Archive
Ephemeris: 01/02/2026 – I’ll try to talk about Ptolemy again tonight
The meeting has been changed to Zoom only due to the weather!
This is Ephemeris for Friday, January 2nd. The Sun will rise at 8:20. It’ll be up for 8 hours and 53 minutes, setting at 5:14. The Moon, 1 day before full, will set at 8:57 tomorrow morning.
Tonight at this month’s meeting of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society which will be at 8 pm at Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory. I will be giving an illustrated talk Ptolemy: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. This was originally scheduled for the December meeting, which was canceled due to no heat in the building. So I’ll try again tonight. Ptolemy’s second century view of the universe held sway in the western world fourteen hundred years into the Christian era. His greatest work, which I will explore, is known as the Almagest, meaning The Greatest in Arabic (Not his title). Afterward if it’s clear we’ll have viewing of Saturn and Jupiter. The meeting will also be available via Zoom, which I’ll be using to give the talk. Go to gtastro.org for instructions and a link.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EST, UT – 5 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 12/05/2025 – I will be giving a talk about Ptolemy and his Almagest tonight
Event is Canceled – no heat in the building – postponed to next month
This is Ephemeris for Friday, December 5th. Today the Sun will be up for 8 hours and 57 minutes, setting at 5:02, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:05. The Moon, 1 day past full, will rise at 5:25 this evening.
Tonight at this month’s meeting of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society which will be at 8 pm at Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory. I will be giving an illustrated talk Ptolemy: The Good, Bad and the Ugly. His second century view of the universe held sway in the western world fourteen hundred years into the Christian era. He was a geographer, astronomer, and an astrologer. His greatest work, which I will explore, is known as the Almagest, meaning The Greatest in Arabic (Not his title). Afterward if it’s clear we’ll have a star party starting about 9 pm. The meeting will also be available via Zoom, which I’ll be using to give the talk. Go to gtastro.org for instructions and a link.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 11/07/25 – GTAS meeting tonight, topic is Fighting Light Pollution
This is Ephemeris for Friday, November 7th. Today the Sun will be up for 9 hours and 53 minutes, setting at 5:23, and it will rise tomorrow at 7:30. The Moon, 2 days past full, will rise at 6:43 this evening.
The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will hold a special meeting and program at 7 PM tonight, a special time, at Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory. Dr. Jerry Dobek, astronomy professor at NMC, will present an illustrated talk on Light Pollution. The focus of the talk will be on the general causes and effects of light pollution, as well as examples of proper lighting. Dr. Dobek has helped write lighting ordinances for governments here and around the nation. A star party will start around 8 pm, but only if it’s clear. The observatory is located south of Traverse City, on Birmley Road. The meeting is also available via Zoom. A link can be found on the society’s website, gtastro.org.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 10/03/2025 – Astronomy Society meeting tonight
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Friday, October 3rd. Today the Sun will be up for 11 hours and 35 minutes, setting at 7:19, and it will rise tomorrow at 7:44. The Moon, 3 days before full, will set at 4:26 tomorrow morning.
The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host its October meeting tonight at 8 PM at Northwestern Michigan College’s Joseph H Rogers Observatory. I’m also in the dark as to the program. It’s always interesting, even if there is no formal program. Discussions among members with expertise in a variety of interests. Astronomy is the science of everything. After all, the Earth is a planet too. After the meeting, around 9 PM, weather permitting, there will be viewing of the Moon and whatever we can find in the twilight. The observatory is located south of Traverse City on Birmley Rd. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Instructions will be on the society’s website, gtastro.org.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 09/05/2025 – GTAS meeting tonight, a personal view of nebulae, interstellar clouds
This is Ephemeris for Friday, September 5th. Today the Sun will be up for 13 hours and 1 minute, setting at 8:11, and it will rise tomorrow at 7:11. The Moon, 2 days before full, will set at 5:36 tomorrow morning.
