by Kathy Goff
After waiting my whole life to see auroras, they finally came to me! Here are some of the better shots I got from my backyard in Crosswicks, NJ.
I worked as a musician in Alaska for six months and never saw one display. Imagine my excitement and delight when all I did was walk out the back door and see them directly above my house here in New Jersey!
Oleg Shargorodsky
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) comet
Location: Van Sant Airport
Date: Wednesday, October 16th
Equipment: iOptron CEM40 eq mount
ASKAR FRA600 Quintuplet
ASKAR 0.7x f/3.9 Full Frame Reducer
ZWO ASl2600mc pro
ZWO ASI 120MM-mini
ZWO EAF ASIAIR Plus
Filters: None
Processing: Pixinsight, Lightroom
IC63
Location: Feasterville PA
Equipment: iOptron CEM40 eq mount
ASKAR FRA600 Quintuplet
ASKAR 0.7x f/3.9 Full Frame Reducer
ZWO ASl2600mc pro
ZWO ASI 120MM-mini
ZWO EAF ASIAIR Plus
Filters: Antlia ALP-T Dual Narrowband OIII (5nm) & H-a (5nm)
Processing: Pixinsight, Lightroom
Robert Vanderbei
Comet Tsuchinshan
7:38-8:09 pm, October 20 2024.
Telescope: 10″ Ritchey-Chretien. Camera: ZWO ASI294MC-Pro.
Exposure: 15 second exposures auto-stacked every 1-minute. 26 minutes total.
7:17 pm, October 15 2024.
iPhone14 Pro. 3-second dark mode image.
7:34 pm, October 15 2024.
Canon T2i DSLR. Stack of 8 6-second exposures at ISO 1600.
Robert Vanderbei
Aurora Borealis Oct. 11 2024
Pictures were taken in the early evening using an iPhone 14 Pro camera in Night Mode.
D.A. Opdyke
Pleaides 10/25/24 11pm est
SvBony SV48P Ota
SvBony SV705C imaging camera
SvBony SV165 guide scope
SvBony SV 905C guide camera
Gemini Autofocuser Pro
Skywatcher AZ-GTI with EQ wedge in EQ mode.
NINA and Sharp Cap
HP Mini computer
This article is reproduced from https://www.astron.nl/starlink-satellites/
Observations with the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) radio telescope last year showed that first generation Starlink satellites emit unintended radio waves that can hinder astronomical observations. New observations with the LOFAR radio telescope, the biggest radio telescope on Earth observing at low frequencies, have shown that the second generation ’V2-mini’ Starlink satellites emit up to 32 times brighter unintended radio waves than satellites from the previous generation, potentially blinding radio telescopes and crippling vital research of the Universe.
In recent years, the number of satellites launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has skyrocketed, driven primarily by the rapid commercialization of space and advancements in satellite technology. Since 2019, companies like SpaceX and OneWeb have launched hundreds to thousands of satellites, particularly for communication purposes. Plans show that the number of satellites launched into orbit could surpass 100,000 by the end of the decade. The escalation in radio wave emissions from satellites in LEO raises serious concerns for the future of astronomical research.
This study was conducted using the LOFAR radio telescope, which involved two extensive one-hour observation sessions on July 19, 2024, covering radio frequencies above and below the FM broadcast band used by radio stations that you receive with your household radio. During these observations, the team detected unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR) from almost all the Starlink satellites observed, including both first-generation and second-generation satellites.
The video shows the radio sky above a LOFAR station at wavelengths of 5 meters. The left-hand plot shows the actual data, with the brightest radio sources labelled (where Cassiopeia A is the remnant of a supernova in our Galaxy, while Cygnus A and Virgo A are galaxies outside of our own). The right-hand plot shows the data with the median pixel value subtracted, which highlights variations in brightness. At this radio wavelength we see scintillation where sources vary over time, like stars twinkling at night. Starlink satellites are seen as sources moving across the sky, matching predictions from publicly available orbital elements (red signs).
“With LOFAR we have started a program to monitor unintended emission from satellites belonging to different constellations, and our observations show that the second-generation Starlink satellites emit stronger emission and do so over a larger range of radio frequencies, compared to the first-generation satellites”, says Cees Bassa from ASTRON (the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy), lead author of the study.
