BRIDGWATER
ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: Est’ 1969
Next Meeting : Nov11th Galaxies. ######In Room E20######
(Last revised 6th Nov 2009)
We meet every 2nd Wed in the month, from Sept until
June, in room D10 at
Meetings start at 7-30 pm with the reading of the
previous minutes, general business, and distribution of observational notes.
The main talk or subject of the evening then starts at around 8pm (Programme). (More)
Contact us on bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
USE THE LINKS BELOW TO FIND YOUR
WAY AROUND OUR WEB SITE
There are four sections below; General,
Observing, Space Exploration & Cosmology.
GENERAL:
▪ Programme of Meetings Prog
▪ News items News
▪ Contact Details Contact
▪ Sites of interest Links
▪ Pictures of the night sky Photos Bwastro Members Photo Album
▪ Library. astrosoc/library
▪ History of the Society History
OBSERVING:
▪ Observing Evenings. Observ
▪
Weather Forecast bbc weather
metcheck
▪ New to Astronomy? Go here first Beginners
▪ Setting up a
basic telescope. Setting
▪ Photography Basics Photography
▪ Viewing the Night sky:
This is a large section below.
Sky & Telescope:
skytonight ataglance For
anyone planning to do some observing this site gives a reminder of what is on
view, night by night for the week ahead.
Heavens Above. skychart This
site shows a very useful night sky chart
with planets & the moon. You can
also change the date and time to suit your needs
Sky Diary
from the Society for Popular Astronomy…. skydiary
CalSKY http://www.calsky.com/ Give it a try. Customise with your own
location, then generate your own sky diary, and do lots of other interesting
things.
BBC Science
night sky page….
bbc.co.uk/sciencenightsky
Astronomy Now
Internet site of the well known magazine…….astronomynow.com
Space.com…… space.com/spacewatch
NEW http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Science/Astronomy
NEW http://www.universetoday.com/
▪ ISS International Space Station ▪ Iridium Flares
▪ Sun: BAA Solar page
▪ Moon: Moon Map
BAA Lunar page. Virtual Atlas: http://www.astrosurf.com/avl/UK_index.html
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/iotandx.htm
▪ Planets skyandtelescope.com/observing/planets Various info on planetary observing.
▪ Asteroids(minor
planets) http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger.dymock/index.htm
▪ Comets: Skyhound comet page http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/
▪ Meteors:
http://www.theastronomer.org/meteors.html
▪ Deep
Sky: BAA Dss page
▪ Radio Astronomy: Jodrell Bank http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/
▪ SPACEFLIGHT NOW: http://spaceflightnow.com/ Shows all the latest goings on in space
▪ NASA : jpl.nasa A definitive list of and details of all
missions that are still ‘live’.
▪ MARS: Marsrovers
There are 2 Mars Rovers still operating on Mars.
phoenix
NASA’s
▪ SATURN: Cassini
Various close fly by’s of Titan, other moons, & Saturn itself.
▪ OTHERS dawn Launched Oct 2007, Dawn will visit the
Minor Planets Vesta (Aug2011) & Ceres (Feb2015)
▪
Nasa site on Cosmology http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_uni.html
▪
▪
The Official String Theory Web Site http://www.superstringtheory.com/cosmo/index.html
▪
UCLA site http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmolog.htm
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BAS
News: If members have other items of news to include,
write to bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
241009 Thought you were not interested in Cosmology?
Take the following link to some mind boggling FAQ’s and think again.
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmology_faq.html#DN
231009 Asteroid Apophis is now projected to
miss Earth by 18,300 miles in 2029. That distance will be the closest recorded
flyby of an asteroid by Earth. Scientists estimate such encounters with
asteroids the size of Apophis occur about once every 800 years.
http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0910/11apophis/
141009 The observing
evening was a great success, the highlights being the very bright
iridium flare closely followed by excellent views of Jupiter and its Moons. For
those of you who took part it can now be verified that Io actually appeared
after transiting across the face of Jupiter, and it was then the shadow of Io
that we saw moving across the disk of Jupiter. Several people also managed to
see the Great Red spot through the larger telescopes.
101009 Check out the dawn sky 45 mins before sunrise on Tuesday Oct 13th. In the East
south east, Saturn will be to the upper left and very close to Venus with
Mercury 8 deg below this pairing.
071009 The list of available talks by guest
speaker JF for the March meeting
are as follows:
'Life in the
Universe' - Are the aliens really there? Astronomical & evolutionary
factors for assessing the probability of there being complex life "out
there".
'How (on Earth) did
Life Start?' - The biochemistry of getting life started: did it start on Earth,
and how plausible is the Panspermia theory?
'Planets, Life &
Panspermia' - What does it take astronomically to make an appropriate
environment for life to get started, and what sort of life can cross space
(extracts from the 2 talks above).
'Bad Science' - A
rant (some of it Astronomical) by a "Grumpy Old Man".
'The Sun's Life
Story' - From a bouncing baby cloud of gas and dust to a miserly old White
Dwarf.
'Variable Stars -
What makes them Tick?' - Variable stars are common: what makes (some of the)
different types of star vary.
'Inside Stars -
Cooking Pots for the Elements' - How (most of) the elements are made in stars,
and please don't think all the heavy ones are made in supernovae.
'The Origin of the
Solar System' - A not-so-technical view on how different sorts of planets and
other bodies came to be where they are.
'Tides on the Earth -
How do they really work' - A really messy subject, especially in the English
Channel.
'Light' - Some of the
amazingly detailed things a few photons can tell us about the universe, by analysing
spectra.
