NCKAS - Schedule of Events 2008

North Central Kansas Astronomical Society

NCKAS 2008 Schedule of events

Public Viewing Sessions
Kansas State University
Special Events

Watch this page for the latest updates, announcements , and weather updates to the viewing events. Please note that we will not cancel a scheduled event for clouds or weather before 5:00 PM the day of the scheduled event unless absolutely necessary. Predicting the weather is almost impossible and there will be times when an event will be held that is completely clouded out. There will be other times when an event will be cancelled and it will completely clear off by the time of the event. We will do the best we can. Current upcoming events that look good weather-wise will be in GREEN. Viewing sessions where the weather is starting to deteriorate, and caution is warranted, will be in YELLOW. Then worse to MAGENTA. Last, dates that will almost certainly be cancelled, or have been cancelled will be in RED. (Some browsers may have difficulty with this color scheme). This site will be updated with all information pertinent to the scheduled event and we strongly suggest you look at this site before you leave to the scheduled event. The page will automatically reload every 30 seconds.

Public Viewing Sessions:

Welcome everyone! These viewing sessions open to the general public. Maps can be found to our viewing locations. Watch the weather page as close as you can! You can download a list of the objects in two formats, a CSV text spreadsheet which can be opened in almost any spreadsheet application, and a NexStar Observation List file. This software is a free download for Windows users.

January - No observing sessions scheduled
February - Downloadable CSV (Text Spreadsheet) or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- February 9th 7:30 Riley Dark Sky Site - Our list of targets tonight: The amazing M42 and M43 in Orion. M1 and M45 in Taurus. M35, M36, M37 and M38 in Auriga. M81 and M82 in Ursa Major. The double stars Gamma Andromedae and Eta Cassiopeiae. The famous Double Cluster in Perseus. M31, M32 and M110 galaxies in Andromeda. Our Carbon Star of the month is R Leporis.
- Feb 20th - 7:30 Cardwell Hall KSU Campus - Lunar Eclipse: The full Moon will turn a delightful shade of red and possibly turquoise. It's a total lunar eclipse-the last one until Dec. 2010. We will have a telescope or two to view Saturn and Mars also if the weather permits. The event starts at 7:30 pm and will end around 10:00 pm.
March - Downloadable CSV (Text Spreadsheet) or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- Mar. 1st. 7:45 Riley Dark Sky Site -M42 and M43 in Orion are still high in the southern sky. M1 and M45 in Taurus. M35, M36, M37 and M38 in Auriga. M81 and M82 in Ursa Major are in prime position. The double stars HIP 35210 in Canis Major and Eta Cassiopeiae are on our list. And we have some of the spring galaxy constellations such as Leo and Virgo a little later in the night. We'll try to see NGC 2903 in Leo once it's high enough in the sky. Our Carbon Star of the month is RV Moncerotis.
April - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
May - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- May 3rd. 10:00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - Spring is the time for Galaxies, and we will be hunting plenty. From Ursa Major through Coma Berenices and on into Virgo. Some stops will be M51, M63, M64, M100, M101. Some double stars in these constellations as well. Our Carbon Star of the month: V Hydrae, arguably the reddest star in the entire sky!
June - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
July - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
August - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
September - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
October - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
November - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
December - - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)

Here are some observing tips:

Please dress appropriately. It can get very cold at the events, even in summer! You can always shed layers, but once you're cold, it can be hard to get warm again in the night-time air.
Be aware that the viewing sights will not have any amenities at all! Bathrooms, shelters and seating accommodations will not be provided. Bring something to drink if you plan to stay awhile. Something warm in the winter, cool in the summer. At the very least bring some water to keep hydrated. Alcohol will not be tolerated. All viewing session areas are NON-SMOKING. Not only will this bother your fellow viewer, but the smoke can damage the delicate instruments and optics and contribute to litter at the sites and be an extreme fire hazard.
Shut off your headlights as soon as safe and reasonable. Better to arrive before the event time while it's still light out. Please do not let your headlights shine on the star gazing party if you can help it. It takes over 30 minutes to re-adjust night vision. Please don't blast everyone with your headlights when you leave. However, be as safe as you can. If you need help driving in or out, just ask, someone can help you navigate. Many newer cars have their headlights on when you start your car. Please be aware of this and try to not shine your lights in the eyes of the astronomers. Night vision adaptation can be destroyed equally by bright white flash lights and even bright cell phone lights. Please be aware of this and be courteous. It can take up to an hour to regain the dark adaptation lost!
Please do not allow children to run around or play next to the party and delicate instruments. This kicks up dust and can damage the delicate instruments... Children will be children, and we love to have them at the viewings. They can play away from the party and equipment.
Bring your telescope or binoculars if you have them. We are glad to help out in any way and appreciate the extra help and equipment.
Bring your questions and an open mind. We will be looking at some incredible objects, not all of which are easily seen, especially in the heavily light polluted skies of Manhattan. Observational Astronomy is a skill that you can develop over time. Don't be discouraged if you just can't see some of the objects. Remember, we're nuts about this stuff and have been doing it a long time...

