Total Pageviews

Monday, 21 May 2018

Tuesday May 22nd Meeting

Dear Members,

Just a reminder of Tuesdays meeting which is hopefully a Solar observing evening weather permitting,
if not there will be astro discussion inside. Also below is a reminder of meeting events for the rest of the year.


June 12th – Talk by Steve Hubbard & Malcom E Brown, "Thinking about Astronomy – a century of change and continuity"
June 26th – LYRA Observing/Practical night at Barn Car Park, Parkhill Hotel from 7.30pm
July 10th -Inaugural talk by President Matthew Bothwell, From Big Bang to the Big Rips! A History of Modern Cosmology
July 24th – LYRA Observing/Practical night at Barn Car Park, Parkhill Hotel from 7.30pm
Aug 14th – Summer Social Evening at Parkhill Hotel
Sept 11th – Talk by Jonathan Gale, Webb Society Committee "Observing Astronomical Asterisms"
Sept 25th- LYRA Observing/Practical night at Barn Car Park, Parkhill Hotel from 7:30pm
Oct 9th – Talk by Dr John Rogers, BAA Jupiter Section Director "Jupiter and the Juno mission"
Oct 23rd – LYRA Observing/Practical night at Barn Car Park, Parkhill Hotel from 7:30pm
Nov 13th – Talk by Bob Argyle, President of the Webb Society "Observing Double Stars Past & Present"
Nov 27th – LYRA Observing/Practical night at Barn Car Park, Parkhill Hotel from 7:30pm
Dec 11th – LYRA Christmas Dinner

Kind Regards

Lee

-- 
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)
--
--
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)

Thursday, 17 May 2018

[BAA-ebulletin 01003] Reminder - Historical Section Meeting - Saturday May 26th 2018 - Stirling

BAA electronic bulletin

Historical Section Meeting - Saturday May 26th 2018 - Stirling

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

A reminder of the BAA Historical Section meeting in Stirling on May 26th


Date:    Saturday May 26th 2018
Time:    10:00 - 17:00  (doors open at 09:30)
Venue:   The Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dumbarton Rd, Stirling FK8 2RQ
Cost:    5 pounds for BAA members, 10 pounds for non-members


You can book in advance or pay at the door; advance booking is preferred.
Please use the form at www.britastro.org/historical2018 or book through the BAA shop.


Timetable:


09:30           Doors open


09:30 – 10:00   Refreshments


10:00 – 10:10   Introduction and Welcome


10:10 – 11:05   Dr. Lee Macdonald
                'Kew Observatory and the Birth of Solar-Terrestrial Physics'


11:05 – 12:00   John Rosenfield
                'Fear and Dread:The Moons of Mars'


12:00 – 13:30   Lunch Break
(lunch is not included in the price but there is a cafe in the Smith Gallery, and other places nearby)


13:30 – 13:35   Welcome Back


13:35 - 14:30   Bill Barton
                'Alice Grace Cook - an East Anglian Meteor Observer'


14:30 - 15:25   Dr. Vanessa Smer Barreto (note change of speaker)
                'Mayan Astronomy'


15:25 – 15:50   Refreshments


15:50 – 16:50   Dr. Dave Gavine
                'Thomas Dick of Dundee'


16:50 - 17:00   Concluding Remarks


17:00           Meeting Closes


Entrance to the Smith Gallery is free. We hope you will take the chance to look around! Museum exhibits include
the world's oldest football.


There is plenty of parking in the grounds of the gallery. Stirling Station is fifteen minutes walk away.


The Smith Gallery and Museum is the meeting place of Stirling Astronomical Society.


Section Director Mike Frost will be lecturing to Stirling AS on "The Green Flash" on Friday May 25th at 7:30 PM.


We also intend to visit Stirling AS's observatory on the roof of the Highland Hotel, Spittal Street, Stirling.


