Warsaw Astronomical Society of Indiana

*REPOST* First post was removed.
NEW AGE TELESCOPES - Warsaw Astronomical Society member Ray Miller (shown below with his wife Ginny and his Univision telescope) gave an informative presentation at the recent WAS meeting about some of the new age digital telescopes used in astrophotography. He featured his Univision EVscope. After the meeting, which was held this month at Harrison Elementary, he set up his telescope outside to demonstrate some of its capabilities. Despite an abundance of light pollution, he was able to take the images below. Nice images and looking forward to seeing more!

CONGRATULATIONS - Warsaw Astronomical Society member Nick Kinzel, pictured below at the WAS meeting at Harrison Elementary, earned the National Astronomical Society's Silver Messier Award. This award is given to individuals who have observed 70 of the 110 deep sky objects cataloged by 18th century French astronomer Charles Messier. These are some of the finest objects to observe. He accomplished it all without the use of computer assisted telescopes. He is currently working towards finishing all 110 objects and the next award. Congratulations and happy hunting!

3I/ATLAS - INTERSTELLAR VISITOR - This object has been in the news lately because it is only the third object know to come from outside our solar system. This morning, I was able to image it stacking 55 photographs. It is now far enough away from the Sun and bright enough to be seen with a good telescope. Is it aliens? I don't think so but go take a look. Good charts can be found on Sky & Telescopes website. - Kurt Eberhardt

Last night we experienced a strong aurora. The colors were visible not just to the camera but to the human eye. I took this picture from a location close to Warsaw. There is a chance for a strong one again tonight. I recommend getting to a dark location. Let's hope for the best.

Kurt Eberhardt

**The "Smile" Conjunction Is Coming...Sort Of**

The internet is full of dumb stuff that people believe, but this one is easier to fall for because there is a partial truth to it and many credible sources have jumped on the band wagon. This new viral trend is spreading like wildfire, but it is misleading at best to a complete lie at worst depending on the source. Let's break down what you will see...and what you won't on Friday.

The good news is that there is a very cool sight coming in the early morning sky this Friday (April 25th) that is worth seeing if you are up and if the sky is clear. A triple conjunction will be visible in the eastern sky. The pairing will include the slim crescent moon, a very bright Venus, and a dimmer Saturn. I think this will look like a vibrant celestial triangle, but if you tilt your head and use your imagination a bit it could look like a smiley face with a very small mouth.

However, this will not look like 99% of the pictures I am seeing out there. The moon will not be extra large with two white dots (Venus & Saturn) on top of the shadowed moon. Other images have the planets just off of the moon. That is also incorrect. So get outside and check out the conjunction on Friday morning, just keep your expectations in check :)

Did you see the cool moon halo a few nights ago! Del Fisher did, and captured this memento. Moon halos occur when the moon shines through high cirrus clouds. The ice crystals in cirrus clouds refract the moon's light, causing a halo effect.

Jim Spaulding shared how to use a 3d printer to make telescope parts and other items for astronomy projects at the December Warsaw Astronomical Society meeting.

More Comet ATLAS photos submitted by Del Fisher.

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan - ATLAS - is making a nice appearance in the evening sky. Look a little Southwest just after sunset as it starts to get dark. It is observable with the unaided eye, but binoculars will help to improve the view. It will be higher in the sky over the next few nights before fading from view. Pictures like the one below show it better than the eye sees it although it is still a nice view.

LAST NIGHT'S AURORA - This picture was taken here in Warsaw in a not so dark sky. The camera "sees" more than the eye, but it was good visually.

MEETING CANCELED
The Friday, January 12th meeting of the WARSAW ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY has been cancelled due to weather concerns.