We will take a poll
at the Oct meeting to decide which one we will go for .
120809 The Astro Barbi went ahead despite
total cloud cover. Four members attended with family members bringing the total
to seven. Several burnt sausages and some tasty pieces of chicken were
observed, but unfortunately no Perseids visible through the dense cloud cover.
Better luck next year!
220709 Jupiters black spot. http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n0907/20jupiter/ Get
your telescope out and see if it can still be seen.
200709 Neil Armstrong speaks at last! http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0907/20armstrong/
Mars Rovers update http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0907/19opportunity/
100609 The AGM was attended by some 12 members including the originator of our Society, Mr Duncan
Bee. Mr Bee was able to give an interesting insight into how the Society came
into being 40 years ago.
Matters: All previous
officers were re elected and a programme of events for 2009/10 was formulated.
Mr Fradgley to be asked to guest speak again in March 2010.
300409 NASA's Swift
satellite and an international team of astronomers have found a gamma-ray burst
from a star that died when the universe was only 630 million years old, or less
than five percent of its present age, which corresponds to a distance of 13
billion light years. Article http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0904/28grb/
110209 Three brightish comets visible at the
moment; C/2007 N3 (Lulin) around
mag 6.4 currently in the morning sky moving into the evening sky by month
end; C/2006
W3 (Christensen) mag 8.4 high in western sky in Lacerta; 144P/Kushida mag 8.4 or feinter, high up in Taurus. Go to http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/
for details.
140109 The January Meeting, Moonrocks and Meteors up close, was a
spectacular success enjoyed by all. It was a privilege to have been able to see
actual Moon dust and rocks. This was all loaned to us for the evening, subject
to the items being locked in the College safe, by the Science and Technology
Facilities Council, based in
If you missed it, or
if you want to see again what you were looking at, go to
http://cid-0c4da7e0d06dcff5.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Moon%20Samples?view=thumbs
Click on each photo
you want to look at, then click it again when it appears, to get a supersized
close up image.
191208 Observing Evening. Totally clear at 7-25pm so
cycled down to Parchey. Observed 3 quite bright sporadic meteors then left
again at 8pm. No cloud, no other observers!
DB
081208 New comet 2007 N3 Lulin. A morning comet, mag 6 or 7, visible in Scorpius later this month. For
details go to http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/
081208 Digital photos: Many members now have digital cameras,
and may be getting a new one for Christmas. If you have attempted some
astrophotography and have a favourite photo why not display it on our New Astro
Picture site on MS Skydrive at skydrive.live.com .
I’ve put a picture on there to get the ball rolling. It’s a good way of showing
others what you are doing. Send your picture to me at dbown100@hotmail.com and I will upload it. We
have 25GB of space, but please keep the pictures to a reasonable size or I will
be all day receiving and then uploading. DB
021208 Parchey Bridge now reopened, so we have access
to the car park again for setting up our scopes on Dec 19th.
151108 Be wary of some of the pictures
accompanying the story about the first pictures of a multi planetary system around the star HR8799, in Pegasus. The
picture shown in the Telegraph, for example, was an artist’s impression. For
the true story, and the actual photo, go to http://www.astronomynow.com/081114Planetfamilyphotographedaroundnormalstar.html
101108 A few items for observers, in case like
me you didn’t notice them coming up……
Nov
13th : occultation of the
Pleiades star cluster by the Moon, the star Electra (mag 2.1)
(D)Disappears at 18-28hrs, Merope (4.1) D 18-45hrs, Alcyone (mag 2.7) D 19-12
hrs………..
Dec
1st : occultation of the planet Venus by the Moon,
disappears at 15-47, re appears at 17-17hrs . DB
071108 Time to decide what
subject we want the visiting speaker to talk about, assuming he will be
available for our April meeting. We will take a vote at the Nov meeting. Choose
from the following:
'Life in the Universe' - what is the likelihood of
there being complex life out there'.
'The Origin of Life & Panspermia' - the
biochemistry of getting life started, and what does it take to cross space.
'Variable Stars -
What makes them Tick' - a discussion of some of the major types of variable
star and what makes them vary
'Orbital Oddities
- Strange Goings-on with 3 or more Bodies' – Various curiosities, Lagrange
points, resonances etc, with simulations.
'The Origin of the
Solar System' - How different sorts of planet and other bodies come to be where
they are
081008 The Observation
evening went very well with excellent weather for a change.
071008 Barriers were erected
today at
This is the bridge on
the A39 where there is a junction with a road leading to Puriton Hill and the
M5 motorway J23. The car park is approx 100m on the left as you turn off the
A39 and head for Puriton Hill. Weather forecast still looks good.
Any queries ring
01278 424072 for directions.
041008
120908 Observation evening. The skies kept
fairly clear for about an hour from 8 till 9, long enough for good views of the
Moon & Jupiter through Riks 8” goto scope and the society 6” Alt Az
Newtonian.
100908 News from the monthly
meeting: Sophie Horsman was welcomed to the meeting; The December meeting will
not be in our usual D10 room; The October meeting is an observation evening at
020908 For
Tel 01278 421771, ask
for Chris. SOLD in October
120808 The annual barbi
& meteor watch, due last evening, was unfortunately cancelled at the last
minute due to the forecast weather conditions. The forecast of 100% cloud cover
turned out to be spot on, and rain followed during the night.