More details on our web site - www.britastro.org/history


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


Historical Section Director: Mike Frost         frostma@aol.com
Deputy Director: Lee Macdonald                  leetmacdonald@gmail.com


BAA-ebulletin mailing list: visit
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2017 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)
--
--
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/

Sunday, 13 May 2018

Charts-info Astrosite Groningen (May 12, 2018)

Dear comet observers,
  We have prepared the following new charts:    C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS) : 
-three 3.0x4.0 degrees charts for the period 12 - 28 May 2018
 These are now available in the charts section of our homepage at:
 http://www.shopplaza.nl/astro    
Reinder Bouma/Edwin van Dijk
-- 
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)
--
--
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/

Tuesday, 3 April 2018

[BAA-ebulletin 01000] Bright storm in Saturn's northern hemisphere

BAA electronic bulletin

An observation made by Brazilian observer Maciel Bassani Sparrenberger shows a bright and distinct

spot at 67 degrees north on Saturn. This observation was made on 2018 March 29 at 08:16 UT.


Later that day (from 18:20 to 1957 UT), this spot was imaged by Trevor Barry in Australia.

To date, It has also been recorded by Damian Peach, Manos Kardasis  and Anthony Wesley.

Further observations of this object are urgently required to see  how this storm evolves.

Observations can be sent to the Saturn, Uranus and Neptune section via

saturn@britastro.org

Mike Foulkes Saturn, Uranus and Neptune Section Director

BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
(c) 2017 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)
--
--
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/

Monday, 19 March 2018

[BAA-ebulletin 00999] Aurora Alert

BAA electronic bulletin

Aurora Alert

A coronal hole has been impacting the earth for the last 2 days. This afternoon the field went negative and started a G2 class storm.

I have clear skies and Aurora above the to 15dg high and 120dg wide (18/19 March 2018@ 21.00UT Moray coast).
I have also sighted STEVE off to the west with patches to the overhead from 21.30 to 22.30.
It is showing on Cliff Cam 3 | Shetland Webcams<https://www.shetlandwebcams.com/cliff-cam-3/>
All indications are that this could be visible in northern England but could go further.

Any reports please to - sandra-b@hotmail.co.uk<mailto:sandra-b@hotmail.co.uk>


Cheers


Sandra Brantingham

Aurora and NLC director

BAA-ebulletin mailing list visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2017 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)
--
--
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/

Friday, 2 March 2018

[BAA-ebulletin 00998] BAA Deep Sky Section meeting on Sunday March 4 CANCELLED

BAA electronic bulletin

Due to the bad weather the Deep Sky Section meeting on the 4th March
in Bedford has been cancelled.

All booked attendees should have been advised already by email.

I have been able to secure the same venue for Sunday April 22 - and
the meeting will go ahead then. There may be some minor changes to the
programme of speakers - I will keep the BAA website updated with the
changes.

If you have booked for the 4th March it will be held over for the new
date, but if you are unable to make the new date or do wish to cancel
please get in touch with the BAA Office who will be able to provide a
full refund. I do hope, though that those currently booked will be
able to make the new date.

Of course new bookings for the revised date will be welcome.

If you have any questions please do get in touch with me - deepsky@britastro.org

Thanks,

Callum

Callum Potter
Director
Deep Sky Section
British Astronomical Association

BAA-ebulletin mailing list
This is an announcements only list - please do not reply to this message.visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2017 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)
--
--
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/

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Fwd: [CometObs] Digest Number 3386

1 Message

Digest #3386
1
C/2016 M1, C/2017 T1 at perihelion. by "Juan Jose Gonzalez" jjgsgp

Message

Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:20 pm (PST) . Posted by:

"Juan Jose Gonzalez" jjgsgp

C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS):
2018 Feb. 21.23 UT: m1=11.0, Dia.=3', DC=2/, 20 cm SCT (133x).
[ Sidgwick method. Tycho-2 comparison stars. SQM : 21.1. Altitude: 24 deg.]..