The analysis revealed that these newer satellites emit up to 32 times brighter unintended radio waves compared to the first generation, with levels potentially exceeding internationally regulated thresholds for interference set for intentional emissions and even more relaxed terrestrial electromagnetic compatibility standards.
“Compared to the faintest astrophysical sources that we observe with LOFAR, UEMR from Starlink satellites is 10 million times brighter. This difference is similar to the faintest stars visible to the naked eye and the brightness of the full Moon. Since SpaceX is launching about 40 second-generation Starlink satellites every week, this problem is becoming increasingly worse,” adds Cees Bassa.”
This research highlights the necessity for stricter regulations surrounding satellite unintended radiation to preserve the sanctity of radio astronomical observations, which are vital for understanding the Universe and our place within it. The study serves as a clarion call for action to safeguard the future of astronomy in the face of advancing satellite technology.
“Humanity is clearly approaching an inflexion point where we need to take action to preserve our sky as a window to explore the Universe from Earth. Satellite companies are not interested in producing this unintended radiation, so minimizing it should also be a priority in their sustainable space policies,” says Federico Di Vruno from the SKA Observatory. “Starlink is not the only big player in LEO, but they have a chance to set the standard here,” he continues.
The researchers emphasize that while the second-generation satellites have been designed to enhance connectivity and provide communication services, the unintended radio emissions are a growing threat to the integrity of astronomical observations. As the consequences of such interference become increasingly evident, collaboration between satellite companies, regulatory agencies, and the astronomical community is essential to devise effective mitigation strategies.
In the Netherlands, one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, ASTRON operates LOFAR, the most sensitive low-frequency telescope in the world. This is only possible as a result of the regulatory support of the Netherlands local, provincial and national agencies. Municipalities consult ASTRON before developments and support the institute advising others.
Prof. Jessica Dempsey, general and scientific director of ASTRON: “Since LOFAR began, more than a decade ago – when we were told we would soon struggle to observe because of radio interference – the regulation support and a productive collaboration with industry, totalling over 1000 individual mitigations – have been done in collaborations with dozens of groups, companies, infrastructures, agencies and individuals across the country.”
“And this relationship is not just one-sided. These clever techniques to find faint signals in the Universe have returned technology advancements to industry and society – from GPS to WiFi. We don’t just co-exist, we thrive together. We have the solutions for this symbiosis in space as well – we just need the regulators to support us, and the industry to meet us half-way. Without mitigations, very soon the only constellations we will see will be human-made.”
compiled by Arlene & David Kaplan
Ion engines could take us to the solar gravitational lens in less than 13 years, suggests paper Sending an object to another star is still the stuff of science fiction. But some concrete missions could get us at least part way there. These “interstellar precursor missions” include a trip to the solar gravitational lens point at 550 AU from the sun—farther than any artificial object…more
Saturn’s moon Titan has insulating methane-rich crust up to six miles thick Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is the only place other than Earth known to have an atmosphere and liquids in the form of rivers, lakes and seas on its surface. Because of its extremely cold temperature, the liquids on Titan are made of hydrocarbons…more
Discovery of carbon-storing molecules in a distant interstellar cloud may shed light on how our own solar system formed A team led by researchers at MIT has discovered that a distant interstellar cloud contains an abundance of pyrene, a type of large, carbon-containing molecule known as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)…more
New Team to Assess NASA’s Mars Sample Return Architecture Proposals
NASA announced Wednesday a new strategy review team will assess potential architecture adjustments for the agency’s Mars Sample Return Program, which aims to bring back scientifically selected samples from Mars, and is a key step in NASA’s quest to better understand our solar system and help answer whether we are alone in the universe…more
This Distant Planet May Host a Moon That’s Spewing a Volcanic Cloud
Astronomers have identified thousands of planets orbiting distant stars using sophisticated observatories. But there’s something they have yet to spot with any certainty: moons around those worlds. Now a recent discovery around a Saturn-size planet 635 light-years from Earth offers one of the best potential clues…more
NASA Launches Europa Clipper to Explore an Ocean Moon’s Habitability Europa Clipper, the biggest interplanetary spacecraft that NASA has ever built, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida early Monday afternoon. The mission will tackle one of biology’s core questions: Can life exist anywhere else in our solar system?…more
