Planets Converge for Sunset Sky Show

Space Weather News for June 29, 2015
http://spaceweather.com

SUNSET SKY SHOW: The two brightest planets in the night sky are converging for a spectacular close encounter.  On June 30th, Jupiter and Venus will be just a fraction of a degree apart, forming a pair so bright that you can see them even before nightfall. Check http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and more.

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Good Clear Skies

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Astrocomet

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Colin James Watling

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Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

[BAA-ebulletin 00862] BAA Exhibition 2015

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BAA electronic bulletin
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A final reminder ...

BAA Exhibition 2015

St David's Hall, Cardiff

Saturday, 27 June

The Exhibition presents an opportunity to meet and talk with Section Directors and other members of the Association and with members of local societies. For details of this event, please see the Exhibition website (via the link below), where a programme of the day's proceedings is available for download.

Lorraine Crook

Exhibition Organiser

http://britastro.org/exhibition/

E-mail: lorraine@hamal.demon.co.uk

Mobile: 07532 010495

24 June 2015

======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

-- 

Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk

SPA Newsletter 33: Aurora alert

SPA Newsletter 33

22 June 2015

Aurora alert
There is a strong possibility of auroral activity tonight, as several coronal mass ejections are currently hitting the Earth's magnetic field. Activity is now at storm level according to Aurorawatch UK.
=============================================
R Corona Borealis fades again
Recent observations show a significant fade of the variable star R Corona Borealis. As of 13 June it had dropped from a peak brightness of about magnitude 7.5 to around 10. For details go to http://popastro.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c3c026b652ea9c4b1c85afb31&id=009553e807&e=65c669f6a5

The star will be featured in the July issue of Popular Astronomy.
=============================================
This newsletter is issued in plain text only.
==============================================

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Geomagnetic Storm Warning: June 22-23

Space Weather News for June 22, 2015
http://spaceweather.com

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: A CME is heading directly for Earth, and it is expected to sweep up one or more lesser CMEs before it reaches our planet on June 22nd.  The combined impact is likely to spark polar geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras.   Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

AURORA ALERTS:  Don't sleep through the auroras.  Get a phone call when geomagnetic storms are underway.  Space weather alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

The Summer Solstice.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Summer_solstice

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Good Clear Skies

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Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

[BAA-ebulletin 00861] Light variations from a black hole!

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BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================
The variable star V404 Cyg has just gone into outburst but there is more to it than that as V404 Cyg is an X-ray nova and a low mass X-ray binary (LMXB) with a black hole component.  It also had outbursts in 1938, 1956, possibly in 1979 and in 1989. It has has been intensively monitored since then including by X-ray satellites.

However, perhaps the most interesting thing about V404 Cyg is that observers, including myself and Nick James using CCD cameras, have reported light changes of almost 2.5 magnitudes in less than 25 minutes!  This was from mag 13.0 to mag 15.0.  Most observers with moderate telescopes should be able to see an object of mag 13 visually and will then see this object disappear as it plunges down to mag 15 or so.  However, there is every chance that V404 Cyg may yet increase in brightness and the rapid fluctuations should become easier to see.  CCD observers should have no difficulty in recording these variations.

It is amazing to realise the light is coming from close to a black hole situated at the centre of this binary system.

Finder charts can be obtained from the AAVSO Variable Star Plotter at http://www.aavso.org/vsp where your specific orientation and field of view can be entered to suit.

I must also mention our friend R CrB which after promising to return to normal brightness of around mag 6, only reached mag 7 and has now plunged to below mag 12 again.  So, if you missed seeing it in your binoculars this time, who knows when it will recover again to become visible in such instruments?

If you do make any observations of either R CrB or V404 Cyg, please report then to the Variable Star Section.

Roger Pickard (roger.pickard@sky.com)
19/06/2015
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

-- 

Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Incoming CME could spark solstice auroras

Space Weather News for June 19, 2015
http://spaceweather.com

SOLSTICE AURORA WATCH: On June 18th, the sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two months.  The M3-class explosion caused a brief low-frequency radio blackout over North America and hurled a CME into space.  A glancing blow from the CME is likely on June 21st , possibly sparking a geomagnetic storm and solstice auroras.  Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

SUNSET PLANETS:  When sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west.  Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon are having a lovely conjunction in the sunset sky.  Photos @ http://spaceweathergallery.com

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Charts-info Astrosite Groningen (June 18, 2015)

Dear comet observers,    We have prepared the following new charts for our homepage:    C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy):    - a 4.5x6.0 degrees chart for the period 19 - 27 June 2015    C/2015 G2 (MASTER):    - a 3.0x4.0 degrees chart for the period 20 - 29 June 2015    These new charts are now available in the charts section of our  mainpage at: http://www.shopplaza.nl/astro    Reinder Bouma/Edwin van Dijk  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Philae Calls.

