Tuesday, 31 December 2019

NY Party, Next lecture in new venue, New sunspot cycle, Betelgeuse , Quadrantids, ISS, Perihelion, more

Hi all,

 

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to all!

 

1. IAA New Year Party, January 4. We start off with a buffet meal in McBride's, The Square, Comber, at 5.30 for 6.00, followed by a private screening of classic SciFi  Film: Destination Moon at the Tudor Private Cinema at 7.30, where there will be some light liquid refreshments in the form of mulled wine, light-alcohol punch, and soft drinks. And maybe a mince pie or two. The film will be followed by a quiz, with a selection of prizes.

BOOKING is essential. Booking forms will be sent out with the January STARDUST, which members will receive soon; or via the website.

Cost for meal and film: Adult £15, child under12  £7.

Cinema only, cost Adult £7, child £3.50.

Booking by 2 January please.

Cheque to the IAA, sent to Mr Pat O'Neill, 55 Cranmore Pk, Belfast BT9 6JG.

 

2. New Sunspot Cycle

TWO SUNSPOTS FROM THE NEXT SOLAR CYCLE: Solar Cycle 25 really is coming. On Dec 24 for the first time, there were two new-cycle sunspots on the solar disk--one in each hemisphere.

   We know these sunspots belong to the next solar cycle because of their magnetic polarity. Simply put, they are backwards. According to Hale's Law, sunspot polarities flip-flop from one solar cycle to the next.   

  During old Solar Cycle 24, we grew accustomed to sunspots in the sun's southern hemisphere having a -/+ pattern. However, today's southern sunspot is the opposite: +/-. This identifies it as a member of new Solar Cycle 25.

   Likewise, today's northern sunspot has a reversed polarity compared to northern spots from old Solar Cycle 24. It, too, therefore, belongs to Solar Cycle 25.

  The Sun is currently in Solar Minimum--the nadir of the 11-year sunspot cycle. It's a deep Minimum, century-class according to sunspot counts. The scarcity of sunspots has been so remarkable that it has prompted discussion of a possible "extended Minimum" akin to the Maunder Minimum of the 17th century when sunspots were absent for decades. Such an event could have implications for terrestrial climate.

  Today's new-cycle sunspots (along with isolated new-cycle spots earlier this year) suggest that the solar cycle is, in fact, unfolding normally. A new Maunder Minimum does not appear to be in the offing. Forecasters expect Solar Cycle 25 to slowly gain strength in the years ahead and reach a peak in July 2025. (from Spaceweather. Com, 24 December)

 

3. Calendar of space and astronomy for 2020

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/techandscience/2020-will-likely-be-a-groundbreaking-year-in-space-heres-a-calendar-of-the-biggest-rocket-launches-meteor-showers-eclipses-and-more/ss-BBYrEP9?ocid=spartandhp

 

4. IAA  Public Lecture, Wednesday January  8, 7.30 p.m. (NB, Note New temporary venue). Dr Chris Watson of QUB will talk on Exoplanets.

   As the Bell Lecture theatre will be closed for an IT upgrade, this talk will be in the Emelaus Lecture Theatre, in the main Lanyon Building. The entrance is just opposite the entrance to the Physics building, and will be signposted.

   Details; 7.30 p.m., EMELAUS Lecture Theatre, MAIN Building , QUB. Admission free.

See www.irishastro.org.

 

5. BETELGEUSE FADING

   There  is considerable interest in the fact that Betelgeuse has faded since October by about 1 magnitude. Some conjecture that this is a prelude to a supernova explosion, but that is very unlikely. However, it's certainly worth watching. It's now about midway in brightness between Castor and Pollux.

My magnitude estimate on 24 December put it at +1.4, almost 1 magnitude fainter than its average of +0.5. That's the faintest I've ever seen it – and that's from 1963!

 

6. Quadrantids Meteor shower, 4 January. A major shower, peaking on the night of 3-4 Jan, just about dawn. It's a rich shower, but with a very sharp peak, so the early hours on the 4th, up until twilight interferes, will be best. The radiant is in N. Bootes, about halfway from the end of the Plough to the head of Draco.

