1. IAA LECTURE Wednesday 29 October, 7.30 p.m. Larmor Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, QUB: "A Chronology of the Solar System" by Dr Andrew Marshall-Lee, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
ABSTRACT
This talk will give an overview of all the processes that formed the Solar System as we know it, from the protoplanetary disc, through the formation of the planets and minor bodies, the movements of the planets relative to each other, and how we ended up with what we have now..
I will be discussing the processes that formed our solar system and the history of the planets, and other objects up to the modern day. There'll be discussion as well on my research which is focused on asteroids (no maths I promise). I will then talk about citizen science projects people can do at home and the equipment they would need.. These are observation projects that I am doing and would like to get the involvement of the community with. Especially as it could lead to publications (though I don't want to promise the world!) if there are successful observations.
Brief Bio:
I am a 4th year PhD student and telescope technician at Armagh Observatory, my research is on the orbital dynamics, and origins of grouped asteroids.
2, TOTAL ECLIPSE 2026: Cheap Option
TOTAL ECLIPSE ONE DAY VISIT TO ICELAND: Eclipse addicts will not need reminding that there will be a total solar eclipse on 12th August, 2026. IAA member Geoffrey Bowman has proposed a "no frills" eclipse visit to observe totality near Reykjavik, Iceland. Geoffrey has booked an Icelandair flight from Dublin International Airport (departing 12.15pm, arriving Keflavik International Airport at 1.55pm local time.) Totality begins at approx. 5.48pm local time. In Reykjavik, totality lasts about 1 minute, but at Keflavik Airport, further to the west, totality will last approx. 1 min. 40 seconds. The plan is to watch the eclipse, then stay at the airport until the return flight departs on 13th August at 9.40am. (Anyone wanting to book accommodation on the night of 12th August may find rooms at £1,000+ ). Overnight, the sky should become dark enough to see any vigorous Northern Lights activity, and there may also be an option to visit nearby active lava-flows. Two weeks ago there were plenty of seats left for both flights, at a total cost of around £400 return, but anyone interested in doing this should decide quickly! Leaving it to the last minute will almost certainly mean no available seats, or very high seat prices. If, on the day before the total eclipse, it is clear that it will be rained out, you can cut your losses by simply not going. Are you keen enough on seeing a total eclipse to take a chance? If anyone wants to join Geoffrey on this "no frills" eclipse trip, he can be contacted at 02890401073 or by email at geoffrey.bowman11@btinternet.com
[My only comment would be – don't count on seeing aurora: The sky won't get dark enough for even nautical twilight (Sun at least 12 degrees below the horizon), and the least amount of twilight won't be until 01.30 that night. The same would apply to seeing any Perseid Meteors – the sky will just be too bright. But it's certainly a cheap option to try to see the eclipse, although with rather poor weather prospects TM]
3. SATURN JUST PAST OPPOSITION, JUPITER well placed:
The second biggest planet in our system is still well-placed for observing after its opposition on Sep 21.
Both the Sun and the Earth are now on the South side of the ring plane, but the rings present to us at a very narrow angle of just over 1 degree, and they will close even further as Saturn retrogrades, due to Earth's orbital motion.
Now is a good time to look for the fainter inner satellites, as the rings are much less bright than when fully open. The current magnitudes (outwards from Mimas) are: Mimas 13.0, Enceladus 11,8, Tethys 10.3, Dione 10.5, Rhea 9.8, Titan 8.4. `
By 31 Oct Saturn will have faded slightly to mag 0.9, diameter 18.9"
JUPITER IS VISIBLE IN MORNING SKY, high up in Gemini.
4. IAA SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE DUE, 1 September
After many many years of keeping the subs constant at £20 we have reluctantly had to raise the amount to £25, to cover rising costs. Student membership is only £10. Details on the IAA website https://irishastro.org/
Please amend your payment details accordingly. If you have already paid at the old rate, please add an extra £5 via Paypal or whatever is convenient.
5. Two New Comets – last chances to see them.
Astrophotographers capture dazzling new views of Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) as it brightens for October skies | Space https://share.google/yLYu8mUyjFnFPsmw9
LATEST:
Comet Lemmon was closest to Earth on October 21. It'll be closest to the sun on November 8. Click here for finder charts and more. Many in the EarthSky community have already captured glorious images of this comet as it has sped inward in our solar system. See the photos.
