Hi all,
1. IAA LECTURE , 21 October.
“Looking at Comets and Asteroids through ….. Sunglasses? ” by Dr Rok Nežič (Armagh Observatory & Planetarium). 7.30p.m., Wed 21 October, Larmor Lecture Theatre, Astrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, QUB
SYNOPSIS:
It is a simple fact in astrophysics that light is nearly our only source of data about the Universe. While this is somewhat less true for Solar System science, ground-based observations are still the primary tool for us to learn more about our local neighbourhood. It therefore behoves us to gather as much information from it as possible. Light scattered from certain types of materials can become polarised, and – in addition to brightness and colour properties – analysis of this polarisation can teach us more about the structural and mineral properties of those materials. We will delve into the properties of electromagnetic radiation – light – that cause polarisation, as well as into the observational and theoretical outcomes from polarimetric analyses of asteroid surfaces and cometary dust.
Biography:
Dr Rok Nežič hails from Slovenia and studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, followed by a Master’s in Astrophysics at the University College London (UCL). In 2015 he undertook his PhD as a joint project between the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and UCL, focusing on polarimetry of cometary dust, analysing how the composition of cometary dust changes along the comet tail, and through time. He now uses his love of astronomy and history of science to educate and entertain visitors through school visits, history tours, planetarium shows, talks, and more.
Admission free, including light refreshments. All welcome.
2. ORIONIDS
The Orionids peak on October 21, with the radiant in the NE corner of the constellation, near the feet of Gemini. The Moon is waxing gibbous, so it won’t be ideal for observing. The quoted ZHR is about 20, but moonlight will probably halve that. The Orionids are tiny particles left behind by Halley’s comet in its orbit round the Sun.
3. PUBLIC LECTURE AT DIAS, Thursday 22 October. 7 p.m.
Searching for the Unseen: The Mystery of Dark Matter, by Prof Antonio Delgado, U of Notre Dame, USA. Free, but by Ticket only.
4. Moon occults Pleiades, 27-28 Oct
The Moon occults 20 Tau, better known as Maia, mag 3.9, of the Pleiades, on 28 Oct at about 00.35.
5. PUBLIC LECTURE AT DIAS, Wednesday 28 October. 7 p.m. “The Dark Forces in the Universe, by Prof Tom Ray, Senior Professor, DIAS. Free, but by Ticket only.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-dark-forces-in-the-universe-tickets-2003511397523
6. MAYO DARK SKY FESTIVAL, 31 October – 1 November.
Based mainly in Newport, with other events in Mulranny and Ballycroy Dark Sky Park VC, this is always a brilliant event! Excellent speakers again this year, something for everyone. This year is their 10th: I’ve been to them all, and they just keep getting better and better!
The Mayo Dark Sky Festival is a three-day celebration of our pristine night skies and proud winner of the Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Award for Best Festival 2025. From Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, join us in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy for stargazing, expert talks, guided walks, planetarium shows, live music and inspiring night-sky experiences for all ages.
Full details Mayo Dark Sky Festival | Mayo Dark Sky Festival
7. NEXT ECLIPSE – COMMENTS & GUIDANCE
Thanks for the feedback on my information piece in the last bulletin. I’ll add more here as anything of interest becomes available.
I think some of this was taken from my last bulletin!
The photographers’ secret that changes everything for the 2027 total solar eclipse I mentioned every one of the places that are mentioned here! And I think that she is AI, not a real person!
10 incredible places to see the 2027 eclipse of the century — beyond Luxor
10 best places to see the 2027 total solar eclipse in Spain | Space https://share.google/WiiE2bb9xs8KhmRxl
8. ISS. The ISS continues its series of morning passes until 14 November. Details for your location are available on www.heavens-above.com
9. VENUS is too low in the W twilight to be seen.
10. SATURN just past OPPOSITION on October 4. The Ringed Planet is visible for most of the night, rising at sunset. It’s now North of the Equator, giving us better viewing for longer each nigh. It’s in Cetus, which of course is not one of the zodiacal constellations, but the astrologers will ignore that!
