Articles
Written by members of the society since 2019 — observing reports, equipment, what is in the sky, and where to go for a dark horizon.
- Everything 88
- About the ASN 3
- ASN Membership 1
- ASN News & Activities 5
- ASN Star Party Info 8
- Asteroids and Comets 2
- Astronomy Weather 1
- Astrophotography 9
- Celestial Events 1
- Cosmology 1
- Educational Resources 19
- Galactic Studies 1
- Lunar Studies 3
- Night Skies 2
- Past Events 12
- Planetary Studies 3
- RECON 1
- Solar & Lunar Eclipses 4
- Solar Studies 2
- Space Exploration 3
- Stellar Studies 2
- Telescopes 3
- Time and Distance 1
Star parties: what to expect
A casual, open-to-all stargazing night where volunteers set up telescopes, answer questions, and show visitors planets, the Moon, and deep-sky objects. No equipment or experience needed—just dress warmly, bring a red light if you have one, and check for weather cancellations.
Space Rocks
The Mineral Composition of Meteorites
Authored by Dustin Lemrick , the educational resource "Space Rocks: The Mineral Composition of Meteorites" offers a detailed introduction to the diverse mineralogy of extraterrestrial matter. This web page systematically explores the three primary classifications of meteorites— Iron , Stony-Iron , and Stony &mdas…
ASN Messier Marathon
2025
This year’s ASN Messier Marathon will be held at Robbin’s house. Let's hope for good weather! Sunset is at approximately 7:20 pm, and the forecasts for sky conditions are typical for Spring in northern Nevada. On Saturday, we should see a break between a series of storms, with hopefully clear skies for the …
Astrospheric
Weather Forecasting Tools
Astropheric ( www.astrospheric.com ) is a website and app that provides detailed weather forecasts specifically tailored for astronomers and astrophotographers in North America. It gathers and presents various types of astronomy-related information to help users plan their observing sessions.
Some Great Photos from Markleeville Sky Party
September 28, 2024
Our Dark Sky Party in Markleeville, CA last weekend had some cool photos of our 20" and SeeStar telescopes.
ASN Solar Newsletter No. 1
ASN has the opportunity to witness two major solar events in the next 13 months; an annular solar eclipse in eastern Nevada in October 2023 and then in April 2024 a total solar eclipse will cross 13 states from Texas to Maine.
Markleeville , CA Star Party
August 19, 2023
Markleeville . August 19, 2023 Sunset 7:51 Moon set 9:34 THIS IS A DARK SKY AREA!. Read the article for details and map.
Somerset Community Star Party
Friday September 22, 2023
Somerset Community Star Party Friday September 22, 2023. Sunset 6:58 Moon set 11:32. This is a local community west of Reno.
This Venus-Jupiter Conjunction is Coming Up
March 1st, 2023
"Venus and Jupiter will appear in the same part of the sky 1.5 hours after sunset on March 1, 2023. On March 1, Venus will meet up with the gas giant Jupiter in an event known as a conjunction. This close conjunction will bring the planets 32 arcminutes, about half a degree, apart." Read the article, " See a bright Ven…
Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival 2023
Calling All Astronomers!
Bryce Canyon National Park’s 22nd annual Astronomy Festival will be held Wednesday, June 14 – Saturday, June 17 , and we’d love for you to come help us share our exceptionally dark skies with the public.
Great Basin Astronomy Festival September 14-16, 2023
Half the park is after dark image courtesy of Dr. Tyler Nordgren
Every year, Great Basin National Park hosts an Astronomy Festival, featuring a multitude of special events and astronomical viewing opportunities. Keep an eye on the Great Basin Astronomy Festival Page for updates to this year's event. Poster courtesy of Dr. Tyler Nordgren.
Star Parties & Festivals Index
From Go.Astronomy
Go Astronomy maintains lists of major star parties and festivals. The index covers several countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.
Death Valley Dark Sky Festival
February 10-12, 2023
The 2023 Death Valley Dark Sky Festival is almost here! Follow the link for details.
