BCFNS NEWSLETTER
February 2026
Issue 72
Contact us at newsletter@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
including 27 Lifetime Household members
plus 13 Business members including 4 Lifetime Business Members
1,198 Facebook Group Members and 578 Instagram Followers
14 SQMs (Sky Quality Meters) installed in the Blanco County SQM Cluster
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DONATION AWARDED TO JOHNSON CITY SCHOOLS
Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) donated $200 to the Johnson City Independent School District (JCISD) for the Art Department. Students of Diane Hudson, Middle and High School Art Teacher, have participated in our annual Art Contest since it began. Barbara Hudson (no relation to Diane), BCFNS Secretary, presented the check on February 2nd to Cynthia Keene, school board member, and Ben Eubanks, JCISD Superintendent, who expressed their gratitude.
Barbara Hudson, BCFNS; Ben Eubanks, JCISD Superintendent; and Cynthia Keene, school board member (left to right)
POETRY CONTEST WINNER
“Dark Virtuoso”
Beneath the silky midnight sky,
by Lara Plogman
where constellations wander, slow and bright,
the animals emerge from shadowed ground.
An owl weaves a silent silky dance with its wings,
threading moonlight between each beat.
Crickets count the seconds aloud,
each note a rung in a ladder of sound,
climbing toward the Milky Way
where dreams drift loose, unbroken, unbound.
Even the smallest field mice know
the sky is a shining map — ancient fires
that guide them through the dark
and promise no one walks alone.
So, fur and feather, scale, and skin,
breathe in that vast sky.
And under the watchful glow
the night guides their trusting souls toward their future.
NEVER TOO MANY STAR PARTIES!
BCFNS believes there can never be too many Star Parties! We thank Blanco State Park for their commitment to providing them on a regular basis for their guests and our community.
“The Star Party at Blanco State Park on Saturday, February 7th went great. I counted 69 attendees! The Hill Country Astronomers had their hands full. Katy Tiedemann, the Park Interpreter, did a superb job with her tales and stories about the different constellations in the night sky. She was excellent. I gave away all the key ring red flashlights. They were very popular!” ~Wayne Gosnell, BCFNS President
Remember to frequently check out the park website to learn more about all the activities at Blanco State Park, especially upcoming Star Parties. Events in the Park
BOARD MEMBER SUBMITS RESIGNATION
Linda Whitlow, one of the original BCFNS Board Members, has submitted her resignation. Linda shared that she would have limited time to dedicate to the organization this year and feels it would be best to step aside now and open a spot for someone who has time to be more involved. We were very grateful when Linda told us “I don’t mind volunteering when I can, especially when there is an event. I don’t mind you asking me to donate time.” BCFNS appreciates the many years Linda has dedicated to protecting our night sky here in Blanco County!
DON’T MISS IT !!!
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE — MARCH 3, 2026
This will be the last total lunar eclipse anywhere on Earth until New Year’s Eve 2028–2029.
A total lunar eclipse, known as a “Blood Moon,” will occur on March 3, 2026, visible across North America, the Pacific, and East Asia, making it the only lunar eclipse visible globally this year. The full “Worm Moon” will pass through Earth’s shadow, turning a fiery red for about 58 minutes during totality, with the entire event lasting over five hours. It’s a rare event, and you can watch it without special equipment, although binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view.
To view the total lunar eclipse in Blanco, TX, you should look toward the west-southwest horizon during the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3rd. The most dramatic “Blood Moon” phase will occur between 5:04 AM and 6:02 AM, with the moon setting shortly after the total phase ends and before the partial phases completely finish.
The eclipse unfolds gradually over several hours as the moon passes into Earth’s shadow:
• 2:44 AM: Penumbral Eclipse Begins. The moon starts to dim slightly, though this change is very subtle.
• 3:50 AM: Partial Eclipse Begins. A dark “bite” appears on the moon’s edge as it enters Earth’s inner shadow (umbra).
• 5:04 AM: Totality (Blood Moon) Begins. The moon is fully engulfed in Earth’s shadow and turns a deep coppery red.
• 5:33 AM: Maximum Eclipse. This is the peak of the event when the moon is deepest in the shadow.
• 6:02 AM: Totality Ends. The moon begins to leave the umbra as it nears the horizon.
• ~7:01 AM: Moonset. The moon will set in Blanco before the partial phases completely finish.
• Find a Clear Western Horizon: Because the moon will be low in the sky (only about 5–19° above the horizon during totality), you must find a spot free of tall trees, buildings, or hills to the west-southwest.
• No Special Equipment Needed: Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is 100% safe to view with the naked eye.
• Enhance the View: While not required, using binoculars (7x50 or 10x50 models) or a small telescope will help you see the craters and the vivid red color variations more clearly.
• Optimal Environment: For the best experience, move away from bright streetlights. Blanco’s dark skies are generally excellent for stargazing if you can get away from the immediate town center.
• Check the Weather: Monitor local cloud cover forecasts. If it is cloudy, you can watch a live stream from the Griffith Observatory.
Total Lunar Eclipse March 3, 2026
Go to the search bar on the right and enter your City and State
The next Board meeting will be March 18th @ 9:00 am at Texas Regional Bank in Blanco.
You are welcome to join us.
CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER
A membership sign in your yard is a great way to let others know that you care about the night sky and perhaps make them curious about the organization. We have been successful with our Membership Sign Promotion but still need your help. The more signs we can get out in the public, the more people we can reach with our message to “save the stars”.
If you have been thinking of joining BCFNS or renewing your membership, you can still take advantage of our special offering of a free one-year membership ($20) with the purchase of a sign ($35 tax included). A membership sign is the best publicity the night sky can have. Here’s the link: BCFNS Membership Signs
For more information on all our membership options click here: Membership Options
THIS NEWSLETTER
We hope you enjoy our newsletter and are always looking for ways to make it better and more enjoyable. To that end, we invite your suggestions, comments and ideas for articles. In fact, if you would like to write an article to be published in our newsletter, we will certainly consider including it. Please send them to: newsletter@blancocountynightsky.org
Remember we are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser for details regarding deductibility for your donation.
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Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky
| P. O. Box 1402|Johnson
City | Texas | 78636 |