It will be mag 0.4 and diameter 19.8”. The angle of the rings is now steadily increasing, about 7.4 degrees, with the South side presented to Earth.
Of the main moons, Titan is by far the easiest to see, reaching mag 8.3 at opposition and just visible in good binocs when at greatest elongation from Saturn. Rhea is visible in any decent amateur telescope, reaching mag 9.7, and next, moving in closer to the planet, are Dione (mag 10.4), Tethys (mag 10.2) and Enceladus, mag 11.7. The next one in is Mimas, challenging at mag 12.9, especially as it never gets far from the bright rings. Much further out from Saturn, beyond Titan, is the mysterious Iapetus, where one side is more than twice as bright as the other, with the mag varying from 10.2 – 11.9.
11. MARS & JUPITER – becoming more visible in the early morning sky
Mars in in Cancer, still small and faint, with mag 1.0, and a diameter of only 6.0”. Jupiter lies in Leo, much brighter at mag -1.8, and bigger, with a diameter of 34.4”
12. UNDER ONE SKY GLOBAL ONLINE CONFERENCE, 6-7 November
Under One Sky 2026 brings together a global community united by a shared mission to protect the night. From DarkSky Advocates and lighting designers to ecologists, astronomers, policymakers, artists, and more, our community is as diverse as the night itself. Join us as we hear from leading experts, explore innovative ideas, and discover inspiring stories as we follow the night around the world.
Whether you’re passionate about the night sky, protecting wildlife, or improving communities through responsible lighting, we invite you to join us for a one-of-a-kind learning journey as we work together to protect the night. under one sky
13. EASY TEASER
What’s special about asteroid 15?
Clue: Do I have to spell it out for you?
Another clue – it’s the only one of the first 100 asteroids (at least) which has this characteristic.
Actually, it’s the only one in the first 200 (at least) which has this characteristic.
Another clue: Sounds like it’s not a matter of consonance, I hear. (- or of dissonance either.)
Rule: You are only eligible to enter the Easy Teaser if you have not been a member of an astronomy club or society for more than 10 years, or if you have not already correctly answered one of the difficult ones. This is to give the beginners and young readers a chance!)
14. DIFFICULT TEASER- - ANSWERED RIGHT AWAY!
What do the following have in common? Orion, Gemini, Draco, Sagittarius
ANSWERED RIGHT AWAY! – John Flannery was in with the answer within an hour!
The answer is that in those constellations, contrary to the usual convention, the brightest star is not the Alpha star. The brightest in Orion is Rigel, which is Beta, in Gemini it’s Pollux, which is also Beta, In Draco, it’s Gamma, and in Sagittarius it’s Epsilon.
Well done again, John!
Peter Millar also got it right. Independently. Well done Peter as well.
15. NEW DIFFICULT TEASER
What’s next in this series: Pallas, Juno, Astraea, Iris, Parthenope
BTW, I’m NOT accusing anyone of using Chat GPT, or any other form of AI, but to be safe, and for my own satisfaction, I’m trying to make the questions as AI-proof as possible!
Remember, send answers to me only at my aol address: terrymosel@aol.com.
