1. TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE 16 May. (Times in BST/IST)
More than half of this eclipse is visible from Ireland. The further West and South you are, the better the view, as the Moon sets later there. The penumbral phase, which is barely noticeable, starts at 02.30; the Moon enters the umbra at 03.27, and totality starts at 04.28. Mid eclipse occurs at 05.11, with an umbral magnitude of 1.419. The Moon will pass South of the centre of the Earth's shadow, so the N edge of the Moon should appear a bit darker than the S. edge.
The Moon will lie in quite a nice surrounding starfield of red, orange, white and blue 5th and 6th mag stars during totality, giving the possibility of nice wide-field images.
The Moon will occult 7th mag TYC 6179-152-1 during the partial phase, and a 9.5 mag star, and then an 8.8 mag star during totality, but it will be very low by then. The 7th mag star will reappear from behind the Moon during totality, but just before the moon sets, so it will also be difficult to see. The exact time of the occultations will depend on your location; email me (terrymosel@aol.com) for exact details if you don't have software to check it for yourself. Remember also that as the Moon gets lower, the Sun gets higher, and twilight brightens!
This table gives the altitude of the Moon in degrees at the start and middle of totality for various locations
Location Start Totality Mid-Totality
Belfast 4.9º 0.6º
L/derry 5.3 1.0
Dublin 6.0 1.5
Sligo 6.3 1.9
Athlone 6.7 2.2
Wexford 7.0 2.4
Galway 7.2 2.7
Limerick 7.4 2.9
Clifden 7.5 3.1
Cork 7.9 3.3
Dingle 8.5 4.0
Mizen Head 8.9 4.2
2. ISS:
The ISS's current series of morning passes will gradually transition into a series of 'through the night passes', and then morph into evening passes only.
Full details for your location on www.heavens-above.com, and on various Smartphone Apps.
3. Join the 2022 Edition of Dark and Quiet Skies Awareness
In alignment with UNESCO's International Day of Light on 16 May, the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach is dedicating the entire month of May to Dark and Quiet Skies Awareness. We have a lot of fun activities planned:
Celebrate the Dark Skies Drawing Contest
Imagine you've stumbled into an open clearing. It's well past sunset, and the Moon is new - what do you see when you look up at the sky? Are there city lights? Stars? Can you spot any planets? The Milky Way? What do these views mean to you?
Using any medium you'd like, create a piece of art that describes what dark skies mean to you and your community. Three submissions will be randomly selected to win a BRESSER NANO AR-70/700 AZ Telescope, courtesy of Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen (Stars Shine For Everyone - SSVI). Winners will also have the chance to share their artwork during One Home, One Sky: A Seminar for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies (more details below). The deadline to send in artwork is 24 May 2022. For more information on how to participate, eligibility, terms and conditions see this document.
Calendar of Events and Social Media
The IAU OAO and the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs) participate in various events to raise awareness of the importance of dark and quiet skies. Join an event hosted or supported by one of our 130+ NOCs, IAU Dark Skies Ambassadors or other organisers from the astronomy outreach community around the world. Hosting your own event? Register your event in the Astronomy Outreach Event Calendar. Don't forget to follow the OAO's Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates on upcoming events near you, and look for the hashtags #DarkSkies4All and #IDL2022 to share resources, activities and ways to take action.
One Sky, One Home: A Seminar for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies
This online event will bring together astronomers, outreach professionals, artists, curators, and practitioners to share their connection to the dark sky, its importance to the world's cultures and to our global ecosystem. We invite the broader astronomy community and all citizens of Earth to engage the problem head-on and discover solutions together. To register for the event, please visit this page.
Contact
Kelly Blumenthal
Deputy Director
IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach
Tel: +1 201 463 7085
Email: blumenthal.kelly@oao.iau.org
4. International Day of Light, 16 May 2022
The International Day of Light (IDL) is a global initiative by UNESCO celebrated annually on the 16th of May, focusing on the significance of light and its role in science, art, technology, culture, education, and sustainable development in diverse fields, that help achieve UNESCO's goals – education, equality, and peace. This year IDL also focuses on the UN International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development 2022 & UN International Year Of Glass, the success of the James Webb Space Telescope and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Be sure to check out the latest Newsletter from the IDL team, featuring stories about projects in preparation. Read and subscribe to their newsletter here, stay up to date with the latest on their website here, and register your IDL events here.
To learn more: https://www.lightday.org
5. CAP Conference deadline extended to May 31
The Communicating Astronomy with the Public Conference (CAP2022) Scientific Organizing Committee is announcing a second and final extension of the deadline for abstracts and grants applications until May 31.
