| 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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Smithsonian Rolls Out Red Carpet for Hubble 3D Premiere The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Tuesday for the world premiere of the Hubble 3D IMAX film. Air Force to Test New Hypersonic Aircraft The U.S. Air Force is gearing up for the first of four planned test flights of a hypersonic aircraft designed to operate for much longer durations and cover far greater distances than previous platforms of its type. Warp Speed Will Kill You Harmless interstellar hydrogen becomes deadly ionized radiation that would fry the crew and electronics of starships traveling near light speed, according to a physicist. SpaceX Aborts Test Firing of Falcon 9 Engines Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) aborted the Falcon 9 rocket's first static fire test March 9. Lord of the Rings in Opposition Saturn will be in opposition on Monday March 22 and visible all night. Fastest Orbiting Stars Circle Each Other in Mere Minutes Astronomers have reported the fastest known orbiting pair of stars ever known, a finding that challenges binary star formation models and could help uncover elusive gravitational waves. NASA: Space Shuttles Could Fly Longer With Extra Funds NASA could continue to fly space shuttles beyond their planned 2010 retirement if given more money, the shuttle program chief said. Virgin Galactic Applauds Legal Protection Against Space Tourist Lawsuits Virgin Galactic President Will Whitehorn applauded New Mexico legislation reducing the risk of industry-crippling lawsuits against space tourism companies. Buzz Aldrin Gears Up For 'Dancing with the Stars' Buzz Aldrin, 80-year-old veteran of the Apollo 11 moon landing, is gearing up to compete in the new season of TV's Dancing With the Stars. China Targets More Space Program Firsts The leaders of China's human spaceflight endeavors say 2011 is shaping up to be the most ambitious year in the history of the country's space program. |
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
