Hi all,
1. NLCs. The season for seeing Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs) runs from now until late July. Look low in the North for about two hours on either side of local midnight (allowing for longitude and summer time, i.e. local midnight in Ireland is approximately 01.20 to 01.40 clock time). They appear as silvery/white streaks and wisps shining brighter against the twilit background sky. The further South you are, the less chance you have of seeing them, as they will appear much closer to the horizon.
2. OM Events at Davagh Dark Sky Park: There will be some daytime moon and sun viewing sessions and a little 'AstronOMy' Club, plus other things related to the forest and so on. The page to check is: What's On | Guided tours at OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory
3. Our Place In Space | What's On The interactive scale model of the Solar System on Divis, just outside Belfast. See Scale model of solar system installed in Belfast hills (msn.com) For details of the Belfast events, see: Belfast | Our Place In Space.
4. Summer Solstice. The Sun reaches its most Northerly point on the ecliptic on 21 June at 09.13 (10.13 B/IST) marking the start of N. Hemisphere Summer.
5. Parade of the Planets, 20 to 28 June
During this period, all the naked eye planets will be visible together in the morning sky, in order of their distance from the Sun, although Mercury will be very low and you'll need binoculars to see it, except perhaps from the very far South of the island. The waning Moon will also be in the area, and on the mornings of 22 to 26 June, the Moon will also be in its correct order from the Sun, i.e. Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Aesthetically, the nicest view will be on the 24th, with the waning crescent Moon about halfway between Venus and Mars.
To find Mercury, look about 10ยบ below left of brilliant Venus, at an angle of about 8p.m. on a clock face. From the N of the island it won't rise until civil twilight has started, and it will be only mag -0.1 on the 24th, -0.2 on the 25th, -0.3 on the 26th, -0.4 on the 27th and -0.5 on the 28th, so binoculars or a wide-field telescope will be required.
On the 27th, Mercury will lie below the thin crescent Moon, and that will be your last good chance to find Mercury and to be able to see the Moon in the line-up.
Uranus and Neptune will also be in the line, but not in order, and you'll need binoculars or a telescope to see them.
6. Asteroid Day, 30 June.
See: ASTEROID DAY LIVE - Asteroid Day
7. ISS: A new series of morning passes starts on 1 July, transitioning into a mixture of morning and evening passes, and then evening passes only, continuing to 28 July. Details as usual on www.heavens-above.com
8. Space and Astronomy Webinar returns, 4 July. The next one will be at 7.30 on Tuesday 4 July. More details and links in next bulletin
9. On the Moon Again is Back on 8-10 July.
You are invited to join in a global project to bring observational astronomy to the streets of communities. On the Moon Again will take place from 8-10 July. For more information, see their website; to register your activity, fill out this form.
10. Davagh Dark Sky Park and Observatory is 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.
11. EASY TEASER:
What comes up sideways, but goes down vertically? No guesses yet, so - Clue: There's a pair. Another clue: "It's in your stars". Another clue: the coming up starts in the autumn, and the going down happens in the spring. Still no correct answers, so here's a final clue. It's a constellation .
12. DIFFICULT TEASER:
What's the connection between: a London Borough, a piece of rock, and another solar system body? No guesses yet, so – Clue: the other solar system body is a planet. Another clue: it's one of the 'terrestrial planets". Another clue: the residents of the borough seem to like using their car horns.
Please send all Teaser answers to me at my aol address terrymosel@aol.com
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:
Young galaxy's coming of age: Early galaxies may be surprisingly big and complex -- ScienceDaily
Astronomers find evidence for most powerful pulsar in distant galaxy -- ScienceDaily (Note quote from Gregg Hallinan!)
Gaia maps two billion Milky Way objects in unprecedented detail (newatlas.com)
Your chance to see a Black Hole yourself https://www.facebook.com/184127114954273/posts/5589925301041067/?sfnsn=scwspmo Andromeda Tore Apart and Consumed a Neighbor Galaxy - Universe Today
Watching the death of a rare giant star -- ScienceDaily Interesting. But Betelgeuse is usually classed just as a Red Supergiant, not a Hypergiant. I wonder what the surface temperature of VY CMa is? Probably fairly low, comparatively speaking, as it's so distended.