Nasa spacecraft receives laser signal from 290 million miles away Nasa has successfully sent a laser signal about 290 million miles, smashing previous records and potentially transforming our exploration of the solar system. The milestone was reached by Nasa’s Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration, which is exploring whether it is possible to use lasers…more
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Moves Like the Solar System’s Biggest Kickball The Great Red Spot of Jupiter is one of the solar system’s most astonishing marvels. An elliptical storm with inky swirls of burnt orange and dulled copper, it is longer thanNasa spacecraft receives laser signal from 290 million miles away the Earth is wide, and its winds screech through the tops of the planet’s clouds at 400 miles per hour…more
Unexplained Enigmas in the Orion Nebula May Be Victims of Stellar Bullying Some 1,350 light-years from Earth, astronomers detected strange pairs of unexplained objects orbiting in the Orion Nebula. Since then, about 12 months ago, other scientists have proposed a new potential explanation for these apparitions, while other researchers wonder whether they exist at all…more
Solar Storm Buffets Earth and Is Likely to Generate Light Show An eruption of particles from the sun collided with Earth on Thursday morning. The Space Weather Prediction Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported that the solar particles, which were ejected on Tuesday, October 8 evening, arrived at 11:15 a.m….more
How to See the ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Comet Flaring in Our Night Skies Look up, stargazers: A comet discovered last year is getting brighter as it makes its closest pass by Earth later this week, and this could be humanity’s last chance to see the comet before it disappears into the cosmic depths…more
by Rex Parker, PhD director@princetonastronomers.org
Meeting Oct 8 at Peyton Hall. We hope to see you in person at Peyton Hall on campus for the next monthly meeting on October 8 (7;30pm). The guest speaker is widely read author and physicist Paul Halpern, Professor of Physics at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He’ll discuss his latest book, published in 2024, “The Allure of the Multiverse: Extra Dimensions, Other Worlds, and Parallel Universes.” See Victor’s section below for more information about the program.
Paul Halpern’s book is getting good reviews on Amazon and is one of the most comprehensible books about a topic which I personally find utterly confusing. So here is our chance to come to grips with that part of theoretical physics and cosmology that has stirred the pot a great deal over the past couple decades.
Please remember that we aim to highlight member astro activities in the second half of our monthly meetings, after the break. Several topics are in circulation, including member results for the observing challenges — imaging Saturn, the lunar south pole craters, and observing and imaging the soon-to-go-nova star T CrB. We’ll add a new observing challenge this month – comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan–ATLAS. As the news media are announcing, this might become a major bright comet visible to the unaided eye as it rounds the sun on its orbit in the next few weeks We also reserve a slot after the break for the Unjournal Club, in which members have the floor (and screen) to discuss recent astro-related articles from the journals and magazines or other personal astronomy experiences and projects to share with fellow members. Just shoot an email to me or our Program Chair to hold a place on the agenda Oct. 8. Also remember that if you want to share some images, experience has shown that it’s best (for connection with Peyton Hall projector and Zoom input) to bring them on a USB drive to insert into my already-connected laptop to show during the meeting.
AAAP’s Impressive and Growing YouTube Channel. You may have noticed at our monthly meetings at Peyton Hall simulcast live via Zoom that we are also recording the sessions in Zoom. What you may not realize is that these are being converted and uploaded to YouTube, posted on the AAAP YouTube Channel for members, the public, and posterity. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/@amateurastronomersassociat1439 These videos are a great way to view the meetings you may have missed or review parts that may have been hard to grasp, since some of our topics do go pretty deep. The AAAP YouTube channel currently offers 62 videos produced inside AAAP the last few years (thanks to Victor, Dave, and Ira). The channel has gathered over 9220 views to date. Beyond recordings of the meetings and guest speaker presentations, it features how-to videos, cool celestial events from the observatory, astro video sessions from member telescopes, and interviews with knowledgeable club members.
by Victor Davis, Program Chair
October Meeting
The October, 2024 meeting of the AAAP will take place in Peyton Hall on the campus of Princeton University on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 PM. As usual, the meeting is open to AAAP members and the public. Participants can join the meeting in-person at Peyton Hall or log in to the Zoom session as early as 7:00 pm to chat informally before the meeting begins. The evening’s guest speaker is Paul Halpern, Professor of Physics at Saint Joseph’s University. His talk will be based on his book “The Allure of the Multiverse: Extra Dimensions, Other Worlds, and Parallel Universes.”
