Hi all,
1. IAA Lecture, 23 Jan: 'Exploring Alien Worlds: How to find Life in the Universe', by Dr Neale Gibson, QUB
Synopsis: The discovery of thousands of exoplanets in our Galaxy has revolutionised our understanding of planetary systems; however, we still know very little about the planets themselves. Transiting planets, those that periodically eclipse their host stars, play a special role in our understanding of exoplanets. They are the only exoplanets for which we can measure the mass and radius, and therefore obtain the bulk density and composition. They also allow us to characterise their atmospheres in detail. This is necessary to understand the composition and physics of planetary atmospheres as well as their formation and evolution, and ultimately to search for atmospheric constituents in terrestrial planets that may indicate the presence of life, so called 'biomarkers'. The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) - Hubble's successor - in (hopefully) 2021 heralds a new era in our understanding of exoplanets and their atmospheres. I will discuss our current understanding of exoplanet atmospheres, and what we will learn with JWST and other next-generation facilities.
Biog: Dr Gibson is a Lecturer and Royal Society University Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast. He was previously a fellow at the European Southern Observatory in Germany, and a postdoc at the University of Oxford. His work aims to improve our ability to observe the atmospheres of extrasolar planets. Long term, he hopes to use these techniques to search for so-called 'biomarkers' - signs of life - in exoplanet systems, as well as explore the diversity of planets in our galaxy and improve our understanding of atmospheric physics and planet formation.
Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building , QUB, 7.30pm
All welcome. Free admission, including light refreshments.
2. Venus and Jupiter in the morning sky. Brilliant Venus is still easily visible in the morning sky, with fainter (but still bright) Jupiter lower down in the twilight, Venus will pass less than 3 degrees above Jupiter on Jan 21 – 23.
3. Total Lunar Eclipse, 21 January - review.
This was the first TLE to be entirely visible from Ireland since 28 Sep 2015, and the weather varied over Ireland and GB. Most people saw at least some of the eclipse, and most saw some of totality, although often through thin cloud or mist, which spoiled the view. As the moon got lower the cloud generally thickened, and the end of totality was not seen by many. Still, it was better than nothing. Some good photos were taken even in Ireland, including by Daniel Lynch, but a Google search will show some superb ones, mainly from America where the moon was high up.
NEXT Lunar eclipses. There has been a lot of erroneous and misleading information on the internet and the media about next lunar eclipses! "Ireland's best-known astronomer" (his words, not mine) stated that we wouldn't see another complete TLE until 2032. Wrong. We'll see all of the TLE on 2029 Dec 20, w.p. obviously. And we'll also see at least some of the total stages of TLE's on 2022 May 26; 2025 Mar 14; 2028 Dec 31; and 2029 June 26, although in all those cases the Moon will be low down during totality.
There are also another 6 Partial Lunar Eclipses, all or part of which are visible from here.
All the above information applies to Belfast, but is generally true for the whole of Ireland. I'll give more details in my next Bulletin.
4. ISS. The ISS will commence a new series of evening passes on 23 January Details for your own location, and lots more info on space and astronomy, on www.heavens-above.com.
If you want to check for transits of the ISS across the Sun or the Moon which occur somewhere near you, visit http://transit-finder.com
5. The Galway Astronomy Festival takes place on Saturday January 26th, 2019. The festival takes place in The Harbour Hotel, New Docks Road, Galway.
There are great speakers this year, and usually some great bargains on telescopes and other astro items. Well worth attending. See https://www.galwayastronomyclub.ie/event/galway-astronomy-festival-2019/
7. International Day of Women in Science / Women and Girls in Astronomy Day 11 Feb
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated each year on 11 February and was adopted by the United Nations to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.
The IAU100 strongly encourages the organization of activities throughout 2019, especially events organised around February as the perfect opportunity to celebrate girls and women in astronomy - by encouraging girls to consider careers in astronomy and by celebrating women astronomers. We encourage everyone to get involved with the Women and Girls in Astronomy Day by running events in your local community. This can include public talks, activities, workshops, and more.
Under the theme "Inclusive Astronomy" the IAU100 celebrations will organise a wide array of global activities and events throughout the year to promote inclusivity, equity, and diversity in astronomy. These events will kick off around 11 February 2019 with the celebration of the IAU100 Women and Girls in Astronomy Day within the framework of the United Nations' International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate girls and women in astronomy by encouraging girls to consider careers in astronomy and by celebrating women astronomers. We encourage everyone to get involved with the Women and Girls in Astronomy Day by running events in your local community.
Read more: https://www.iau-100.org/women-and-girls-in-astronomy-day
8. NEW. NI Science Festival, February 14 – 24. Various events in various locations throughout N.I. See https://www.nisciencefestival.com/
The programme includes "Cosmic Cuilcagh" at the Marble Arch Caves Visitors Centre on Feb 22, which will be delivered by several members of the IAA. This is a superb dark sky location, so if there are clear skies the viewing will be superb.