 

7. ISS The International Space Station commenced a series of morning passes on 20 December. Full details for your location, and lots of other astronomy information, on the excellent free site www.heavens-above.com

 

8. Perihelion. The Earth will be closest to the Sun in its annual orbit on Jan 5, at 07.47

 

9. SciFi entertainment in 2020

https://newatlas.com/home-entertainment/best-future-sci-fi-film-tv-coming-2020/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b02a59d25e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_27_05_43&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-b02a59d25e-92786061

 

10. Galway Astronomy Festival

The Galway Astronomy Festival takes place on Saturday January 25th  2020.

The festival will take place in the Harbour Hotel, overlooking Galway Bay

 

11. Vesta occults naked eye star, 11 February. More details of this rare event, visible from the N of the island, will be in the January edition of STARDUST, and in later bulletins.

 

12. 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

Milky Way centre hosts a 'cosmic candy-cane' https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191218153348.htm

Gamma ray halo round pulsar links to Antimatter mystery https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191219125956.htm  

Betelgeuse fading   Magnitude estimate 24 Dec, 21.00h, = +1.4

 

EARTH & MOON

Finding meteorite falls more quickly https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191219122526.htm

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7733203/Extra-terrestrial-impacts-shaped-Earth-3-2-billion-years-ago-study-finds.html

   https://www.livescience.com/china-farside-moon-rover-breaks-record.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11745&utm_content=20191219_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=B6iBqA5IR%2BeeDVBC3IRDFS05z_0mTypSKcqDkNv4Ok%2BLbtMBmFSyXzaWSrNhS60TLNK8%2BC6oVRS%2Bnb9PhiL7DysRnFiIudqABa

 

EXOPLANETS

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7804875/European-planet-studying-mission-launches-South-America.html

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/astronomers-have-found-an-earth-size-planet-practically-next-door-to-us/ar-BBYf1qW?ocid=spartandhp

 

EXOLIFE

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/photos/were-likely-to-find-alien-life-in-the-next-decade-scientists-say-heres-where-nasa-plans-to-look-—-in-our-solar-system-and-beyond/ss-BBYaHFB?ocid=spartandhp

 

IMAGES

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7822707/NASAs-Hubble-telescope-captures-image-flying-saucer-galaxy-85-MILLION-light-years-away.html

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7825509/Stunning-panorama-Mars-reveals-final-resting-place-NASAs-Opportunity-rover.html

 

SOLAR SYSTEM

https://www.livescience.com/mars-insight-mole-digging-again-quakes.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11745&utm_content=20191219_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=04q0OC3FHdPUrna9LrWE%2BrJkve1SMRfytTryWhWWbCLUDcP0GcOf6wgu3pXbGL3OuOPiJnFgwiZHc0wmph32zZqEUJWl_0Ve0o

 

SPACE

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7812943/Boeing-sends-Rosie-dummy-space-key-crewless-mission.html

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7813485/NASA-releases-defiant-video-outlining-details-Artemis-moon-mission.html

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7804875/European-planet-studying-mission-launches-South-America.html

  https://www.livescience.com/china-farside-moon-rover-breaks-record.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11745&utm_content=20191219_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=B6iBqA5IR%2BeeDVBC3IRDFS05z_0mTypSKcqDkNv4Ok%2BLbtMBmFSyXzaWSrNhS60TLNK8%2BC6oVRS%2Bnb9PhiL7DysRnFiIudqABa

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/techandscience/2020-will-likely-be-a-groundbreaking-year-in-space-heres-a-calendar-of-the-biggest-rocket-launches-meteor-showers-eclipses-and-more/ss-BBYrEP9?ocid=spartandhp

 

SUN

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7809173/NASA-spots-new-type-magnetic-explosion-suns-atmosphere.html

 

TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/search-for-habitable-worlds-joined-by-new-european-space-telescope/ar-BBY82CX?ocid=spartandhp

Refurbished radio telescopes observe pulsars from S. America for the first time https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191217141537.htm

 

13. 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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Sunday, 15 December 2019

Xmas double Lecture, Geninids last chance, URSIDS, ISS, Solstice, HERA, more

Hi all,

 

1. IAA Double Public Lecture, Wednesday December 18, 7.30 p.m. (1.) "The Cosmic Compass" by IAA President, Brian Beesley.

