Saturday 14 September 2024

Opening Lecture, Subs due, Saturn, Jupiter, Equinox, Astrophoto winners, AOP, ISS, Event at CCP, Comet, TCrB, WSW

Hi all,

Please note: send all correspondence to me only at: terrymosel@aol.com  

 

1. Opening meeting of the IAA's New Season, Wed 18 September, 7.30 p.m., Larmor Lecture Theatre, P:hysics building, QUB: "The power of Integral-Field Spectroscopy in Astronomy"

 by Dr Marc Sarzi of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.

(This lecture will be aimed at a general audience, so don't be put off by the title!)

Synopsis
"ntegral-field spectroscopy (IFS) allows Astronomer to obtain optical spectral across the entire field of view of their telescopes. It was pioneered in the late 1990s and has now become a mainstream and incredibly powerful observing technique. Indeed, IFS observations allow to map the stellar and gaseous properties of extended objects such as galaxies, stellar clusters or galactic nebulae, providing key insights on their formation and evolution. In my talk I will provide several glaring examples from my own research at AOP showcasing the scientific power of IFS observations.

Biography:

Dr Marc Sarzi is Head of Research at the Armagh Observatory & Planetarium. He did his PhD between Padua and Heidelberg while working on supermassive black holes using the Hubble Space Telescope before moving to Durham and Oxford where he was part of the SAURON survey that pioneered the use of integral-field spectroscopy (IFS) in extra-galactic astronomy. He has since then continued to play a major role in several IFS studies, including ones based on the MUSE instrument on the ESO Very Large Telescope. His interests span all aspects of galaxy formation and evolution, which he studies mostly from an astro-archeological perspective through the details study of relatively nearby galaxies. 

 

2. IAA Annual Subscriptions. Subscriptions were due on 1 September. See  https://irishastro.org/join-the-iaa/
Membership of the IAA costs £20 (€25) per year for Individual Membership or £25 (€30) per year for Family Membership (all members of a family at one address) from September to August and entitles members to attend all IAA events including our regular speaker programme. Also, there are four issues of the IAA magazine "Stardust" produced annually and these will be delivered to your home address.

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 http://www.irishastro.org/ https://irishastro.org/

 

3. Saturn reaches Opposition .

Saturn has just passed opposition, and is at its best for observing during the current season. It is rising in Aquarius in the SE as the sky darkens, and is highest up around local midnight, although it's still fairly low in our skies. It's mag 0.7, with a disc diameter of 19".

Notice how narrow the rings are now! The angle is only 4 degrees They will gradually get narrower as Saturn approaches its 'equinox' next March, in other words its equator and ring plane will be edge on to the Sun, and therefore almost edge on to the Earth. Observe it for as long as possible to see just how narrow they get!

Also look out for some of its many moons, Titan (8m.3) is easy to see in any telescope, Rhea is also fairly easy at 9m.7. Tethys  (10m.2) and Dione (10m.8) are also fairly easy in a reasonable telescope. Enceladus (11m.7) and especially Mimas (12m.9) are challenging, but getting easier to see as the rings narrow and become less bright; they will be even easier to see next year as the rings narrow almost to invisibility.

Iapetus is always much brighter when at Western Elongation, when it reaches mag 10.0, and it's much further out from the planet than even Titan at its maximum: that next occurs on October 12.

 

4. Jupiter is well placed and brilliant!

It's now really bright in Taurus as it heads towards its opposition on 7 December. It's mag -2.2, with the disc diameter an impressive 42"

Even a 75mm telescope will show the Great Red Spot when it's on the or near the meridian. Binoculars will show the 4 big Galilean Moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, and a moderate telescope will show at least the start and end of their transits across the disc. That's because the edge of the planet is darker than the middle due to 'limb darkening', so the bright satellite shows up against the dark background. But when the satellite is near the middle of the disc, the contrast with the brighter background is much less, and it takes a big telescope and steady seeing to reveal the satellite.

However, the much darker shadows of the satellites are easy to see the whole way across the disc. Also interesting to watch, and easier to see, are the satellites entering and leaving eclipse in Jupiter's shadow, except very near opposition when this happens very close to the disc itself.

At the moment, the outer Moon, Callisto, does not undergo any of these phenomena, because of the orbital tilt at present, so it always passes just above or just below the disc of Jupiter each orbit.

 

5. AUTUMN EQUINOX, 22 September. The Sun will cross the equator southwards at 13.44 BST/IST, marking the start of Autumn.

There has been some recent dispute about the official dates of the seasons. But it's quite clear:

They start and end at the solstices and equinoxes.

Sources (among others)

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy

Essential of Astronomy, by Motz & Duveen

Macmillan Dictionary of Astronomy

www.timeanddate.com

www.rmg.co.uk

www.nationalgeographic.com

 

6. ASTROPHOTOGRPHER OF THE YEAR WINNER

And the Winner is.... Astronomy Photographers of the Year 2024 Announced - Universe Today

 See also: Astronomy Photographer of the Year | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)

 

7. NEWS FROM ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM:
New Dome Show: Our Night Sky, 2pm Tues - Sun
Have you ever looked up into the night sky and wondered 'what is that star called?' or 'how many constellations are there?' Created and produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, this interactive show will showcase the best of our night sky! It will showcase all our seasonal skies offer and let you ask all your stargazing questions. 