150308 The Observing event
at
290208 Gliese 581c. This is the name of the Earth like planet
discovered last year by astronomers using the radial velocity or wobble
technique, with the 3.6M ESO telescope in
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/25/nearth25.xml
250208 21st June normally marks the
longest day/shortest night. This year there is a new link to 21st
June. We have been invited to be involved in a non astronomical project at Wells Cathedral which requires the use of a
telescope or telescopes to view the statues on the west front of the cathedral.
During the afternoon, as part of Somerset
Arts Week, a number of
artists will each be sketching a portion of the west front and may require a
view through a telescope from time to time, as may members of the public. Anyway, it will be a grand opportunity to
meet people, and to advertise our Society. I have volunteered myself and the
Society telescope for the afternoon. If anyone else would like to attend,
please let me know. DB
Combe Sydenham Hall claim to have a
100lb meteorite/ cannon ball that
came down near Stogumber church in 1585, and can be seen in the great hall at
the house. The connections with Sir Francis Drake and Elizabeth Sydenham make
an interesting story, but it seems after investigation that the object in
question is probably not a meteorite after all. What a pity. It would have made
a nice place for a group visit.
Added a new link
under Asteroids to Space Guard UK
200208 Anyone noticed the
new Cosmology links?
150208 Observation Evening: Five members
enjoyed good views of the Moon, Mars and Saturn.
130208 Several members were
interested to know that the Moons
phases could be a strong influence on gardening
practises. June I (JI) gave an
interesting talk about this a while ago.
Go to http://dbown100.tripod.com/jimoontalk.htm to read it again.
And just a reminder that anyone who has
offered their services for the Observation/Science Evening at
070208 Excellent news. Contractors appeared to
be spreading hardcore over the Parchey bridge car park today, so no more big
puddles when observing in the dark down there!
170108. The Society’s telescope, a 6” reflector
on Alt/Az mount, is now available for loan to any member who would like to have
the use of it for a while. The telescope is very simple to use, fairly
portable, and very effective as a learner scope before you decide to buy one of
your own. A short demonstration on how to use it can be given to get you going.
Contact the chairman on 01278 424072 for details and availability.
Messenger spacecraft skims past Mercury http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080116174044.htm
110108
09-30 Observation evening cancelled due
to heavy overnight rain which has badly affected the car park, making it
impossible to use for observing.
030108 1) We
have received a request for help from a person studying for a Masters degree in
Physics at
2) We have also been contacted about a
new project ‘Andalucian Astronomy’, an astronomy retreat near
For details go to http://www.subrosa.eu.com/
271207 Asteroid may hit Mars
Jan 30th 2008 ? http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0712/24marsasteroid/
151207 You may recall that there is an 18”
telescope in a dome at Charterhouse. Here is a report about the centre.
SCC Portfolio Holder Report about the
Charterhouse centre, July 2007:
5.1 Charterhouse broke even financially
in the year 2006-07. This was achieved with nearly 5,000 persons visiting the
Centre; and with booking indications for 2007-08 showing this trend likely to
continue, two full time instructors were taken on in February 2007 for the
first time in the Centre's 40 year history. School groups continue to book
residentials earlier in the year and adult and community organisations are
booking well into the autumn, so effectively extending the 'season' from
February to November.
5.2 The Head of Centre, John Baker, left
in October 2006, leaving Heather Wilcox (Centre Administrator) and Andrew
Chamberlain (Senior Instructor) to lead in the running of Charterhouse until a
new Head of Centre, Julian Ellis, took up post in May 2007.
061207 Science
Fair date confirmed as Friday 14th March for us to
provide an observing Evening and supporting events indoors at Chilton Trinity School. More info to
follow. Volunteers still reqd. Please contact the chairman.
281107 Comet Holmes is still
an easy object in Perseus, just above right of Alpha Perseus.
cometholmes281107.JPG A 15sec exposure with a fixed camera on a
tripod.
231107
19-45hrs Took a quick look at comet Holmes in very bright moonlight through 7x50
binocs. Now very big and getting quite feint, but still worth a look just above
Alpha Persei.
121107 Take a look at a new Telescope supplier
web page at http://www.uk-telescopes.co.uk/index.htm UK Telescopes emailed us recently to alert
us to their new site. There is a very useful ‘Beginners Guide to
Telescopes’ page as well as all the
normal adverts for telescopes.
101107 Our Society has been invited to
participate in a Science Festival
during National Science and Engineering Week,
7th – 13th March 2008. This would take place
at Chilton Trinity School,
Bridgwater, and would involve us in providing telescopes for viewing one evening,
and also indoor facilities and displays which might include the use of the
schools computers to show night sky programmes or interesting Internet sites. I
have indicated that we are willing to participate and I am now looking for
volunteers to help me. If you are interested in helping, please email me, or
make contact at the next meeting on Nov 14th. Chairman DB.
071107 Comet
Holmes, still there and getting ever bigger. The gaseous shell is becoming
more transparent, and it is easier to see stars shining through it.
021107 Comet Holmes. It’s size is
increasing, it’s shape changing, and it’s still bright in Perseus. Go take a
look tonight if it’s still clear. For a finder chart http://www.cometchasing.skyhound.com/index.html
301007 Comet Holmes as spectacular as
ever. If you haven’t got out to look at it yet, you must go out tonight while
it’s still clear.
Here is a picture taken earlier this
evening. It’s an improved setup from last night. The camera is now securely
fixed to the eyepiece holder, and the whole telescope is motor driven. This has
allowed a longer exposure of 15 secs which now shows the nucleus of the comet
quite well. http://dbown100.tripod.com/cometholmes301007_250mm.JPG
If you need any tips on how to
photograph the comet with whatever equipment you have, give me a ring on
01278424072 and I will try to help. Chairman DB.