Mysterious 'blue blobs' reveal a new kind of star system -- ScienceDaily and
Bizarre blue blobs in space may be born from galactic "belly flops" (newatlas.com)
Ancient galaxies are casting long shadows across the universe, scientists say (msn.com)
Galaxies in the earlier universe could be 'far bigger than we previously thought' (msn.com)
Astronomers spot weird star that is travelling faster than any like it (msn.com)
Scientists map violent nebula to discover how stars were formed 10bn years ago (msn.com)
Astronomers discover most eccentric young star system (msn.com)
'Dark' black hole wandering the Milky Way may be the smallest yet detected (msn.com)
Gaia probe detects unusual 'starquakes' during recent survey | Space and
UK space probe spots tsunami-like 'starquake' as 'goldmine' exposes Milky Way's secrets (msn.com)
HST determines mass of rogue Black Hole https://www.facebook.com/100000261915995/posts/5568688463149829/?sfnsn=scwspmo Yoyo stars responsible for off-center bubbles -- ScienceDaily
Rapid-fire fast radio burst shows hot space between galaxies -- ScienceDaily
Repeating Fast Radio Burst Detected From Far Away Dwarf Galaxy | Watch (msn.com)
Detecting new particles around black holes with gravitational waves -- ScienceDaily
Colossal collisions linked to solar system science -- ScienceDaily
New trove of data from Europe's Gaia mission will lead to best Milky Way map ever | Space
A 'trove' of black hole discoveries emerge from dwarf galaxies | Space
"Impossible" neutron star spins too slowly and emits 7 types of signals (newatlas.com) and
Hubble telescope spots peculiar dwarf galaxy with really bright neighbor (msn.com)
An accidental space telescope discovered why giant star Betelgeuse grew dim (msn.com)
COSMOLOGY:
Does the infinite exist? - Big Think
Physicists discover never-before seen particle sitting on a tabletop | Live Science
Cosmological gravitational waves: A new approach to reach back to the Big Bang -- ScienceDaily
New simulation charts how the early universe developed within seconds of the Big Bang (msn.com)
EARTH & MOON
China's Lunar Lander Finds Water Under its Feet - Universe Today
Canadian meteorite may be first visitor from the Kuiper belt | New Scientist
A Geologic map of the Entire Moon has Been Released at 1:2,500,000-Scale - Universe Today
China's moon sample-return mission finds water evidence twice over (msn.com)
Why France signing NASA's lunar exploration pact is the most important signature yet (msn.com)
Earth's core is twisting under our feet, scientists find (msn.com)
Luna 25 will be heading for the lunar S. Pole in September https://www.facebook.com/551070831/posts/10160742741270832/?sfnsn=mo NASA picks new experiments for commercial delivery to moon in 2026 (msn.com)
NASA to explore a lunar orbit to serve as outpost for future missions | Watch (msn.com)
Nasa says it will investigate mysterious mounds on moon in Artemis mission (msn.com)
China is putting a floating power station in space (msn.com) and China brings forward launch of solar power plant space station that would beam energy back to Earth (msn.com)
EXOLIFE
Astronomer claims robots have replaced aliens and they're targeting humans next (msn.com)
The Northern Irish mathematician helping NASA find life on other planets - Belfast Live
'Building blocks of life' found in asteroid dust (aol.co.uk)
Researcher Claims Four 'Alien Civilisations' in the Milky Way Could Attack Earth (msn.com) Why would they bother? - We're doing a good enough job ourselves!
Aliens could use rogue planets to reach Earth (msn.com) Just one problem - how do you steer a planet through space????
EXOPLANETS
Two New Rocky Planets Discovered Close to the Solar System - Universe Today
How Do Hot Jupiters Get So Close to Their Stars? - Universe Today
These 10 super extreme exoplanets are out of this world (msn.com)
Do extraterrestrial auroras occur on other planets? | Live Science
There may be 4 evil alien civilizations in the galaxy | Live Science
IMAGES
Fascinating video https://www.facebook.com/reel/433464534897071?fs=e&s=cl
Behold the coiled beauty of this snake-like galaxy 80 million light-years from Earth | Space
Hubble Space Telescope takes its largest near-infrared image ever (msn.com)
Hubble Space Telescope images twisted galaxy shaped by a big neighbor | Space
Hubble telescope snaps trippy new view of two swirling galaxies (msn.com)
NASA's Juno spacecraft soars to offer incredible flyby of Jupiter | Watch (msn.com)
SETI
China Says It May Have Detected Signals From Alien Civilisations (msn.com)
China has a new mission to look for alien life (msn.com)
SOLAR SYSTEM
Near-sun comet roasted to death -- ScienceDaily
New maps of asteroid Psyche reveal an ancient world of metal and rock: The varied surface suggests a dynamic history, which could include metallic eruptions, asteroid-shaking impacts, and a lost rocky mantle -- ScienceDaily Is an astronomer who studies this object a Psychelogist?
Gaia space telescope rocks the science of asteroids -- ScienceDaily
This is What the Metal Asteroid Psyche Might Look Like - Universe Today
https://www.sciencealert.com/it-s-official-we-can-detect-no-signs-of-sulfur-munching-life-on-venus Japan's Upcoming Mission Will Use a Vacuum to Get its Sample From Phobos - Universe Today
High Altitude Life Can't Explain the Trace Gases in Venus' Atmosphere - Universe Today
ESA Gives Green Light on its Comet Interceptor Mission - Universe Today
After Three Months in Safe-Mode, NASA's Maven Spacecraft Has Been Recovered - Universe Today
A Perfectly Balanced Rock Seen by Perseverance - Universe Today
Gaia space telescope rocks the science of asteroids -- ScienceDaily Jupiter may have grown large on a diet of infant planets, study suggests (msn.com)
Martian meteorite upsets planet formation theory -- ScienceDaily
Chemical analysis may close the case on life on Venus (newatlas.com)
Brian Cox witnesses 'Seven Days on Mars' (msn.com)
Scientists watch as comet is 'roasted to death' – and see unexpected results (msn.com)
Nasa Mars rover spots 'unexpected' piece of spacecraft on red planet (msn.com)
Venus's strange clouds are not explained by alien life, scientists say (msn.com)
NASA scientists flock to the Australian outback to see the one-second 'flash' that could unlock the secrets of Pluto - ABC News Isn't astronomy amazing? – what you can do even with portable telescopes!
