Who?

 

I'm Chuck Bueter, an amateur astronomer with an interest in engaging the public and communicating science at 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 astronomy enthusiasts who invite you to bring your telescope out of the closet.  The group's big event is the Michiana Star Party, in which we spend a springtime weekend under the stars with telescopes and friends of the night sky.  Please consider joining us.

 

Some members of the club like to do astronomy programs in the community, while others prefer quieter times at their telescopes in casual settings.  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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After getting a US Coast Guard Pilot License, I worked on Great Lakes commercial vessels until Adler Planetarium in Chicago nurtured my interest in astronomy education.  I attribute much joy, inspiration, and discovery to my colleagues at the Great Lakes Planetarium Association. 

I sometimes immerse myself in big projects around celestial events.  In the past I've spearheaded outreach for the 2004 and 2012 Transits of Venus, the Let There Be Night program; and the Comet Festival.

 

For over a decade I've been affiliated with AstroCamp at YMCA Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, MI.  I must say, this can be a great experience for kids who get away to summer camp for a week.  By day they do camp stuff along with two periods dedicated to astronomy activities, then at night they come back out to learn constellations and use nice telescopes to find deep space objects.  If you're an adult who wants to join us as an AstroCamp counselor, contact me or the current AstroCamp Director to see if it's a good fit for you and for AstroCamp alike.

 

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. My latest rallying cry is to avoid the bluer colored lights (especially bluish LEDs), for they impinge on the body's circadian system, which in turn contributes to multiple woes.  

 

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.

 

Observing the solar eclipse and experimenting with solargraphs are two activities that could support a mindset to become familiar with and informed about the sun, which in turn would yield a culture that embraces solar energy.  I'm encouraged and inspired by Laudato Si, Pope Francis' call to care for our common home.

 

 

My Other Websites:

• 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 activites that support astronomy lesson plans using inexpensive paper plates.

• AstroCamp
  A weeklong 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.

Other Websites

 

• Comet Festival

• Let There Be Night

• Transit of Venus

• Paper Plate Education

• AstroCamp

• Nightwise (original)
   

Writings
 

• Nightwise Blog

• MichianaSTEM Astro Blog

• GLPA Posters, Papers, Workshops

• Transit of Venus Project Blog

• Transit of Venus Papers
  
   

YouTube
 

• Personal videos collection
  https://www.youtube.com/user/survivalcrackers/video

• Transit of Venus-related videos
  http://www.youtube.com/user/transitvenus

 

Facebook

 

• Chuck Bueter
  https://www.facebook.com/chuck.bueter

• 2013 Comet Festival
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/2013-Comet-Festival/281597451975282

• Transit of Venus Group
  www.facebook.com/groups/108400462513165/

• SB150 Young Astronomers
  https://www.facebook.com/sb150youngastronomers
   

Twitter

https://twitter.com/nightwise

 

Miscellaneous

 

• Build a Sun Funnel for Group Viewing

• Bad Moons Rising

• Analemma Project

• Astronomy Foundations Through Art and Paper Plates (AFTAPP)

• Planetariums as Conduits to NASA's Target Audiences

• Second Life: Inthe Telling
   

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Vanity (Awards and Such)

 

Images

Contact