291007 Comet Holmes easily visible again
tonight. Here’s a picture taken around 6-15pm this evening. It’s through a
250mm F4.3 Reflector. The digital camera, supported on a tripod, was pointed
into the 40mm eyepiece for 6secs.
http://dbown100.tripod.com/cometholmes291007_250mm.JPG
281007 Another new comet bursts onto the scene
in Perseus estimated at mag 2.8 today! Comet 17P/Holmes, discovered in 1892,
suddenly brightened on Oct 24th.
Check it out at http://www.cometchasing.skyhound.com/index.html
Here are a couple of pics taken with a
fixed camera on a tripod at 8-15pm.
http://dbown100.tripod.com/cometholmes.JPG
http://dbown100.tripod.com/cometholmes2.JPG
The first is on wide angle with the
comet the brightest object in the centre.
The second is zoomed in which is why the
stars trailed during the 15sec exposure.
DB
201007 If you have a good Western horizon try
looking for Comet C/2007 F1 Loneos,
quite faint around 8.1 just below Arcturus. You will need big binoculars or a
small telescope. I could just glimpse it through 11x80 binocs at 7-15pm this
evening. Good Luck. Ps go to the comet link to get details on where to find it.
DB
101007 Only 4 members and a visitor managed to
turnout for the 30yr Anniversary Annual Observation
Evening held at
This is probably a good point at which
to remind members, for future observation evenings, that they should telephone
the number shown at the Observing Evenings section, if there are any doubts
about the weather, before leaving home. The telephone number is clearly
displayed there. Make a note of it NOW. The weather at the observing site will
nearly always be different to your local weather conditions.
091007 Exchanged several
emails with Jeremy Rundle, a friend of Sir
Patrick Moore. He tells us about a music cd and Moon Map to be
released on behalf of Patrick. He says….
A few
weeks ago I write to you via email from Patricks home in Selsey, to inform you
that Patrick Moore had just released a NEW music CD called “Music by Patrick
Moore. The Cds are available to order direct at a cost of £9.99 plus £1.50 post
and packing. There will be a track from the CD on an issue of the Sky at Nigh
Magazine. Also I told you that Patricks original Moon Map which was drawn in
1969 was to be re issued as a SPECIAL
COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE. Orders are now being taken for this. Patrick is
going to personally autograph a
limited number of 200 to be supplied with a certificate for this issue, along with a photograph of
him signing the map. They will be the original Black with Green shading for the
“seas” and on 230gsm satin paper/card, ready for framing and supplied in a
postal tube. ORDERS are now being taken for this in advance, if anyone wants
one of these limiter edition prints then please contact the above number. They
are £45.00 including postage by registered post.
They will be featured in the Sky at Night Magazine. This magazine also
has an online version at http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/ so suggest anyone who is interested looks on
there. Alternatively, write to me at bwastrosoc@hotmail.com for Jeremy’s email address and you can email
him direct for further information. DB
011007
NASA’s Dawn spacecraft
blasted off on its mission to Vesta
& Ceres on Sept 27th.
It will rendezvous with Vesta in 2012, and Ceres in 2015. Its 3 Ion thrusters
will very gradually accelerate it towards a sling slot around Mars in Feb2009. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d327/
180907 Check out the stunning images of Saturn’s moon Iapetus, taken by NASA’s
Cassini spacecraft in a 1000mile close pass of the unusual featured moon on
Sept 10th…….. http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0709/12iapetus/
160907 Added a couple of new links to take you
to see member’s photos of the night sky. Click on ‘Photos’ on the main menu,
General section.
150907 Excellent clear night last night for the
observation evening. Viewed Jupiter and a number of Messier objects including
M31, M13, M11, M87…….
060907 A timely visit to BAS
life member Walter Buckland today
uncovered the fact that his impending move to Paignton would actually be taking
place tomorrow, Friday 7th September. As a result of help he had
received in sorting through all his belongings in readiness for the move, some
very important documents have surfaced relating to our Society. Several hand
written early meeting minutes from late 1969 and early 1970 were passed over to
me for safe keeping. As a result of this I have been able to add some more
details to our society’s early history. Look at the ‘History of the Society’
link and you will see some interesting facts about the Society during Nov 1969
and Jan & Feb 1970. I have a forwarding address for Walter in Paignton, if
anyone would like to write to him. Bear in mind that he will be 83 in December,
and is now a fairly fragile elderly gentleman. DB.
210807
1: Graham D has told us about an
interesting course he and his wife are attending in
2: The Society has been sent an
interesting email for all of those interested in the Apollo Moon landings. A Mr D Phillips writes….. allow me to tell
you a little about our next event, which is being held at the Radisson
Edwardian Hotel at Heathrow,
You can find
details of this at www.autographica.co.uk
120807 23-50hrs Just got back from the meteor watch. Mostly
clear skies, no moon, the group of about 20 saw 101 Perseids from 9-20 to 11-30pm(45/hr approx), also the
International Space Station with Space Shuttle attached passed over at 10-03pm.
DB
310707 Hope to get the
following article into the Bridgwater Mercury shortly, probably the 7th
Aug edition………..
The Bridgwater Astronomical Society holds its Annual Barbeque and Meteor watch on Sunday 12th August. That is the night when the Perseid meteor shower should give its best display in the night sky. This year should be particularly good as the moon will not interfere with our ability to see these shooting stars, some of which can be spectacularly bright and long-lasting. For more details of this event, go to the website listed at the end of this article.