The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host its September meeting tonight at 8 PM at Northwestern Michigan College’s Joseph H Rogers Observatory. The talk for the evening will be given by Daniel Dall’Olmo, one of our members, who has had great success photographing the wonders of the universe. He will show and discuss the different types of nebulae he’s photographed. After the meeting, weather permitting, there will be viewing of the Moon and whatever we can find in the twilight. The observatory is located south of Traverse City on Birmley Rd. The meeting will also be available via Zoom, with instructions for joining the meeting on the society’s website, http://www.gtastro.org.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 08/22/2025 – Star Party tomorrow night the 23rd
This is Ephemeris for Friday, August 22nd. Today the Sun will be up for 13 hours and 42 minutes, setting at 8:36, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:55. The Moon, 1 day before new, will rise at 7:10 tomorrow morning.
Weather permitting, the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society and the Park Rangers will host a star party at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at the Dune Climb tomorrow night, starting around 9 PM. The parking lane closest to the dune will be blocked off for telescopes. The start time is after sunset, and the brighter stars will be visible by 9:15. As it gets darker some of the brighter interstellar wonders of our Milky Way galaxy, will appear, with many star clusters and nebulae, including a peek at the Great Andromeda Galaxy next door. The Rangers will leave around 11 PM however if it stays clear and there’s enough interest, society members with their telescopes will stay longer. This is the last Sleeping Bear Dunes star party this year.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 07/25/2025 – Star Party tomorrow night
This is Ephemeris for Friday, July 25th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 54 minutes, setting at 9:16, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:22. The Moon, 1 day past new, will set at 10:09 this evening.
Weather permitting, the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society and the Park Rangers will host a star party at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at the Dune Climb tomorrow night, starting around 9:00 PM. The parking lane closest to the dune will be blocked off for telescopes. Note… the start time is before actual sunset, however the brighter stars will be visible by 9:45. Also on tap will be binary stars, an interesting treat through the telescope. Then, as it gets darker some of the brighter interstellar wonders will appear. The Rangers leave around 11:00 PM however if it stays clear and there’s enough interest, society members with their telescopes will stay longer. Another star party is planned at the Dunes this summer, on August 23rd.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 07/11/2025 – GTAS meeting tonight and star parties this summer
This is Ephemeris for Friday, July 11th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 19 minutes, setting at 9:28, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:09. The Moon, 1 day past full, will rise at 10:32 this evening.
The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host its July meeting tonight at 9 PM at Northwestern Michigan College’s Joseph H Rogers Observatory. The meeting was bumped forward a week due to the Fourth of July holiday. After the meeting, around 10 PM, weather permitting, there will be viewing of the Moon and whatever we can find in the twilight. The observatory is located south of Traverse City on Birmley Rd. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Instructions will be on the society’s website, gtastro (dot) org. There are two other events this summer both star parties at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s Dune Climb area. They are on July 26th and August 23rd, both Saturday nights.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 06/27/2025 – Star party tomorrow night at the Sleeping Bear Dunes
This is Ephemeris for Friday, June 27th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 33 minutes, setting at 9:32, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:59. The Moon, 2 days past new, will set at 11:44 this evening.
Weather permitting, the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society and the Park Rangers will host a star party at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at the Dune Climb starting around 9:00 PM. The parking lane closest to the dune will be blocked off for telescopes. Note… the start time is before actual sunset, however the Moon should be visible from near sunset and after until nearly 11 PM Also on tap will be binary stars, an interesting treat through the telescope. The Rangers leave around 11:00 PM however if it stays clear and there’s enough interest, society members with their telescopes will stay longer. Two other star parties are planned this summer: on July 26th and August 23rd.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
Ephemeris: 06/06/2025 – GTAS meeting tonight
This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Friday, June 6th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 27 minutes, setting at 9:25, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:57. The Moon, 4 days past first quarter, will set at 3:32 tomorrow morning. | The Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host its May meeting tonight at 9 PM at Northwestern Michigan College’s Joseph H Rogers Observatory. The talk for the evening is a mystery to me, and I’m the Newsletter Editor. However, since I’ve given more programs than any other to the group, I will have a presentation old or new, if the need arises. After the meeting, around 10 PM, weather permitting, there will be viewing of the Moon and whatever we can find in the twilight. The observatory is located south of Traverse City on Birmley Rd. The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Instructions will be on the society’s website, gtastro.org.
The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EDT, UT – 4 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.
Addendum
