Friday at a Star Party
Even the approach to the 2022 Michiana Star Party was sublime, as a dirt road dappled in sunlight set the stage. And then you arrive at...
Nightwise.org
Nightwise.org expresses my astronomy outreach and personal interests. Content includes blog posts, upcoming events, projects, dark sky advocacy, and other pursuits. I welcome your feedback.
-Chuck Bueter
Events
Make Solargraphs
Make a solargraph between the solstices to show the annual path of sun. With an aluminum can, some duct tape, and photographic film, your pinhole camera will capture a long-duration snapshot of time and place.
_____________________________________________________________
Indiana law will change mid-2022, quashing all net-metering for solar energy. If you ever considered solar panels in Indiana, NOW is the time to act before the Statehouse gift to the utilities takes effect. New installations must be approved by July 2022. Firm.
_____________________________________________________________
April 8
The two-year countdown begins for the 2024 total solar eclipse. It's not too early to advise school boards and businesses to mark 2024 calendars and to consider time off for viewing one of nature's greatest spectacles--a total solar eclipse.
_____________________________________________________________
Nov 8 early morning
Another long lunar eclipse, this time in the early morning sky, with totality lasting 85 minutes.
_____________________________________________________________
Additional Local Astronomy
For astronomy events in our northern Indiana region, see the Michiana Astronomical Society. Local observing is available from the dark skies of Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Vandalia, MI. Highlights in the 2022 sky are at this South Bend Tribune article.
_____________________________________________________________
I'm Chuck Bueter, an amateur astronomer embracing public outreach. Let's make ideas happen--be energy at the speed of life!
Nightwise is my portal to the night sky and other personal interests. Blog posts about recent and upcoming events often have an emphasis on astronomy.
AstroCamp is a stargazing adventure at YMCA Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, MI. See intro here or go directly to the www.astrocamp.us.
Clear your calendar for April 8, 2024. Totality for solar eclipse will be visible along a swath from Texas to Maine. Make a Sun Funnel for your telescope so a crowd can view safely.
Here are my 100+ ideas to inspire better outdoor lighting practices and lessen waste. I have personally field-tested most of these activities, ranging from easy to ambitious. Go!
Capture the essence of time--an image of the sun arcing across the sky between the solstices--by making a simple pinhole camera.
Using sufficient yet sensible light will benefit the night sky and human health, too. In lessening light pollution we gain many upsides. Avoid the blues (blue light, that is).
