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 57th 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. Members in good standing have access to the gated Barnegat Road Observing Site in the dark New Jersey Pines.

 

President:

Vice President:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Jim Fusco

Bob Lill

Suzanne Leap

Wade Evans

   

At the Formal Meeting on December 6, the 2025 officers were elected.

Announcements   Last Update: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Dec 21 Solstice at 4:21 am EST, the Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere.
Dec 30 New Moon at 5:27 pm EST in Sagittarius, the second this month. The first New Moon was on December 1.
Jan 3 Formal Meeting at the Virtua Health and Wellness Center, Conference Ctr, Room 155A, Moorestown, NJ, 7:30 pm. Guests are welcome.
Jan 4 Earth at Perihelion, 4:08 am EST, 0.9833 au from the Sun.
Jan 13 Full Moon at 5:27 pm EST in Gemini, a couple of degrees from the now-bright planet Mars, two days before its not-so-favorable opposition on January 15. On the 13th, the Moon will occult Mars about 9:20 pm in our area (but start looking a little earlier to allow for time variations due to your specific location). Mars emerges about 10:35 pm.
Jan 17 Informal Meeting at the Virtua Health and Wellness Center, Conference Ctr, Room 155A, Moorestown, NJ, 7:30 pm. Guests are welcome.
Jan 27 The Winter Star Party begins in the Florida Keys, runs through February 2.

Photo Spotlight   Image posted 12.21.2024

On December 20, 2024, the WAS's informal meeting became the annual Holiday Dinner at the Legacy Diner in Audubon, NJ. As seen in the photo above (taken by one of our attentive waitresses), it's obvious there was a large turnout, extending to the back corner. The wide-angle picture below was taken from the other side of the room. Indeed, everyone had a fine meal and a fine time. Click the pictures for larger versions.

 

Click here for the previous home page image.

 

Sky & Telescope's This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 20 to 29, 2024.

Get the monthly Evening Sky Map.

 

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 for the Barnegat Road Observing Site...

Star & Constellation Pronunciation Guides

United States Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications

Minima of Algol

Lunar X Predictions for 2024

Best Comets of 2024

Meteor Showers, 2024 - 2025

SDO Solar Image (out of service until 2025)