May 2024

  • The Southern Lights

    The Northern Lights traveled South! In possibly a once in a lifetime event, the Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) were visible throughout the southeast on Friday night, May 11. An unusually large coronal mass ejection from a sunspot some 15 times the width of the Earth sent a huge stream of particles our way resulting…

  • Omega Centauri & Centaurus A

    The largest known globular cluster is Omega Centauri (NGC 5139 & C80). It is a wonderful target for amateur astronomer – if you live in the Southern Hemisphere. However, for a short time earlier this year it was visible from Winston-Salem low in the southern horizon. Two FAS members were out with their telescopes and…

  • That’s a wrap! The May 2024 Solar Observation at Pilot Mt.

    On May 25, 2024, members of FAS were out a Pilot Mountain observing the Sun. Around 50 people joined us on a nice clear day (in the Sun). Make sure to mark Saturday August 17, 2024 on your calendar. FAS will be out in front of the Central Library from 10 am to Noon for…

  • That’s a wrap! The April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse

    The April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse has come and gone. At our May meeting, several of our members regaled us with stories about their experiences chasing down this eclipse. Here are a few images taken by our members. Image Credits: Paul Jones, Wally Otti, Frank Westmorland, Sean Wood, Justin Nichols, and Bruce Gavett. We particularly…

  • Public Solar Observation at Pilot Mountain State Park (Saturday, May 25 from 10 AM to Noon)

    WEATHER UPDATE: This event will take place. Conditions are not ideal, but should be good enough to get some solar views. FAS will hold a public solar observation at the Pilot Mt. State Park Visitors Center on Saturday, May 25, from 10 am to 12 Noon. Solar telescopes will be available to safely view the…

  • Black Hole Visualizations

    The folks at NASA’s Goddard Flight Center just published two interesting videos about black holes. “New NASA Black Hole Visualization Takes Viewers Beyond the Brink.” NASA. May 6, 2024. Evidently it is also Black Hole week. NASA has some more information. For even more on black holes, see our previous astronomy blogs.

  • May 2024 FAS Meeting (Wednesday, May 8)

    Please join us for the May meeting of the Forsyth Astronomical Society on Wednesday, May 8. The meeting will be held at the new Kaleideum at 120 West 3rd Street downtown in Winston-Salem, NC. FAS members will regale us with their adventures chasing the April 8 Solar Eclipse.  Right Eclipse Images Credit: Sean Wood. You…