See also: Monday's Comet Tracker: How To See Two Comets Close To Bright Stars https://share.google/6cunoUTdSa1aWbPBl
6. INTERSTELLAR COMET, 3I/ATLAS
(Prof Alan Fitzsimmons' superb talk on 1 October has whetted our interest in this object even more!)
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS - Everything We Know - Newsweek https://share.google/MdItd4oiAnZvwybhu
1st known interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua is an 'exo-Pluto' — a completely new class of object, scientists say | Space https://share.google/vGHZM6kvulUiGnPMb
Avi never gives up ! Harvard Astronomer Claims "Major Anomaly" As Interstellar Object 3I/Atlas Measured Over 33 Billion Tons | IFLScience https://share.google/myii6Cwb2dxXQxRyr
It's official! An interstellar object is visiting our solar system
With an absolute magnitude of about 12, it will be interesting to see how much it brightens as it nears perihelion. We may get our best view as it moves out from the solar glare in December, and gets closest to Earth, although even then it will be about 1.6 AU away.
Please ignore all the media speculation about this being an alien artefact: just Avi Loeb off on his favourite hobby-horse again. - As Prof Chris Lintott told me recently 'It's nonsense on stilts!'
And NASA has just released the following NASA responds to claim that mystery space object is potential alien spacecraft
Since this is the first chance any of us will have had to see a non-stellar object from outside our solar system, I'm giving the following details for initial planning. No doubt more accurate details will be available in due course:
Epoch = 2025 Oct. 12.0 TT
T = 2025 Oct. 29.41062 TT Peri. = 127.93850
e = 6.1801697 Node = 322.18759 2000.0
q = 1.3620397 AU Incl. = 175.11382
(Note that the inclination is much more than 90 degrees – almost 180, in fact. This means that it is travelling round the Sun in almost the opposite direction to all the planets. Which also means that if it were to hit us, it would be quite a bang!)
The following ephemeris is from the above orbital elements, and uses photometric power-law parameters H = 9.5 and 2.5n = 8 for the magnitudes. (Delta is distance from Earth, and r (Radius Vector) is distance from the Sun, both in AUs). Elong is angular elongation from the Sun.
it is now too close to the Sun for easy observation, but may be visible by 21 November, much better placed for Northern observers.
I wonder who in Ireland will be first to image it? And I hope to be able to see it visually, although I no longer have my own 37cm reflector!
Date TT R. A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. Phase Mag.
2025 11 21 12 34.09 -02 22.3 2.040 1.593 49.8 28.3 12.7
2025 11 26 12 18.72 -01 01.8 1.978 1.694 58.9 29.9 12.8
2025 12 01 12 01.83 +00 27.9 1.920 1.808 68.4 30.5 13.0
2025 12 06 11 43.30 +02 06.8 1.871 1.932 78.4 30.0 13.1
2025 12 11 11 23.10 +03 54.3 1.833 2.063 88.8 28.5 13.3
2025 12 16 11 01.34 +05 48.4 1.811 2.202 99.7 26.1 13.5
2025 12 21 10 38.31 +07 45.8 1.808 2.345 110.8 23.1 13.7
2025 12 26 10 14.50 +09 42.1 1.828 2.493 122.1 19.5 14.0
2025 12 31 09 50.52 +11 32.4 1.872 2.645 133.3 15.7 14.2
2026 01 05 09 27.06 +13 12.7 1.941 2.799 144.3 11.8 14.5
2026 01 10 09 04.75 +14 40.1 2.035 2.956 155.0 8.1 14.8
2026 01 15 08 44.07 +15 53.7 2.153 3.114 165.1 4.6 15.1
2026 01 20 08 25.34 +16 53.8 2.293 3.274 174.5 1.7 15.4
2026 01 25 08 08.70 +17 41.8 2.454 3.436 175.2 1.4 15.7
2026 01 30 07 54.15 +18 19.6 2.632 3.599 167.0 3.5 16.1
See also section on this comet under 'weblinks' at the end.
Avi Loeb goes off the rails! Harvard Professor Warns Public to 'Take Vacations Before October 29' — Says NASA Is Concealing the Truth About 3I/ATLAS
And it gets worse! Doppler Code? Experts Claim 3I/Atlas Is Sending a Signal Back Toward Earth
7. WhatsApp Group for alerts on Observing Nights.
The IAA have set up a WhatsApp Group for updates on Observing Nights. If you would like to be included in this group, please e-mail Mary at callistoboxers@hotmail.com with your full name & mobile telephone number.
