BRIDGWATER
ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: Est’ in 1969
Next Meeting :
Wed May 14th: Several short
talks: 1) Astrophotography Part 2, digital photo processing . 2)
Gamma Ray Bursters
Next Observing Evening
: Friday 16th May @ 8.30pm
(Last
revised 16th Apr 2008)
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), and 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 £1 per meeting.
( £1 & £0.50 per meeting for juniors.)
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
▪ Library. astrosoc/library
▪ History of the Society History
OBSERVING:
▪ Observing Evenings. Observ
▪ Weather Forecast BBC weather
▪ 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
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
▪ 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/
SPACE
EXPLORATION:
▪ 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 Phoenix mission launched
Aug 2007, due to land on Mars on May 25th 2008.
▪ 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)
COSMOLOGY NEW
▪ Nasa site on Cosmology http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_uni.html
▪
▪ New
Scientist Space http://space.newscientist.com/channel/space-tech/cosmology
■ POP UP
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Download the programme called ‘Pop up Stopper Free Edition’
BAS News: If
members have other items of news to include, write to bwastrosoc@hotmail.com
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………..