West Jersey Astronomical Society  www.wasociety.us

Welcome to the Official Home Page of the West Jersey Astronomical Society (additionally known as the Willingboro Astronomical Society). Our club is in its 54th year of serving both the public and the amateur astronomers of the Delaware Valley. We have a long history of public education, star parties, interesting meetings, in-depth training and experienced leadership. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Click here for membership information (dues can now be paid through PayPal).

 

President:

Vice President:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Al Meloni

Wade Evans

Suzanne Leap

Jim Brennan

     

Announcements   Last Update: Wednesday, May 26, 2021

May 26 Full Moon at 7:14 am EDT in Scorpius. There will be a total eclipse of the moon, but essentially invisible from the Philadelphia area. First penumbral contact will be at 4:48 am EDT with the moon at 7.6° altitude. The moon sets at 5:40 am and first umbral contact is at 5:45 am. Greatest eclipse is at 7:19 am.
Jun 4 Formal Meeting, online via Zoom, opening at 7:30 pm (log-on information will be posted to the WAS e-group). Physical meetings at the Virtua Health and Wellness Center in Moorestown, NJ, remain suspended at least through the end of June 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions at the venue.
Jun 10 New Moon at 6:53 am EDT in eastern Aries. There will be an annular eclipse of the sun, but only a partial phase will be visible in the Philadelphia area. For 40°N-75°W, the eclipsed sun rises at 5:31 am, maximum eclipse occurs shortly after at 5:32 am (about 79% of the solar disc covered) and the eclipse ends at 6:30 am.
Jun 18

Informal Meeting, online via Zoom, opening at 7:30 pm (log-on information will be posted to the WAS e-group).

Note: The status of 2021 Public Star Watches at Batsto and Member Star Watches at Atsion is still indeterminate due to COVID-19 restrictions in the New Jersey State Forests.

Photo Spotlight   Image posted 5.15.2021

Club member Joe Stieber captured this image of the sublimely thin, 1.2-day-old Crescent Moon, which at the time was just a degree from the inner planet Venus. Taken from Swede Run in Moorestown, NJ, on May 12, 2021 at 8:41 pm EDT with a Canon EOS RP mirrorless digital camera and a Canon 400 mm f/5.6L telephoto lens on a fixed tripod. Exposed 1/320 second at f/5.6, ISO 12,800, daylight white balance. Mouseover for labels.

 

 

Click here for the previous home page image.

 

Click to contact the . Members are encouraged to submit their astronomical images to the webmaster for inclusion on the WAS Home Page. Be sure to include a description, date and time, as well as equipment and photo data.

Astrospheric Forecast, Atsion

USNO Solar System Object Apparent Disc
(this link may be inoperative as the USNO website is undergoing modernization; estimated completion is now Fall 2020)

Star & Constellation Pronunciation Guides

Old SOHO Link   Alternate SOHO Link