No discussions about anything other than Observing Nights will be posted on this group.
8. IAA 50th Anniversary History booklet
All IAA members should have received a free copy of this history of the IAA with their latest Stardust. It would be good to have some feedback, so any comments are welcome.
Did you find it interesting or useful?
Any major omissions or errors that you are aware of? Any memories that it brought back for you?
9. ISS
The ISS continues its series of morning passes until 1 November. Details for your location are available on www,heavens-above.com
10. ALAN 2025, 28 – 30 October 2025, Westport, Co.Mayo.
This event is now booked out, and registration has closed. It's the largest number of attendees of any ALAN Conference so far!
This event will be followed by the wonderful Mayo Dark Sky Festival in nearby Newport –
11. Mayo Dark Sky Festival, 31 October – 2 November. Another amazing programme, with a wide variety of events. One of the highlights of the year.. Details and tickets at https://www.mayodarkskyfestival.ie/?utm_campaign=756da2e1-b561-4d4d-9587-9fe4dd8cee87&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=deca6829-6eef-4150-952e-f2ca19b05911
12. ISS 25th Anniversary Event at AOP, 2 November
Public Talk – 25th Anniversary of Continuous Human Presence Aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Join Paul Evans from the IAA in a special talk "25 years of The International Space Station - How it came to be" to celebrate a quarter century of uninterrupted human occupancy aboard the ISS.
Talk start times: 12:45pm and 2:45pm lasting 45mins each with time for Q&A afterwards.
*Tickets include access to our exhibition area.
*If you decide to add a dome show, the talk ticket will be free. This will be automatically applied at checkout. Book Dome Show Tickets Here
See https://armaghobservatoryplanetarium.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173662915
13: HEADS UP – Advance notice. IFAS Convention, Saturday 12 September 2026.
"From Ancient Stones to Distant Stars". Birr Castle, Co Offaly. This event, being organised by Ronan Newman, chair of IFAS, is the first event of its kind. It will be an all-day event, with a possible optional dinner in the evening, and possibly observing if clear. Top speakers are being invited, and there will also be major contribution from IFAS clubs. Details still being arranged, but mark the date in your diaries.
14. 2026 Eclipse planning.
This may be of interest to those planning observing locations for the total solar eclipses in 2026 and 2027
Global risk map reveals the most dangerous countries and cities
And weather prospects for the coming eclipses such as the one in Spain in 2026, and N. Africa in 2027, are on www.eclipsophile.com . The discussions there will help you pick a site for the eclipse, as weather is one of the important factors to consider.
15: Recurrent Nova T Corona Borealis – Latest predictions- 10 November?:
By extrapolating the empirical fact that the previous T CrB eruption dates were separated by an integer multiple of the orbital period 228 days, the next eruptions should appear at 27 March 2025, 10 November 2025, 25 June 2026 or 8 Feb 2027. No physical hypothesis is made behind this extrapolation. I urge observers to be cautious about it, since an external perturbation could happen, and to continue to monitor the light-curve of the star. (By Jean Schneider, Paris Observatory)
Obviously it didn't explode on 27 March, so the next date is 10 November.
(It's well over a year and a half now since the first predictions of an 'imminent' outburst! But, it could explode any time, so, keep an eye on it - comparison charts can be found on the websites of the BAA Variable Star Section, or the AAVSO. The current magnitude is around 10, so you'll need a good telescope to see it now.
(BTW, don't confuse it with the other nearby famous variable star, R CrB, which does the opposite – it stays normally around 6th magnitude, but occasionally dims to as faint as magnitude 14 or 15!)
Anyway, do keep an eye out – T CrB lies just outside the East side of the circle of the 'Crown', about a degree from Epsilon CrB, but you really do need charts to observe it properly. It's now visible in the sky each night.
It's at Declination: 25° 55′ 12.613″; R.A.: 15h 59m 30.1622s)
16: NEW EASY TEASER:
What's the next (and last) one in this sequence A, A, D, M, M, M ?
Clue: If there's one more in the sequence, how many in total?
Another clue: What's in a name?