ASN Star Party Checklist
THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF NEVADA
This checklist is a printable form for recording details of ASN Star Parties.
Middlegate Station Star Party
At the promting of Liongate TV Productions, after 8 months of planning, we held our star party at Middlegate Station, NV on November 14, 2022 for an upcoming TV show.
Sparks Hometown Christmas Parade 2022
Many thanks...
Artemis Real-time Orbit Website
Images and Information courtesy of NASA
Artemis I is NASA's first rocket to launch in a new series of planned missions. NASA has built an exciting Website to explore the Artemis missions as they unfold. The site includes "Spacecraft View," which offers simulated camera orbiting views. You can explore the Artemis Mission in depth.
Total Eclipse of the Blood Moon on November 8, 2022
(Image from NASA)
There are two total lunar eclipses in 2022. The first one was in May; the second one for our Nevada sky is on November 8th and will be visible from beginning to end (if we have clear skies). Here's wishing for clear skies...
Markleeville Star Party Attendee Feedback
A Great Summer Success
The burgers were great, the lighting was perfect, and the weather cooperated. All in all a great evening! -- August's Markleeville Star Pary was a great summer success. Read more and see some photos.
An Excellent Article on the Perseid Meteor Shower and Comet Swift-Tuttle
Robert Lunsford at the International Meteor Organization
Here is an excellent article on the Perseid meteor Shower and comet Swift-Tuttle -- explaining the "what" of the Perseids and and "how" the debris trail and meteor shower are created and maintained by comet Swift-Tuttle. (Submitted by ASN Member Bradley Carlson)
Basin & Range Dark Sky Cooperative's Newsletter
A focus on Astrophotography and Dark Skies
"...there's a little something in here for everyone interested in dark skies anywhere." - James Rigby, ASN Member
Galena Campfire Program Series: Star Gazing with the Astronomical Society of Nevada
Photo Credit: AstroBackyard
Weather permitting ASN will have a presentation of the “Summer Triangle”. Several telescopes will be setup to view the presentation live.
Ophiuchus is the Name, The Zodiac is My Game!
Presentation on June 3, 2022 at Galena Creek; photos by Rob Savidge.
Ophiuchus is sometimes called the 13th Zodiac. Oh Boy astrology! Yet there are many good deep space targets in the constellation, Ophiuchus. Many open and closed clusters, with several Messier objects.
Leo Constellation
Leo, M105-NGC-3384, NGC-3389, NGC-3628, Messier-65, Messier-95, Messier-96, Spring Triangle, Great Diamond
Images and illustrations of the Leo Constellation, M105-NGC-3384, NGC-3389, NGC-3628, Messier-65, Messier-95, Messier-96, Spring Triangle, Great Diamond.
Telescope Humor
Jim Fahey has a telescope joke.
ASN Presentation: Leo the Lion
Image from NASA's Night Sky Network
On Saturday April 30th, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. the Astronomical Society of Nevada will be giving a presentation on the constellation Leo the Lion.
Websites, Apps and Info on Solar & Lunar Eclipses
Map created by Xavier M. Jubier
ASN member Michael Spingler brings to attention some excellent resources for exploring past and future solar and lunar eclipses, especially handy for the upcoming Annular Eclipse October 14, 2023.
Astronomical Society of Nevada Constitution
Revised February 11, 2022 (effective date April, 2022)
This is the ASN's Constitution, revised on February 11, 2022, reviewed and approved on April 12, 2022, by the ASN Members present, and certified by James Fahey, ASN President. This revised document becomes effective April, 2022.
Astronomy Day 2022
Saturday, May 7, 2022 / 11 am to 3 pm / Rancho San Rafael Park
Join us! Everyone is welcome. Astronomy Day 2022 will be at the Chinese Pagoda Pavilion, Rancho San Rafael Park, 1595 N Sierra Street Reno, NV. There will be many fun and exciting activities, including solar viewing, free NASA swag, and a FREE Raffle for a telescope!