Summary: Part 1 is a (non technical) description of how astronomy has been used to find where you are and what direction you're moving in from ancient times up to the Apollo missions. Part 2 is a description of the basics of satellite navigation together with how this technology developed from WWII radio navigation and blind bombing aids.

(2) "Deep Sky Astrophotography with a Small Telescope." by IAA C/M Adam Jeffers

 Summary: This talk will outline the equipment, stages and software involved in capturing and processing an image of a deep sky object from your back garden.

Biography: I have been enjoying astrophotography for over ten years, but over the past two and half years I have become increasingly involved in the hobby.

I am a council member of the Irish Astronomical Association, and a member of the Nemetode Meteor Network - collecting meteor data over the SW of Ireland.

   I am currently involved in a minor consulting capacity for Mid-Ulster Council, assisting in the setup and selection of the telescope and imaging equipment for the new Davagh Dark Skies Project outside Cookstown. Additionally I am part of a team collecting All Sky Camera data, facilitating Davagh's application to the IDA for dark sky status.

Details; 7.30 p.m., Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building , QUB. Admission free, including light refreshments. See www.irishastro.org.

 

2 GEMINIDS The Geminids are the year's richest meteor shower, with a ZHR of 120, with peak activity on the nights of Dec 13/14 and 14/15. However the Moon will be just past Full, so it will spoil the view considerably! But Geminids are generally slow meteors, with some bright fireballs, so it's worth having a look even in the Moonlight, by hiding the Moon behind something like a building or tree, and looking in the opposite direction.

Activity begins about 7 Dec, and builds up to the date of maximum, so it's worth looking on the few nights before maximum as well. The radiant is near Castor.

The Geminids are unusual in that the parent body, Phaethon, is classed as an asteroid, not a comet!

   The Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is the rate which would be seen by an experienced observer, in a VERY dark sky, and with the radiant in the zenith: actual observed rates very rarely reach the nominal ZHR for various reasons.

 

3. Ursids Meteor shower, 20-21 December. A minor shower, peaking around 20-21 December, but at least the Moon won't interfere as much as it does with the Geminids

 

4. ISS The International Space Station will commence a series of morning passes on 20 December. Look out for it on Xmas morning, but don't confuse it with another aerial object expected to be around at that time…. Full details for your location, and lots of other astronomy information, on the excellent free site www.heavens-above.com

 

5. Starlink satellite trains Some of the Starlink satellites launched in a long 'string' are visible to the naked eye in the morning skies. There are scores of them (far too many!), so check site www.heavens-above.com for details. They are going to be a real problem for astronomers.

 

6. Winter Solstice. The Sun will reach the most southerly point on the ecliptic in its apparent annual journey round the sky on Dec 22 at 04.19. It will then have an apparent declination of -23º 26' 15.2". But an almanac will list its declination as -23º 26' 9.6". The difference is due to the fact that the almanac gives the geocentric position, whereas we are at about 54º North latitude.

 

7. Alan Fitzsimmons says ESA wants our help re HERA Mission. .

https://newatlas.com/space/esa-enlists-amateur-astronomers-plan-hera-asteroid-mission/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=46ad5d7014-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_11_27_06_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-46ad5d7014-92786061 Note that our young IAA member Hayden Geraghty, is an 'Ambassador for HERA'! 

 

8. Mission Santa, Christmas experience, AOP, every Saturday 30 Nov – 22 Dec. For kids, of course. Booking at www.armagh.space

 

9. Telescope workshop, stargazing and Dome Show, IAA at AOP, 30 December

Are you purchasing a telescope for Christmas? We can give help and advice with scopes alongside our friends from the Irish Astronomical Association on Monday 30 Dec. Doors open 6.30pm, stargazing and telescope clinic from 7pm with dome show "CapCom Go" screening at 8pm.

 

10. IAA New Year Party, January 4. we start off with a buffet meal in McBride's, The Square, Comber, at 5.30, followed by a private screening of classic SciFi  Film: Destination Moon at the Tudor Private Cinema at 7.00, where there will be some light liquid refreshments in the form of mulled wine, light-alcohol punch, and soft drinks. And maybe a mince pie or two. The film will be followed by a quiz, with a selection of prizes

 

11. Galway Astronomy Festival

The Galway Astronomy Festival takes place on Saturday January 25th  2020.

The festival will take place in the Harbour Hotel, overlooking Galway Bay

 

12. Vesta occults naked eye star, 11 February. More details of this rare event, visible from the N of the island, will be in the January edition of STARDUST, and in later bulletins.

 

13. 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-7754719/Turbulence-magnetic-fields-responsible-radiation-lights-black-holes.html

  Gravitational waves make their own waves. https://www.livescience.com/universe-remembers-gravitational-waves.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11071&utm_content=20191207_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc_2+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=bj_YaDCX468JM7qfv4KZ6_HgNjUGVPdSGUzn7WSWJsfmy2pXzRyEEc5YVaDsqgEIRSmGOWty6QmpHvJd_bPrlxm02uVzD5FZbm

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/white-dwarf-star-spotted-nibbling-on-the-atmosphere-of-a-nearby-icy-planet/ar-BBXYHkU?ocid=spartandhp

New type of neutron star flashes oddly at Earth https://www.livescience.com/weird-neutron-star.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11247&utm_content=20191211_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=RD%2BcPk1oBKElkZmHqH5Y5Cwn9LBPrk0W5h795%2BVeT4idP3q8_KbfTx6CDNDgrfezQmlrMSzo1_71YRi_dWxWMMQw3HvaJbDaRL

ALMA spots most distant dusty galaxy https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191211121901.htm

 

COSMOLOGY

Is the universe curved or not? https://www.livescience.com/universe-flat-or-curved-debate.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10982&utm_content=20191205_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=nPTAqU6Ik_B2Uy_Yk98zHX2tfjq_EqD1Gduf54A7pDnzZ6UnUSKwqvNolDqyQIo%2B7OHcchGWlEhjob%2BgULAauBvN9Y4GsYP5n7

Dark matter fights back in galaxy - https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/techandscience/dark-matter-strikes-back-in-galactic-mystery/ar-AAK711u?ocid=spartandhp

 

EARTH & MOON

   https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/space-budget-boost-puts-europe-lead-monitor-carbon-space

   Archaeon micro-organism prefers meteorites https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204144903.htm

   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7750133/2019-set-one-hottest-years-record-UN-experts.html

   Greenland ice disappearing 7 times faster now https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191210111701.htm

  https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/un-climate-talks-failing-to-address-urgency-of-crisis-says-top-scientist/ar-BBXWCLg?ocid=spartandhp

   Earth building material came from Red Giants https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191210111643.htm

  This could be very serious. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/12/why-ocean-current-critical-to-world-weather-losing-steam-arctic/?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=crm-email::src=ngp::cmp=editorial::add=Science_20191211-&rid=B44D5BDD89C3D2302973C899D2E91C40

Satellite data reveals glacier retreat.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191210111713.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 Yes, Greta is right, you know, as just recognised by Time Magazine.

  https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/the-enduring-mystery-of-the-moons-brightness-could-soon-be-solved/ar-BBXXTpX?ocid=spartandhp

It's even more complex than that. The main factors are the phase, obviously, and the Moon's varying distance from both Earth and Sun. But you also need to allow for libration, which causes the Moon to slightly alter the side that's facing Earth.

   This occurs in both an E-W and a N-S direction, by up to over 10 degrees combined effect. Since the Moon's Southern hemisphere is brighter than the Northern hemisphere, and the East hemisphere is brighter than the West, this can produce a considerable difference, particularly when combined with the phase. For example, all other things being equal, 1st Quarter will be brighter than 3rd Quarter, but if the libration brings more of the E side of the Moon towards us, the effect will be even greater. And if there's Southerly libration as well, even more so! And vice versa for both librations.

 

EXOPLANETS

Composition of gas giants does not depend on host star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203114527.htm

Giant planet orbits white dwarf star  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204145847.htm and

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7755699/Giant-planet-orbiting-white-dwarf-provides-evidence-planet-survive-death-star.html Sorry folks, but that is NOT the VLT - it's not even remotely like it!

  https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/white-dwarf-star-spotted-nibbling-on-the-atmosphere-of-a-nearby-icy-planet/ar-BBXYHkU?ocid=spartandhp

   How planets form from dust https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191209112143.htm

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/scientists-just-found-planet-circling-dead-star?utm_campaign=news_daily_2019-12-11&et_rid=415711678&et_cid=3119883

  Planet-mass objects discovered in other galaxies  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191212095904.htm

   Water is common, but in low amounts, in exoplanets https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191211082656.htm

 

IMAGES

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/science/hubble-spots-galaxy-littered-with-supernovae/vi-BBXTRjQ?ocid=spartandhp

  Movie of Martian Moon Phobos https://newatlas.com/space/european-spacecraft-martian-moon-phobos/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=a068c39066-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_13_09_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-a068c39066-92786061

 

SOLAR SYSTEM

Titan offers useful information re Earth https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203114522.htm

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/nasa-releases-treasure-map-of-ice-on-mars/ar-AAK2mRL?ocid=spartandhp

TESS accidentally catches comet outburst https://newatlas.com/space/tess-satellite-comet-outburst-wirtanen/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=0510698b90-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_04_07_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-0510698b90-92786061

New Horizons may reach termination shock sooner than expected https://newatlas.com/space/new-horizons-reach-solar-system-termination-shock-sooner/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=0510698b90-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_04_07_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-0510698b90-92786061

  Very rare mineral in Siberian meteorite https://affluenttimes.com/science/space/scientists-unearthed-meteorite-siberia-inside-made-extraterrestrial-discovery/?utm_source=Taboola&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=msn-edgedefaulthomepage-uk_1053576&utm_campaign=73866_Affluent-Times_Scientists-Unearthed-A-Meteori_GB_DESKTOP_DZ&utm_term=3367042&l=a

  Ejections from Asteroid Bennu explained.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191205145112.htm I certainly wouldn't describe something 10cm across as a "particle". That's an 'object', or a 'piece' or a pebble, depending on the composition.

   TESS's detailed capture of comet outburst https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203164336.htm

   Bennu and the jets!  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7760685/NASA-captures-incredible-close-shot-plumes-dust-leaving-asteroid.html

   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7678581/Studies-suggest-NASAs-Mars-2020-mission-landing-site-hold-signs-ancient-life.html

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/mars-we-may-have-solved-the-mystery-of-how-its-landslides-form/ar-BBY0huV?ocid=spartandhp    

  https://earthsky.org/space/enceladus-saturn-moon-tiger-stripe-explained?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=08a0b2a149-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_02_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c643945d79-08a0b2a149-394571661

  https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/life-on-mars-europe-commits-to-groundbreaking-mission-to-bring-back-rocks-to-earth/ar-AAK4oUg?ocid=spartandhp

  Geminids debris trail imaged by Parker Solar Probe https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/geminid-meteor-showers-parent-debris-trail-spotted-for-1st-time-photo/ar-AAK3qUc?ocid=spartandhp

  Proton aurora is the commonest type on Mars https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191212105857.htm

   Asteroid Bennu's sample site is chosen https://newatlas.com/space/nasa-selects-sample-site-osiris-rex/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=a068c39066-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_13_09_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-a068c39066-92786061

 

SPACE

Next generation Search & Recue beacons for Artemis crew https://newatlas.com/space/nasa-introduce-second-generation-gps-search-rescue-beacon-artemis/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=0510698b90-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_04_07_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-0510698b90-92786061

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/spacex-launches-dragon-cargo-ship-to-space-station-for-nasa-sticks-rocket-landing/ar-BBXP13m?ocid=spartandhp

   http://www.anatravelunlimited.com/could-avatars-help-build-a-new-moon-base/?utm_source=Taboola&utm_medium=msn-edgedefaulthomepage-uk&utm_campaign=Avatars+UK&utm_content=Avatar-Built+Moon+Base+Coming+Soon&utm_term=229633123

   https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/space-budget-boost-puts-europe-lead-monitor-carbon-space

   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7760911/SpaceX-successfully-launches-Dragon-19th-mission-ISS-carrying-5-700-pound-payload.html

   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7759171/Rocks-Mars-quarantine-MOON-avoid-War-Worlds-style-disaster.html

   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7764653/ESA-sends-floating-robot-face-ISS-help-astronauts-cope-life-space.html

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/spacex-delivers-mighty-mice-worms-robot-to-space-station/ar-BBXVQPG?ocid=spartandhp

  https://newatlas.com/space/world-first-space-debris-removal-mission-to-launch-in-2025/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=bb250068c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_10_09_21&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-bb250068c3-92786061

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/life-on-mars-europe-commits-to-groundbreaking-mission-to-bring-back-rocks-to-earth/ar-AAK4oUg?ocid=spartandhp

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/space-force-may-finally-become-real-—-but-it-wont-be-an-overhaul/ar-AAK1cy2?ocid=spartandhp

   Asgardia news https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-gb/DisplayMessage?ws_popup=true&ws_suite=true

   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techandscience/planetary-societys-lightsail-2-paves-way-for-future-solar-sail-missions-bill-nye-says/ar-BBY28yz?ocid=spartandhp

There are a few pros and many cons. The acceleration is very very slow, even with a very lightweight spacecraft, and it decreases the further you get from the Sun. But it does continue.

   In our SS, it's only useful for flybys, as it doesn't allow the craft to slow down or go into orbit.

   For travel to another star system, it would be faster than our present rockets, but still incredibly slow. It would very slowly accelerate to the point where the radiation from the target star was equal to that from our Sun; then it would use that radiation to very slowly decelerate.

   Imagine a trip to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, 4.35 light years, (413,000,000,000,000km) away. The spacecraft would very very slowly move away from the Sun - remember that even at the mean distance of Pluto, the Sun is only 1/1,520 times as bright as it is on Earth. And Pluto is 70,000 times closer to us than Alpha Centauri!.

   So from about 1/10 of the way to the target, there's very little further acceleration, just coasting.

   Then when it's about 90% of the way to the target, the radiation from Alpha will start to decelerate it, but again, very very slowly.

   Then when it's about 150 million km from Alpha, it will have slowed to the speed it had when it left Earth orbit a few centuries earlier!

   And all this assumes an incredibly lightweight spacecraft; begging the question just how much instrumentation it could carry, and how it could send data back to Earth.

      Another danger is that the huge sail (at least 1 km square) would strike a small space rock while going through the asteroid belt, sending it tumbling out of control. A piece the size of just a pea could be enough to do that. There are probably billions of those in the asteroid belt! And it would spend months, if not years, going through the asteroid belt, increasing the risk of collision. It would need some sort of onboard attitude control jets and fuel to try to correct for that, which would add more weight to the craft, making it even slower.

   If we did send one, a likely scenario is that after it was on its way we would develop a much faster more powerful rocket, perhaps nuclear-powered, with a hefty payload of instruments and transmitters, which would overtake the light-sail long before it got there, making it redundant.

 

SUN

Detecting solar flares and other events in real time https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203133847.htm

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7755935/A-NASA-probe-studying-Sun-helps-scientists-discover-secrets-solar-winds.html

  Parker Solar Probe's first close flyby results https://newatlas.com/space/nasa-first-results-parker-solar-probe-mission/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=17c204fe94-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_06_09_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-17c204fe94-92786061

  PSP traces solar wind to its source in coronal holes https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204145828.htm

   PSP's set of results from first close pass to Sun https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204144903.htm and

   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204152831.htm

 

 

 

TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/12/astronomy-funder-finds-gender-diversity-takes-more-good-intentions?utm_campaign=news_daily_2019-12-11&et_rid=415711678&et_cid=3119883

New guide for discovering life on exoplanets  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204152823.htm

 

14. 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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Wednesday, 4 December 2019

Planetary nebulae talk, Geminids, ISS, Starlink, Help Hera, Santa at AOP, Interstellar comet closest to Earth.

Hi all,
 
1. IAA Public Lecture, Wednesday December 04, 7.30 p.m. "The shaping of planetary nebulae ", by Dr Matt Redman, NUIG
Summary: Planetary nebulae often exhibit stunning shapes and intricate features, but it is a long-standing puzzle as to how such a wide range of shapes can arise because the stars from which they form are spherical. Binary companions offer one way to break the symmetry, but there are not enough of them in close orbits to account for the numbers of non-spherical planetary nebulae. Instead, we examine whether exoplanets, engulfed at the end of the stars life, can be responsible for the shaping. The talk will be illustrated with many examples of planetary nebulae, including the intriguing Boomerang Nebula, which is currently the coldest object ever observed in space.  
Biography: Dr Matt Redman is Director of the Centre for Astronomy NUI Galway, and is Chair of the Astronomical Sciences Group of Ireland , the professional association for astronomers in Ireland . His research interests are in star formation and star destruction processes. Matt uses radio and millimetre telescope data to look inside star forming molecular clouds, and optical and millimetre data for studying planetary nebulae, novae and supernova remnants. He works at the observational and theory interface, simulating data from telescopes using state of the art computer codes. His work has been supported by SFI and IRC grants, an equipment grant for I-LOFAR, and through telescope time awards. 
Details; 7.30 p.m., Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building , QUB. Admission free, including light refreshments. See www.irishastro.org.
                                                                                                                        
2. GEMINIDS The Geminids are the year's richest meteor shower, with a ZHR of 120, with peak activity on the nights of Dec 13/14 and 14/15. However the Moon will be just past Full, so it will spoil the view considerably! But Geminids are generally slow meteors, with some bright fireballs, so it's worth having a look even in the Moonlight, by hiding the Moon behind something like a building or tree, and looking in the opposite direction.
Activity begins about 7 Dec, and builds up to the date of maximum, so it's worth looking on the few nights before maximum as well. The radiant is near Castor.
The Geminids are unusual in that the parent body, Phaethon, is classed as an asteroid, not a comet!
   The Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is the rate which would be seen by an experienced observer, in a VERY dark sky, and with the radiant in the zenith: actual observed rates very rarely reach the nominal ZHR for various reasons.
 
3. ISS The International Space Station continues a series of evening passes over Ireland until 12 December. Full details for your location, and lots of other astronomy information, on the excellent free site www.heavens-above.com
 
4. Starlink satellite trains Some of the Starlink satellites launched in a long 'string' are visible to the naked eye in the morning skies. There are scores of them (far too many!), so check site www.heavens-above.com for details. They are going to be a real problem for astronomers.
 
5. Alan Fitzsimmons says ESA wants our help re HERA Mission . .
 
6. Mission Santa, Christmas experience, AOP, every Saturday 30 Nov – 22 Dec. For kids, of course. Booking at www.armagh.space
 
7. Comet 2I Borisov closest to Earth, 8 December.   The "2I" designation means that it's the 2nd Interstellar object we've detected. Unfortunately it will be too faint for imaging except by the best amateur equipment and astronomers
 
8. IAA New Year Party, January 4. More details in next bulletin.
 
9. Galway Astronomy Festival
The Galway Astronomy Festival takes place on Saturday January 25th  2020.
The festival will take place in the Harbour Hotel, overlooking Galway Bay
 
10. Vesta occults naked eye star, 11 February. More details of this rare event, visible from the N of the island, will be in the January edition of STARDUST, and in later bulletins.
 
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
Galaxy spin orientation depends on their size https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191115101058.htm
MWA/GLEAM finds remanant of dead stars in MW centre. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191120070717.htm
Missing neutron star from 1987A supernova explosion found at last https://newatlas.com/space/neutron-star-found-supernova-explosion/
  Galaxy contains THREE SMBHs, showing a triple galaxy merger https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191121121726.htm
   Getting closer to the first signal from Cosmic dawn https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191126121134.htm
   How Black Holes and Neutron Stars shine so bright https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191127161255.htm
 
COSMOLOGY
   Quantum reality.  This is way, way, outside my comfort zone, but I include it here because of the connection to QUB physicist John Bell, after who the lecture theatre is named. Don't blame me if it makes your brain hurt too! https://www.livescience.com/objective-reality-not-exist-quantum-physicists.html?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10421&utm_content=20191124_LS_Essentials_Newsletter+-+adhoc+&utm_term=3473357&m_i=Ji6fzEfc8H6v78Y2d3YuIBo2D08bCgxATiNAckmwi5204T1fdvBvPuXg8es5uR1KWgV7KBGC18MXOu_ItMzwO_8cN5_KweJgJy I also wonder what would be the state of affairs if there were NO observers, i.e. if we had never discovered quantum physics….
 
EARTH & MOON
Yet another way we're contributing to climate change https://newatlas.com/environment/agriculture-nitrous-oxide-greenhouse-gas/
 Space data could really help emergency response times   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191122112807.htm
   Impacts may have triggered plate tectonic movements https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191126091313.htm
   Wolfe Creek crater is much younger than thought, and Barringer crater is also younger https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191121121811.htm
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7733649/Planet-reached-climate-change-tipping-points.html And that doesn't even include methane, nor the effects of deforestation!
 
EXOPLANETS
TESS is keeping exoplanet astronomers busy https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191119161449.htm
 
 
LIGHT POLLUTION 
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191118162938.htm they seem to think that this is new thinking!
 
SOLAR SYSTEM
 
SPACE
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7702611/Spaceflight-halt-reverse-blood-flow-astronauts-upper-bodies.html Why don't they produce artificial gravity using a rotating space station such as in 2001 A Space Odyssey? It could have a zero-G core for experiments requiring that condition. It's just so obvious. Such low-g would not prevent muscle wastage and calcium loss, but it would prevent vestibular effects, and would at least keep blood flowing normally! Exercise machines would address the other problems. Clarke and Kubrick, where are you when we need you?
But if they hibernate they get no exercise so they lose muscle mass, bone calcium, cardiac function and probably suffer reduced vestibular function. They'd arrive at Mars as weak cripples. NB see item immediately above.
https://newatlas.com/space/esa-studies-hibernating-astronauts-space-missions/ I don't know why they say there would be no bone or muscle loss? There have been no experiments to demonstrate that. Hibernating mammals on Earth may not experience such effects, but they always remain in full Earth gravity. Further, they have adapted to such hibernation over periods of at least thousands of years, if not longer. There would also probably be effects on their vestibular system.
   https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2019/11/14/kennedy-space-center-spacex-launchpads-risk-flooding-due-climate-change/4021804002/ It's a serious problem OK. We spent 2 weeks in S Florida earlier this year, from KSC to Miami and across to the Gulf coast and South to the Keys, and the highest point we reached in that whole area was a flyover in Miami !
 
SUN
QUB's Dr David Jess leads team solving solar mystery https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191202135718.htm Dr Jess has lectured to us in Belfast before, and we hope to have him again soon!
   Solar wind slows further away from Sun  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191202102033.htm
 
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES
Highly sensitive camera detects single photons to search for exolife https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191119105507.htm
 
12. 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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