BMAA Monthly Meeting

Members of the BMAA will review Astronomy Equipment: telescopes, cameras, and mounts

This month's meeting will include a presentation/review on different types of astronomical telescopes, mounts and cameras. For beginners, buying a complete, matched package is often a smart way to get started. However, intermediate and advanced astronomers over time will assemble a more custom package to suit their specific areas of interest (Planetary, Deep Sky, Astrophotography, etc.) Join us this Wednesday May 7th for an interesting discussion on the finer points of enjoying this hobby.

Swap Meet

Gary Sprague, BMAA Co-Vice President - Topic: Telescopes: The Astronomer's Tool

This presentation will review the history of the telescope, provide useful terminology, definitions and calculations for different telescope types and review steps to build your own reflecting telescope starting with a round piece of glass. No matter your experience you are sure to find it useful and informative.

Summer social/picnic

Special presentation: Getting started in astrophotography
In addition to our regular agenda items John Urbanchuk and Eric Colon, two members of our club, will present advice and tips for beginning and intermediate astrophotographers. How to get started and lessons learned from the perspective of relatively new astrophotographers.

Visit to the Upper Dublin Planetarium, in Sandy Run Middle School, Dresher, PA.  

Prof. Kim Small will present "Using a Planetarium to Teach The Reason for the Season" - This session will demonstrate how the effects of the cause of the seasons can be visualized in the planetarium facility. Common misconceptions of the cause of the seasons will be discussed. We will explore the four important seasonal dates of equinoxes and solstices under the dome to make sense of seasonal changes based on the sun's path and position in the sky.

Please park in the main parking lot of the school, enter the main doors by the flagpole then follow the signs to the planetarium. Doors will open at 7:30pm.

In addition to our regular agenda items we will have a special presentation by Oleg Shargorodsky, a club member, who will discuss “How to Acquire Remotely.”

The image of the Angel Nebula (NGC 2170) in constellation Monoceros shown here was Acquired remotely, and processed in PixInsight, LRGB+Ha: 24.5 hours by Oleg.

BMAA is inviting you to a scheduled Monthly Meeting.

Show-and-tell: In addition to our regular agenda, this meeting is an opportunity for members and visitors to share their latest gadgets, astroimages, other great equipment and even experiences.
If you plan to attend in person, please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign.

In addition to our regular agenda items we will have our Holiday social!  The evening will include a quiz on "Important Dates in Astronomy" by our Vice-President Gary Sprague. Bring a snack or dish to share.

This meeting is in-person only.
Please use the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign.

ON LINE ONLY Meeting! Please use the Zoom link on the Events page.
In addition to our regular agenda items we will have a special presentation titled "Deep and Deeper - NASA Space Telescopes: Seeing Better and Deeper Across Space and Time" by John Conrad, NASA/JPL Ambassador.

Beginning with an overview of the critical role of infrared observation for Astronomy and Cosmology, NASA’s major platforms are quickly reviewed.  Three of NASA’s space telescopes – Hubble, James Webb, and the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman – are described, with an emphasis on the use of their infrared instruments for ever clearer and deeper views through the cosmos toward the dawn of the universe.  Highlights of their most recent achievements are featured.  Since the 1990s, these telescopes have enabled a revolution in not only astronomy – but also physics on both large and small scales, and cosmology.

Please note: this meeting will be ON-LINE ONLY. Please use the Zoom link on the Events page

BMAA is inviting you to a scheduled Monthly Meeting. In addition to our regular agenda items there will be a Special Presentation: “Origins of Cosmology from Ancient Greece to Galileo” – by Bill duBell & Jim Cook

Please use the entrance to the right of the main entrance, look for the yellow and black BMAA sign.