9. NEW https://www.bshm.ac.uk/events/spots-and-butterflies-sun-annie-maunder-solar-astronomer
10. Centenary of IAU in 2019: IAU100: Uniting our World to Explore the Universe
In 2019, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the IAU will organize a year-long celebration to expand awareness of a century of astronomical discoveries as well as to support and improve the use of astronomy as a tool for education, development, and diplomacy under the central theme "Uniting our World to Explore the Universe". The celebrations will stimulate worldwide interest in astronomy and science and will reach out to the global astronomical community, national science organizations and societies, policy-makers, students and families, and the general public.
NEW IAU100 Celebrations around the World for details for your own country, check the link below.
With Astronomy events of all kinds, including national and cultural events, the IAU100 is engaging with different communities worldwide. Meet the IAU100 National Committees and learn more about the people who are here to support you during the 2019 celebrations. For the UK, it's Prof Robert Walsh, originally from Belfast, but now at U of Central Lancs (who gave a great talk to the IAA in Belfast some years ago); and for ROI it's the indefatigable Clair McSweeney from BCO in Cork. See https://www.sciencespace.ie/celebrating-100-years-of-the-international-astronomical-union-ireland/
Read more: https://www.iau-100.org/national-committees
11. NEW Turn on the Night Educational Kit
The IAU100 Global Project Dark Skies for All project aims to raise awareness of the need to preserve quiet, dark skies and claim the right for future generations to continue to access our true night skies. The IAU100 is issuing a call for proposals to receive the "Turn on the Night" educational kit and encourages educators, astronomy professionals, and enthusiasts around the world to apply.
Throughout the IAU100 Global Program, about 200 educators around the world will be able to have this kit at production cost. Around 50 additional kits will be attributed and distributed for free by the IAU100 Secretariat to those who cannot afford the production cost. To apply for these IAU100 special conditions, please submit the completed application by 1 March 2019.
More information here: https://www.iau-100.org/darkskies-for-all
12. NEW Call for Participation in the Open Astronomy Schools Project
The Open Astronomy Schools project will build teachers' capacity to deal with scientific topics and teaching techniques by organising teacher training worldwide that enables the development of scientific literacy and acquisition of modern teaching skills. The call for proposals is targeted at providing seed funding (up to 500 Euros) and basic support to stimulate teacher training workshops in developing regions. This funding to support the OAS activities that can be used to produce materials to distribute to workshop participants or travel/subsistence support for teachers to attend the workshop.
The call for proposals will be open until the end of the IAU100 celebrations. Proposals requesting funds have to be submitted by 28 February 2019 at 11:00 pm UTC. All applicants requesting financial support will receive feedback regarding the decision in March 2019.
Find more information here: https://www.iau-100.org/teacher-training-call
Official Website: https://open-astronomy-schools.org/
13. NEW IAU100 Amateur Astronomy Day Event on 13 April 2019 in Brussels
On Saturday 13 April 2019 at the Palace of the Academies in Brussels, Belgium, the International Astronomical Union will organise its first event for amateur astronomers. With an inspirational full-day event that will include NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld, renowned scientists involved in hot topics in astronomy and presentations from the amateur astronomical community. With this event, the IAU aims to further build the relationship between amateur astronomers, their organizations and the IAU. The IAU100 Secretariat hereby invites amateur astronomers to engage with the event by attending and/or sharing their work as an amateur astronomer.
You can find more information here: https://www.iau-100.org/amateur-astronomers-day
14. European Week of Astronomy and Space Science
Date: 24 – 28 June 2019
Location: Lyon, France
More information: https://eas.unige.ch//EWASS/
15. Another Tunguska event in June 2019?
No need to book a holiday to Siberia – if any sizeable objects do arrive at our planet, they could come at any time of day (or night?), and at any place on Earth. But if you want to maximise your chances of seeing anything, you should aim to be somewhere with the maximum amount of clear sky.
16. Starmus V — Star-studded Lineup for 2019
Created by Garik Israelian, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), the Starmus Festival is a combination of science, art and music that has featured presentations from astronauts, cosmonauts, Nobel Prize winners and other prominent figures from science, culture, the arts and music. Now celebrating its fifth year, and timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, Starmus V will take place in Bern, Switzerland, from 24 to 29 June 2019. The IAU is a partner organisation of Starmus and among the confirmed speakers will be IAU Secretary General, Piero Benvenuti, and IAU President-elect, Ewine van Dishoeck. IAU announcement: https://www.iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann18007/
17. IAU100: Moon Landing 50th Anniversary - Let's All Observe the Moon!
Date: 20 July 2019
Location: All around the world
More information: https://www.iau-100.org/moon-landing-anniversary
The Moon will be waning gibbous, and not rising until about midnight, but at least some spectacular formations will be visible for those prepared to stay up late!
18. Festival of Curiosity, Dublin. July 18 – 21, 2019
19. 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://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6575259/The-lonely-giant-Astronomers-spot-Milky-Way-sized-galaxy-just-TWO-neighbors.html Why can't they use an actual photo of the Milky Way, instead of that unrealistic fake?