Our World From Space
One Saturday a Month
Embark on a captivating journey through the wonders of our home planet, as seen from space, at our family Our World from Space Club. 
Learn together with your child (perfect for KS2 children) in this fun and interesting club at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium!
Each session will involve learning in our digital theatre, an indoor activity and an outdoor activity.

 

8. ISS. The ISS is just starting a new series of good evening passes, which will continue until 30 September. See www.heavens_above.com for details

 

9. IAA/NDBWC Event,Crawfordsburn Country Park, 28 Sep

This new event is being run in conjunction with North Down Bird Watching Club at CrawfordsburnCountry Park, near Bangor. It will be in the 'Meadow Suite' at the Visitors Centre.

We will have the mobile planetarium / stardome, and will be running 4 star shows, at: 11am, 12noon, 1pm and 2pm. We will also be doing solar observing if its clear, and will have some telescopes and binoculars on display.

It will be too bright to see Aquila, Cygnus, or Corvus; Grus will be very low, and Columba, Pavo and Tucana will be below the horizon, but we may be able to spot a few other avians thanks to the bird watchers!

 

10. BRIGHT COMET?
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is not currently visible as it's too close to the Sun, but should become visible from the S. Hemisphere about 23 September, when we'll get an idea of its magnitude. It will be late September before we get a reasonable chance to see it from here.  It may become as bright as first magnitude in late September and early October. But as we all know, predicting comet magnitudes is notoriously difficult!

 

11. Recurrent Nova T Corona Borealis – We are still waiting! .

There were some reports on social media in early March that T CrB was due to explode again in the next week or two: I stuck my neck out, and said that we couldn't predict the next outburst with that degree of accuracy. That period has now passed, so I was right.

There have now been several more articles, saying much the same thing, and it still hasn't happened. The position remains the same - It could explode tomorrow – or not for another year or more! It's normally around magnitude 10 but in 1946 it faded to about 11 just before the outburst, but at outburst it reaches mag 2.0 or 2.5.

The first outburst was discovered by Irish astronomer John Birmingham in Tuam, Co Galway, in May 1866. Earlier archive observations indicate a possible previous outburst in 1217, 1787, 1866, as well as 1946. The eruptions in 1866 and February 1946, indicated an approximate 80 year period. BUT you can't assume a period from only 2 intervals ! However, in the year before the 1946 outburst, it dimmed to magnitude 12.3, and this has happened again recently, suggesting a possible outburst is imminent. BUT, once again, you can't predict from a single event!

Incidentally, the gap from 1217 to 1787, assuming some eruptions that were not observed, gives a

period of 95 years!

LATEST:

The prediction from the AAVSO was for the explosion to occur on 2024.4, +/- 0.3. Well, we're now past 2024.7, so the score is

AAVSO – 0, Terry Moseley -1!

As I've said many times, while there are records of several previous explosions, we only have a sample of one set of detailed observations of the pre-explosion stage – in 1946. And it's always dangerous to extrapolate from one set of observations!

   So, keep an eye on it - comparison charts can be found on the websites of the BAA Variable Star Section, or the AAVSO. The current magnitude is around 10, so you'll need a good telescope to see it now.

(BTW, don't confuse it with the other nearby famous variable star, R CrB, which does the opposite – it stays normally around 6th magnitude, but occasionally dims to as faint as magnitude 14 or 15!)

(And for comparison, the other not quite so well-known recurrent nova, RS Oph, was seen to, or is thought to have, erupted 9 times since 1898 – with intervals of approximately 9, 26, 12, 13, 9, 18, 21 and 18 years; so its period is by no means constant.)

Anyway, do keep an eye out – T CrB lies just outside the East side of the circle of the 'Crown', about a degree from Epsilon CrB, but you really do need charts to observe it properly. It's high in the SW as the bright twilight ends, about 25 degrees to the left of Arcturus.

It's at Declination: 25° 55′ 12.613″; R.A.: 15h 59m 30.1622s

See also https://www.facebook.com/share/39XnUDPUGgsnmMDG/

 

12. World Space Week: 4 – 10 October:

Events will be announced next bulletin

 

13. Mayo Dark Sky Festival, Newport, 2-3 November.
This is always a great event, with lots of activities in several centres.

 

14. ALAN 2025, 28 – 30 October 2025, Westport.

Preparations are under way for the 9th Scientific Conference on Artificial Light At Night, ALAN2025, from October 28-30, 2025, in Westport, Ireland. Our host will be Dark Sky Ireland. The invited speakers will be revealed soon, but we can already promise you interesting talks about science, governance, dark sky outreach, and lighting design.

   The conference offers a platform for interdisciplinary networking and exchange on the topics Biology & Ecology, Governance & Regulations, Health, Measurements & Modelling, Social Sciences & Humanities, Technology & Design.
   We welcome researchers, lighting professionals, policy makers, light pollution activists, and everybody who is interested in the effects of artificial light at night. The conference aims to present new findings, exchange experiences and ideas, network, and discuss hoe artificial light can be used with less negative impacts.

   I'm on the organising committee for this event, so I'll keep you posted regarding the programme.

   For more information check out our website at artificiallightatnight.org .

 

15. NEW DIFFICULT  TEASER

What's next in this sequence:  81, 770, 4200,  …?

No correct answers yet, so I'll give a clue: It's astronomical rather than mathematical.

Another clue – it's a ratio.

And another clue – the first figure, a ratio, is fairly well known – so take it from there!

And another – the first ratio is 1:81

And another: it's the ratio of an aspect of one body to another.

