KAG Kessingland Astronomy Group

Friday, 24 September 2010

Bright Fireball Rivals the Harvest Moon + a Big Solar Event

Space Weather News for Sept. 22, 2010
http://spaceweather.com

GLOBAL ERUPTION ON THE SUN: This morning between 0230 UT and 0600 UT, the northern hemisphere of the sun erupted in a tumult of activity. There was a solar flare, a coronal mass ejection, and at least two dark magnetic filaments lifting off the stellar surface. The event appears to be a smaller-scale version of the global blast in early August that sparked auroras over some US states. As before, NASA spacecraft recorded the action in detail. Visit http://spaceweather.com for movies and updates.

SOUTHWESTERN FIREBALL RIVALS THE HARVEST MOON: Last night, sky watchers in the southwestern United States witnessed a brilliant fireball. It was almost as bright as the full Harvest Moon and caused a loud sonic boom over parts of New Mexico. A movie of the event is highlighted on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: With the coming of northern autumn, aurora season is underway. Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
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)
--
Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
--
Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra

Thursday, 23 September 2010

The Autumnal Equinox....

Occured @ 03.09 UT this morning...

National Geographic

Time and Date

Wikipedia

Harvest full Moon at the Equinox

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
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)
--
Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
--
Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra

Wednesday, 22 September 2010

Close Encounter with Jupiter

Space Weather News for Sept. 20, 2010
http://spaceweather.com

JUPITER AT ITS BEST: Tonight, Sept. 20-21, Earth and Jupiter converge for their closest encounter in decades. The giant planet will soar across the sky at midnight, outshining everything except the Moon itself. Although big, bright Jupiter will remain close to Earth for weeks to come, tonight is the closest of all. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and more information.

SPACE STATION RADAR ECHO: Over the weekend, the International Space Station flew through the radar beam of the US Air Force Space Surveillance System in Texas. The echo was strong enough to be heard by amateur radio operators across the southern USA. A sample echo is highlighted on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com .

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: With the coming of northern autumn, aurora season is underway. Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms erupt at your latitude? Sign up for Space Weather Phone: http://spaceweatherphone.com

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
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)
--
Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
--
Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra

LIVE - Shuttle Discovery begins final journey to launch pad

NEWSALERT: Monday, September 20, 2010 @ 2335 GMT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now

SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY MAKING FINAL TRIP TO LAUNCH PAD
-------------------------------------------------------
For the final time in history, the space shuttle Discovery is journeying
from Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to launch pad 39A.
Tonight's trek began at 7:24 p.m. EDT. Watch our Mission Status Center for
updates and live streaming video.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html

++++

DISCOVERY MISSION PATCH
The official embroidered patch for space shuttle Discovery's final voyage
into space is available from our online store.

http://spaceflightnowstore.com

++++

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
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)
--
Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
--
Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

[BAA 00518] Uranus at Opposition

=====================================================

BAA electronic bulletin No. 00518 http://www.britastro.org/
=====================================================

As pointed out in the BAA e-bulletin 00517, Uranus comes to opposition
on the same date as Jupiter, i.e. 21 September 2010.

A chart for finding Uranus is given in the BAA Handbook. However
Jupiter provides an excellent guide to finding the fainter Uranus
which lies approximately 0.9 degrees to the north of Jupiter at
opposition.

Uranus has a magnitude of +5.7 and is easily visible in binoculars.
Its disk is only 3".7 across but it will be visible in a medium sized
telescope with a magnification of x100 or greater. Detail has been
reported on the planet's disk from time to time but this tends to be
elusive.

Its four largest satellites, Titania Oberon, Ariel and Umbriel may be
seen visually with larger amateur instruments and also detected via
digital imaging.

Mike Foulkes BAA Saturn Section Director

======================================================
BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org
Bulletin transmitted on Mon Sep 20 20:25:57 BST 2010
(c) 2010 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
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)
--
Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
--
Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra

[BAA 00517] Jupiter at its closest opposition

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin No. 00517 http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

Jupiter at its closest opposition

Jupiter is now a brilliant sight throughout the night. At opposition
in a few days time, it will be at its closest distance for 47 years,
so the disk appears larger than at any time since 1963. It is also at
its highest declination this year than at any time since 2004, so it
appears higher in the sky (for observers north of the tropics).
Uranus is also at opposition on the same day.

