Batesville Memorial Public Library
Astronomy @ the Library

 
 

Batesville Memorial Public Library
131 North Walnut Street
Batesville, IN 47006

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CURRENT MOON

Transit of Venus

Global Astronomy Month 2013

Beyond the International Year of Astronomy

International Observe the Moon Night

International Sidewalk Astronomy Night

Year of the Solar System

Telescope Events

The library's Scope Events are all-ages events that take place if the skies are clear enough to view.  The public is invited to bring their telescopes and /or binoculars, or just come to take a look! 

Telescope Events Calendar
(All events using the telescope are "weather permitting")
Saturday, October 12, 2013, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
International Observe the Moon Night
We'll have the library telescope and binoculars out (weather permitting) to get a good look at our Moon. In years past, we've also been able to spot several of Jupiter's moons! Free lunar fun for the whole family! Location to be announced.
 
 

About Our Telescope

BMPL Director Mike Kruse with the telescopeAs part of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Batesville Memorial Public Library Director, Mike Kruse, was one of the "40 Galileos" in the Cincinnati Observatory's 2009 40 Galileos: Starry Messenger Project. Following some training at the observatory, and after completing some public programs, we were awarded our Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope on September 11, 2009. We are now able to host star parties and other educational and fun programs at the library and around our area.  (Right photo) Library Director, Mike Kruse, with our telescope.

Here is an article about the 40 Galileos Project from Astronomy Magazine's online edition:
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=840


And another Astronomy Magazine article, an update on the project:
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8708


One more Astronomy Magazine article by Outreach Astronomer, Dean Regas:
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9450


The 40 "Galileos" at the Cincinnati Observatory, 9/11/09
(Left photo)
The 40 "Galileos" were awarded their telescopes at the Cincinnati Observatory Center on September 11, 2009.


Many thanks to our wonderful Friends of the Library for purchasing these telescope accessories: A solar filter, a star map, assorted color and polarized filters, a carrying case for the scope and other items.

Moon Viewing Kit

In September, 2011, our library was granted, from the Lunar and Planetary Institute, a Moon Viewing Kit in time for the 2011 International Observe the Moon Night event. The kit includes binoculars, a tripod, children's books about the Moon, and other useful items in a tote designed for circulation to families and individuals.  Our thanks to the LPI organization for this gift to the community.



Past Special Events:

Saturday, September 22, 2012
3rd Annual International Observe the Moon Night

Because this year's event fell during Batesville's Apple Festival, we met at Liberty Park to look at the moon. Thirty-five hardy souls, including several Boy Scouts, braved the cold and enjoyed the view. We handed out participation certificates and other information. Forgot the camera, so there are no photos this time.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Transit of Venus

We waited out some serious cloud cover to spend about 60 total minutes viewing this rare alignment when the planet Venus passed directly between Earth and the Sun. Seventy people of all ages got their chance to see this remarkable event through our telescope.
Transit of Venus at BMPL June 5, 2012
Transit of Venus at BMPL June 5, 2012

In case you missed it, here's the Transit of Venus webcast from Mount Wilson Observatory in California:

Saturday, October 8, 2011
2nd Annual International Observe the Moon Night

The second annual International Observe the Moon Night saw clear skies and another group of enthusiastic viewers in the Village Square, downtown Batesville. Once again, we saw our moon up close and got a peek at Jupiter and three visible moons. We featured our Dobsonian telescope from the Cincinnati Observatory and our new binoculars and tripod from the Lunar and Planetary Institute.
Intl Observe the Moon Night, Batesville, IN 10-8-11
Intl Observe the Moon Night, Batesville, IN 10-8-11IOMN, Batsville, IN 10-8-11IOMN, Batesville, IN 10-8-11
Monday, September 20, 2010
Star Party at Morgan's Canoe Livery
We traveled with the scope to Brookville, Indiana, to help Leo Sack of the Cincinnati Observatory Center present a program to sixty-one 7th and 8th graders from Clark Montessori School in Cincinnati. Clear skies, so we observed Jupiter and 4 of its moons and our own moon as well.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
International Observe the Moon Night
We observed the first annual International Observe the Moon Night in Batesville's Village Square by viewing our moon, plus Jupiter and its four visible moons. 52 people from Batesville, Greensburg, Shelbyville and Indianapolis came to get a close up look, even though we had partly cloudy skies for the last hour or so.
InOMN 2010, Batesville, IN
InOMN 2010, Batesville, INInOMN 2010, Batesville, INInOMN 2010, Batesville, IN
Friday, July 2, 2010
Ripley County Chamber Night at Osgood, IN
We took the scope to the Ripley County Fairgrounds for some sun and star gazing. Lots of fun, but no camera, so you'll have to imagine it. Thanks to Chamber Director Amy Thomas for letting us share the views.
Saturday, April 17, 2010    
After Hours Concert post-concert observations

We celebrated the end of National Library Week with an outstanding jazz concert by Mark Buselli, Frank Puzzullo, Andy Fusco, Bob Bowman and Joel Spencer. Then we set up the scope just outside the library and enjoyed viewing the night sky.
Viewing the moon outside the library   Viewing the moon after the concert
International Sidewalk Astronomy Night, March 20, 2010Saturday, March 20, 2010    
International Sidewalk Astronomy Night

We observed the 4th annual ISAN by observing the night sky with our Dobsonian telescope in the Village Square, downtown Batesville. Plus - we saw the International Space Station as it passed by.
 
November 14, 2009
Great Observatories IYA Image Unveiling
Batesville Memorial Public Library

The BMPL was a participant in this International Year of Astronomy event. Immediately following the unveiling, the audience was treated to a concert by Detroit's Divas of the Blues with RJ's Rhythm Rockers.


Library director Mike Kruse reveals the first of two galaxy images. Detroit's Divas of the Blues performed. Phil Hale played with the center of the galaxy behind him.
 

We will also feature occasional Astronomy Programs at the library (and possibly elsewhere). Check back later for more information.


Links

Sky Maps, Charts & Info
Skymaps.com
Sky-Map.org
Citizen Sky
AstroViewer
The Night Sky This Week
Amazing Space: Tonight's Sky
Heavens Above
Messier Objects
Moon Information Resource and Guide
Satellite Sighting Info for Batesville, IN

Organizations and Facilities
Cincinnati Observatory
Cincinnati Astronomical Society
Indiana Astronomical Society
Indiana Space Grant Consortium
Wolff Planetarium Cincinnati
Pike Planetarium Indianapolis
International Dark Sky Association
International Dark Sky Week
Night Sky Network
Global Astronomy Month

     

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