Another clue – they are Solar System bodies


16.  New Easy Teaser :

What does the number 12.368265923 represent? (It's only because I'm an absolute nerd that I give the figure to that degree of accuracy! If you take 12.368 it will be close enough!)

 

 Remember, only send answers to me at my aol address: terrymosel@aol.com.

 

17. 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:

Watch: Nearby star blows bubbles the size of 75 Suns (newatlas.com)

Space photo of the week: Milky Way's galactic twin captured by Dark Energy Camera (msn.com)

Astronomers discover new 'odd radio circle' near the center of our galaxy (msn.com)

Ancient grains of dust from space can be found on Earth − and provide clues about the life cycle of stars (msn.com)

Supercharged 'cocoon of energy' may power the brightest supernovas in the universe (msn.com)

Supermassive black holes have masses of more than a million suns – but their growth has slowed as the universe aged (msn.com)

James Webb Space Telescope captures never-before-seen star behavior | Watch (msn.com)

Gravitational waves hint at a 'supercool' secret about the Big Bang | Space

James Webb Space Telescope delivers amazing Horsehead Nebula imagery - See in 4K | Watch (msn.com)

Mysterious Space Object CWISE J1249 Shoots Through Galaxy at 1 Million MPH, Baffling NASA Scientists (msn.com)

Massive black hole has 'awakened' in galaxy SDSS1335+0728 | Watch (msn.com)

 

COSMOLOGY:
Cosmology may lead to new physics Cosmology is at a tipping point – we may be on the verge of discovering new physics (theconversation.com) 
The problems with the universe https://www.facebook.com/share/72AZd8eeRaHg9C93/
AI uncovers the universe's 'settings' with unprecedented precision, and it could help to resolve the Hubble tension (msn.com)
The universe had a secret life before the Big Bang, new study hints (msn.com) 
Gravitational waves offer new insights into the universe's origins (msn.com)
Gravitational waves hint at a 'supercool' secret about the Big Bang | Space
Heaviest antimatter particle ever discovered could hold secrets to our universe's origins (msn.com)
 
EARTH & MOON
Fantastic aurora video from Norway https://www.facebook.com/share/r/4CpRXAdCdTcYfqmC/
Artemis III Landing Sites Identified Using Mapping and Algorithm Techniques - Universe Today
Asteroid 'near-miss' (well, not really near!) 'Potentially hazardous' asteroid the size of a skyscraper to skim past Earth on Tuesday | Live Science
Astronomers discover oldest known eclipse reference in 6,000-year-old Hindu text | Space It's possible. However, all references to ancient eclipses must be treated with caution, as we do not know the value of Delta T with any accuracy that far back. Delta T is an adjustment for the varying rotation period of the Earth, and once we go back more than a few thousand years, the value gets increasingly imprecise. The effect is that the area where a total eclipse was visible may shift considerably either East or West around the globe. So those eclipses may or may not have been visible as totals in that area, or alternatively, a different eclipse on a different date might have been visible there.
'Everything we found shattered our expectations': Archaeologists discover 1st astronomical observatory from ancient Egypt (msn.com)
Nasa makes discovery 'as important as gravity' about Earth (msn.com)
Ancient grains of dust from space can be found on Earth − and provide clues about the life cycle of stars (msn.com)
Europe's JUICE probe snaps hi-res pics of Earth and the moon on its way to Jupiter (photos) (msn.com)
Sudden streak in South African sky revealed to be asteroid impact (msn.com) 
The moon was once covered by an ocean of molten rock, data from India's space mission suggests (msn.com) 
Scientists discover 'wonder material' in lunar samples that hint at Moon's true origins (msn.com) 
 
EXOPLANETS
Astronomers Detect 'Powerful Iron Winds' on Ultrahot World - Newsweek 
James Webb Space Telescope finds 6 wandering 'rogue' planets that formed just like stars (msn.com) and
James Webb captures stunning new image of planets that've 'gone rogue' (msn.com)
Giant exoplanet the size of 2 Jupiters has a hidden companion disturbing its orbit (msn.com)
 
IMAGES:
Fantastic aurora video from Norway https://www.facebook.com/share/r/4CpRXAdCdTcYfqmC/
Rocket size comparison https://youtu.be/SSNh5UGEETw 
James Webb Space Telescope spies interacting galaxies in amazing 2nd anniversary image | Watch (msn.com) 
See SpaceX fire up Starship's flight 4 Super Heavy booster in real-time and slow motion | Watch (msn.com) 
See the Milky Way's Sagittarius A* black hole in an amazing polarized Event Horizon Telescope image | Watch (msn.com)
Europe's JUICE probe snaps hi-res pics of Earth and the moon on its way to Jupiter (photos) (msn.com)
James Webb Space Telescope delivers amazing Horsehead Nebula imagery - See in 4K | Watch (msn.com)
JWST's incredible view of Crab Nebula James Webb Space Telescope's stunning view of the Crab Nebula - See in 4K | Watch (msn.com)
 