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2015/06/Where_Philae_phones_home

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Good Clear Skies

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Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Charts-info Astrosite Groningen (June 9, 2015)

Dear comet observers,    We have prepared the following new chart for our homepage:    C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy):    - a 4.5x6.0 degrees chart for the period 11 - 19 June 2015    This new chart is now available in the charts section of our  mainpage at: http://www.shopplaza.nl/astro    Reinder Bouma/Edwin van Dijk  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Noctilucent Clouds Reach the USA

Space Weather News for June 10, 2015
http://spaceweather.com

NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS REACH THE USA: The northern season for noctilucent clouds began on May 19th when NASA's AIM spacecraft spotted a patch of electric blue over the Arctic Circle. Since then the clouds have been spreading south. This week, for the first time in 2015, they crossed the border into the lower 48 US states.  Seeded by meteoroids and floating near the edge of space, these eerie-looking clouds are increasingly visible to mid-latitude observers, possibly as a result of climate change.  Check today's edition of http://spaceweather.com for the latest sightings and observing tips.

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Meteor Shower in Broad Daylight

Space Weather News for June 4, 2015
http://spaceweather.com

Earth is entering a stream of debris from an unknown comet, and this is causing one of the most intense meteor showers of the year.  Ironically, most sky watchers won't notice because the shower peaks in broad daylight.  We only know it's happening because a radar in Canada is picking up echoes from meteoroids streaking through the blue sky overhead.  Astronomers call these meteors "Arietids" because they emerge from the constellation Aries not far from the June sun.  For observing tips on how you might be able to see earthgrazing Arietids just before sunrise in the mornings ahead, visit http://spaceweather.com

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

[BAA-ebulletin 00860] Observing opportunity. See Neptune in the morning sky

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BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================
Locating the outer planets , the ice giants Uranus and Neptune, can sometimes be tricky, particularly for the binocular user with no firm platform for star hopping or if using a mount without go-to or setting circles. What is needed to make things easier is a bright sky marker to act as a reference point. A few weeks ago Venus acted as such a reference beacon for Uranus and on June 9 the Moon acts as a suitable marker for Neptune.

Neptune at magnitude 7.9 and with a disk diameter of just over 2 arc seconds will appear star-like through low power binoculars, but if you are using a telescope it should show a tiny bluish disk while the stars remain as points of light – albeit slightly bloated and wobbly ones if the seeing is poor!

This activity all takes place in the very early morning so is particularly suited to insomniac observers. The start of civil twilight on June 9 is at 02:50 UT with the Sun rising at 03:37 UT (times based on my Essex village of Thorpe-le-Soken). The Moon will be 56% illuminated at this time, and Neptune will be found 2.5 degrees below it, around 17 degrees above the south-eastern horizon at 02:30 UT (03:30 BST). There will be some field stars to confuse you, in particular magnitude 3.8 lambda Aquarii which lies a similar distance below the Moon but 2 degrees to the east of Neptune (this bulletin also appears as a news article on the BAA website and a star chart of the area is given there). The position of Neptune on June 9 is RA 22h 46m 38s and Dec 8 deg 36 arcmin 29 arcsec.

Although Neptune will remain visible in the morning sky for a few more weeks the Moon will unfortunately move on and no longer point the way, so let's hope for clear skies on Tuesday morning.

Stewart Moore
BAA Council
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

-- 

Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

[BAA-ebulletin 00858] Nominations for the ballot for the Board of Trustees and the Council

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================

Nominations for the ballot for the Board of Trustees and the Council

BAA members are advised that at the Special General Meeting held on 2015 May 27, the resolutions laid out on page 121 of the April Journal were approved by the membership. Nominations are therefore now sought for members of the new Board of Trustees and Council of the Association to be elected next October.