C/2017 T1 (Heinze):
2018 Feb. 21.24 UT: m1=9.3, Dia.=4', DC=3, 20 cm SCT (100x).
[ Sidgwick method. Tycho-2 comparison stars. SQM : 20.7. Altitude: 8 deg.
Very clear sky down to the horizon.].

( Villacintor, Leon, Spain; Alt. 930 m, 42º 29' N, 5º 11' W. SQM 21.6 at
zenith.).

----------------------------------------------------------

ICQ Format :

2016M1 2018 02 21.23 S 11.0 TK 20.3T10133 3 2/ ICQ
XX GON05

2017T1 2018 02 21.24 S 9.3 TK 20.3T10100 4 3 ICQ XX GON05

----------------------------------------------------------

J. J. Gonzalez

----------------------------------------------------------




--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)
--
--
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/

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Fwd: [CometObs] Digest Number 3385

1 Message

Digest #3385
1
185P, C/2016 N6, C/2016 R2. by "Juan Jose Gonzalez" jjgsgp

Message

Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:58 am (PST) . Posted by:

"Juan Jose Gonzalez" jjgsgp

185P/Petriew:
2018 Feb. 17.82 UT: m1=10.4, Dia.=3', DC=2/, 20 cm SCT (100x).
[ Sidgwick method. Tycho-2 comparison stars. SQM : 20.6.
Altitude: 24 deg. Zodiacal light.].

C/2016 N6 (PANSTARRS):
2018 Feb. 17.86 UT: m1=12.1, Dia.=1.2', DC=5, 20 cm SCT (100x).
[ Sidgwick method. APASS comparison stars. SQM : 21.0.
Field stars checked in DSS.].

C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS):
2018 Feb. 12.84 UT: m1=10.5, Dia.=4', DC=3, 20 cm SCT (77x).
[ Sidgwick method. Tycho-2 comparison stars. SQM : 20.8.].
2018 Feb. 17.83 UT: m1=10.5, Dia.=4', DC=3, 20 cm SCT (100x).
[ SQM : 21.0.].
[ It is difficult to separate the contribution of the
inner ion tail from that of the coma to the total magnitude m1.].

Feb.12 : Collada de la Cobertoria, Asturias, Spain,
mountain location, clear sky. SQM 20.8 at zenith.
( Alt. 1180 m, 43º 09' N, 5º 54' W )

Feb.17 : Alto de la Garandilla - Escuredo, Leon,
mountain location, very clear sky down to the horizon,
SQM 21.1 at zenith ( Alt. 1140 m, 42º 42' N, 5º 55' W ).

----------------------------------------------------------

ICQ Format :

185 201802 17.82 S 10.4 TK 20.3T101003 2/ ICQ XX GON05

2016N6 2018 02 17.86 S 12.1 AQ 20.3T10 100 1.2 5 ICQ
XX GON05

2016R2 2018 02 12.84 S 10.5 TK 20.3T10 77 4 3 ICQ
XX GON05

2016R2 2018 02 17.83 S 10.5 TK 20.3T10 100 4 3 ICQ
XX GON05

----------------------------------------------------------

J. J. Gonzalez

----------------------------------------------------------




--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)
--
--
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/

Sunday, 11 February 2018

[BAA-ebulletin 00996] Martian clouds; Venus observations

BAA electronic bulletin

Mars Section

The season has arrived for the appearance of north polar cyclonic
clouds. These white clouds are found on the morning side of the planet
in the longitudes of Baltia-Mare Boreum and also, seasonally a little
later, Utopia. At times they can show cyclonic form. They are rarely
observed in the martian afternoon. They were seen in 2010 at the end
of the observing season, well-observed in 2012 and 2014, and then
somewhat less well seen in 2016. The 2018 opposition is not a
favourable one for spotting these features, but they do constitute a
useful seasonal indicator, so it would be good if all those currently
studying the still distant planet made a point of looking out for
them.

Dr Richard McKim, Director

2018 February 9

..............