Under the central theme of "Communicating Astronomy for a Better World", the SOC invites proposals for oral presentations, posters, workshops and panel discussions to be submitted online. Students and young astronomers are particularly encouraged to participate and share their work.
Submit your application at https://capconferences.org/2022/registrationabstracts/
The platform for registration payments is also now open at
https://capconferences.org/2022/registration-payment-open/
The IAU CAPjournal, in collaboration with the CAP 2022 SOC, organised an Abstract Writing Workshop in support of the hybrid Communicating Astronomy to the Public (CAP) Conference. Resources are available at: https://capconferences.org/2022/resources-for-abstract-writing/
CAP2022 will be organised from September 12-16, 2022, at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. Catering to all travel and mobility concerns and needs of our community, the conference will be organized as a hybrid event, both face-to-face and online. In-person participants will be able to book a post-conference tour to visit some of the world-class astronomy facilities in Australia, participate in Macquarie University's annual Astronomy Open Night, and enrol in a pre-conference training workshop.
Contact: cap2022@oao.iau.org
6. History And Philosophy of Physics; St Cross College, Oxford, 11 June.
ONE-DAY CONFERENCE: "The Nature of Light" - IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED ONLINE, on Saturday 11th June from 10.30 am - 5.00 pm BST
Visible light is the most pervasive feature of the observable Universe to humans, so its explanation has assumed a pre-eminent role in our attempts to understand the physical world around us. This conference will start with an examination of light and its properties with the formulation of the classical theory of optics by Newton, Huygens and others, and then move on to the theory of colours which involved not only natural philosophers, but artists and writers.
The understanding of electricity and magnetism in the 19th century led ultimately to the formulation of the electromagnetic theory of light summarised in Maxwell's equations which underpin the vast range of technologies still in daily use. In the 20th century, the role of the speed of light became very important in relativity and quantum theory.
The conference will examine the steps in our understanding of light to illuminate its history in our culture and in the technological developments over the past few decades.
Registration to attend this conference is free but booking is required to attend the conference with all
the details and the weblinks to register for the conference to attend in person or online given on the
webpage: https://stx.web.ox.ac.uk/event/the-nature-of-light
(This is the College and body where I was honoured to be asked to give a talk on solar eclipses about 5 years ago; It's usually very good!)
7. Summer Solstice. The Sun will reach its most Northerly point on the ecliptic on 22 June at 09.13 (10.13 B/IST) marking the start of N. Hemisphere Summer.
8. Parade of the Planets, 20 to 28 June
During this period, all the naked eye planets will be visible together in the morning sky, in order of their distance from the Sun, although Mercury will be very low and you'll need binoculars to see it, except perhaps from the very far South of the island. The waning Moon will also be in the area, and on the mornings of 22 to 26 June, the Moon will also be in its correct order from the Sun, i.e. Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Aesthetically, the nicest view will be on the 24th, with the waning crescent Moon about halfway between Venus and Mars.
To find Mercury, look about 10º below left of brilliant Venus, at an angle of about 8p.m. on a clock face. From the N of the island it won't rise until civil twilight has started, and it will be only mag -0.1 on the 24th, -0.2 on the 25th, -0.3 on the 26th, -0.4 on the 27th and -0.5 on the 28th, so binoculars or a wide-field telescope will be required.
On the 27th, Mercury will lie below the thin crescent Moon, and that will be your last good chance to find Mercury and to be able to see the Moon in the line-up.
Uranus and Neptune will also be in the line, but not in order, and you'll need binoculars or a telescope to see them.
9. Asteroid Day, 30 June.
More details later.
10. On the Moon Again is Back on 8-10 July.
You are invited to join in a global project to bring observational astronomy to the streets of communities. On the Moon Again will take place from 8-10 July. For more information, see their website; to register your activity, fill out this form.
11. Davagh Dark Sky Park and Observatory is open, with pre-booking, and some restrictions.
See https://www.midulstercouncil.org/visitor/things-to-do/star-gazing/davagh-dark-sky-observatory , and https://www.facebook.com/omdarksky/ I'll post any updates here. Or phone 03000 132 132 for changing Covid-19 advice.
12. NEW EASY TEASER:
What comes up sideways, but goes down vertically? No guesses yet, so - Clue: There's a pair.
13. NEW DIFFICULT TEASER:
What's the connection between: a London Borough, a piece of rock, and another solar system body? No guesses yet, so – Clue: the other solar system body is a planet.
