education. Options range from short videos to comprehensive pay-to-learn university programs, and everything in between. Greg’s presentation slides, and list of selected resource sites, are available here in PDF format.

BAS Observer – November 2020

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BAS Observer – November 2020

In this edition:

• Club Activities
• November–December Events
• Dark-sky Members’ Nights
• The SOFIA Infrared Telescope
• A BAS Member’s Backyard Observatory
• Jupiter in Ultraviolet/Visible/Near-infrared Light
• Study Confirms Stellar Record-breaker
• Experts Solve Mystery of Giant X-shaped Galaxy
• The Developing Space Industry in Australia
• Sounds from Around the Galaxy
• Equipment for Sale
• BAS Information
• Hubble Spots Giant Space ‘Pumpkin’

Excellent introduction to astronomy

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Openstax.org is an initiative of Rice University that provides free educational materials to students world-wide.  In January 2020 Openstax published a web version of their textbook – Astronomy. This text provides an excellent introduction to many aspects of astronomy, from the fundamental science to galaxies, quasar, black holes and beyond.  This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about astronomy. Get web access to the book here.

BAS Observing Nights Recommence

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2020 Observing Nights Get Started - Again

Saturday July 18th, 2020, a memorable night.

COVID-19 has delivered us a very disrupted year.  BAS hopes all of its members, and their families, have escaped the worst aspects of the disruption and everyone is safe and well. However, we have all been starved of telescope and astro-camera time under the stars in recent months. But last Saturday night delivered at least one form of antidote to our frustrations.

Our members conducted members-only observing evenings at our Maleny Golf Club and Harding’s Paddock sites. The sky was exceptionally clear and steady – exactly what we needed. Both sites were well supported by members and the planets put on a show for everyone.

Maleny plans to conduct another members-only night on Saturday, July 25th.  So, start packing your gear. You might just get to glimpse a comet too.

BAS member – achievement award

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BAS Member's - Achievement Award

Congratulations to Dr Ken Wishaw for being recognised by the Queensland amateur astronomy community for research into human eye dark adaptation and the effects of red/amber light on adaptation speed and effectiveness. During 2018 Ken conduced research with volunteer astronomers at the Queensland Astrofest and Sunshine Coast BAS astronomy evenings, held at the Maleny Golf Club. His research found that the common red-wavelength light astronomers have been using for decades to protect night vision and speed dark adaptation, may not be the most efficient wavelength for in-door and at-the-scope lighting. Ken found that a more amber/orange wavelength may in fact be a better option.  Read more on the details of Ken’s research HERE.

Ken was recognised for this research at the 2019 Queensland Combined Astronomy Societies meeting held on December 6th at the University of Queensland. Well done Ken.

Ken also delivered an excellent talk at the meeting outlining the formation, objectives and recent achievements of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.  Ken is one of the founding members of this initiative to help protect the night skies of Australia from the ravages of light pollution. Again, well done Ken.

Meritorious achievement award

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Tony and Anne-Louise meritorious achievement award

The South-East Queensland Combined Astronomy Societies annual meeting was held on Friday December 6th at the University of Queensland. BAS is very proud to announce that two of our most hard working members – Tony and Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes – were recognised by the Queensland amateur astronomy community for their many years of commitment and effort invested into the planning, delivery and management of the annual Queensland Astrofest event. For many years, Tony and Anne-Louise have been the BAS representatives on the organising committee for this multi-society event. Tony and Anne-Louise put in countless hours each year, that BAS members never see, to make the Queensland Astrofest one of the most highly regarded astronomy festivals on the planet. So, a very big thank you to Tony and Anne-Louise.  May the Astofest-force continue to be with you for many more years to come.

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August 2018 Meeting – Astronomy in Antarctica

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August 2018 Meeting – Astronomy in Antarctica

Astronomy in Antarctica. It seems a strange place to locate a telescope. Most of us find a SE Queensland winter a sufficient challenge to operate a telescope. However, BAS member, Mike Zupanc, who has actually lived and worked in Antarctica, explained to us just why the frozen continent is one of the best places on Earth for a few specific forms of astronomy. For one, the atmospheric turbulence we experience in temperate and tropical zones from jet streams and moving high and low-pressure systems and pestering clouds, are not an issue on the high dome regions of central Antarctica. Moisture is also never a problem as it instantly freezes to ice on the ice pack. So, telescopes are free of dust and condensation and can even track circumpolar objects continuously at certain times of the year. We even learned that the University of NSW has an entirely autonomous telescope operating in Antarctica. That is an impressive feat. Most of us have enough trouble keeping our telescopes operating for a few hours within arm’s reach.

Thank you Mike for a really informative talk.

Warwick Dark Sky Weekend – May 2019

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Warwick Dark Sky Weekend – May 2019

After a 2018-19 summer that delivered little rain, but clouds just about every New Moon period, we finally had a win. BAS held its second 2019 Dark Sky Weekend at the Warwick Gliding Club (WGC) on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of May. It looked doubtful leaving Brisbane in a drenching storm on Saturday afternoon, but the forecasts proved correct and the skies cleared for two fantastic nights under the stars and rising Milky Way. The WGC facilities were excellent and club members extremely welcoming. The only disappointment was the dismal show by the Eta Aquarid meteors. Let’s hope we now get a good run of cloud-free New Moons for the remainder of the year.

Is Orange Light a Better Colour than Red for Dark Adaptation?

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Is Orange Light a Better Colour than Red for Dark Adaptation?

Maintenance of dark adaptation is critical for visual astronomers. Where artificial lighting has been necessary, astronomers have traditionally used red lighting. However there are sound reasons to suggest that this may not be the optimal colour. This study revealed that orange is the most appropriate colour for lighting for most astronomers, but there was considerable variation.

Learn much more about this issue in, BAS member, Dr Ken Wishaw’s research paper – available here