Mercury & Venus Section

I have appointed Dr Paul Abel to act as Venus Coordinator for the
current E. Elongation. Please send all observations to him either by
email or by post to:

paul.abel@yahoo.co.uk

Department of Physics & Astronomy,
University of Leicester,
University Road, LEICESTER LE1 7RH

A short note by Paul about observing Venus in 2018 will appear in the
April number of the Journal.

Meanwhile, the Director is working to complete a long-term Venus
report which will cover the period from 2007 till the present time.
Some results of this study will be shown at the BAA Ordinary Meeting
in March. If any member has unreported recent observations up to the
end of 2017 there is still time to submit them by contacting the
Director at the address given in the back of the Journal.

Dr Richard McKim, Director

2018 February 9

BAA-ebulletin mailing list
This is an announcements only list - please do not reply to this message visit:
http://lists.britastro.org/mailman/listinfo/baa-ebulletin
(c) 2017 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)
--
--
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/

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Fwd: [CometObs] Digest Number 3381

2 Messages

Digest #3381
1
Comet Observations 6th February 2018 by "Bomber2 Panther" outbackmanyep
2
Comet Observations 7th February 2018 by "Bomber2 Panther" outbackmanyep

Messages

Tue Feb 6, 2018 6:58 pm (PST) . Posted by:

"Bomber2 Panther" outbackmanyep

Comet Observations 6th February 2018

185P/ Petriew
2018 Feb 06.42 UT; m1= 11.7; Dia= 2.2'; DC= 3; 25cm L, f:5 (x83) [Chris Wyatt, Walcha, NSW, Australia]
Low altitude = 10.0°; Zodiacal light interference. Does not enhance in Swan Band filter.
Comparison stars checked using APASS data in Guide 9.0; Method= S; Cat= AQ

C/2017 K6 Jacques
2018 Feb 06.44 UT; m1= 13.9; Dia= 1.1'; DC= 3; 25cm L, f:5 (x83) [Chris Wyatt, Walcha, NSW, Australia]
Close to faint stars.
Comparison stars checked using APASS data in Guide 9.0; Method= S; Cat= AQ

C/2016 R2 PanSTARRS
2018 Feb 06.45 UT; m1= 11.4; Dia= 4.8'; DC= 3; 25cm L, f:5 (x39) [Chris Wyatt, Walcha, NSW, Australia]
Coma large and diffuse.
Comparison stars checked using APASS data in Guide 9.0; Method= S; Cat= AQ

Wed Feb 7, 2018 3:04 pm (PST) . Posted by:

"Bomber2 Panther" outbackmanyep

Comet Observations 7th February 2018

185P/ Petriew
2018 Feb 07.42 UT; m1= 11.7; Dia= 1.7'; DC= 2/3; 25cm L, f:5 (x83) [Chris Wyatt, Walcha, NSW, Australia]
Low altitude = 10.1°; Coma diffuse with a slightly brighter but opaque centre.
Comparison stars checked using APASS data in Guide 9.0; Method= S; Cat= AQ

C/2017 K6 Jacques
2018 Feb 07.43 UT; m1= 13.8; Dia= 1.4'; DC= 3; 25cm L, f:5 (x83) [Chris Wyatt, Walcha, NSW, Australia]
Diffuse coma, slight brightening to centre.
Comparison stars checked using APASS data in Guide 9.0; Method= S; Cat= AQ

C/2016 R2 PanSTARRS
2018 Feb 07.44 UT; m1= 11.9; Dia= 2.7'; DC= 3; 25cm L, f:5 (x83) [Chris Wyatt, Walcha, NSW, Australia]
Coma diffuse, slight brightening to an opaque centre.
Comparison stars checked using APASS data in Guide 9.0; Method= S; Cat= AQ




--
Good Clear Skies
--
Astrocomet
--
Colin James Watling
--
Various Voluntary work-Litter Picking for Parish Council (Daytime) and also a friend of Kessingland Beach (Watchman)
--
--
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/