Options for Attending the Meeting
You may choose to attend the meeting in person or participate via Zoom or YouTube as we’ve been doing for the past few years. (See How to Participate below for details). Due to security concerns, if you log in before the host has set up internet connectivity in Peyton Hall, you may need to wait in the Waiting Room for a few minutes until the host is prepared to admit you into the meeting. You’ll need to unmute yourself to make comments or ask questions. It’s polite, though not required, for you to enable your camera so other participants can see you. A week or so after the meeting, the video of the lecture and Q&A will be posted on AAAP’s public YouTube channel.
The traditional “meet the speaker” dinner will be held at Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar, One Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ. Reservation is for 5:45 pm. Please advise the Program Chair if you plan to attend.
Princeton bookseller Labyrinth Books will be selling copies of Prof. Halpern’s book in the lobby, which he’ll be happy to sign after his presentation.
Here’s the anticipated agenda for October, 2024’s monthly meeting of the AAAP:
Getting to Peyton Hall
The parking lots across the street (Ivy Lane) from Peyton Hall are now construction sites, unavailable for parking. We’ve been advised by the administration of the astrophysics department that we should park in the new enclosed parking garage off Fitzrandolph street and walk around the stadium and athletic fields. Here’s a map of the campus and walking routes from the parking garage to Peyton Hall. The map shows the recently completed East Garage. Not shown is an access road Sweet Gum that connects from Faculty Road to an entrance at the lower left corner of the garage. Stadium Road connects from Fitzrandolph Road to another entrance at the opposite corner (and higher level) of the garage. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from the parking garage to Peyton Hall.
The Allure of the Multiverse: Beyond the Limits of Direct Observation
Given the extent of the observable universe that has yet to be mapped out, some might wonder why some physicists have introduced the concept of a multiverse into their models. This talk will examine why some eminent physicists, such as the late Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg, have been attracted to the idea of the multiverse, and others, such as Princeton cosmologist Paul Steinhardt, have raised significant concerns. We’ll also show how the cultural and scientific ideas of multiverses differ significantly.
Mike DiMario reviewed Prof. Halpern’s latest book (“The Allure of the Multiverse…”) in last month’s edition of Sidereal Times.
Paul Halpern
Acclaimed science writer and physicist Dr. Paul Halpern is the author of eighteen popular science books, exploring the subjects of space, time, higher dimensions, dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, particle physics, and cosmology. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, and an Athenaeum Literary Award, he has contributed to Nature, Physics Today, Aeon, NOVA’s “The Nature of Reality” physics blog, and Forbes “Starts with a Bang!” He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows including “Future Quest,” “Science Friday,” “Radio Times,” “Coast to Coast AM,” “The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special,” and C-SPAN’s “BookTV.” Halpern’s latest book, “The Allure of the Multiverse,” describes the controversial history of higher dimensional and parallel universe schemes in science and culture.
How to Participate (Links)
Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88066206371?pwd=5dpse6PYG1T6Llxq9OvaGuXhJZb3OG.1
Meeting ID: 880 6620 6371
Passcode: 098987
YouTube
https://youtube.com/live/8HnWTCY-Pcw
| Date | Featured Speaker | Topic | |
| November 12, 2024 | Manuel Cuesta mecuesta@princeton.edu  | Dr. Manuel Cuesta, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Princeton University’s Department of Astrophysics, will discuss his work on the Parker Solar Probe and other heliophysics projects. | |
| December 10, 2024 | Jesse Christiansen christia.ipac.caltech.edu  | Dr. Christiansen is Senior Scientist at NASA’s Exoplanet Science Institute at Caltech. She’ll describe her research and the current status of Exoplanet discoveries. | |
| January 12, 2025 | Rebecca Boyle rebecca.b.boyle@gmail.com  | Rebecca Boyle, science writer, essayist, and Contributing Editor to Scientific American, will discuss her new book, “Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are.” Suggested by Ira Polans. |
As always, members’ comments and suggestions are gratefully accepted and much appreciated.
victor.davis@verizon.net
program@princetonastronomers
(908) 581-1780 cell
by Gene Allen, Secretary
Director Rex Parker opened the meeting in Peyton Hall and on Zoom at 1930 with 38 in attendance.
