Who?

 

I'm Chuck Bueter, an amateur astronomer with an interest in engaging the public about science in informal education settings.

 

In the region around the Michigan-Indiana border (dubbed "Michiana") I have multiple opportunities to pursue and to share astronomy interests.  See Projects for a sample of the larger happenings, and dig through my Blog for related stuff. I often partner on projects with friends and colleagues who are linked in my Michiana Astro page.

 

Michiana Astronomical Society, Inc. is a welcoming group of amateur astronomers and night sky enthusiasts who invite you to bring your telescope out.  The group's signature event has been the annual Michiana Star Party, in which visitors spend a springtime weekend under the stars with telescopes and friends of the night sky. Please consider joining us.

 

Find your place under the stars.  If you're looking to support or sponsor some astronomy opportunities for local youths, please contact me.

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In the 1980s I started working on Great Lakes commercial vessels, and the night sky away from city lights was unparalleled.  Eventually I drove boats in Chicago, where the Adler Planetarium nurtured my interest in astronomy education.  I attribute much joy, inspiration, and discovery to my colleagues of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association. 

I sometimes immerse myself in projects around celestial events.  In the past I've spearheaded outreach for the 2004 and 2012 Transits of Venus, when the inner planet was visible passing in front of the sun; for Let There Be Night, in which a community  quantified its loss of night; and the Comet Festival, in which a community celebrated a sungrazing comet and embraced the uncertainty of science.

 

For over a decade I was affiliated with AstroCamp at YMCA Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, MI.  It's a unique stargazing experience for kids who get away to summer camp for a week.  By day they do both regular camp activities and dedicated astronomy activities, then at night they come back out to find constellations and use  telescopes to target deep space objects. 

 

The original Nightwise.org began as my personal advocacy for dark skies that highlighted student projects.  This website is now a portal to my other interests, too. Please visit my blog for current events.  Over the years as the science of light pollution has evolved, I've realized the story of light pollution is no longer just about astronomy. A rallying cry is to shield all lights and to avoid the "daylight" LEDs rated greater than 3000K, for the bluish light impinges on human health and the natural kingdom alike.

 

In 2015 I celebrated South Bend's 150th anniversary in much of my outreach, including SB150 Young Astronomers and Scope Out South Bend.  In 2016, I celebrated more anniversaries, with pursuits like the Centennial Star of the National Park Service, Anniversary Solargraph and Indiana's Bicentennial Star, in addition to the usual outreach suspects.  The year 2017 featured the big solar eclipse on August 21--including a swath of totality from Oregon to South Carolina--which I observed, measured, and imaged.

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The sun is a featured interest, especially as sunspot activity increased leading up to the 2024 total solar eclipse, which I enjoyed under clear skies near Indianapolis.  I like to make solargraphs, and I enjoyed flying drones with Project Ilios students. 

 

I'm encouraged and inspired by Laudato Si, Pope Francis' call to care for our common home.  I advocate for better energy policy in Indiana, and appeal for legislation enabling real community solar so everyone can benefit. 

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My Other Websites:

• Project Ilios Blog
  I contribute to the blog of the Project Ilios website created by team members.  The students flew drones in anticipation of rooftop solar installations.

• South Bend Astro
  In collaboration with Dr. Kate Rueff, this clearinghouse for programs and events in the region includes pages for Skynet Junior Scholars, Scope Out South Bend, and Local Astronomy.

• Comet Festival
  Celebrate nature's majesty with art exhibits, guest speakers, a community treasure hunt, educational activities, observing with telescopes, and more. We embrace the uncertainty of Comet ISON's fate from perihelion on Thanksgiving Day until December 8, 2013. 

• Transit of Venus
  In 2004 and 2012, Venus passed between the earth and sun, a rare celestial alignment that was witnessed worldwide. Explore the significance and history of this solar spectacle, and learn how to observe the sun safely.

• Let There Be Night
  In a community experiment, students measure how much of the night sky has been lost to light pollution, then make a 3D model with 35,000 LEGO blocks to convey the results.

• Paper Plate Education
  A collection of simple activities that support astronomy lesson plans using inexpensive paper plates.

• AstroCamp
  A week-long stargazing adventure for kids with telescopes under dark skies at YMCA Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, MI.

• Nightwise (original)
  Inaugural website that advocated for dark skies; since replaced by this version of Nightwise.

 

If websites, pages, photos, or links are dated or dormant, that's probably a reflection of where I am.  I, too, move along, and this is my digital debris trail.
 

I welcome your ideas, corrections, and contributions to this site. Thank you for sharing.