SOLAR SYSTEM 
Very interesting. You need to watch the video several times to take everything in Alien star could have side-swiped our solar system closer than Voyager (newatlas.com)
Mass concentrations under Martian volcanoes  https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2024-730.
'Giant Impact' 20x Size of Dino Killer Shifted Solar System's Largest Moon - Newsweek
NASA Europa Clipper Cleared to Explore Life on Jupiter Moon  - Newsweek 
https://www.europlanet-society.org/epsc2024-junocam-spots-new-volcano-on-active-io/ 
Thruster issues delay BepiColombo probe's Mercury arrival until November 2026 (msn.com)
Shelved NASA spacecraft could spy on asteroid Apophis before 2029 Earth flyby (msn.com) 
Europe's JUICE probe snaps hi-res pics of Earth and the moon on its way to Jupiter (photos) (msn.com) 
Space mining startup AstroForge aims to launch historic asteroid-landing mission in 2025 | Space
Curiosity rover finds unexpected pure sulphur crystals on Mars (msn.com)
 
SPACE

Watch: World's first private spacewalk (newatlas.com)

Japan's ispace will launch its 2nd lunar lander to the moon in December (msn.com)

Polaris Dawn crew flies higher than 1966 Gemini 11 orbital record | Space

Crew of SpaceX's Polaris Dawn complete first commercial spacewalk (msn.com)

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/spacex-will-start-launching-starships-to-mars-in-2026-elon-musk-says/ar-AA1qcpEH?ocid=socialshare&pc=DCTS&cvid=46b70664182c4355b5f386bca89f3711&ei=120 And what are the crew going to do? An 8-month trip to get there, and a minimum of 2 years from their landing until another starship can arrive? How and where are they going to survive on Mars for at least two years? Food, water, oxygen for two years? Plus enough heat to survive the bitter Martian nights? In fact, except for the equatorial region, near noon, and when Mars is near perihelion, they will ALWAYS need heat! He'll need to also send in advance at least one, maybe two, extra uncrewed starships with a habitation module, extra supplies, and probably a substantial nuclear powered heating system. Even then, the crew will be at risk from solar and cosmic radiation, and meteor impacts.

Virgin Galactic's Delta spaceship is 'start of a spaceline' - See the design | Watch (msn.com)

See NASA's future Gateway space station in this amazing animation | Watch (msn.com)

Hard blow: spacecraft to return without its astronauts (msn.com)

 

SUN

Sunspots surge to 23-year high as solar maximum continues to intensify far beyond initial expectations | Live Science As I said many times, it was both foolish and premature to predict that the current solar max would be much lower even than the last one, and predictions of the onset of another Maunder Minimum were just ridiculous.

 

TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES

Work starts on machine to solve one of science's biggest mysteries – UKRI

Interesting and informative. How the last 25 years led to the rise of mega-telescopes (msn.com)

'Everything we found shattered our expectations': Archaeologists discover 1st astronomical observatory from ancient Egypt (msn.com)

FINAL WORD:  

"The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - Johannes Kepler

 

18. 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 http://www.irishastro.org/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


 

Wednesday 21 August 2024

MOON OCCULTS SATURN TONIGHT, AOP News, ISS, Comet, Lectures, TCrB latest, Teasers, more

Hi all,

Please note: send all correspondence to me only at: terrymosel@aol.com  

 

1. Moon occults Saturn, 21 August, 04.25 BST

This rare and spectacular event will occur in the not-so-early hours of the morning, but will be well worth getting up for. The Moon will be just past full, so disappearance will be at the bright limb, and it will reappear from behind the dark limb at about 05.05 BST. Those times are approximate, and will depend on your exact location, so start your observing at least 10 minutes before those times to be safe.

   You'll need a telescope with a reasonable magnification to see the event properly, otherwise Saturn will be obscured by the light from the much brighter Moon.

Also note the difference in disc brightness – although Saturn has a much higher albedo than the Moon, it is very much further away, so its disc will appear fainter than that of the Moon.

  They will be getting low in the SW by the time of reappearance, so make sure you have a clear view in that direction.

 

2. The Robots are at Armagh Planetarium!
An Exhibition of Robots, Cyborgs and Androids

   The Robot Touring Exhibition showcases memorable and iconic robots from Science-Fiction movies and TV shows, highlighting their role in storytelling and exploring how they represent our changing relationship with technology. Visitors are invited to explore the past, present, and future of robots in Science-Fiction and consider how these machines might shape our world in the years to come.
   The Robot Exhibition will give you a chance to get up close and personal with a cast of full-size heroic robots, vintage tin toys, and sculptures in all shapes and sizes from comics, books and the silver screen over the past 40 years – around every corner lurks another metallic star!

   Open Tues - Sun in August
(Open Bank Holiday Mon 5th Aug and 26th Aug)

 

3. MORE NEWS FROM ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM:
New Dome Show: Our Night Sky, 2pm Tues - Sun
Have you ever looked up into the night sky and wondered 'what is that star called?' or 'how many constellations are there?' Created and produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, this interactive show will showcase the best of our night sky! It will showcase all our seasonal skies offer and let you ask all your stargazing questions. 

Our World From Space
One Saturday a Month
Embark on a captivating journey through the wonders of our home planet, as seen from space, at our family Our World from Space Club. 
Learn together with your child (perfect for KS2 children) in this fun and interesting club at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium!
Each session will involve learning in our digital theatre, an indoor activity and an outdoor activity.

 

4. ISS. The ISS will start a new series of morning passes on 24 August. See www.heavens_above.com for details

 

5. COMET
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently around 8th magnitude in Southern Leo, but may become as bright as first magnitude in the autumn. But as we all know, predicting comet magnitudes is notoriously difficult!

 

6. Paul Bates' Astronomy & Physics Lectures at BMC

Class enrolments are now open at the Belfast Met for the evening classes in GCSE Astronomy and GCSE Physics, beginning in September 2024.

