O'Meara Ghost Hunt

[Christopher K.]

I don't know where everyone will be tonight--giving out candy, walking a kid whose collecting candy, at a party...or maybe at work! If you have a chance take part in Stephen James O'Meara's clever Ghost Hunt Challenge which he first presented to amateur skygazers seven years ago. There are over 100 "spooky objects" to be found but the amount of time to find them all is comparable to a Messier Marathon session.

Here are selected members of the O'Meara Ghost Hunt List and when (in CDT) they will be thirty degrees or higher in Baton Rouge sky come this nightfall...
7:45pm to 11:30pm = The Moth Cluster (mag 6.3 open cluster in Vulpecula, 6˚13' south-southwest of K-class mag 2.5 Gienah)
7:45pm to 11:45pm = The Veil Nebula (mag 7.0 nebula in Cygnus, 3˚15' south of K-class mag 2.5 Gienah)
7:45pm to 3:30am = The Screaming Skull (mag 6.7 open cluster in Cassiopeia, 2˚53' southwest of F-class mag 2.3 Caph)
7:45pm to 5am = The Owl Cluster (mag 6.4 open cluster in Cassiopeia, 2˚06' south-southwest of A-class mag 2.6 Ruchbah)
9:45pm to 5:45am = The Pleiades (mag 1.4 open cluster in Taurus, 7˚52" south-southwest of F-class mag 2.8 Atik)

More information:
October 2009 Astronomy, pp. 56-59.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2016/10/t ... -challenge

[Christopher K.]

The times above basically are correct every 31 October for Baton Rouge, thought it will probably storm tonight. However, with a slight adjustment for sunset and adjustment for right ascension, one can catch these objects this Friday or Saturday night. Happy Halloween!

[Christopher K.]

Images of some of these Hunt targets will be included in the lecture "The Spooky Sampler", Friday 4 October at 7:30pm. Stories and theories outside the realm of accepted science will be investigated. The HRPO talk is aimed at a general audience and has no admission fee.

More information:
http://hrpo.lsu.edu/programs/friday.html

[Christopher K.]

Today at 2pm CDT, NASA-TV presents "Galaxy of Horrors", a collaboration of the Exoplanet Exploration Program and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory...
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7527

Also, Halloween night looks like a winner for viewing--other than Danko predicts poor seeing until 3am, the forecast is excellent.

[Christopher K.]

"Galaxy of Horrors" will be rebroadcast on NASA's Public Channel today at 6pm CST. I hope everyone had a ghoulish good time for Halloween. Soon, it's Thanksgiving and Christmas--and viewing season for the Christmas Tree Cluster!

[Christopher K.]

This month will see the first Full Moon Halloween since 2001, and the first Full Moon Halloween on a Saturday since 1925.

As we get close to the incredibly special date (and here's to hoping kids' trick-or-treating isn't hindered), HRPO personnel will highlight a smorgasbord of unsettling stories, images and theories—for our adult and high school audience. This will be on Friday 23 October at 6:30pm.

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Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://brec-tech.zoom.us/j/94648307769 ... ZtbTgzQT09
Password: 393421

Or Telephone:
Dial:
USA 404 443 2170
USA 8778487030 (US Toll Free)
Conference code: 291855

Find local AT&T Numbers: https://www.teleconference.att.com/serv ... ode=291855

Please do not cut and paste; just click the hyperlinks.
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[Christopher K.]

Don't forget to "Take Your Picture with an Alien" at HRPO, either tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm or Saturday the 30th from 5pm to 9pm...
https://hrpo.lsu.edu/programs/alien_pic.html.

Some nice prizes--of a finite number--will be available. Don't dawdle or lollygag.