Honorary President of Bucharest Astroclub: Jean Dragesco (France)
President of the BA: Ruxandra - Carmen Popa.
Members: 46 members, most of them young and well-trained amateur astronomers always ready for a high-quality sustained work.

BA is promoting amateur astronomy since 1968, continuing the traditions of the first Romanian Astronomical Society "Camille Flammarion" (1908-1912).

Connected to the modern astronomy, BA works now in the project system as follows:

1. We provide assistance for different types of problems asked by the public:
2. Access at books, astronomy publications, star charts etc. from our association’s library;
3. Astronomy programs presented for the public on the PC;
4. Special assistance on the astronomical terrace and at the instruments.

 

 

Publishing projects:

1. Articles in newspapers and other publications.
2. Radio and television broadcast.
3. "VEGA" – the e-mail sent publication – has 200 readers all over the country. "VEGA" is continuing the long history of publications that BA had along the years. In the past there was an astronomy publication made by a member of our association that at the time was sent in different cities by post and was read by most of the amateur astronomers of the time. Another publication was "BOLIDUL" that appeared in January 2001, and now "VEGA" that appeared first in July 2001. "VEGA" is the only astronomical publication of this kind that appears twice a month and maintains a high-standard quality and scientific accuracy.
4. Internet discussion group.

1. Linked to the most important astronomical events.

These kinds of projects are programmed from the beginning of the year and count a large number of participants from our association. Each project has a project manager that coordinates the organization and broadcasting of the event. The year 2003 was an extremely prolific one in astronomical events. Our good results are standing credit in our publication "VEGA" and on our site www.astroclubul.org.
 
2. Permanent observations:

Variable stars observations performed by BA members are periodically sent to AAVSO. In 2002 the AAVSO transmitted on Romania’s behalf 13,316 observations. It is a remarkable thing because our country has only 10 constant observers from a total of 220 all over the world.
Sun observations are concerning the Sun activity along the years.
Messier Marathon is a permanent project that includes observations, photography and drawings of all Messier objects. BA provides diplomas for all participants that complete the project and includes them in Messier Club.
High-resolution photography is another permanent project made by an amateur astronomer (the only one that performs this type of photography in Romania).
 
3. Special projects.

These types of projects are determined by the astronomical "alerts", sent by Internet, concerning occultations, comet or asteroid appearances, novae etc. Such a project was the graze in 27 august 2002 that the final results confirmed the Moon limb from Watts Charts. The results were sent to Mr. Dietmar Buettner from Project Moon limb and he confronted them with those referring to the total occultation from SAO and he concluded that our results were correct. This was the first Romanian graze and Mr. Dietmar Buettner sent us his congratulations.
 
4. The annual astronomical camp "LIRA".
The camp organized, for one week; in a low light-pollution area is an excellent opportunity for observations and teamwork.
  Workshop projects. These kinds of projects are organized periodically for new members who would like to know all about constructing astronomical instruments.

The Venus transit is a very important astronomical event that needs to be treated with attention and with proper equipment. Therefore amateur astronomers all over the country are preparing this transit very carefully.
For BA Venus 2004 project contains the following steps:

I. INFORMATION:

1. BA members are sustaining proper information about the astronomical characteristics of this event by writing articles in "VEGA" and other publications. We are using also radio and TV programs that have a scientific character for public information.
2. BA is informing about the importance of interpreting and sharing the data that will be obtained. There for we will participate at the seminar initiated by Astronomical Institute of Romanian Academy where all the results will be transmitted to all participant associations to the event.
3. BA is informing about the equipment necessary for the transit (instruments, filters, cameras, web cameras, CCD cameras etc).
4. BA is participating at information seminars organised by the Astronomical Institute of Romanian Academy where most of the important Astronomical Associations are presenting their programs.
5. In 22-23 may 2004 BA is participating in Barlad at the Cultural Days of the city with a presentation about the Venus Transit and also about the discussions and conclusions that are presented here in Brandys nad Lebem.
6. BA intends to present the most important themes form the European meeting of amateur astronomers in Brandys nad Lebem to the majority of the Astronomical Associations in seminars organised by our Association.

1. TRANSMISSION OF VENUS TRANSIT ON THE INTERNET:

This kind of transmission represents a premiere for BA and BA members are working on every detail to make this transmission at the highest quality possible. We hope that kind of Internet transmissions will be used in the future at all important astronomical events.
 
2. OBSERVATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHY:

The Association of amateur astronomers "Urania" from Bucharest is also preparing Venus Transit with maximum seriousness. Located in the Children’s National Palace most of its public is composed by children that are always avid for new information. Their project for Venus Transit is composed of two sections:

1. WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC:

This part of the project contains:
- informing the public about the event, insisting on the proper filters and sun glasses that should be used, specifications about the transit characteristics;
- explaining the children about the Sun, Venus, orbits etc.;
- proper guidance on the astronomical terrace.
 
2. OBSERVATION PROJECTS:

This project contains observations with optical instruments and also observations with the celostat and CCD recordings.

The Romanian Astronomical Society for Meteors "SARM" has prepared also a program for the Venus transit. The association has members all over the country who are ready to observe and to inform the public about the importance of the event.

INFORMATION:

The campaign of public information contains: sending amateur astronomers in parks and public places with an instrument and proper information for the public, using the local newspapers, organizing seminars about the transit in schools and high-schools.

OBSERVATIONAL PROJECTS:

All over the country amateur astronomers are preparing their equipment for the event.
The Association of Amateur Astronomers from the Physics University in Suceava is preparing a more scientific program that concerns the importance of the transit as a physical phenomenon.

I. PHYSICAL PHENOMENON STUDIES:
They want to studied the black drop phenomenon, the transparence of Venus' atmosphere, the light curve, etc.

II. OBSERVATIONS:
They are making photography, video film and observations by projection.
 

3. SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATION:

The association’s members are preparing a scientific presentation to be held at the Physics University of Suceava.