The First Clock - Origin of the Sundial from Jomashop Academy
Photo by Timo C. Dinger on Unsplash
A young astronomy student named Amelia shares a resource from Jomashop Academy about the origin of the sundial.
Total Lunar Eclipse May 15 - 16, 2022
Begins Sun, May 15, 2022 at 7:59 pm; 3 hours, 51 minutes duration
On the night of Sunday May 15, 2022, the Moon will begin its total eclipse. What phases will be visible in Reno?
Full Moon Celebration
Galena Creek Park
Oh, what a night! Temperature in the upper 30’s. Full moon and near total overcast. What a heart break. And yet, 50 yes, fifty plus people showed up with their lawn chairs and blankets. Galena Creek Regional Park set the night into positive adventure...
ASN & RECON
Research and Education Collaborative Occultation Network
Two ASN members Jim Rigby and Tim Stoffel are involved in Project RECON, a citizen-science organization whose purpose is to observe and record the occultations of stars by some of the most distant and least well-known objects within the solar system...
#unfoldtheuniverse
The Growing Popularity of the James Webb Space Telescope
#unfoldtheuniverse is a recently created hashtag to help people gather resources together exploring and celebrating the design, production, launch, and expedition of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Dr. Becky Smethurst, Astrophysicist
University of Oxford
Dr. Becky is an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford, an author, and a very dedicated YouTube video creator. Her Youtube Channel has over 377 thousand subscribers and offers a wealth of info.
Evolution of the Moon
A Short Film by NASA
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has produced a short film depicting the history of the moon.
Basin and Range Dark Night Sky Cooperative
In Collaboration to Protect Our Night Skies
The Basin and Range Dark Night Sky Cooperative works to protect one of the Nation's best dark sky networks.
The New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness
A 3d globe version is also available
This map is based on data published by a team of researchers led by Fabio Falchi with NOAA's Chris Elvidge and CIRES' Kimberly Baugh.
Mysterious Object Unlike Anything Astronomers Have Seen Before
The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR)
Image Credit: ICRAR. A team mapping radio waves in the Universe has discovered something unusual that releases a giant burst of energy three times an hour, and it’s unlike anything astronomers have seen before.
James Webb Space Telescope
Goddard Space Flight Center
Image credit: NASA/Desiree Stover Built with the intent to explore the deepest mysteries of our universe, the world's largest and most powerful telescope is now fully deployed.
Worldwide Space Agency Index
Maintained by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) offers a Worldwide Space Agency Index .
The Astronomy Education Journal
The AEJ accepts and publishes various types of articles related to astronomy.
The Astronomy Education Journal aims to meet the needs of the astronomy education community by providing a location for all manner of practical, newsworthy and scholarly publications involving developments in the field (from the 'About' page at astroedjournal.org).
The Dodge Flat Solar Energy Center
One of six solar projects in currently in Nevada,
One of six solar projects in Nevada, this battery energy storage system project is located in Washoe County, Nevada and is expected to store up to 200,000kWh of clean energy.
NGC 2238, the Rosette Nebula
5,500 light years away from Reno
This image is of NGC 2238, the Rosette Nebula. The Rosette Nebula is in our galaxy, located in the Monoceros Constellation, and is about 5,500 light years away from Reno.
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
Saturday December 4, 2021
The Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade was on Saturday December 4, 2021, in Victorian Square, a good time had by all.
The Andromeda Galaxy
2.5 million light years away from the Milky Way
This image of the Andromeda Constellation was captured from the Sierra Valley, California in September, 2021. Photo by Warren Simison, GoatsuckerHill Observatory.