The Physics course contains a limited amount of astronomy content whereas the Astronomy course spends the entire academic year delving into the details of the subject.  

   Website URLs link to the course enrolment website.

GCSE Physics (Tuesday evening 6pm to 8:30pm, September 2024 to June 2025)

https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p00371-aa/gcse-physics-ccea-evening/

GCSE Astronomy (Thursday evening 6pm to 8:30pm, September 2024 to June 2025)

https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p00700-aa/pearson-edexcel-gcse-in-astronomy/

 

7. Recurrent Nova T Corona Borealis – We are still waiting! .

You may have read in some social media in early March that T CrB was due to explode again in the next week or two: I stuck my neck out, and said that we couldn't predict the next outburst with that degree of accuracy. That period has now passed, so I was right.

There have now been several more articles, saying much the same thing, and it still hasn't happened. The position remains the same - It could explode tomorrow – or not for another year or more! It's normally around magnitude 10 but in 1946 it faded to about 11 just before the outburst, but at outburst it reaches mag 2.0 or 2.5.

The first outburst was discovered by Irish astronomer John Birmingham in Tuam, Co Galway, in May 1866. Earlier archive observations indicate a possible previous outburst in 1217, 1787, 1866, as well as 1946. The eruptions in 1866 and February 1946, indicated an approximate 80 year period. BUT you can't assume a period from only 2 intervals ! However, in the year before the 1946 outburst, it dimmed to magnitude 12.3, and this has happened again recently, suggesting a possible outburst is imminent. BUT, once again, you can't predict from a single event!

Incidentally, the gap from 1217 to 1787, assuming some eruptions that were not observed, gives a

period of 95 years!

LATEST

The latest prediction from the AAVSO was for the explosion to occur on 2024.4, +/- 0.3. Well, we're now at 2024.7, so according to them, it's just about to happen! But, as I've said many times, while there are records of several previous explosions, we only have a sample of one set of detailed observations of the pre-explosion stage – in 1946. And it's always dangerous to extrapolate from one set of observations!

   So it's certainly well worth keeping an eye on it - comparison charts can be found on the websites of the BAA Variable Star Section, or the AAVSO. The current magnitude is around 10, so you'll need a good telescope to see it now.

(BTW, don't confuse it with the other nearby famous variable star, R CrB, which does the opposite – it stays normally around 6th magnitude, but occasionally dims to as faint as magnitude 14 or 15!)

(And for comparison, the other not quite so well-known recurrent nova, RS Oph, was seen to, or is thought to have, erupted 9 times since 1898 – with intervals of approximately 9, 26, 12, 13, 9, 18, 21 and 18 years; so its period is by no means constant.)

Anyway, do keep an eye out – T CrB lies just outside the East side of the circle of the 'Crown', about a degree from Epsilon CrB, but you really do need charts to observe it properly. It's high in the SW as the bright twilight ends, about 25 degrees to the left of Arcturus. It's at Declination: 25° 55′ 12.613″; R.A.: 15h 59m 30.1622s

 

8. The first meeting of the IAA's New Season will be on Wed 18 September, and wll be given by Dr Marc Sarzi of Armagh Observatory. More details later.

 

9. NEW DIFFICULT  TEASER

What's next in this sequence:  81, 770, 4200,  …?

No correct answers yet, so I'll give a clue: It's astronomical rather than mathematical.

Another clue – it's a ratio.

And another clue – the first figure, a ratio, is fairly well known – so take it from there!

And another – the first ratio is 1:81

And another: it's the ratio of an aspect of one body to another.


10.  New Easy Teaser:

What comes next in this sequence? AADFJJJMMN ?

Clue – it relates to something we all know very very well.

 

 Remember, only send answers to me at my aol address: terrymosel@aol.com.

 

11. 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:

James Webb Space Telescope adds to the confusing drama of Hubble tension (msn.com)

Dark Energy Camera's new galactic portrait delves into dark-matter central (msn.com)

'Final parsec problem' that makes supermassive black holes impossible to explain could finally have a solution (msn.com)

 

COSMOLOGY:
Do we live in a giant void? It could solve the puzzle of the universe's expansion (msn.com)
 
EARTH & MOON
Scientists pinpoint where dinosaur-killing meteor came from (msn.com) 
 
EXOLIFE:
Astrobiologist explains Perseverance rover's possible detection of ancient Mars life | Space
 
EXOPLANETS
The discovery of a new Earth-like planet could shed further light on what makes a planet habitable (msn.com) 
 
IMAGES:
See China's Chang'e-6 land on far side of the moon in descent imagery time-lapse | Watch (msn.com) 
 
SOLAR SYSTEM 
Perseverance Mars rover begins 820-foot climb up 'Witch Hazel Hill' (msn.com) 
Is asteroid Psyche actually a planetary core? James Webb Space Telescope results cast doubt (msn.com) 
Mars could host life in vast liquid oceans – but there's a problem (msn.com) 
 
SPACE

Here's what Boeing Starliner astronauts are doing on the ISS as NASA works on their ride home | Space

 

TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES

How a quantum sensor on the ISS could revolutionize space exploration (msn.com)

FINAL WORD:  

"The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - Johannes Kepler

 

18. 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 http://www.irishastro.org/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

 

Friday 21 June 2024

BBQ Sat, Early Solstice, NLCs, Asteroid Day, Kids' stars, AOP, CAC trip, Photocomp, Irish astronaut

Hi all,

Please note: send all correspondence to me only at: terrymosel@aol.com  

 

1. Midsummer BBQ and Visit to OM /Davagh Observatory, 22 June

 

NB – NOTE CHANGE OF TIMING

  * This is the first Dark Sky Park and public observatory in N. Ireland. It's set in a hollow in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains, just inside Davagh Forest Park. Ewe had a very successful visit there this time last year.