Specifically, Jupiter reaches minimum distance (3.95393 AU) on Sep.20d
21h, and maximum phase angle (178.4 deg) on Sep.21d 12h. Uranus
reaches minimum distance (19.08816 AU) on Sep.20d 20h, and maximum
phase angle (179.2 deg) on Sep.21d 17h. Uranus is 1 degree N of
Jupiter; the two planets have exactly the same right ascension on
Sep.22d 19h. (Data from the JPL Ephemeris Generator)

Jupiter now looks very unusual in a telescope, as one of the major
belts - the South Equatorial Belt - has become covered with bright
cloud, so it has almost disappeared. At the same time, the Great Red
Spot (at L2 = 155) has become very prominent and red. This aspect has
been seen at irregular intervals throughout jovian history, but the
change has never been so complete since 1990. The revival of the SEB
always starts with a vigorous outbreak of spots at a single location,
which spreads around the planet, producing a dramatic and
rapidly-changing spectacle. This could start at any time this year or
next, so observers should be on the alert for any unusual new spot in
the SEB, and report it to the undersigned at once. (However, there are
several stable dark spots within the SEB, marking the locations of
small, now-obscured cyclonic circulations, so please check whether a
spot is really new.)

We will release a detailed interim report within the next week, by
e-mail to those on the Section mailing list, and then on the Section
web site.
If you can take images of the planet, or make good drawings of it,
please e-mail them to the undersigned. Please consult the guidelines
on the Section web site. Also contact the undersigned if you would
like to be added to the Jupiter Section e-mailing list.

John Rogers
BAA Jupiter Section Director
jhr11 -at- cam.ac.uk
http://www.britastro.org/jupiter

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org
Bulletin transmitted on Mon Sep 20 09:46:26 BST 2010
(c) 2010 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

Monday, 20 September 2010

[BAA 00515] Favourable Appulse/Opposition of Jupiter and Uranus

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin No. 00515 http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

Observers may be interested to know that during the last few days the
planets Jupiter and Uranus have been passing close to each other in the
constellation of Pisces as seen from the Earth and are currently separated
by an angular distance of less than 50 arcminutes with Uranus approximately
north of Jupiter as seen in the sky.

What makes this special is that both planets reach opposition on the same
day, September 21 and furthermore, Jupiter's opposition is a particularly
favourable one in that the planet is the closest and brightest since 1963.
Details are as follows:

Sep 20 20:20 UT Uranus closest to Earth (19.0881644 AU)
Sep 20 21:20 UT Jupiter closest to Earth (3.9539288 AU)
Sep 21 11:40 UT Jupiter at opposition (V = -2.94)
Sep 21 17:00 UT Uranus at opposition (V = 5.73)

Positions and magnitudes were derived from JPL HORIZONS.

Observers should note that when at opposition the nearly full Moon will be
about 20 degrees to the west of the planets and so the better views should
be obtained tonight (19/20th) and tomorrow might (20/21st). Using a
low-power eyepiece, visual observers should be able to easily see both
planets in the same field of view. When closest, the disk of Jupiter will
be some 49.86 arcsec in diameter (equatorial) as compared to Uranus which
appears a mere 3.69 arcsec across and nearly 3,000 times fainter. Look out
for the unusual bluish-green colour of Uranus largely caused by the presence
of methane in its atmosphere.

Richard Miles
rmiles@baa.u-net.com

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org
Bulletin transmitted on Sun Sep 19 11:32:24 BST 2010
(c) 2010 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

[BAA 00516] 2010 July 11 total eclipse

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin No. 00516 http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

A preliminary report on BAA observations of this eclipse has already
appeared in the August Journal:

http://britastro.org/journal/pdf/120-4eclipse.pdf

and further reports will be published in the October issue.

We have already received a considerable amount of material for potential
inclusion on the planned 2010 total eclipse DVD. Roger Perry has started
to compile this disk but there is still time to include other suitable
items. If you have any material that you think may be suitable please
e-mail it to me at the address below. Large items, such as videos, can
be uploaded to our FTP site. If you want to send such items please
contact me for FTP access details.