16. 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:
https://phys.org/news/2026-10-magnetar-born-neutron-stars.html
Astronomers want your help finding 'missing' black holes in the Milky Way | Space https://share.google/fZQC3vJx718qsh6i2
Lone, starless cloud may be a 'dark' galaxy https://share.google/dsH3vsmuijd2MjNHo
New study changes what we know about space dust
COSMOLOGY
James Webb Space Telescope discovers a 12.5 billion-year-old supernova erupting near the dawn of time | Live Science https://share.google/RZ8M1eFlUjtjwltmX
Aurora supercomputer powers two of the largest cosmological simulations to date https://share.google/AmZlASNncAAjf4YpR
EARTH & MOON
A supercomputer is about to launch to the moon aboard a rover named FLIP | Space https://share.google/xo8S7g1la7063biP3
UN says 1.5°C is over and world is on track for 2.8°C of global warming | New Scientist https://share.google/fuEw70DBKR4HJqcHB
"NASA has announced they will award SpaceX a contract to carry and deploy JAXA's/Toyota's Lunar Cruiser rover onto the Moon NET 2032! This is the first confirmation of a Lunar surface payload for Starship and a huge one that will pivot how we work and live on the Moon. https://t.co/i3c9NhnmkD" / X https://share.google/S88XjpIscwWCAOPw8
This rare meteorite is proof of a lost ancient planet that once roamed our solar system
EXOPLANETS
Scientists discover pair of giant 'super puffy planets' lighter than candy floss | Watch
Our galaxy could be filled with rogue planets wandering through space. This powerful spacecraft is tracking them down
IMAGES:
Cinematic timelapse of 13 billion years of space and time | Watch
Omega Centauri has 10 million gravitationally bound stars — see Hubble's view | Watch
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/science/astronomy/superkilonova-explodes-twice-in-stunning-animation/vi-AA2bW790?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=6ad2b24c8d5c418fbb60902a376fe8b5&ei=17
Webb telescope unveils 'treasure chest' in Carina Nebula | Watch
The Statue of Liberty Nebula: A Glowing Stellar Nursery NGC 3576, also known as the Statue of Liberty Nebula or ESO 129-EN5, is a bright emission nebula in the constellation Carina. Lying about 9,000 light-years away in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way, this vast https://t.co/FTx0PQkipp, https://share.google/umBF8IDaUsqffNV3w
The stunning "Elephant's Trunk" nebula, captured by amateur astronomer Kim Nam-gyu It is a bright section of the emission nebula and young star cluster IC 1396, located in the constellation Cepheus. The distance from Earth is 2,400 light-years. https://t.co/P8M9WT3wkS"https://share.google/blux1i0DpjgHGvTKJ
On the night side of Jupiter’s tortured moon Io, darkness gives way to a soft, eerie glow — not from its own volcanoes, but from sunlight bouncing off the giant planet itself. This is “Jupitershine,” gently lighting a world of constant eruptions and molten lava. Image data: https://t.co/F0U2yVmxSE https://share.google/PuZZA7AkOpFrSQIpR
SOLAR SYSTEM
NASA Experimental Mars Helicopter Blade Designs Target Longer Flights - NASA https://share.google/MDdIV9pJZ3LUu1cJK
NASA closes the book on epic OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission: 'I am immensely proud of what we did' | Space https://share.google/Qlp7vfJACHs82Tn4l
Neptune and Uranus appear to have significantly different chemical origins https://share.google/dZvwZHaVZ4NWj9k0E
Returning samples from a Mars moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission | Space https://share.google/gx9mTZbqMSDGWw0XQ
Oldest-known Martian meteorite holds clues to a watery past
This rare meteorite is proof of a lost ancient planet that once roamed our solar system
Martian moon space mission hopes to solve mystery of landing on Mars
SPACE
SpaceX will try catching Starship and its booster for first time, Musk says | The Verge https://share.google/9eANuligyMUGaE9fo
Blue Origin targets multiple New Glenn launches weekly by end of decade https://share.google/RV829RgP9XjtpeAEe
NASA has announced they will award SpaceX a contract to carry and deploy JAXA's/Toyota's Lunar Cruiser rover onto the Moon NET 2032! This is the first confirmation of a Lunar surface payload for Starship and a huge one that will pivot how we work and live on the Moon. https://t.co/i3c9NhnmkD" / X https://share.google/S88XjpIscwWCAOPw8
Returning samples from a Mars moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission | Space https://share.google/gx9mTZbqMSDGWw0XQ
Scientists set timetable for Mars landing in landmark search for origins of life
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES:
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope exceeds expectations by nearly 30% | ScienceDaily https://share.google/jyZI0SfFNzeyYdree
2,100 asteroids. 10 hours. Scientists weren't ready for what $1 billion telescope found. | Watch
FINAL WORD:
“The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - Johannes Kepler
17. 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
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