The first ten minutes of his introduction were missed because the university had failed to arrange for the doors to be unlocked for us and someone had to stand by to admit latecomers.
Rex commented on the astroimaging subgroup and issued two observing and imaging challenges:
Comet C/2023 A3, perhaps visible to the naked eye.
Saturn, which is now at opposition with its rings nearly edge on.
He reported that the NJAA Open House and Flea Market is on September 14.
Program Chair Victor Davis introduced Princeton Professor Dr Neta Bahcall and her lecture, Lighting Up the Dark: Where is the Dark Matter?
Questions and a break followed her talk. There were 38 in attendance and 49 online.
Rex reconvened the meeting at 2111 with 16 in attendance. He asked “What did you do on your summer vacation?” of an astronomical nature. When no one spoke up he offered that he had been in Munich and saw an orrery very similar in construction and vintage to the Rittenhouse Orrery on the north wall of the central lobby of Peyton Hall.
Assistant Director Bob Vanderbei shared images of the aurora he captured from his home in Harlingen with his iPhone 14. He said the aurora was barely discernable visually but the photo really made it impressive.
Victor reported that he had been approached by an individual seeking a new home for his Meade 16” Newtonian telescope with a pedestal and clock drive. It is an observatory class scope for which we have no room and there was no interest in accepting the donation. A member of the Lehigh Valley club was in attendance and said he would see if they had any interest.
Merchandise Shop Lead Facilitator Rich Sherman pitched summer clothing articles before changing out the listings to winter gear.
It was suggested that we plan some more astrovideo evenings like last year. Observatory Co-Chair Dave Skitt reported that he and Jennifer had been to three stores looking at carpet choices and getting prices. He was considering carpet squares which interlock as an alternative. Discussion ensued and the Board members in attendance (Rex, Bob, Michael, Victor, Dave and Gene) subsequently voted to approve purchase of carpet squares for the observatory in excess of $1000. Dave went on to say he and Jen would be scheduling Keyholder training sessions again soon and he was also interested in setting up a solar observing session.
Secretary Gene Allen reported that Webmaster Jeff Pinyan was making good progress designing the new club website. He said the functionality was truly impressive and detailed just two of them. There is a button on the top of the left hand menu bar on every page that shows the status of the observatory (pending in amber, open in green, and closed in red) and links to the observatory page with the maps and other info. The speaker page has a scrolling band of past speakers across the top that link to their videos.
The meeting was adjourned at 2201.
Submitted by Secretary Gene Allen
September 11, 2024
by Rich Sherman
The AAAP Store has been updated with new merchandise for the colder weather.
Hoodies, crew neck sweatshirts, long-sleeves, winter beanies? Yup, we got
them. We added some new items this year such as the full-zip fleece jackets
with embroidered logos, and a nifty carry-all tote.
Three things to note:
Happy shopping and stay warm.
By Razvan Dominic Ionescu
Wanting to see the Milky Way again, and to reconnect with a childhood memory, in August 2019 I took my family on a trip to one of the darkest spots on the East Coast of the United States. It was a vacation destination, purposely chosen to be as remote as possible from civilization and the built environment, and yet – for convenience’s sake – within driving distance of our home, in suburban Philadelphia.
We embarked our five kids in our minivan, and took what remains to this day a most memorable trip to the heart of Pennsylvania: Galeton, Potter County, and Cherry Springs State Park – the first nighttime observation park in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through Airbnb.com we rented a farmhouse, sitting on a large property and surrounded by natural beauty that is rare to find on the East Coast. Accessible through a one-mile, uphill, unpaved path from the main road, the farmhouse sat on 130 acres of farmland, a few miles from Galeton borough.