Actual birth of Black Hole or Neutron Star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190110184740.htm
Messy star made companion go supernova https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190110160935.htm
Gemini Telescope zooms back to the beginning of universe https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190110082707.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Magnetar may be source of FRBs https://earthsky.org/space/magnetar-milky-way-black-hole-extragalactic-radio-bursts?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=6425ed7688-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-6425ed7688-394571661
The brightest quasar yet https://earthsky.org/space/astronomers-find-the-brightest-quasar-yet?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=6425ed7688-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-6425ed7688-394571661
Mapping Missing Merging galaxies https://earthsky.org/space/sdss-new-tool-to-find-missing-galaxy-mergers?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=6425ed7688-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-6425ed7688-394571661
X-Ray pulse as BH devours star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109184731.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
NICER observes Black Hole outburst as it swallows star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109142659.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Largest ever remnant of nova explosions found in M31 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109142653.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Light echoes from nearby Black Hole https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109142634.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Thousands of stars turning into crystals https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109142631.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
New star in Orion Nebula clears its neighbourhood https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109110053.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
How supermassive Black Holes feed. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190114130917.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
The orderly chaos of black holes https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190114114229.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Dark matter behaves differently in dying galaxies https://www.livescience.com/64482-dark-matter-heating.html?utm_source=ls-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20190114-ls
High speed supernova reveals earliest moments of dying star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190116140643.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
COSMOLOGY
How a quark-gluon plasma became matter https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190114082841.htm
EARTH & MOON
https://www.livescience.com/64531-huge-asteroid-impacts-are-common.html?utm_source=notification
Some of the impacts could have been due to large comets, as well as asteroids.
EXOPLANETS
Double star has flipped its planetary disc at right angles https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190114114231.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
IMAGES
https://cosmicpursuits.com/2364/seven-dusty-sisters-pleiades/ an amazing image – and watch the video too!
SETI
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6589569/Alien-hunting-database-set-SETI-data.html
SOLAR SYSTEM
Giant pattern discovered in clouds of Venus https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190110091004.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Titan in amazing detail in infra-red https://earthsky.org/space/saturn-moon-titan-infrared-photo-mosaic?utm_source=EarthSky%20News&utm_campaign=2a8d8dd06e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-2a8d8dd06e-394571661
Methane rain marks summer at Titan's N Pole https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190116115537.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
How Saturn got its rings https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6603853/Saturn-rings.html and https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190117142159.htm
How long is a day on Saturn? – at last we know https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6608173/How-long-Saturn-day-Scientists-finally-know.html and https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190118123019.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 Superb science – prediction based on theory, confirmed by observation.
Surprising differences in interiors of Jupiter and Saturn https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01/missions-expose-surprising-differences-interiors-saturn-and-jupiter?utm_campaign=news_daily_2019-01-18&et_rid=415711678&et_cid=2607885
A very massive Edgeworth-Kuiper Disc could explain hypothesized Planet Nine https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190121103346.htm and https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/science/planet-nine-is-not-real-but-theres-something-else-strange-on-the-edge-of-our-solar-system-scientists-say/ar-BBSy0fg?li=BBoPRmx&fdhead=intldblnewsT
SPACE
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6578867/long-duration-space-missions-cause-crippling-pain-four-YEARS.html Why oh why don't they follow the example of the iconic "2001 A Space Odyssey" and develop a rotating space ship which produces artificial gravity? It doesn't even have to be as grand as that one – two cabins on either end of a long bar, or tether, would have the same effect.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6577285/China-moon-rover-Jade-Rabbit-wakes-nap.html
Now that's a big one! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6581643/Elon-Musk-unveils-svelte-120-foot-tall-Starship-time.html
China's plans for the Moon https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6589155/China-wants-3D-print-lunar-base.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6589305/China-says-exchanged-data-NASA-far-moon.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6593221/Cottoning-Chinese-seed-sprouts-moon.html Can bean sprouts and rice be far behind?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6599833/NASA-reveals-gigantic-200ft-tall-main-tank-SLS-megarocket-man-Mars.html Now that's a BFR! (Big Fantastic Rocket)!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6598199/Russia-loses-control-space-telescope.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6602223/Quick-make-wish-Artificial-meteor-showers-real-thing.html This is awful! I hope it's cloudy every time they do it!
And this is even worse https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6602421/Ad-dont-believe-Russian-company-wants-advertisements-SPACE.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6617301/Europe-wants-moon-2025-ESA-reveals-plan-spark-new-space-race.html You would think that ESA illustrators would know that you can't see any detail in the pitch-black lunar shadows! The second image shows just as much detail in shadow as in sunlight!
SUN
The whole life of a solar flare https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190116122654.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
TELESCOPES & INSTRUMENTS
This is a must-read. Ignore the several misspellings of 'Lagrange'. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6496011/NASA-reveals-four-options-future-flagship-telescope.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6598199/Russia-loses-control-space-telescope.html
20. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://documents.irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc
If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick 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 www.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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