An Introduction to Amatuer Spectroscopy
Video recorded at the November 10, 2020 ASN meeting
This Zoom presentation is by special guest, Tom Field, founder and president of Field Tested Systems and contributing editor at Sky & Telescope Magazine. The video offers an insightful introduction to spectroscopy, the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
Voyager 2 reaches interstellar space
Iowa-led instrument detects plasma density jump, confirming spacecraft has entered the realm of the stars
University of Iowa researchers report the spacecraft Voyager 2 has reached interstellar space, following Voyager 1’s historic passage six years ago. In the study, the researchers note a jump in plasma density detected by an Iowa-led plasma wave instrument on the spacecraft as evidence. Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-…
Watch the Transit of Mercury
The Mercury Transit only happens a few times per century. See it in 2019 or wait until 2117.
From NASA: The sky will put on a stellar show on Nov. 11, 2019, as Mercury crosses in front of the Sun. From our perspective on Earth, we can only ever see Mercury and Venus cross in front of, or transit, the Sun, so it's a rare event you won't want to miss! For local viewing: View the Mercury transit at Sparks Marina …
Mysterious magnetic pulses discovered on Mars
Article by National Geographic
This interesting article from National Geographic is about NASA's "first robotic geophysicist," the InSight Lander. Recently, the InSight has discovered an as yet unexplained magnetic pulsation that happens at night.
The Transit of Mercury 2019
An Article by the Astronomy Club of Asheville, NC
This detailed article about the November 11, 2019 Transit of Mercury is from the Astronomy Club of Asheville, NC.
Markleeville Community Star Party Images
It was a great night in August, 2019
The Markleeville Community Star Party was a great way to end a beautiful August this year.
Images from ASN Star Party
Our star party on the night of August 31, 2019
The night sky on August 31, 2019 offered the opportunity to take some great photos. It was a good time had by all.
Astrophotos by Jay Lawson
A collection of solar, eclipse, planets, and deep sky photos.
To take photographs of the sun and planets, Jay uses mostly a commercial grade DSLR for taking his astrophotos, but he also uses an unmodified Canon t5i.
Hurricane Barry
NASA image by U.S. Astronaut Christina Koch
An incredible Satellite photograph of Tropical Storm Barry taken by U.S. Astronaut Christina Koch on Thursday, July 11, 2019
The ASN Newsletter
Current and past ASN Newsletters can be found on this page.
This page includes links to some back issues of the ASN Newsletters.
Astronomical Photos by Dave Radosovich
View these excellent astrophotographs taken by ASN member, Dave Radosovich.
The 88 Constellations and Their Brightest Stars
This project, created by Mitchell Barrick, includes the 88 IAU recognized constellations, what they represent, where and when you can see them, and we've even visually identified their brightest stars.
Dark Sky/Light Pollution Map
The light pollution map.
Regarding light pollution, Nevada is exceptional for its dark skies. This light pollution mapping application displays VIIRS/DMSP/World Atlas over Microsoft Bing base layers.
Our Amazing Universe
We invite you to explore some incredible and astonishing resources.
Incredible images gathered from many astronomy sites, including the Solar Dynamics Observatory, the Solar & Heliospheric Observatory, the European Southern Observatory, NASA, the Hubble Space Telescope, and more.
Star Parties & Events
There are several good lists on the World Wide Web.
There are several good lists for Star Parties and other astronomical events. Some are kept up-to-date more than others. Check out these lists.
Time & Date Information
Tools for measuring time
For many centuries, temporal measurement was considered the work of astronomers.
Astronomers in History
A collection of biographers from Wikipedia
The Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society has collected biographies of ancient and Renaissance astronomers.
Fleischmann Planetarium
Located on the University of Nevada, Reno Campus
The emphasis is on education for enthusiasts of all ages, providing educational shows, presentations and scientific exhibits that correlate with K-12 Next-Generation Science Standards.
History of the ASN
Founded to bring local amateur astronomers together.
Eighty-five years ago, in December, 1934, The ASN was founded by a physics professor at the University of Nevada named Dr. G. Bruce Blair. Professor Blair was very interested in comets, but his true passion was bringing astronomy to the masses.