Monthly meetings resume again on Wed Sept
12th, with ‘An Introduction to Astronomy and our Society’. This will
cover Star charts, what to look for in the night sky and where to look, night
sky programmes for your home computer, Internet resources, and a look at some
pictures of astronomical objects. If you are a beginner then this is the place
to come to begin learning about the night sky. Meetings are held in room D10 at
Walter Buckland, a member since the
Society started in 1969, and now in his 80’s, will be moving out of the area in
the near future to be looked after by friends. Many people might remember him
from his many years as a lecturer at
In the night sky during August two planets are easily visible. As darkness descends the giant gas planet Jupiter, appearing bright yellowish, can be seen low in the South in the constellation of Scorpius. Just below it, and much fainter, can be seen the red super giant star called Antares, the main star of that constellation. By mid month, and much later in the evening towards midnight, the red planet Mars can be found coming up in the East. Now seen as a small red disk in a telescope, Mars is slowly making its approach towards us again, and so will become brighter each month until at its closest to us in late December. Rising just ahead of Mars you should be able to make out the close grouping of stars known as the Pleiades. Looking like a mini version of ‘The Plough’, this cluster is also known as ‘The seven sisters’ because most people can see seven stars with the naked eye. Look with binoculars and you will see many more stars make up this grouping. Just below Mars is the bright red star called Aldebaran in the vee shaped Hyades star cluster.
The Astronomical Society has some Web pages on the Internet at www.bwastrosoc.org.uk . You can also email us at bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
You will find lots of
information and links on these web pages. Of particular interest is the Sky
& Telescope link, under the Observing heading, which gives a night by night
reminder of things to look for in the night sky.
220707 Check out a few new links on the front page….. History of the Society, Sky
Diary from the Society for Popular Astronomy.
170607 Astronomical Causes of Climate Change. Talk by visiting speaker JF in April 08. Now
confirmed
140607 The AGM was held last night, and all committee
members were re elected, and a new programme of monthly meetings established.
Other points of interest:
a) Due to the rather poor success rate of late,
caused by the weather, it has been proposed that if the Friday observing evening, following the monthly meeting, is
cancelled due to the weather, the next Friday will become the observing evening.
That way we get 2 chances each month at getting some observing done. Everyone
please note. Thank you DD for that suggestion.
b) Walter Buckland,
who was a member of our Society from 1969 to 2006, now 83, is moving to
Paignton in the near future to live with friends. We all wish Walter well in
his move to a new life on the south coast.
c) Look for the close conjunction of Venus & Saturn, just over ½ degree
apart, low on the western horizon, on June 30th / 1st
July.
d) We hope to have a guest speaker from another society visiting
us to give a talk in April next year.
e) Some
telescope user snippets…..
The society’s telescope has been in use
by a member since Oct 2006, who reports that he has found it very useful, but
that he would now like to move away from its alt/az mount and get a telescope
with an equatorial mount.
Another telescope user reported that
they had considerable success with their computer controlled telescope, by
switching the computer off and manually finding some objects!
Yet another user has reported the age
old problem of finder scopes. He has given up with his, and is contemplating
using a riflescope type finding device.
130407 Library prog now on
line. See the link under ‘General’ or go here astrosoc/library
170307 Here’s a link to
Terry’s March 12th talk on selecting a telescope….. http://www.axzz87.dsl.pipex.com/telescope%20talk/Buying%20a%20Telescope.htm
160307 Observation evening clouded out after
being sunny during the day.
030307 Missed the Eclipse of the Moon? Look at these pics……
mooneclipse0303072300.jpg Telephoto view at 23-00hrs
mooneclipse0303072303.jpg Wide angle view at 23-03hrs
160207 Upcoming observing highlights: Feb19th Venus near the
Moon, Feb 25th Pleiades
occulted by the Moon, March 2nd Grazing Oct of Saturn,
March 3rd Total Lunar Eclipse. Check out Jan’s monthly notes at www.dennathorne-designs.com/astrosoc
200107 Start looking for Mercury, gradually climbing
up from the horizon towards Venus in the WSW.
Saturn reaches
opposition in early Feb. Look for its moon Titan, 4 ring lengths to its west on
Jan 23rd. Spot the bright star Regulus from Leo, just below Saturn.
On the 21st
the Moon, Venus & Mercury almost form a line from left to right, heading
down to the horizon.
110107 Comet Mc Naught still visible very
bright. Seen this evening very low on horizon at 16-45hrs. Very bright with
short vertical tail. Should be visible for a few more days but is moving
towards the southern skies. May be worth looking immediately after sunset as the comet is so
bright.
How to find it. After sunset, locate
the planet Venus low on the horizon in the SW, then move along to the right to
find the comet. Sun sets by 16-26 on 12th and 16-28 on 13th.
Venus is in Capricorn almost exactly due SW. On the 12th the comet
will have an altitude of only 8deg at sunset(16-26), reducing to 3deg by
16-45hrs. The comet falls to the horizon almost directly above the sun so Take
Extreme Care if viewing with binoculars, not to catch the sun in the field of vision.
Better to wait until the sun has
completely set.
060107 Start looking for Venus in the evening sky as darkness falls on
the SW horizon. Watch for news of comet
2006P1(Mc Naught) which may be a bright object, visible for no more than a week
or so. Check the comet link.
Go below
for a small selection of pictures to give you some ideas for your own attempts.