Please send all Teaser answers to me at my aol address terrymosel@aol.com
14. INTERESTING WEBLINKS (Disclaimer - Use of material herein from various sources does not imply approval or otherwise of the opinions, political or otherwise, of those sources). NB: If the title in the weblink does not indicate the subject matter, I give a brief simple intro before the link. I may also comment about the link afterwards.
ASTROPHYSICS:
Scientists find elusive gas from post-starburst galaxies hiding in plain sight -- ScienceDaily
Hubble Space Telescope studies peculiar 'ultra-diffuse galaxy' (photo) (msn.com)
Listen to the 'echoes' of black holes chowing down on their stars | Space 'Chowing down' is such an awful expression – another abominable Americanism!
Monster black hole might have executed a magnetic 'flip' (msn.com) and
Nasa finds a 'flipped' black hole producing a 'rare and enigmatic outburst' (msn.com)
Sagittarius A*: 1st photo of Milky Way black hole in images | Space
Astronomers stumble on X-ray 'fireball' of massive stellar explosion (msn.com)
Early-universe black holes produced winds so powerful they slowed their own growth (msn.com)
Astronomers reveal first image of the black hole at the heart of our galaxy -- ScienceDaily and
This is it! Meet the Supermassive Black Hole at the Heart of the Milky Way - Universe Today
Explosion on a white dwarf observed -- ScienceDaily and
Astronomers Finally Catch a Nova Detonating on a White Dwarf as it's Happening - Universe Today interesting illustration!
Astronomers find 'gold standard' star in Milky Way -- ScienceDaily
Astronomers have detected one of the brightest pulsars in the known universe | Live Science
In a pair of merging supermassive black holes, a new method for measuring the void -- ScienceDaily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220428125408.htm
COSMOLOGY:
Aliens may have created our universe in a secret space lab, top Harvard professor claims (msn.com) (Avi Loeb is getting more and more extreme & irrational!)
Cosmic expansion could soon reverse | Live Science and
The universe could stop expanding 'remarkably soon', study suggests (msn.com)
EARTH & MOON
Europe Cancels Joint Moon Missions with Russia - Scientific American
China announces plans for a new asteroid-deflecting mission (msn.com)
Scientist discover all ingredients necessary for DNA in meteorite for first time (msn.com)
Alien technology may have crashed into Pacific Ocean (msn.com)
New asteroid discovery shows that humans could be aliens (msn.com)
New mission to detect NEO/PHAs Meet the one NASA mission that could save us from extinction - Big Think https://www.facebook.com/groups/1425676681202686/permalink/1440520489718305/?sfnsn=scwspmo&ref=share
What's the Best Way to Build Landing Pads on the Moon? - Universe Today
EXOLIFE
Scientist discover all ingredients necessary for DNA in meteorite for first time (msn.com)
New asteroid discovery shows that humans could be aliens (msn.com)
Humans will have an alien encounter very soon (msn.com)
What's the Right Depth to Search for Life on Icy Worlds? - Universe Today
Researchers reveal the origin story for carbon-12, a building block for life -- ScienceDaily
EXOPLANETS
IMAGES
Martian crater looks just like a human fingerprint in this incredible new image | Live Science
Galactic collision spawns 'angel wings' in phenomenal Hubble telescope image | Live Science
Starlink satellites ruin image of Albireo https://bigthink.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/https___specials-images.forbesimg.com_imageserve_60f90eb00ece8dc47387931a_Image-of-Albireo-photobombed-by-trails-of-Starlink-satellites-_960x0.jpg
Black holes and stars that feed them dance in NASA video | Space
SETI
Alien technology may have crashed into Pacific Ocean (msn.com) Loeb seems to have gone off the rails altogether!