I will never forget how beautifully quiet the entire hill around our house was, and the serenity brought about by the complete absence of noise coming from man-made machinery. The area was as remote as you can imagine from highways and airports, and as a result, even airplanes flying overhead were so far that you could not actually hear them. It was deeply humbling and relaxing to only hear the sounds of nature and nearby farm animals: no trucks, cars, roads, highways, or anything we have become so accustomed to in our busy, bustling lives.
Why Potter County?
With a population of 16,000 (half what it was in 1900), Potter County is the fifth-least populous county in Pennsylvania, and has only one traffic light. I grew up spending summers in the Carpathian mountains, marveling at the beauty of the sky at night and the Milky Way in particular. I was longing for those moments and seeing the natural beauty of the night sky again, and Potter County delivered.
The night sky, with its twinkling stars, shimmering constellations, and distant galaxies, has captivated human beings since the dawn of time. Ancient civilizations found inspiration in the heavens, using the stars for navigation, timekeeping, and even to guide their spirituality. Today, the night sky remains hard to match and one of the most profound connections we have with the universe beyond Earth, reminding us of our small place within it. However, as human activity has grown, the beauty of this celestial landscape is increasingly obscured by light pollution, robbing us of a fundamental aspect of the planet’s natural splendor.
The Night Sky as Part of Earth’s Beauty
While we often speak of Earth’s beauty in terms of its landscapes—majestic mountains, sweeping oceans, and lush forests—the night sky is equally a part of this planetary wonder. When we gaze upward on a clear night, we are not only admiring distant stars but are also participating in a shared, universal experience.
This experience is awe-inspiring and creates a deep appreciation for the natural world and for the remarkable, yet delicate, balance that allows life to flourish on Earth. The view above is a reminder of our planet’s uniqueness within the cosmos.
The night sky offers more than just aesthetic beauty. It allows for reflection, awe, and perspective – all part of a rich life. The light of stars that have traveled millions of years to reach us highlights the vastness of the universe, providing a humbling reminder of the intricate and interconnected systems that sustain life on Earth. In many ways, the ability to see the night sky is symbolic of a healthy relationship with our environment. Just as clear, unpolluted air and clean rivers are vital to human well-being, so too is the ability to experience the unblemished beauty of the night.
The Impact of Light Pollution
Unfortunately, as cities grow and artificial lights illuminate more of our surroundings, light pollution hinders our view of the night sky. This excessive use of artificial lighting masks the stars, creating a permanent glow that prevents many people from seeing the Milky Way or even the most familiar constellations. In fact, it’s estimated that about 80% of people in North America can no longer see the Milky Way due to light pollution.
Light pollution doesn’t just obscure our view of the stars—it also has ecological and health impacts. Many animals rely on the natural cycles of day and night for migration, hunting, and reproduction. For example, sea turtles, which navigate by the moon, often become disoriented due to artificial lights on beaches. Birds that migrate at night are also thrown off course by city lights, sometimes flying into buildings or changing their migration patterns altogether. The disruption of these natural rhythms highlights how human-created pollution, even in the form of light, can affect Earth’s ecosystems.
On a personal level, light pollution also disconnects us from one of our most ancient experiences as inhabitants of this planet. The stars remind us of the larger universe, offering an opportunity for quiet contemplation, wonder, and inspiration. Without the night sky, a piece of our collective human heritage is lost, and with it, the sense of belonging to something far greater than ourselves.
Caring for the Night Sky and the Planet
Caring about the night sky may seem like a trivial pursuit. After all, we have so many bigger, more real problems in our every day lives! Yet upon reflection, appreciating the beautifully silent and awe-inspiring night sky is only a sign of our care for the Earth itself. Being able to look up at the stars and experience their beauty is part of the joy of living on this planet. In the same way we work to preserve the forests, oceans, and wildlife, we should also work to reduce light pollution.
Efforts to mitigate light pollution are already underway in many parts of the world. Some cities are installing shielded streetlights that direct light downward, where it’s needed, rather than allowing it to scatter upward into the atmosphere. Others are adopting “dark sky” policies that limit unnecessary lighting and encourage the use of low-intensity bulbs. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that protecting the night sky is just as important as preserving other aspects of our environment.
By reducing light pollution, we can restore our connection to the stars and to the natural rhythms of our planet. The night sky is a reminder that Earth, though singular and unique, is part of a much larger cosmic story. As we work to protect the beauty of our planet—from its forests and oceans to its skies—we affirm our place within that story, recognizing the night sky as an essential piece of Earth’s beauty.