NASA's Psyche mission delay means change of targets for secondary asteroid probes (msn.com)
'Building blocks of life' found in asteroid dust (aol.co.uk)
Colossal collisions linked to solar system science -- ScienceDaily
After "Alien Doorway", NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Bizarre Spikes On Mars (msn.com)
Mars helicopter takes longest flight | Watch (msn.com)
We Don't Know Neptune at All (msn.com)
Why Uranus and Neptune are different colors -- ScienceDaily
Watch the biggest-ever comet outburst spray dust across the cosmos (msn.com)
What's it like to be on Venus or Pluto? We studied their sand dunes and found some clues. (msn.com)
SPACE
Russia and the ISS https://www.facebook.com/551070831/posts/10160757144965832/?sfnsn=scwspmo
Starship is one Step Closer to Flight - Universe Today
ESA Gives Green Light on its Comet Interceptor Mission - Universe Today
Russia's new nuclear powered rocket https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysT-PujxtG4
NASA prepares to power-down Voyager spacecraft after more than 44 years (msn.com)
New spacesuit for Boeing's Starliner capsule unveiled | Space
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft takes big step toward 2024 launch | Space
Astra rocket suffers major failure during launch, 2 NASA satellites lost (msn.com)
NI space industry experts called to Belfast event (msn.com)
Why France signing NASA's lunar exploration pact is the most important signature yet (msn.com)
The problem of space debris. https://www.facebook.com/8860325749/posts/10160072902915750/?sfnsn=scwspmo Russia sparks panic as it tries to hijack orbiting satellite and take it out 'safe mode' (msn.com)
Finally! Inmarsat launches UK's OWN Galileo replacement in huge post-Brexit win (msn.com) – Sure, what's an extra £364 million?
China's next crewed spacecraft is ready for potential space station rescue mission (msn.com)
Space explorers will become part-cyborg to adapt, Astronomer Royal says (msn.com)
China is putting a floating power station in space (msn.com)
SpaceX's Starship will deploy next-gen Starlink satellites Pez-dispenser style (video) (msn.com)
To space and back: Blue Origin's NS-21 crew wants to go again (and again) | Space China sends three astronauts to finish construction of its OWN space station (msn.com)
Groundbreaking sets stage for space shuttle Endeavour launch-like display (msn.com)
NASA picks 2 companies to build next-gen spacesuits for moon | Space
US takes on UK to launch nuclear fusion rocket for 'next gen' travel in new Space Race (msn.com)
NASA picks new experiments for commercial delivery to moon in 2026 (msn.com)
What's it like to be on Venus or Pluto? We studied their sand dunes and found some clues. (msn.com)
Russia launches new Progress 81 cargo ship to International Space Station (msn.com)
NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket returns to launch pad for crucial tests (msn.com)
Nasa to launch three rockets from private Australian space port (msn.com)
SUN
Fantastic video! https://fb.watch/dLluMJX-1s/
Odd sunspot appears https://www.facebook.com/100007370648561/posts/3183818445207146/?sfnsn=scwspmo Particle accelerator region revealed inside a solar flare -- ScienceDaily
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES.
Gaia Data Release 3: 'Complete step change' in understanding of our Universe -- ScienceDaily
NASA telescope to help untangle galaxy growth, dark matter makeup -- ScienceDailyGaia space telescope rocks the science of asteroids -- ScienceDaily World's largest Liquid Mirror Telescope. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3306714009557414&id=100006565414017&sfnsn=scwspmo
NASA telescope to help untangle galaxy growth, dark matter makeup -- ScienceDailyJames Webb Space Telescope hit by micrometeoroid just months into flight | Space Webb Telescope hit by micrometeoroid but sustains no major damage (msn.com) NASA plans giant radio telescope on lunar farside https://www.facebook.com/100045998303732/posts/571008754442396/?sfnsn=scwspmoNew simulation charts how the early universe developed within seconds of the Big Bang | Space
New trove of data from Europe's Gaia mission will lead to best Milky Way map ever | Space UFOs, UAPs etc
Nasa to launch landmark study into unexplained phenomena in the sky (msn.com)
These 10 super extreme exoplanets are out of this world (msn.com)
14. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. This link gives options to join the IAA.
https://irishastro.org/join-the-iaa/ If you are a UK taxpayer, please select the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you. You can also make a donation via Paypal if you wish: just click on the 'Donate' button. See also https://irishastro.org/
The Irish Astronomical Association is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 105858
DISCLAIMER: Any views expressed herein are mine, and do not necessarily represent those of the IAA.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
