May 2013 SGN is now out. Click NEWSLETTER tab for your copy!
And announcing the BAS Astrophoto Contest 2013. Click here for info
Comet Lemmon Finder chart for May click here
This site was last updated May 15, 2013.
The Bluewater Astronomical Society is a group of amateur astronomers that love stargazing and sharing the hobby with others. We promote astronomy education in the Bluewater counties of Bruce and Grey by holding star gazing sessions, lectures and astronomy events for anyone interested in learning more about the night sky. We have a large, modern facility, the ES Fox Observatory on the grounds of the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre of the Bluewater Education Foundation. There we show, to young and old alike, views of the moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. Join us at our public stargazing sessions (see below or click on Coming Events) for some heavenly views under one of the last truly dark sky locations in Ontario.
The BOEC was declared a Dark Sky Preserve in Nov. 2012, Canada’s 15th DSP. At the ES Fox Observatory, we have a large reflecting telescope (a 28-inch Webster) and we use it regularly in our public viewing sessions.
Regular meetings (1st Wed of the month) start Mar 6, 2013.
A full summary of all BAS events for 2013 can be found here: BAS Events Summary
NOTE: BAS Meetings and Public Viewing at Grey Roots Museum are open to the public and there is no charge. BAS viewing at ES Fox Observatory is either open to the public (see dates below) or for members and guests. HOWEVER, we welcome out -of-town guests on all of our observing nights. Individuals or groups may request special tours by contacting Joan Skelton, email: andromeda@gto.net or John Hlynialuk, email: stargazer@wightman.ca
We will do our best to accommodate you!
Click here or on COMING EVENTS above for details about the following BAS events:
MAY
May 1 WED BAS meeting Grey Roots Museum 7 pm Speaker Brian Reis Astronomy and Weather
May 4 SAT (LQ+2) BAS viewing @Fox ES Fox @dark (backup May 11 Sat NM+1)
May 5 SUN (LQ +3) Eta-Aqu meteors ES Fox @dark, moon last crescent, 60/h, peak 2 am
May 10 FRI (NM) Public viewing GR Grey Roots Museum 9 pm (Members with scopes) CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
May 11 SAT BOEC re-union BOEC Dining Hall starts 1 pm, RASC DSP plaque presentation
May 22 WED -May 30 THU Planet trio in west (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury) best May 24 to 26
JUNE
Jun 1 Sat Huron Fringe Birders annual ESFox visit 9:00 pm or so (LQ+1) Leader: John H
Jun 5 Wed BAS meeting ES Fox (NOT Grey Roots Museum) 7 pm Videos Night
Jun 8 Sat (NM) BAS viewing @Fox ES Fox @dark (backup Jun 30 Sat LQ) Saturn and Moons
Jun 14 Fri (FQ-2) Public viewing GR Grey Roots Museum 9 pm (Members with scopes)
Jun 21 Fri Summer Solstice Keppel Henge 11 am (Members with solar scopes)
Jun 16 to 21 Sun-Thu Venus and Mercury close approach; western sky (min sep Jun 19 less than 2°) (FQ+)
JULY
Jul 3 Wed BAS meeting ES Fox (NOT Grey Roots Museum) 7 pm Speaker: Aaron Top: True Colors Universe
Jul 5 Fri (NM-3) Public viewing GR Grey Roots Museum 9 pm, backup Jul 6 @Fox (Members with scopes)
Jul 6 Sat (NM-2) BAS viewing @Fox ES Fox @dark (backup Dark Sky Weekend)
Jul 12 -14 Fri-Sun Dark Sky Weekend Bruce Pen National Pk free camping BAS members with scopes (FQ-3)
July 22 Mon Mars and Jupiter close approach; less than 1° apart in morning sky (FM sets W)
Jul 28 Sun (LQ-1) S. delta Aqu meteors ES Fox @dark, moon LQ, 20/h peak at 11 pm
Jul 29 - Aug 2 Astronomy Kids Day Camp (SEE BAS FORMS for registration forms/info)
Jul 30 Tue (LQ+1) Summer Stargazing-1 BOEC and ES Fox 7:30 pm talk, followed by star tour at Fox
AUGUST
Aug 3 Sat (NM-3) Possible Brereton FN visit ES Fox tour (private tour) 8 pm
Aug 3 Sat (NM-3) BAS viewing @Fox ES Fox @dark, backup Aug 31 Sat (last Cres)
Aug 6 Tue (NM) Summer Stargazing-2 BOEC and ES Fox 7:30 pm talk, followed by star tour at Fox
Aug 7 Wed NO BAS meeting this month Starfest runs Aug 8 to 11
Aug 8-11 Starfest (see http://nyaa.ca/index.php?page=sf13/sf.sf2013) for Starfest 2013 info
Aug 11/12 Sun/Mon PERSEIDS viewing ES Fox @dark, crescent Moon sets by 11 pm, 90/h
Aug 13 Tue (FQ-1) Summer Stargazing-3 BOEC/ES Fox 7:30 pm talk, followed by stargazing
Aug 16 Fri (FQ) Public viewing GR Grey Roots Museum 9 pm, backup Aug 17 FQ (Members with scopes)
Aug 20 Tue (FM) Summer Stargazing-4 BOEC and ES Fox 7:30 pm talk, followed by star tour at Fox
Aug 27 Tue (LQ-1) Summer Stargazing-5 BOEC and ES Fox 7:30 pm talk, followed by star tour at Fox
Auroral Display
If the auroral oval is showing an intense RED, then aurora borealis may be visible from your location. Note that the auroral oval graphic is updated regularly. Time is indicated at the top. Subtract 5 h from UT to get local EST, subtract 4 h for DST or use the appropriate factor for your time zone. For more information click on the graphic to go to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre.