 *  Because of our association with them and help in designing the observatory, we're getting a special price for the visit and tour. This will be only £4 per person, and at that rate we can't offer any further concession discounts. That will also include the BBQ facilities, but you BYO food etc!

 * Partners & friends are also always welcome, and non-members too,

 * Provisional timetable: Arrive about 2 p.m. .

NEW  * The tour of the Visitors' Centre and Observatory is now booked for 2.30 p.m., The BBQ will follow after the tour which lasts about 40 mts

 * BBQ: - About 3.30 p.m . There are several purpose built BBQ areas at the far end of the car park. But there may not be enough seating for everyone, so if you have folding camping chairs or stools, and folding tables for your items, bring them.

 * We will provide at least enough BBQ cooking area for most people, but if you have a portable BBQ, you can bring it to be safe, even if you don't need to use it.

 * NB: All guests must bring their own consumables (food, drink, sauces etc), cutlery, plates, plastic cups/glasses etc.

  * Solar observing: OM/Davagh have at least one Coronado solar scope, but we will also have our own solar observing equipment, and you're welcome to bring your own if you wish, if the weather is suitable.

  * The other local attraction is the nearby Beaghmore Stone Circle complex, which may have an astronomical alignment. There's a proper walkway from the Observatory/VC to Beaghmore, with a scale model of the SS along the way. That takes about 40 minutes to walk each way, and it takes about 30 mts to see the site, so there would hardly be time for most people to walk there and back.

  * So the if there is interest, we can arrange an optional trip there by cars after we have finished at OM. I can do a guided tour there, as I have done at their request about half a dozen times at the solstice. That would be on the way home for most people, so it would make sense to travel there from OM in your own transport.

  * Weather: Obviously unpredictable at this stage but there's some shelter from the trees at the BBQ site if there's a shower. The VC has a snack area with tea, coffee, soft drinks confectionary etc, but no hot food. There's limited indoor seating for consuming those, and they would turn a blind eye if we ate our own sandwiches there, as long as we bought a drink and, say, a snack bar, from them as well.

  * You may wish to bring insect repellent, in case the midges are active!

  * Getting there: allow about 90 minutes from Belfast going via M1, Dungannon and Cookstown. For anyone on the N side of Belfast, the best route is via the M2 to the Castledawson Roundabout, then Tobermore and Draperstown; or Castledawson Rbt, Magherafelt, Desertmartin and Draperstown. It's signposted from Draperstown onwards.

  * For those coming from elsewhere, you can approach it from either Cookstown or Omagh or Magherafelt. Once you're off the main roads, it's twisty hilly mountain roads, so allow about 20 minutes from each of those towns. It's well signposted (brown tourist signs) in the area.

  * The car park is at: N 54.71977, W -6.91674

 * The point at which all the access roads converge is: N 54.71902, W -6.94807, so that's where you have to aim for.

* The Beaghmore Stone Circles are at N 54. 70147, W – 6.93672

 * PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY RETURN if you are planning to attend, and how many will be in your group. If you have not already paid, you can pay on the day.

 

2. Summer Solstice, June 20, 21.51, BST /IST

AN UNUSUALLY EARLY START TO SUMMER: This Summer Solstice marked the earliest start to the summer season in 228 years! In 1796, the solstice also occurred on June 20th, but at 18:41 Greenwich Time -- two hours and 10 minutes earlier than this year.

During the 20th century, the solstice usually occurred on June 21st or very occasionally, the 22nd. Because the year 2000 was a century year equally divisible by 400, it was observed as a leap year, thus causing the date of the solstice to occur one day earlier compared to previous years.

But it's mainly an artefact of our calendar system, which tries to compensate for the fact that there's not an exact number of days in a year. And it's not even exactly 365.25. It's 365.24219, or 365d 5h 48m 45.216s.

And then there's the sidereal year, which is 365.25636 days long....

If I had been designing the Solar System I'd have done things a bit more accurately!

See https://www.iflscience.com/why-the-2024-summer-solstice-will-be-the-earliest-for-228-years-74695?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR00VxWf51cMyE3zm-1r7EB9W2GswTkG_nn5a_ZQ10xo6SjiCB82i3P8Ew4_aem_ae4UIruWaOu8W_8cVlUX3Q

 

3. NLCs

The season for seeing this beautiful, ethereal, high level atmospheric phenomena has started. There have been a few sightings of faint displays of these silvery 'night-shining' clouds recently. They can be seen occasionally into mid – to late July, around local midnight. Look low in the North when the sky has got dark: quite often they will be seen in the region of Capella. They are caused by the Sun shining on very high altitude particles resulting from meteoric dust in the upper atmosphere. They are visible when the Sun is too far below the horizon to shine on ordinary 'tropospheric clouds'. Any smartphone should capture nice images of them, but obviously proper photographic equipment is even better.