 Under the new constitution, the elected Board of Trustees comprises:

1 President, 1 Vice-President (ex officio), 1 Treasurer, 1 Business Secretary and 5 other elected members. In addition to the Section Directors and Postholders, the Council comprises the Trustees as above, plus two further elected Secretaries, and five other elected members.

 If you would like to be nominated as a Trustee or a member of Council, you must be a paid-up member. Please ask two other paid-up members to propose and second you and then sign the letter or form yourself to show that you are willing to stand. Alternatively you may wish to nominate someone else, in which case the same conditions apply. If standing as a Trustee, you must confirm that you have read and understand the responsibilities of the Trustees of a Charity as set out on the website of the Charities Commission, and that you are prepared to accept and fulfil these responsibilities to the best of your ability.

 All nominations must be in writing and sent to the BAA office or the Business Secretary by post or e-mail to arrive by 2015 June 19. A nomination form is attached to this message for your convenience, but provided the above conditions are fulfilled, its use is not obligatory.

Best regards

 Bill Tarver, Business Secretary

 [business@britastro.org]
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

-- 

Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Charts-info Astrosite Groningen (May 30, 2015)

Dear comet observers,    We have prepared the following new charts for our homepage:    C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy):    - a 4.5x6.0 degrees chart for the period 2 - 11 June 2015    C/2015 G2 (MASTER):    - a 7.5x10 degrees chart for the period 31 May - 10 June 2015  - a 4.5x6.0 degrees chart for the period 10 - 20 June 2015    These new charts are now available in the charts section of our  mainpage at: http://www.shopplaza.nl/astro    Reinder Bouma/Edwin van Dijk  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

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Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

[BAA-ebulletin 00857] Observing opportunity - a close encounter between the Moon and Saturn

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BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================
On June 1 (Monday) the Moon and Saturn come within 2 degrees of each other, making an ideal viewing and imaging opportunity.

From mid-UK the Moon rises around 19:00UT with Saturn rising a few minutes later. Closest approach takes place around this time with Saturn lying south of the Moon and not as stated in the 2015 BAA Handbook Sky Diary (p5) the Moon lying south of Saturn.

By 21:00UT the sky will be darkening and the pair will be 12 degrees up in the south-east. At 23:30UT both lie due south and still very close together, with Saturn now to the west of the Moon. The Moon will not be quite full at this time, this occurs the following day (June 2).

Easily seen in binoculars, this conjunction should also be visible in a short focal length refractor fitted with a modern wide angle eyepiece.

While engrossed in observing Saturn and the Moon, take a few moments to watch the International Space Station pass over. Travelling from west to east it reaches a maximum altitude of 48 degrees at 22:09UT and at magnitude –3.2 will be unmistakable.

If you are finding Saturn a difficult telescopic target at its current low declination just be patient. In 2032 Saturn reaches opposition on Christmas Eve at an altitude of 60 degrees. It's nice to have something to look forward to!

Stewart Moore
BAA Council
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

-- 

Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

[BAA-ebulletin 00856] Autumn weekend meeting at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

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BAA electronic bulletin
======================================================================

BAA autumn weekend meeting at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, September 4-6

We regret that the full details and booking form for this meeting that is advertised on the back cover of the June Journal were not in fact included with the mailing, although you should have received details of accommodation and travel for the event.

The meeting programme and booking form can be downloaded from the BAA website at www.britastro.org/ral2015, and a printed copy will also be included with the August Journal. The final date for booking for the weekend is 2015 August 26.

We apologise to members for any inconvenience caused.

Best regards

  Hazel McGee

  Journal Editor
======================================================================
BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2015 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

-- 

Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/

Unusual Radar Echoes Detected as Noctilucent Clouds Intensify

Space Weather News for May 28, 2015
http://spaceweather.com

Last week, Earth-orbiting satellites detected the first noctilucent clouds of the 2015 season.  Now people on Earth are seeing them, too.  Photographers in Scotland recorded a fairly bright display of the electric-blue clouds on May 28th.  At the same time, radars have detected intense echoes coming from the "noctilucent zone" 80 km to 90 km above Earth's surface--possibly coming from the clouds themselves.  Check http://spaceweather.com for more information and observing tips to help readers see NLCs for themselves in the weeks ahead.

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Good Clear Skies

--

Astrocomet

--

Colin James Watling

--

Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)

--

Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera

--

Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)

--

Lyra Main Website: http://www.lyra-astro.co.uk/