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Letter from the President

January 2020

As the new President of the Brazos Valley Astronomy Club, I wanted to say a few words to welcome everyone to the start of a new year. As the nights get longer and cooler, it gives us more opportunity to observe the night sky. Also, with fronts blowing through, it gives us clear cold nights and a chance for longer observation sessions.

This is also the time of the year where evening viewing will display such beauties as the Orion and Auriga constellations. Canis Major will rise on the heels of Orion with Sirius, Capella, and Aldebaran shining brightly in the eastern sky. Sadly, we'll be saying goodbye to Jupiter and Saturn for a while, which has been such a delight to have in the evening skies throughout the summer and fall. Venus will be high in the western sky to replace them though. Cassiopeia is also very recognizable in the north as it forms the letter M with the Andromeda and Pinwheel galaxies nearby.

Take some time this winter to go out and observe the skies. You don't even need a scope because many of the objects will be viewable with binoculars. Go outside on those cold clear nights, bundle up, and look up.

Clear skies everyone,

Warren Bracewell
President, Brazos Valley Astronomy Club

Warren Bracewell was recently elected to the position of president of the Brazos Valley Astronomy Club. Warren is an active participant in astronomy related community outreach activities. In the photo above, he set up his telescope on a rainy night under a covered area at Lick Creek Park and demonstrated to enthusiastic participants how a telescope works.