Imagine the Universe
Ages 14 and up can explore the universe with the help of NASA
Imagine the Universe from NASA is intended for students age 14 and up, and for anyone interested in learning about our universe. The site includes Afterschool Universe .
Starchild for Young Astronomers
Explore this great learning tool from NASA
Young astronomers ages 5-13 will have fun learning about the solar system, the Milky Way, the Universe, words that astronomers use, and all sorts of "space stuff."
Telescopes
Courtesy of the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
Using information gathered from Wikipedia, the SVAS details the differences between reflecting, refracting, and catadioptric telescopes.
First Solar Eclipse Captured On Film
Filmed on May 28, 2019 by Nevil Maskelyne.
Restored by the British Film Institute, this eclipse of the sun was filmed in the first year of the 20th century.
ASN Mission and Activities
Details on the Programs and Actvities the ASN supports.
The Astronomical Society of Nevada is a non-profit service organization introducing the pubic to astronomy. Read about the free programs the ASN supports...
Yearly ASN Membership
Your support promotes local education and exploration!
Membership is just $30 per year and helps maintain this long-standing, venerable organization. Join us for a trip around the sun!
NASA Invites Public to Help Asteroid Mission Choose Sample Site
Citizen scientists assemble!
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to the asteroid Bennu needs extra pairs of eyes to help choose its sample collection site on the asteroid – and to look for anything else that might be scientifically interesting.
Astronomy Magazine
The most popular magazine of its kind in the world.
The Magazine's companion Website offers astronomy news articles, tips on observing the skies, photo and video galleries, prolific blog threads, a science shopping section, and much more.
Moon Calendar
The Phases of the Moon by Date
Thanks to Dan Bruton, Ph.D., MidnightKite.com offers a widget that with a single line of code, you can embed a calendar into your website showing the phases of the moon just like the one on this page.
Sky & Telescope
This well established magazine is packed with information.
Packed with information, the magazine and website focus on amateur and professional interests in astronomy.
Astronomy For Everyone
The ASN is dedicated to helping students learn about astronomy.
The Astronomical Society of Nevada does public star gazing, presentations on Astronomy and Science and works with local schools and other organizations, like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to educate children on the wonders of the sky.
Space Weather at NOAA
Extensive resources for space weather enthusiasts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce), maintains extensive dashboards for satellite and space weather enthusiasts.
WCSD High School Astronomy
Guidelines for An Excellent Course in Astronomy
The Washoe County School District's Website has High School Course Guides for the sciences that teachers and parents can download. To spark interest in our planetary system, the guide for astronomy -- semester one -- suggests some very demanding questions...
Clear Sky Charts
Clear Sky Charts are extremely popular with amateur astronomers.
Clear Sky Charts are created by Attilla Danko at cleardarksky.com , using data produced by the Canadian Meteorological Center . CMC's numerical weather forecasts are unique because they are specifically designed for astronomers.
NASA Plans New Human Lunar Landing System
American Astronauts on the Moon by 2024.
NASA reported on May 16, 2019 that the agency has awarded $45.5 million, the funds spread between eleven companies, including Boeing in Texas, Lockheed in Colorado, Masten Space Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, SpaceX and SSL in California, among others.
My Approach to Astrophotography
I prefer using a commercial grade DSLR, but no matter what happens, the setup and software can get complicated, so you need to factor that into your decision. Here is what I do with my setup.
Sirius and the Big Dog Constellation
Sirius is the brightest star visible from the Earth.
What is our brightest star? Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star visible from any non-light polluted place on the planet.
Getting Busy with ASN
From the Treasurer / Membership Chair...
Read a first hand experience of why it's fun becoming an ASN member.
My Experience with the ASN
From the Programs Committee Chair...
Our Mission statement reads, "To encourage, foster, conduct and support programs on astronomy and related sciences for the education and enlightenment of the general public." This article will fill out the details of that statement.
What is Afocal Imaging?
Cameras and Telescopes Unite!
At our star parties, many members experiment with creating afocal images, but what exactly is afocal imaging?