 

4. Asteroid Day, 30 June

 

5. KIDS IAU Collaborates with LEGO on Funstellation Campaign
From 23 May to 31 July, the International Astronomical Union (IAU)  and LEGO Group are joining forces to encourage kids all over the world to reimagine the night sky. 
   Throughout history, constellations have been defined by explorers, calendar makers, and cultures that imprinted their traditions on the stars. Today, astronomers officially recognise 88 constellations in the Northern and Southern hemispheres that have evolved from different culture's interpretations of the night sky. Constellations tell stories: they are used to represent rituals, mythologies, historical events and important aspects of everyday life. 
   Along with the IAU, LEGO Group encourages children worldwide to bring their unique creative lens to our view of the stars. To celebrate children's curiosity about the future of space, both the IAU and the LEGO Group are asking them to reimagine the night sky with their Funstellations: fun constellations they design as they look up.
   Didac Phi, Associate Master Builder at the LEGO House, believes in the power of children's creativity to understand our Universe:  "Children are our inspiration for play and creativity. With so much of the Universe yet to be explored, there's no science to say that what they create isn't possible or doesn't exist already." Through their Funstellations, children are encouraged to probe their understanding of our Universe and explore the cosmos from the comfort of their own minds.
   Tomorrow's astronomers and explorers can download a sky map at LEGO.com/Space and join the dots together to show what object or shape they can see in the stars – maybe it's a pizza cowboy, a dancing dinosaur, or perhaps a giant mushroom holding a teacup. As they look up at the night sky, kids can imagine their own story through their new Funstellation and submit their creations to LEGO.com/Space. All entrants will be awarded a certificate of participation, and some Funstellations will be highlighted through the IAU's social media accounts.
   Debra Elmegreen, President of the International Astronomical Union, says, "We are excited to tap the unbridled creativity of children through this collaboration by encouraging them to look up at the night sky and think about the stars. The next generation of scientists and space explorers will shape how we understand and interact with the Universe. With this project, we hope to give them a head start."
   This project reminds us of the importance of protecting our dark skies from light pollution. Recent research using data collected from citizen scientists has shown that the night sky is brightening at an alarming rate; if light pollution is left unabated, future generations may not have access to a starry night sky. Through this collaboration, the IAU and LEGO hope to demonstrate the importance of preserving an astronomical legacy for generations to come, driven by the curiosity and creativity of today's children.
 
Head to the LEGO Space website for more information about how to participate!
 

6. NEWS FROM ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM:
New Dome Show: Our Night Sky, 2pm Tues - Sun
Have you ever looked up into the night sky and wondered 'what is that star called?' or 'how many constellations are there?' Created and produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, this interactive show will showcase the best of our night sky! It will showcase all our seasonal skies offer and let you ask all your stargazing questions. 

Our World From Space
One Saturday a Month
Embark on a captivating journey through the wonders of our home planet, as seen from space, at our family Our World from Space Club. 
Learn together with your child (perfect for KS2 children) in this fun and interesting club at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium!
Each session will involve learning in our digital theatre, an indoor activity and an outdoor activity.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is seeking an ICT Officer to work with the ICT Manager to support a broad range of ICT operations at AOP.  Further information is available at:

Opportunities - Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

armagh.space

favicon.ico

The closing date for applications is Friday 21 June 2024. For further information please contact hr@armagh.ac.uk

 

7. Connemara AC Trip to Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork

CAC are super excited about their upcoming day trip to Blackrock Castle Observatory on the 19th July

  If you would like to come or know anyone who would like to go, please email them at  connemaraastronomyclub@gmail.com

If they have the numbers they will get a bus. 

Blackrock Castle Observatory, TBC https://www.bco.ie/

 

8. Vote for your favourite astrophoto in DIAS competition

The shortlisted images have now been posted at this link, and you can vote for your favourite one at.

www.reachforthestars.ie. Half a dozen of my friends are among the shortlisted entries, but I can't say who I voted for!

 

9. Congratulations to Dr Norah Patton who will be the first Irish person in space

I'm delighted that my good friend Norah has been selected as one of 3 crew to fly on a science flight with the new Virgin Galactic craft in 2026. The International Institute for Astronautical Sciences team will do various experiments, including bio-medicine, on the sub-orbital flight. Norah is originally from Ballina in Mayo, but is now living and working in Dublin.

 

10. COMET
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently around 10th magnitude in Virgo, moving slowly towards Leo, but may become as bright as first magnitude in the autumn. But as we all know, predicting comet magnitudes is notoriously difficult!

 

11. Paul Bates' Astronomy & Physics Lectures at BMC

Class enrolments are now open at the Belfast Met for the evening classes in GCSE Astronomy and GCSE Physics, beginning in September 2024.

The Physics course contains a limited amount of astronomy content whereas the Astronomy course spends the entire academic year delving into the details of the subject.  

   Website URLs link to the course enrolment website.

GCSE Physics (Tuesday evening 6pm to 8:30pm, September 2024 to June 2025)

https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p00371-aa/gcse-physics-ccea-evening/

GCSE Astronomy (Thursday evening 6pm to 8:30pm, September 2024 to June 2025)

https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p00700-aa/pearson-edexcel-gcse-in-astronomy/

 

12, ISS. The ISS will start a new series of morning passes on 28 June. See www.heavens_above.com for details

 

13. Recurrent Nova T Corona Borealis.

You may have read in some social media in early March that T CrB was due to explode again in the next week or two: I stuck my neck out, and said that we couldn't predict the next outburst with that degree of accuracy. That period has now passed, so I was right.

There have now been several more reports, saying much the same thing. The position remains the same -  It could explode tomorrow – or not for another year or more! It's normally around magnitude 10, but at outburst it reaches mag 2.0 or 2.5.