Nick James (ndj@nickdjames.com)

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org
Bulletin transmitted on Mon Sep 20 00:24:39 BST 2010
(c) 2010 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

Thursday, 16 September 2010

Space tourism could fly with Boeing / Crew for potential extra shuttle flight

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 @ 1807 GMT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The latest news from Spaceflight Now

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HISTORIC SPACE ITEMS IN ONLINE AUCTION

You can now preview the online auction catalog for the Astronaut
Scholarship Foundation's 2010 Fall Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia
Semi-Annual Auction. Bidding starts September 16 for the 50 featured items
such as astronaut experiences, space relics and more. Register and view
the catalog at:

http://www.astronautscholarship.org/auction
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BOEING ALLIES WITH SPACE ADVENTURES FOR TOURIST FLIGHTS
-------------------------------------------------------
Wealthy space tourists could join astronauts on Boeing's proposed
commercial spaceship under a framework agreement announced Wednesday
between the aerospace contractor and Space Adventures.

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1009/15boeingtourism/

CREW ASSIGNED FOR POSSIBLE FINAL SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION
------------------------------------------------------
Veteran shuttle commander Christopher Ferguson, pilot Douglas Hurley, Rex
Walheim and Sandra Magnus will train for a rescue flight aboard the
shuttle Atlantis, and if Congress approves funding, for a real mission
next June to deliver spare parts and supplies to the International Space
Station.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/100914crew/

DEXTRE'S DEBUT RESET FOR JANUARY CARGO MISSION
----------------------------------------------
The International Space Station's robotic handyman is standing down from a
planned power controller swap to refocus on mandatory tasks during a
Japanese cargo mission in January, according to the Canadian Space Agency.

http://spaceflightnow.com/station/exp24/100914dextre/

NASA PHOTO GALLERY OF DISCOVERY'S GROUND MOVES
----------------------------------------------
This photo collection documents space shuttle Discovery's move from the
Orbiter Processing Facility hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building, going
vertical and mating to external fuel tank, plus an internal view of the
attachment bolt that had a problematic nut.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/100914kscgallery/

EARLIER STS-133 COVERAGE:
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/

SOYUZ, VEGA FLIGHTS FROM FRENCH GUIANA SET FOR 2011
---------------------------------------------------
The first flight of the Russian Soyuz rocket from South America will occur
in early 2011 and Europe's smaller solid-fueled launcher will not debut
until at least the middle of next year, according to Arianespace's chief
executive.

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1009/13soyuzvega/

BAIKONUR WELCOMES SIRIUS XM RADIO SATELLITE FOR LAUNCH
------------------------------------------------------
Another satellite for Sirius XM Radio's broadcasting system has arrived at
the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for its launch into space next month
atop a commercial Proton rocket.

http://spaceflightnow.com/proton/siriusxm5/arrival.html

+++
SHUTTLE PROGRAM COMMEMORATIVE PATCH ON SALE!
A special commemorative patch to mark the end of the space shuttle program
is now available from our store.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/
+++

--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
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)
--
Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
--
Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra

[BAA 00514] Observers Workshop

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletin No. 00514 http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

Just a reminder that the next BAA meeting will be The Observers
Workshop on Saturday September 25th 2010 in Burlington House,
Piccadilly, London

Subjects being covered are Comets, Meteors and Asteroids. Registration
is at 10.30 followed by a short introduction and update from the
sections then after lunch there will be individual in-depth workshops,
finishing at 17.30.

Space is restricted so please book via the BAA office soonest to
ensure a place. There will be a small charge of 4 pounds for BAA
members and 5 pounds for non-menbers to cover tea & coffee. Lunch is
not included as there are numerous eating places close to the venue.

10:30 Registration
10:55 Welcome
11.00 Intro from Comet Section
11:40 Intro from Asteroid Section
12:25 Intro from Meteor Section
13:05 Lunch
14:30 Workshops
15:45 Tea
16:15 Workshops
17:30 Close

Look forward to seeing you there

Hazel

Hazel Collett
Meetings Secretary

======================================================================
BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org
Bulletin transmitted on Wed Sep 15 16:25:56 BST 2010
(c) 2010 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/
======================================================================

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