Some technical information is given with each
picture. Some pics are taken using ‘old’ methods with film, whilst others are
taken with digital. Whatever equipment you have, you will be able to do
something. For the basic techniques go
to Photography
Look at the following section….. Comets Stars Moon
To look at pictures taken by some of our
members……..
Go to
Terry's page Jan's
page Matt’s page DB's Pics
New: BWASTRO Members photo
Album
Is
located on Microsoft Skydrive at
http://cid-0c4da7e0d06dcff5.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/New%20album?view=thumbs
It’s your album so if you want a photo
displayed here, send it to dbown100@hotmail.com
Comet Hale Bopp
29/03/97 : 3mins with 50mm f1.8, Nikon camera guided by
10"scope.Colour corrected to remove light pollution causing a yellowish cast
caused by the town of
Comet Hale Bopp 12/04/97 20secs at f4.3(prime focus) through 250mm Aperture reflector on HP5 film uprated to 1600ASA. Photo by DB.
STARS
Orion Nebula & Horsehead.
10min @ f2.8 using
135mm telephoto on a camera, mounted piggyback on a guided telescope. As well as M42, the
Orion Nebula, you can just make out the dark shape of the Horsehead
just below the faint star below the left hand belt star
.
The Horsehead,
difficult visually, but relatively easy to photograph.
Jupiter in Leo.(11/06/04) A 15sec unguided digital shot. ISO set at 400, exposure time
, f No, & focusing manually set.
Noise reduction set at ON. Camera used Olympus C765, set on tripod with self
timer to take the photo. Photo by DB.
031208
The Moon, Venus & Jupiter, from left to right, seen across
For the technically minded, digital photo, 1
sec at F2.8, ISO 400
MOON
‘Shoot the Moon’
A
simple photo that anyone might try! Digital camera pointed into the
eyepiece of 11 x 80 binoculars
aimed at the moon. Or use an SLR
set at 1/125sec, with the lens
wide open set to infinity.
This is a digital shot at 45x through a 10”Newtonian with the camera held up to the eyepiece.
Same as previously but now at around 70x
And then some more magnification (but a different part of the moon)
Photos by DB.
Bridgwater Astronomical
Society : Programme for 2009/10:
Monthly Meetings are always on the 2nd
Wednesday in the month usually in Room D10.
2009 Nov11th Galaxies.
2009 Dec 9th Astro Quiz.
Bring along some questions and answers if you have them.
2010 Jan 13th Processing Astronomical
Images. A ‘How to do it’ talk.
2010 Feb 10th 10 Minute Talks.
Here is your chance to have a go at giving a short informal talk on a favourite
subject. It doesn’t have to be 10mins, it can be as short as 5mins, and you
don’t have to stand up in front of everyone.
2010 March 10th Subject TBA
2010 April 14th Observing the Moon.
Often cursed due to its brightness, nevertheless it has many interesting
features well worth a look.
2010 May 12th 10 Minute Answers.
2010 June 9th 41st AGM
CONTACT: For further information
write to bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
Telephone : 01278 424072
OBSERVING
EVENINGS Next one: See List below kindly provided by Terry.
These dates are normally the Friday after the
monthly meeting. They are normally held at
Google map of the Parchey site http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wl&q=51.13552,-2.92759
If
the weather looks uncertain, ring the chairman on 01278 424072, to find out if
the observing evening is going ahead. Total cloud cover will certainly
curtail the evening, but partial cover means that some observing is usually
possible. Don’t forget, that just because its cloudy where you are, doesn’t
mean it will be cloudy at the observing site, so make that phone call.
We
usually aim to look at any planets that are visible, and then a selection of
other interesting objects such as galaxies, nebulae, double stars etc. If the
Moon is around we will also take a look at that.
You can use some of the links from the Observing
section above, to plan your viewing, such as
ataglance to check what is happening from
night to night, and skychart to look at a current star chart of the night
sky.
For other information such as Directions to the observing site, Weather prospects, and Monthly Observing notes go to www.dennathorne-designs.com/astrosoc
Friday Observing Evenings 2009 -
10
2009 November 13th Nautical Twilight Ends 17:44 (GMT)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 18:23
No Moon
Jupiter Transits 18:07 Sets 22:47
2009 December 11th Nautical Twilight Ends 17:28 (GMT)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 18:08
No Moon
Jupiter Sets 21:19
Mars Rises 20:43
2010 January 15th Nautical Twilight Ends 17:55 (GMT)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 18:34
No Moon
Mars Rises 17:55
Jupiter Sets 19:40
2010 February 12th Nautical Twilight Ends 18:37 (GMT)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 19:15
No Moon
Mars Transits 23:14
Saturn Rises 20:53
2010 March 12th Nautical
Twilight Ends 19:24 (GMT)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 20:04
No Moon
Venus Sets 19:29
Mars Transits 21:05
Saturn Rises 18:52
2010 April 16th Nautical
Twilight Ends 21:30 (BST)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 22:19
Mars Transits 20:15
Mercury Sets 21:52
Venus Sets 22:21
Moon Sets 23:08
Thin crescent
Saturn Transits 23:35
2010 May 14th Nautical
Twilight Ends 22:31 (BST)
Astronomical Twilight Ends 23:50
Mars Transits 19:10
Saturn Transits 21:40
Moon Sets 22:04
Very Very Thin Crescent
Venus Sets 22:21
Links to
sites of interest to the Astronomer
If you have some favourite links why not share
them with others. Please email to bwastrosoc at above address.