The first outburst was discovered by Irish astronomer John Birmingham in Tuam, Co Galway, in May 1866. Earlier archive observations indicate a possible previous outburst in about 1787. It erupted again in February 1946, indicating an approximate 80 year period. BUT you can't assume a period from only 2 intervals ! However, in the year before the 1946 outburst, it dimmed to magnitude 12.3, and this has happened again recently, suggesting a possible outburst is imminent. BUT, once again, you can't predict from a single event!

So it's certainly well worth keeping an eye on it - comparison charts can be found on the websites of the BAA Variable Star Section, or the AAVSO.

(BTW, don't confuse it with the other nearby famous variable star, R CrB, which does the opposite – it stays normally around 6th magnitude, but occasionally dims to as faint as magnitude 14 or 15!)

(And for comparison, the other not quite so well-known recurrent nova, RS Oph, was seen, or is thought to have, erupted 9 times since 1898 – with intervals of approximately 9, 26, 12, 13, 9, 18, 21 and 18 years; so its period is by no means constant.)

Anyway, do keep an eye out – T CrB lies just outside the East side of the circle of the 'Crown', about a degree from Epsilon CrB, but you really do need charts to observe it properly. It's rising in the NE as the bright twilight ends, about 25 degrees to the left of Arcturus. It's at Declination: 25° 55′ 12.613″; R.A.: 15h 59m 30.1622s

 

14. NEW DIFFICULT  TEASER

What's next in this sequence:  81, 770, 4200,  …?

No correct answers yet, so I'll give a clue: It's astronomical rather than mathematical.

Another clue – it's a ratio.

And another clue – the first figure, a ratio, is fairly well known – so take it from there!

 

15. NEW EASY TEASER

What's next in this sequence: Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter….?

Clue: It's not something to do with the actual physical nature of the planets themselves.

Another clue: Don't be going round in circles trying to find the answer.

 

 Remember, only send answers to me 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:

Most distant and intense FRB https://www.facebook.com/share/wbM84GraKmNnpj6q/
Astronomers witness ravenous black hole lighting up the center of a galaxy | Science | AAAS
Bipolar jets https://www.facebook.com/share/p/cCYEQatkuA55cxw2/

The universe's biggest explosions made some of the elements we are composed of. But there's another mystery source out there | Space

Scientists spot mysterious object at the center of our Milky Way (msn.com)

Could nearby stars have habitable exoplanets? NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory hopes to find out | Space

The inner MW is thinner than it should be  https://www.facebook.com/share/ttG75BVYhRw4xNX7/
The Sun's sister https://www.facebook.com/share/7zm4K7gV4KKyD9SL/
JWST finds lots of early supernovae https://www.facebook.com/share/uYgB9jJzU6jUQ6ea/

  

COSMOLOGY:
A quantum explanation of cosmology? https://www.iflscience.com/is-reality-a-game-of-quantum-mirrors-a-new-theory-suggests-it-might-be-60375?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1C73HOYCOZUE0ksIPCb-VaFRS38ebAKZnvs5UCd1AENBndPwEB8CRIDcs_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw If this theory explains quantum entanglement, it gets my vote!
 
EARTH & MOON
Earth's water is older than the Sun https://www.facebook.com/share/Ce2hgfXGGbXzafhR/
Quantum measurement of Earth's spin https://www.iflscience.com/quantum-entanglement-used-to-measure-earths-rotation-for-the-first-time-74696?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0wEKCksf8ZtqTyG_Qv_bJL2_8uWkCrQrRegbA-AOq0LeJBAGZyPrbSDVI_aem_M374T4Pzcd27QIW5v8b-wQ
Apophis close miss – latest: https://www.facebook.com/share/TwKxpk8USKii2ZQB/
Scientists discover gigantic 'structure' under the surface of the Moon (msn.com)
NASA will put a 'new star' in the sky by the end of the decade in 1st-of-its-kind mission (msn.com) 
Earth's rotating inner core is starting to slow down — and it could alter the length of our days | Live Science 
 
EXOLIFE:
Is there life on one of Saturn's moons? Scientists plan a mission to find out (msn.com)
 
SOLAR SYSTEM 
Video: "Impossible" frost found on Martian mountains (newatlas.com) 
Planet Nine: Is the search for this elusive world nearly over? | Live Sciencew
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover enters new Red Planet territory — 'Bright Angel' | Space
Secrets of Jupiter's Great Red Spot revealed. Secrets of Jupiter's Great Red Spot Revealed - Newsweek
'1st of its kind': NASA spots unusually light-colored boulder on Mars that may reveal clues of the planet's past (msn.com)
Thousands of tonnes of water frost discovered on Mars (msn.com) 
Is there life on one of Saturn's moons? Scientists plan a mission to find out (msn.com)
The 1st 'major lunar standstill' in more than 18 years is about to occur. Here's how to see it. | Live Science
 
SPACE
Voyager 1 Is Back! NASA Spacecraft Safely Resumes All Science Observations | Scientific American
NASA, Boeing delay Starliner astronaut landing to June 26 amid thruster issues | Space
SpaceX will attempt to 'catch' Starship rocket at next launch (msn.com) 

 

TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES

Vera C. Rubin Observatory: The groundbreaking mission to make a 10-year, time-lapse movie of the universe | Live Science and https://www.facebook.com/share/Ruo3h8qCXdpAMv9u/

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 http://www.irishastro.org/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