After weeks of clouds and rain we finally had a clear night. Multiple telescopes were set up in the parking lot including Miles Starkenburg’s 14” (equipped with binocular eyepieces) in addition to our Takahashi 6” refractor, an 8” Dobsonian, and two Seestar (an S30 and an S50) telescopes. Additionally, the CDK on the roof was used in visual mode for the first time at a star party.
The first Astrophotography Special Interest Group meeting was held on January 24th. An excellent turnout of 14 attendees filled the observatory’s library.
If you’re interested in joining this group of ~20 astrophotography enthusiasts, please contact Chuck (cawraith@bpastro.org) with your name and best contact information to get you in the loop.
2026 has delivered us a perfect February, with the first and last days of the month falling on the first and last days of the week, respectively. These perfect months are rare, never occurring more than once every six years, and provide a wonderful insight into the quirks of the Gregorian calendar.
The Aurora have been in the news recently. What are they? What causes them? Why are they Northern lights? Where do the colors come from? Why do they shimmer?
Come to Cosmic Conversations and share your questions and knowledge with your neighbors.
February’s Science Topic – Binary Stars and Artificial Intelligence
14 Feb 2026 18:00 – 20:00
Saturday, February 28th from 5 to 7 pm
Featuring BPAA Artist in Residence, Deborah Milton
“Myths of the Pleiades”
Our weekly planetarium shows continue this month every Saturday at 12:30 and 2:30! Exact content is flexible based on audience interest, but common topics include constellations, planets, seasons, and astronomy history.
Women in STEM Book Club had a great first session and we’re back in February with more!
Erin Leigh Howard, Rubin scientist and BPAA Education Director will host one more free preview of what’s happening in the night sky in March. Bring your stargazing questions and join in a lively Zoom discussion!
Source for events and links below are In-The-Sky.org, Dominic Ford, Editor. The links provide details for each event including a scale on how difficult they are to observe. Additionally, here’s a link to a printable PDF for “Navigating the mid February Night Sky” from our friends at the Astronomical League! Feb 1 – Close approach of the Moon and M44 – Full Moon Feb 17 – New Moon Feb 18 – Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury Feb 19 – Messier 81 is well placed – Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn Feb 20 – Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky Feb 23 – Close approach of the Moon and M45 Feb 26 – Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter Feb 27 – Asteroid 7 Iris at opposition Feb 28 – Close approach of the Moon and M44 Mar 3 – Total lunar eclipse – Full Moon Mar 18 – New Moon Mar 20 – Conjunction of the Moon and Venus – March equinox Mar 21 – Asteroid 20 Massalia at opposition Mar 22 – Mercury at highest altitude in morning sky Mar 23 – Close approach of the Moon […]