Pages for Observers:
This weeks night sky http://www.skypub.com/sights/sights.shtml
Comet Pages
http://www.skypub.com/sights/comets/comets.shtml
Comet Observation Pages http://encke.jpl.nasa.gov/
Satellite Observing
http://www.skypub.com/sights/satellites/satellites.shtml
Heavens above http://www.heavens-above.com/
The Astronomer
http://www.theastronomer.org/index.html
BBC
Science & Nature : Space http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/myspace/
Astronomy Now magazine http://www.astronomynow.com/
Sky at Night Mag
http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/
The Society for
Popular Astronomy
http://www.popastro.com/home.htm
Telescopes & telescope making:
UK Telescopes
http://www.uk-telescopes.co.uk/index.htm
Broadhurst Clarkson & Fuller Ltd http://www.telescopehouse.co.uk
David Hinds
http://www.dhinds.co.uk/
AWR
Technology
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/awr.tech/
MC2scopes (Frome)
www.mc2scopes.com
Sherwoods
http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/homepage.htm
Skies Unlimited
http://www.skiesunlimited.co.uk/
http://www.telescopes.uk.com/Manufacturers.htm
http://www.obm.co.uk/catalog/31.html
Skys the limit
http://www.skysthelimit.org.uk/
Societies & Groups:
British Astronomical Assoc http://www.britastro.org/main/
Bristol Astronomical Society http://www.bristolastrosoc.org.uk/
Crewkerne Astro Soc
http://www.cadas.net/
South Som Astro Soc
http://ssas.fateback.com/home.htm
Charterhouse Centre
http://www.charterhousecentre.org.uk/
The North Devon Astronomical Society http://www.ndastros.org/
Misc.
Hubble Heritage Gallery of Images http://heritage.stsci.edu/public/gallery/galindex.html
Hubble Space Telescope Public Pictures http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/pictures.html
ESO Online Digitized Sky Survey http://arch-http.hq.eso.org/dss/dss
Cassini Huygens Mission to Saturn/Titan http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
JPL Nasa home page http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
Nasa home page http://www.nasa.gov/
ESA http://www.esrin.esa.it/export/esaCP/index.html
Setting up and using your telescope.
(Please note that these are brief notes relevant to simple telescopes without electronic drives etc.)
The two most common questions we get asked from someone new to astronomy are usually these
1. " I've just bought a new telescope but I can't find anything with it"
2. "I've just bought a new telescope but I don't understand how to set it up. How do I set it up so that I can find something ?"
The first question is usually associated with actually pointing the telescope at an object, and is usually to do with the finder scope not being properly aligned with the main telescope tube. In daylight, point the telescope at a distant object such as a tree or building and then without moving the main telescope, adjust the finder so that the centre of the cross hairs points at the same object that you lined the telescope up on. If you can't understand how to do this, then forget about the finder scope and at night time try looking up along the length of the main telescope tube to line it up on the object that you want to view. Make sure that the telescope is first set up with the lowest power of eyepiece( focal length of 20mm or more).
The second question is more complicated and is to do with lining the telescope mount up with the sky. If your telescope has an 'Equatorial mount' the polar axis should be pointing towards the Pole star Polaris. To do this look at your mounting and identify the 2 movements that it has. Each movement is around a shaft or spindle. One of these, the polar axis can usually be tilted up or down at an angle to point at the pole star. If there is a scale then it should be set at your latitude(approx +52degrees for Bridgwater). Now when you take your telescope outside, position it so that polar axis points up at the pole star, or if you can't see or identify the pole star, set that axis pointing northwards using a compass. This should be good enough for simple observing.
Remember:
a) Always start off with the lowest magnification eyepiece in the telescope. This will be the one with the longest focal length such as 20mm or 25mm
b) Check frequently that the small finder telescope is still lined up with the main telescope.
c) Commence viewing on a bright object so that you can get the eyepiece in focus to start with. It will then be easier when you move on to fainter objects.
d) If you have an equatorial mount, line the polar axis up with the North Star, Polaris, as best you can.
If you are still
stuck with something then send us an email bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
For pictures of the moon
you can just hold almost any type of camera to the eyepiece of your telescope
and try pressing the shutter. The lens
of the camera must be looking into the telescope eyepiece.
Focus the
moon in the eyepiece before you take your picture, and only use a low magnification eyepiece.
If there are settings on your camera that you
can adjust, set focus to infinity or max distance,
lens ‘F’ no to lowest such as f2.8, and shutter speed to about 1/125th. Otherwise if your
camera is automatic, let the camera do the work.
Other objects will not normally be possible
unless your camera shutter can be left opened for more than several seconds,
and then the camera must be securely fixed to something on the telescope, and
the telescope needs to have a motor drive running so that it keeps pace with
the star movements. With this method it is possible to take pictures of the
planets, or close ups of the moon.
If you have a tripod you may be able to have a
go at photographing the stars in the
night sky using just your camera lens and a time exposure to collect their light.
First aim your camera
in the required direction. As before, set focus to
infinity or max distance, lens ‘F’ no to lowest such as f2.8, and shutter speed to 10 seconds or more. If automatic, make sure
the camera is set for a time exposure of at least 10 seconds if possible.
Shorter times will do but you will only capture the brighter stars in your
photo.
Now comes the tricky bit. If there is a self timer button use this to fire the shutter after you have
pressed the button. That way you will not shake the camera during the time the
lens is open. If not you will have to try and do it manually.