As Above So Below
The night sky is not a separate entity but an integral part of the beauty of our one planet Earth. Gazing at the stars invites us to reflect on our place in the universe, fostering a sense of humility and wonder. However, as light pollution increasingly blots out the stars, we are reminded of the broader consequences of our actions on the environment. By caring for the night sky, we are also caring for the planet, ourselves, and acknowledging the profound importance of preserving the natural world in all its forms—both terrestrial and celestial.
Unfortunately, until we eliminate or substantially reduce light pollution near our dwellings, we must travel to far-away places to be reminded of the true beauty of the night sky. And in our case, we made the most of it in Cherry Springs State Park not only by seeing the Milky Way every cloudless night, but we also took a stargazing tour with former State Park astronomer Greg Snowman. It did not disappoint: we saw Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, constellations, far-away nebulas, galaxies, and our children fell asleep under the stars. It was an amazing experience, and one I look forward to reliving, hopefully one day without having to travel so far away.
A member of AAAP since 2021, Razvan is a finance professional who regularly volunteers to clean up litter in his community and when traveling. He recently launched the website www.OneBeautifulPlanet.org, to share his journey in public service, environmental education, and track action toward a cleaner, healthier world.
by S. Prasad Ganti
BAO (Baryon Acoustic Oscillation) is a mouthful of an acronym. It interested me because of its relation to our baby Universe. That was a time when our Universe was less than 380,000 years old. With no stars or planets or galaxies. It was just an extremely hot cosmic sea with a soup of baryons (electrons, protons, neutrons) and light trapped within. This article is a summary gathered from the NASA and ESA websites, laced by my 2 cents.
Further cooling of our universe resulted in the formation of atoms and chemistry took over to create elements like Hydrogen, Helium etc. But the dynamics of the infantile cosmic sea were different and we still have relics from such an ancient past. The first one we know is the CMB (Cosmic Microwave Background) radiation. This noise from the formative years of the Universe can be detected everywhere in the microwave frequencies.
Starting from the first discovery in the horn antenna of Bell Labs in Holmdel, NJ, to the space based detectors COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer), WMAP (Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe) and Planck, the picture of the early universe became very sharp. It largely shows a uniform universe with some minor ripples. These ripples got amplified with the expansion of space and became clumps which became stars and galaxies.
Second relic is the lesser known and esoteric BAO. In the cosmic sea, gravity tried its magic to pull the particles together. Each time this happened, the temperature increased further making it even hotter. The heat caused the particles to repel each other. A tug of war ensued between the two competing forces – attraction caused by gravity and repulsion caused by the heat. This tug of war caused the back and forth motion resulting in oscillations. Gravity won for some of the time and as it weakened, heat started taking over for some time. This oscillation caused the BAO.
Now we know about Baryons and oscillations. What does acoustic mean in this context? There was no sound or Bose speakers in the early universe ! The matter and air as we know was yet to be formed. I could not find a satisfactory answer to this question. I am surmising that acoustic is taken in its broader sense as it refers to the behavior of plasma. Plasma is a soup of charged particles which have been ripped off from its neutral atoms.
We know that BAO occurred in the distant past because the relics or imprints of those oscillations are still found in the present day universe. They are the frozen ripples, not a currently flowing one. Something like the finding of dinosaur footprints. These imprints were noticed for the first time in 2005 in the large-scale picture of the universe. Sloan Digital Sky Survey was the first such big picture in which patterns of BAO were found. Similarly such imprints were found in 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey.
The imprints are in the form of distances between galaxies today. We are likely to find another galaxy within 500 million light years. Not slightly nearer nor farther. This is discounting the local clusters where Andromeda, our neighbor, is only about 2 million light years away. It occurred to me how 500 million light years can be part of a wave. It is too large to be a wavelength. But then the early universe was a lot smaller and the wave got stretched out with the expansion of the universe. What is 500 million light years today could have been a mile or a few inches in those times. Thus, BAO is also used to study the expansion of the universe and the related topic of dark energy. More studies are taking place and more discoveries are in store.
Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton 