(NB, all times are summer time when in force, for convenience)
1. IAA LECTURE by ZOOM; Wed 23 June, 7.30 pm: "The Diverse Future of Solar Physics", by Dr Samuel Grant, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB.
Synopsis
We are at the advent of an exciting era in the study of our nearest star, thanks to the emerging signs of a new solar cycle, alongside a varied fleet of cutting-edge observing suites set to begin operations in the next decade. In this talk, the implications of entering a new solar cycle will be discussed, including the current conjecture on how this cycle will develop. There will also be discussion of the space and ground-based observatories being developed world wide that will provide an unprecedented insight into the dynamic physics of the Sun. Finally, I will present some of the earthly applications of our developments in solar physics, focusing on our bio-medical science collaboration here at QUB.
Biography:
Dr Grant is an STFC post-doctoral research fellow employed in the Solar Physics group at Queen's University Belfast, with a focus on wave activity and energy transport in the lower solar atmosphere. I attained my PhD from Queen's in 2017 under Dr. David Jess, after my undergraduate studies at Glasgow University, and until September 2020 was employed as a lead researcher on the industrial collaboration to advance bio-medical science through the application of astronomical techniques at QUB/Randox Laboratories.
2. Davagh Dark Sky Park and Observatory now open, with pre-booking, and some restrictions.
See https://www.midulstercouncil.org/visitor/things-to-do/star-gazing/davagh-dark-sky-observatory , and https://www.facebook.com/omdarksky/ I'll post any updates here. Or phone 03000 132 132 for changing Covid-19 advice.
3. Summer Solstice. The Sun will reach its greatest Northerly declination on June 21 at 03.31, so Sunrise that morning will be very near the maximum Northerly direction on your horizon. That will be the longest day, and thereafter they will start to shorten again.
4. Summer Solstice Event: Solstice Seminar: How radio astronomy is changing the way we think about big data
Join I-LOFAR and stream BIRR to celebrate the Summer Solstice with a dive into Big Data from astronomy to business. https://lofar.ie/summersolstice2021/
I-LOFAR are delighted to be partnering with stream BIRR for our 2021 Summer Solstice event where we will be joined by special guest Prof Anna Scaife (Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics & Alan Turing Institute) to discuss her work on the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, exploring big data in astronomy and applications for business, industry and more.
Prof Anna Scaife will also be joined for a panel discussion with Dr Caitriona Jackman (Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies) and Joe Hogan (Openet), chaired by Prof Peter Gallagher (Head of I-LOFAR). The panel will discuss applications of big data and analyses techniques at the crossovers of astrophysics and business.
We will also hear from Caitriona Montgomery, Business Development Manager at stream BIRR, about their model of bringing research and business together for mutual benefit in the Irish Midlands.
This free event will be run online via Zoom and includes an opportunity for attendees to participate in a Q&A session with with Anna and the other panelists.
Please notify Áine Flood at info@lofar.ie of any accessibility requirements you may have.
Details: Monday 21st June 2021; 19:00 – 20:00 Irish Time (UTC+1) Tickets free but limited, REGISTER NOW on Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/summer-solstice-with-i-lofar-and-stream-birr-astronomically-big-data-registration-157213906025)
Contact info@lofar.ie with any queries.
5. Armagh Planetarium will be re-opening on 26 June.
Ticketsolve - Armagh Observatory Planetarium
6. European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting
Location: Virtual
Date: 28 June–2 July 2021
Website: https://eas.unige.ch/EAS_meeting/
7. Asteroid Day, 30 June.
Learn more here: https://asteroidday.org/
8. Paul Evans has produced his latest excellent sky guide for June
9. NLCs
Noctilucent (or 'night-shining') clouds are the highest clouds in our atmosphere, at over 80 km altitude. In the N. Hemisphere they can be seen above the northern skyline between the end of May and roughly mid-July from Ireland/UK. They are so hight that they remain illuminated by the Sun from below the local horizon, while lower clouds are in darkness.
They form when water vapour crystallizes around specks of meteoric dust in the mesosphere when the temperature is really low. NASA scientists scientists are predicting low temperatures in the mesosphere, and so hopefully a good NLC season.
10. ISS. The ISS will start a new series of morning passes on 3 July, which will gradually transition to evening passes in mid-month. Details at www.heavens-above.com
11. NI Science Festival, astrophotography workshop, Ballintoy, 3 July.
NI Science Festival: Capturing the Night Sky at Ballintoy Harbour
This may be of interest, although I don't think that there will be anything that hasn't already been well covered by our own IAA and other local astrophotographers.
Also, note that it won't get dark enough for proper night sky photography at Ballintoy at all on the night of 3 July! And at 11 p.m., when the event finishes, the Sun will be only 5 degrees 34' below the horizon – still in civil twilight! Even at local midnight, at 01 31 BST, it will be less than 12 degrees below the horizon – still in Nautical Twilight. The only possible targets under those conditions would be noctilucent clouds, and they only occur well about a dozen times each summer, and you'd have to wait until after 12.00 to get a reasonable view.
You won't even have the Moon, as it's a waning crescent, and doesn't rise until 02.00!
12. SPACE and ASTRONOMY WEBINAR – starting again on July 6
NB: Note platform change. Since most people have been watching on YouTube, we are ceasing the presentation via Zoom, and it will now be streamed live on both YouTube and Facebook. This will also give us lots of added features in the presentation.
Presented by me and the amazing Nick Howes, they are approximately 45 minutes long, every second Tuesday, at 7.30 p.m., covering whatever is topical in space and astronomy. The date of the next one will be announced asap: youtube.com/spacestorelive
NB – So, from now on it will be Live streamed to YouTube SpaceStore Live! Channel and Live streamed to Facebook Live. I'll post any last minute news via Twitter.
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13. New Astronomy Message Board – wrong link.
Unfortunately there was a typo in what I received. The correct link is
( https://eireastro.boards.net )
Frank Ryan Jr has started a new message forum, on the lines of Cloudy Nights, and Stargazers Lounge, and would be delighted to have contributions and comments.
Have a look, and even better, join in.
14. A: Clue for Easy Teaser No suggestions for this yet, so here's a clue The last three gave their name to something used in astronomy.
What's the connection between – A type of singing, a Keeper of the Mint, a German musician, and a Buddhist monk?
"Rules for Easy Teasers: you're barred from entering if you (A) have already submitted a correct answer to any of the previous teasers, and/or (B) if you've been a member of any astronomy clubs or societies for 15 years or more. Obviously I have to trust your honesty on that latter point, but remember, if you're correct your name will be published here, and other members of your club will see it!"
14. B: New Difficult Teaser. I've had a few requests for a new one for the experts, so here you are:
What happened unusually in Mar 1918 and April 1920, and again in March 1997 and April 1999?
Please send all answers to me at my aol address terrymosel@aol.com
15. On the Moon Again! Returns in 16-18 July 2021
On the Moon Again! returns for 2021. Join the world in enjoying the Moon from 16-18 July 2021 by taking a telescope out to safely help others observe Earth's natural satellite or stay inside to watch a 24-hour live show all about the Moon with experts from around the world.
Learn more here: https://www.onthemoonagain.org/
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
Dark matter is slowing the spin of the Milky Way's galactic bar -- ScienceDaily
'Giant arc' stretching 1.3 billion light-years across the cosmos shouldn't exist | Live Science
Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts Come in Two Distinct Flavors - Scientific American
Astronomers discover largest known spinning structures in the universe | Space
Astronomers spot a 'blinking giant' near the center of the Galaxy -- ScienceDaily
https://www.universetoday.com/151435/supernova-observed-by-astronomers-in-1181-could-have-been-a-rare-type-1ax-that-leaves-behind-a-zombie-star-remnant/ Star Formation Begins When Clouds of Gas Crash Into Each Other - Universe Today
Scientist sees deep meaning in black holes after Event Horizon Telescope's triumph - Universe Today
Astronomers discover a 'changing-look' blazar -- ScienceDaily
Hubble data confirms galaxies lacking dark matter -- ScienceDaily
Study of young chaotic star system reveals planet formation secrets -- ScienceDaily
White Dwarf Measured Before it Exploded as a Supernova - Universe Today
The give and take of mega-flares from stars -- ScienceDaily
Mystery solved: Dust cloud led to Betelgeuse's 'Great Dimming' -- ScienceDaily
ALMA discovers earliest gigantic black hole storm -- ScienceDaily
Space scientists solve a decades-long gamma-ray burst puzzle -- ScienceDaily
Finding quasars: Rare extragalactic objects are now easier to spot -- ScienceDaily
Discovery of a dying supermassive black hole via a 3,000-year-long light echo -- ScienceDaily
The origin of the first structures formed in galaxies like the Milky Way identified -- ScienceDaily
COSMOLOGY.
It anti-matters! https://www.facebook.com/100001020122113/posts/4186225821421381/?sfnsn=mo
EARTH & MOON
Lightning impacts edge of space in ways not previously observed -- ScienceDaily
Dramatic images capture rapid slide of Antarctic glacier | Live Science
Climate change has been altering Earth's axis for at least 30 years | Live Science
Huge meteorite did not play a part in demise of dinosaurs, study says | Daily Mail Online
Earth's meteorite impacts over past 500 million years tracked -- ScienceDaily
Physicists report definitive evidence how auroras are created -- ScienceDaily
EXOPLANETS
"Rogue planet" exomoons could potentially harbor water and life (newatlas.com)
After billions of years in harmony, distant star system will end in chaos (newatlas.com) and Star's death will play a mean pinball with rhythmic planets -- ScienceDaily
Scientists discover new exoplanet with an atmosphere ripe for study -- ScienceDaily
EXOLIFE
If we ever encounter aliens, they will resemble AI and not little green martians (msn.com)
Mushrooms on Mars? 5 unproven claims that alien life exists | Space
IMAGES
These NASA photos of the sunrise solar eclipse of 2021 are just jaw-dropping | Space
'Ring of fire' solar eclipse of 2021 thrills stargazers with sunrise spectacle | Space
Spectacular video of eclipse double sunrise https://www.facebook.com/523978961/posts/10158728254133962/ Look for the Green Flash as the second horn rises
SOLAR SYSTEM
Perseverance rover begins first science mission in Mars' Jezero Crater (newatlas.com)
Mystery of the gigantic Oort cloud from deep space explained - Big Think
Ganymede Looks Glorious in New Images from NASA's Juno Mission - Scientific American
ESA selects EnVision orbiter to uncover mysteries of Venus (newatlas.com)
Scientist map the boundary of interstellar space for the first time (newatlas.com)
Finally! New Pictures of Ganymede, Thanks to Juno - Universe Today
Asteroid 16 Psyche might not be what scientists expected -- ScienceDaily
China's Mars rover Zhurong spotted from space by NASA orbiter (photos) | Space
https://www.facebook.com/groups/421163751426836/permalink/1689947954548403/?sfnsn=scwspmo
SPACE
First passenger seat on Blue Origin's New Shepard sells for $28 million (newatlas.com) that makes Virgin Galactic at about $200k seem exceptionally good value!
NASA finishes assembling $18 billion Space Launch System megarocket (msn.com)
China launches commercial asteroid hunter and 3 other satellites into space | Space
Clever Trick Used to Clean off InSight's Solar Panels and Boost its Power - Universe Today
China's Mars rover Zhurong spotted from space by NASA orbiter (photos) | Space
NASA's Perseverance rover begins 1st science campaign on Mars | Space
Space travel weakens our immune systems: Now scientists may know why -- ScienceDaily
Brazil makes history in signing the Artemis Accords for moon exploration | Space
The world needs space junk standards, G7 nations agree | Space
Chinese astronauts enter Tiangong space station for first time – Spaceflight Now
ESA is Joining NASA With Their own Mission to Venus - Universe Today
https://www.facebook.com/17610706465/posts/10158013413701466/?sfnsn=scwspmoNew Deputy Administrator at NASA https://www.facebook.com/17610706465/posts/10158013413701466/?sfnsn=scwspmo
Jeff Bezos will join passengers launching into space on Blue Origin's 1st crewed flight | Space
SUN
The next solar cycle may be a big one The Termination Event | Spaceweather.com (spaceweatherarchive.com)
Scientist map the boundary of interstellar space for the first time (newatlas.com)
The sun's clock: All cycles fit the picture: New calculations support and expand planetary hypothesis -- ScienceDaily Total Solar Eclipses Shine a Light on the Solar Wind | NASA
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES
The flying telescope that's shedding new light on the origins of life on earth (msn.com)
Researchers Simulate the Formation of the Oort Cloud - Universe Today
New Radioactivity Measurement Could Boost Precision of Dark Matter Experiments - Scientific American
Hubble Space Telescope sidelined by issue with its 1980s computer | Space
What Mission Could Detect Oceans at Uranus' Moons? - Universe Today =
17. 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 https://irishastro.org/
The Irish Astronomical Association is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 105858
DISCLAIMER: Any views expressed herein are mine, and do not necessarily represent those of the IAA.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
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