Humans will have to wait 400,000 years for alien contact (msn.com)
SOLAR SYSTEM
Pluto's Orbit is Surprisingly Unstable - Universe Today
Scientists model landscape formation on Titan, revealing an Earth-like alien world -- ScienceDaily
Two largest Mars-quakes to date recorded from planet's far side -- ScienceDaily and
NASA's InSight detects strongest and longest marsquakes to date (newatlas.com)
NASA extends OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission to visit Apophis (newatlas.com)
The Armor of Asteroid Bennu - Asteroid Day
Nasa's Mars helicopter spots 'otherworldly' wreckage on Red Planet caused by space agency (msn.com) and NASA's Mars helicopter spots 'otherworldly' wreckage on Red Planet surface: 'Phenomenal' (msn.com)
New Mars images shows 'fingernail' gouging-like features on surface (msn.com)
Astronomers discover asteroid treasure trove in old Hubble Space Telescope data (msn.com)
NASA's InSight lander detects largest 'marsquake' yet on Red Planet (msn.com) and
Wavering NASA lander detects biggest Mars quake yet, even as dust drains its energy (msn.com)
New study indicates limited water circulation late in the history of Mars -- ScienceDaily
Mars' Carbon Dioxide Glaciers are on the Move - Universe Today
Martian Dust is Starting to Darken Ingenuity's Solar Panels - Universe Today
China's Mars rover Zhurong is hunkering down for its 1st Red Planet winter | Space
SPACE
Astrobotic unveils Peregrine lunar lander that will fly to the moon this year (photos) (msn.com)
NASA releases photos of a new backpack it designed to help astronauts navigate the moon in the dark (msn.com) Quote: "Late last year, the agency pushed the timeline for its first human moon landing to 2025" – But you've just said that they landed there over 50 years ago"
Private Ax-1 astronauts return to Earth, ending historic SpaceX mission (msn.com)
and
SpaceX's private Ax-1 astronauts splash down in historic mission | Space
Here we go! Musk and Bezos have UK 'on their radar' as £16bn space sector takes off (msn.com)
Nasa Moon rocket test flight delayed amid repairs and test complications (msn.com)
Rocket Lab catches dummy booster with a helicopter in dramatic new video | Space
SpaceX launches four astronauts to ISS | Watch (msn.com)
Rocket Lab catches dummy booster with a helicopter in dramatic new video (msn.com)
50 years on, Apollo 16 moonwalker still 'excited' by space (msn.com)
Russia threatens to abandon NASA on ISS and join China's space mission (msn.com)
Russia to quit International Space Station due to economic sanctions (msn.com) A pity. But they have only Putin and his friends to blame for that situation.
SpaceX just flew its fastest Dragon astronaut trip to the space station ever (msn.com)
China lays out big plans for its new Tiangong space station (msn.com)
New Zealand rocket launched to send 34 satellites into orbit | Watch (msn.com)
Being on Nasa Artemis missions would be the pinnacle, says Tim Peake | Watch (msn.com)
Boeing to reattempt Starliner launch after SpaceX humiliation (msn.com)
SpaceX's Crew-3 astronauts depart space station for trip home | Space
China readies Tianzhou 4 cargo ship for launch to Tiangong space station (photos) (msn.com)
New video gives first-person view of what it's like to be SpinLaunched (newatlas.com)
Starlink satellites ruin image of Albireo https://bigthink.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/https___specials-images.forbesimg.com_imageserve_60f90eb00ece8dc47387931a_Image-of-Albireo-photobombed-by-trails-of-Starlink-satellites-_960x0.jpg
Scotland to host Europe's first ever microlauncher rocket (msn.com)
China's Tiangong space station receives fresh supplies from new Tianzhou cargo spacecraft (msn.com)
First satellite launch from UK to take place this summer (msn.com)
Boeing's Starliner is 'go' for crucial May 19 launch to the space station (msn.com)
Scientists grow plants in lunar soil – and find bad news (msn.com)
Astronaut Jessica Watkins Floats Above the Earth in the Space Station's Cupola - Universe Today
Artemis 1 Probably won't Launch Until August - Universe Today
Boeing's Starliner is 'go' for crucial May 19 launch to the space station | Space
DARPA is exploring ways to build big things in space | Space
Orbex unveils the UK's first vertically-launched orbital rocket (newatlas.com)
SUN
Why so much solar activity? Sun may be outpacing predictions. (msn.com)
Solar cycle: What is it and why does it matter? (msn.com)
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES.
Large Hadron Collider restarts and hunts for a fifth force of nature (msn.com)
New 1,000 object star-spotter gets first light at Edinburgh lab – UKRI
UK to build brain of SKAO telescopes – UKRI
NASA promises James Webb Space Telescope commissioning update today (msn.com)
James Webb Space Telescope enters 'homestretch' of commissioning with stunning image | Space
James Webb Space Telescope observations 'to change astronomy forever' (msn.com)
15. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. This link gives options to join the IAA.
https://irishastro.org/join-the-iaa/ If you are a UK taxpayer, please select the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you. You can also make a donation via Paypal if you wish: just click on the 'Donate' button. See also https://irishastro.org/
The Irish Astronomical Association is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 105858
DISCLAIMER: Any views expressed herein are mine, and do not necessarily represent those of the IAA.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
No comments:
Post a Comment