Kansas State University Phys 191 and Phys 102 Class Sessions:

These sessions are for pre-arranged group sessions and are not open to the general public as a general rule. Maps can be found to our viewing locations. Watch the weather page as close as you can!

February - Downloadable CSV (Text Spreadsheet) or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- ***Cancelled*** Feb 7th 7:30 Riley Dark Sky Site - Our list of targets tonight: The amazing M42 and M43 in Orion. M1 and M45 in Taurus. M35, M36, M37 and M38 in Auriga. M81 and M82 in Ursa Major. The double stars Gamma Andromedae and Eta Cassiopeiae. The famous Double Cluster in Perseus. M31, M32 and M110 galaxies in Andromeda. Our Carbon Star of the month is R Leporis. All students are welcome to come to the public event on the 9th and will be counted as an attendance. ***Cancelled***
- Feb 20th - 7:30 Cardwell Hall KSU Campus - Lunar Eclipse: The full Moon will turn a delightful shade of red and possibly turquoise. It's a total lunar eclipse-the last one until Dec. 2010. We will have a telescope or two to view Saturn and Mars also if the weather permits. The event starts at 7:30 pm and will end around 10:00 pm.
- Feb 28th - (Rescheduled from Feb 7th) - 7:30 Riley Dark Sky Site - Our list of targets tonight: The amazing M42 and M43 in Orion. M1 and M45 in Taurus. M35, M36, M37 and M38 in Auriga. M81 and M82 in Ursa Major. The double stars Gamma Andromedae and Eta Cassiopeiae. The famous Double Cluster in Perseus. M31, M32 and M110 galaxies in Andromeda. Our Carbon Star of the month is R Leporis.
March - Downloadable CSV (Text Spreadsheet) or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- ***Caneelled*** Mar 13th 9:00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - We will have somewhat of a mini-Messier Marathon. This astronomical list, accredited to Charles Messier , is the most famous and easy for amateur Astronomers. We'll start in the west and move to the east with various types of objects, all in the Messier list. Some of those will include things we've seen already, but are worth a second look such as the amazing M42 and M43 in Orion, and M45 in Taurus. M31, M32 and M110 galaxies in Andromeda. We'll end the night in Leo or Virgo if time permits. ***Caneelled***
- *** Cancelled*** Mar 27th 9:00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - We will reschedule our mini-Messier Marathon. We'll start in the west and move to the east with various types of objects, all in the Messier list. Some of those will include things we've seen already, but are worth a second look such as the amazing M42 and M43 in Orion, and M45 in Taurus. M31, M32 and M110 galaxies in Andromeda. We'll end the night in Leo or Virgo if time permits. *** Cancelled***
April - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- *** Cancelled*** Apr 10th 9:00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - We still have some of Winter's Messier Objects in the sky. Spring is the time for galaxies too. We'll be hunting down some of the elusive, distant objects. Saturn will be the showcase for tonight in Leo.*** Cancelled ***
- *** Cancelled*** Apr 24th 9:00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - We still have some of Winter's Messier Objects in the sky. Spring is the time for galaxies too. We'll be hunting down some of the elusive, distant objects. Saturn will be the showcase for tonight in Leo.*** Cancelled***
May - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
- ***Cancelled*** May 1st 109:00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - We still have some of Winter's Messier Objects in the sky. Spring is the time for galaxies too. We'll be hunting down some of the elusive, distant objects. Saturn will be the showcase for tonight in Leo***Cancelled***
- *** Cancelled*** May 8th 10: 00 PM Riley Dark Sky Site - - Spring is the time for Galaxies, and we will be hunting plenty. From Ursa Major through Coma Berenices and on into Virgo. Some stops will be M51, M63, M64, M100, M101. Some double stars in these constellations as well. Our Carbon Star of the month: V Hydrae, arguably the reddest star in the entire sky!*** Cancelled ***
September - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
October - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)
November - Downloadable CSV or NSOL List file of targets. (Right click and Save Target as...)

Special Events Schedule:

These sessions are for special or un-foreseen events. Due to the nature of observational astronomy, notices may be posted on very short notice. Please watch this site closely! Maps can be found to our viewing locations. Watch the weather page as close as you can!

Mar. 7th & 8th 2008 7:30pm Newton Kansas Outhouse Observatory - Messier Marathon time again. This year we are using Dobs and going as low-tech as possible. Bundle up! Most likely it will be brutal out there. Click here for our live update image page - Our end quit at ~4:30. The NM end imaged until ~6:00 before clouds set in . Luke's site can be found here.

If you wish to contact us, you can email nckas@nckas.org

This page updated: 05/08/08 05:29:20 PM