| The Tennessee Star Party is coming! Sponsored by Nashville's Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, TNSP has become one of the largest and most popular amateur astronomy events in the Southeast. TNSP'04 is scheduled for the weekend of September 17-19 at Camp Nakanawa near Crossville, Tennessee. Go to the TNSP'04 Webpage for more information! |
MTSU's Department of Physics and Astronomy will host the
First Friday Star Parties on the
first Friday of each month during the Fall semester. Each event will begin with a 30-45 minute lecture at
6:30pm in Room 102 of the Wiser-Patten Science Building. Following the lecture (weather permitting),
telescopes will be set up in the field in front of the WPS building until 8:30pm or so.
The First Friday Star Parties are open to everyone, and kids are welcome!
Directions from MTSU's Main Street Entrance
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Astronomy and Space Science News
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Best Space Photos of the Week - Feb. 4, 2012 From a stunning image of our marbled earth to city lights from space, it's been a remarkable week for space photography. Vote Now! Top Space Stories of the Week - Feb. 5, 2012 Colonies on the moon, fast-spinning stars and an astronaut playing an astronaut are just a few of several big stories in space for the week. Jupiter-Bound NASA Probe Adjusts Course Toward Giant Planet NASA's Juno probe is the first solar-powered spacecraft to the outer solar system. Space Rock of Love: Asteroid Eros Attracts Skywatchers in Earth Flyby The close pass of the asteroid Eros this week allows astronomy buffs to measure the size of the solar system. Wanted: Mock Astronauts for Mission to Mars ... in Hawaii Scientists will study diet & nutrition for "astronauts" who spend four months in a mock space capsule. NASA Awash In Astronaut Applications, But Still Lacks Spaceships Not since 1978 have so many people wanted to be a NASA astronaut. Photos of Space Love: The Asteroid Eros Up Close See photos of the asteroid Eros taken by NASA's NEAR space probe in 2000, and other observers. Oh Eros: Valentine's Day Asteroid Makes NEAR Fly-by The 21-mile long 'God of Love' space rock made its closest approach to Earth (15 million miles away) since 1975 on January 31st, 2012. NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous - Shoemaker (NEAR) mission landed on the asteroid on February 12, 2001. Earth From Space: The Secret of NASA's Amazing 'Blue Marble' Photos NASA's Suomi NPP satellite is snapping amazing views of Earth from space, but there's a secret to the photos. Iran Launches Small Earth-Watching Satellite Into Orbit: Report Iran launched the satellite "Promise of Science and Industry" satellite using its own Safir 1-B rocket. |
What is the MTAS?
The Middle Tennessee Astronomical Society is an amateur organization founded in the 1950's by Dr. Donald Male of Manchester, Tennessee. The Society has had a long and storied history, with ties to such organizations as the UT Space Institute.
The MTAS is an independent and member-run society. Membership is open to all amateurs, regardless of age or profession. It is our goal to open the Society to a new generation of amateur astronomers, and to encourage anyone in the Middle Tennessee area in the pursuit of this fascinating and exciting hobby.
Why is Amateur Astronomy Important?
Amateur Astronomy is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding hobbies one can find. It requires no equipment to start; only a clear sky or a library card are required. Advancement in Amateur Astronomy is both fun and rewarding, and there are so many pursuits within it that something about it will appeal to practically everyone.
Astronomy is one the few "hard sciences" in which many contributions are still being made by amateurs. Every year, many new comets, asteroids, variable stars, novae and supernovae are discovered by Amateur Astronomers. We also contribute observations to long-term scientific research through several organizations which compile and help analyze our results. These contributions have a lasting impact on the field of Astronomy.
Children are naturally attracted to the wonders of the night sky. By encouraging that interest through Amateur Astronomy, parents can give their children a head start in the sciences, mathematics, and problem solving. Amateur Astronomy is also a hobby that you can share with your children, or your parents, for a lifetime.
Finally, Amateur Astronomy keeps us connected to nature. No matter where you are in Middle Tennessee, you aren't far from a spot where you can stargaze to your heart's content. Being an Amateur Astronomer gives you even more ways to do that, and more astronomy-loving friends with whom to do it.
You Can Help!
Our goal is to share the wonders of amateur astronomy to everyone in Middle Tennessee. This website is one tool that we're using to accomplish this goal. We will continue to provide resources for area amateurs here on our website to make your stargazing more enjoyable than ever. We will also publish a newsletter, the Tennessee Sky, to share news about astronomical events and happenings in the Middle Tennessee amateur community.
If you share our interests and goals, you can help in many ways. You can:
Contacts
Please email your your questions or comments to
mtas@tnsky.com.
The MTAS would like to thank the following for their support:
Alachua Astronomy Club ·
Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers ·
AstronomyClubs.com ·
AstroPlace.com ·
Hawaiian Astronomical Society ·
open directory project ·
The Tennessee Sky ·
Von Braun Astronomical Society ·
The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club
The Middle Tennessee Astronomical Society is a member organization of the