Depending on your camera and specifications you
should be able to photograph all stars that can be seen with the naked eye, and
possibly some fainter ones. Have a go at the planets among the stars, minor
planets, comets, etc. Good Luck.
For a detailed article on processing webcam
images of the planets go to http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/astrophotography/How_to_Process_Planetary_Images.html
http://www.threebuttes.com/RegistaxTutorial.htm
http://www.davesastro.co.uk/techniques/registax_tutorial/index.html
Q: Do
I need to buy a telescope?
A: No not at all. In fact until you decide what
it is that interests you in the night sky it is difficult to choose which
telescope will suit you best . So to start with, use your eyes, or perhaps a
pair of binoculars if you have some, or can borrow a pair, or borrow the
Society’s 150mm reflector if you feel confident of having a go.
Q: OK
so what can I see with just my eyes?
A: Well a
whole night sky covered with stars, constellation patterns including the
constellation signs of the zodiac (Aries, Taurus, etc) the moon and planets including, Mercury,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, but you will need to know where to look (
Click on the Heavens Above link in ‘Viewing
the Night sky’ to get a star chart that includes planet positions).
Then there are
shooting stars (or meteor showers as they are known to astronomers), orbiting
earth satellites such as The International Space Station Int' Space Station(ISS), Eclipses of the Sun & Moon,
Transits(events where objects pass in front of other objects such as the sun or
planets), comets…..
Q: And what can I see with binoculars?
A; Much, much
more. Fainter stars (The bigger the binoculars or telescope lens, the fainter
are the stars that you can see), lots of details on the moon (such as its Mares
or Sea’s and the many craters that pockmark its surface), Jupiter’s 4 brightest
moons (but you will probably need to steady your binoculars on a post or a
wall), Saturn’s rings (You can just about make out the elliptical shape of the
rings in 7 x 50 binoculars), star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, minor
planets(asteroids), fainter comets, 2
more planets of the Solar System Uranus
and Neptune….
Q: And what are those funny numbers they
always show when advertising binoculars?
A: Well the numbers are usually something like
.. 7 x 35, or 10 x 50. The first number, such as 7 or 10, is the magnification, or how much closer an object
will look compared to the eye. The second number, such as 35 or 50, is the size
of the lens in millimetres (mm). Remember the answer in the question above… The
bigger the binoculars or telescope lens, the fainter are the stars that you can
see.
Q: All very well, but do I really need
binoculars or a telescope?
A: No not at all.
Some people are quite content reading about all aspects of astronomy, others
like to follow what’s happening regarding space travel and space probes, some
like to carry out calculations to prove or disprove theories, and there are
many other things that can be done without optical equipment. Take a look at
some of the Links listed on this page for ideas.
A brief History of
the Society.
1969 Spring/ Summer, Formation of the Bridgwater Astronomical Society. Five Members present.
1969 3rd Nov. There were seven members present, plus a new member Mr Buckland. This brought the total membership of the Society to 11. Mr Charles Key was the chairman, Mr K Combes the Vice Chairman, Mr Duncan Bee was the secretary and Mr Gentile was the Treasurer.
1969 Dec. The Society has 15 members.
1970 6th Jan. There were seven members present. Additional
officers elected were Mr Stone as Press Officer and Mr Livingstone as
Librarian. It was also agreed that members should pay 6d a week to cover the
cost of the clubroom.
1970 4th Feb.
A secretary’s report exists. It mentions that ‘the club has now been in
existence for just over 6 months and has added 14 members to the original 5.’
‘The last 6 months have seen a change of meeting place from the Bridgwater
Squib to the Fountain Inn’
1971 June WL Buckland becomes the secretary.
1972 Sept Mr G Jarvis makes his first appearance.
1973 Sept Mr D Bown makes his first appearance.
1973 Oct Ken Coles had been nominated as the Society’s representative to be trained in the use of the Charterhouse telescope.
1977: Oct 12th The
first Observational Evening at
1980: June
11th Mr G Jarvis becomes Treasurer after
Mr Coles relinquishes the position.
1982: June
9th Mr D Bown replaces Mr W Earp as
Deputy Chairman.
1984: June 13th Mr
D Bown succeeds Mr K Coombs as chairman.
1984: Sept
12th First meeting in room D10 at
1985: Nov
18th Mr Bown, the chairman and provider
of monthly notes, presents notes stating that Halley's comet will be near the
Pleiades in a few days time.
1987: Jan 21st Mr
Earp tells of a letter received from Mr Dowling in
1987: Oct 7th
Patrick Moore gives a lecture at the BCL Social Centre.
1998: 10th June Walter
Buckland retires as secretary after 27 years, Gordon Mackenzie takes over the
role.
1999: Aug
11th Members travel to various places to
view the Total Eclipse of the Sun.
Introduction Continued……. (Press back button< to return)
The Main talk finishes at 8-45pm to allow members to have 15mins
of informal chat about astronomical matters before closing at
9pm prompt.
Members have a wide range of interest and level of knowledge, from
beginner to experienced observer, using equipment ranging from just small
binoculars to quite large telescopes. Regular monthly observing
sessions are held (Observing), where members can bring
along their own telescopes and learn how to set them up and use them, and look through
other member’s binoculars & telescopes.
The Society also has an 6” reflecting telescope, that is brought
to all observation evenings and which is available for loan to members wanting
to try out a telescope before purchasing one of their own.
Get more info from bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
New
members of all ages and abilities are most welcome with no obligations on
regular attendance.
Subscription: £2 annually, then
£2 per meeting. ( £1 & £1 per
meeting for juniors.) Revised as from Oct 09