Another clue: Do I have to point you in the right direction to start?
17. NEW DIFFICULT TEASER
Which well-known song refers (indirectly) to Earthshine?
Remember, send answers to me only at my aol address: terrymosel@aol.com.
18. 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:
Astronomers spot giant hidden 'bridge' and record-breaking tail between 2 dwarf galaxies | Live Science https://share.google/5H98lEOEnmf0zfoWG
3 billion-year-old white dwarf still consuming its planetary system challenges previous assumptions https://share.google/MkeVxo5hnpXMRCJ6q
This Tiny Dark Object Could Rewrite the Universe's Rules https://share.google/h91wamlISLiWy42ox
A recent detection by the JWST nicknamed "Capotauro" (officially CEERS ID U-100588), may offer a glimpse into the very first galaxy in the Universe. The object was observed as part of the CEERS (Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science) Survey and appears so distant that if https://search.app/T9rBG
There Might Be a Black Hole Inside This Little Red Star https://share.google/rxSN1s6xP7mwss7sb
Two Black Holes Observed Circling Each Other for the First Time - Universe Today
Dark Matter Could Color Our View of the Universe - Universe Today
How compact can a neutron star get before collapsing into a black hole? | Space https://share.google/1excKiZ7zOXjwhkCr
Scientists Finally Hear Distant Black Holes Ring, Confirming Hawking's Famous Prediction https://share.google/OnARpbqKdn38Mx1SN
XRISM Catches a Pulsar's Cosmic Wind...and Sees a Surprising Result - Universe Today https://share.google/n9ssyKPrT9ULizMBa
James Webb telescope may have spotted controversial 'dark stars' in the far universe
ALMA and JWST solve major star formation mystery: Space photo of the week
Astronomers close in on ancient signal from 'one of the most unexplored periods in our universe'
Largest catalog of black hole mergers to date is released - Earth.com https://share.google/vIu66rRRVY8kIOqRL
Long-lived gamma ray burst could signal a new kind of cosmic catastrophe | Science | AAAS https://share.google/eD8NTDLy91wMK5IZK
Dark matter seen for first time: Eerie image shows elusive substance that makes up 25% of universe
Giant star Betelgeuse has a 'Betelbuddy' — and it's very little indeed | Space
JWST Confirms Day-Long Gamma-Ray Burst Emitted Energy of 2,000 Supernovae | IFLScience https://share.google/njVL0Fjlp3Fsxp7xy
Astronomers close in on ancient signal from 'one of the most unexplored periods in our universe' https://share.google/CaPY27gt8epuCkoKm
JWST images twin jets https://x.com/ESA_Webb/status/1980910564932247651?t=P9yXRnu46n-aIgT_0zA4mw&s=09
How scientists are using spinning dead stars to find ripples in the fabric of spacetime | Space https://share.google/mACmniqaMSv8Xcixo
Milky Way shows gamma ray excess due to dark matter annihilation, study suggests https://share.google/S9OJDluesDGU6yVfN
COMET I3/ATLAS (I3 stands for 'Interstellar 3', i.e. the 3rd known interstellar object)
Scientists reveal all the strange behaviors of interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS
New images show the changing tail of 3I/Atlas https://share.google/cO5LQrwr1WOy75xcw
Hera And Europa Clipper Will Pass Through 3I/ATLAS' Tail - Universe Today
New images of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS show giant 'jet' shooting toward the sun | Live Science https://share.google/EdMoZjeL7XAHf0wkqLucky cosmic hit: NASA probe could taste ion tail of 3I/ATLAS this week
COSMOLOGYScientists Unveil New Model for the Big Bang That Could Totally Rewrite the Universe's Origins!https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/10/new-model-big-bang-rewrite-universe-origin/
Dark matter might leave a colorful 'fingerprint' on light
EARTH & MOONRare timelapse of red sprites and the southern Milky Way
Earth just got a new 'moon'—and it's staying for decades
Scientist Have Uncovered The First Evidence of the 4.5-Billion-Year-Old "Proto Earth" - Universe Today
Phosphorus Prepared Earth For Complex Life And Could Be A Valuable Biosignature - Universe Today
This is neat! 1st-ever video captures the sound and sight of a meteorite crash-landing on Earth | Watch. If you look carefully, you can just see the falling object in one single frame, just above the apparent horizon, on the right hand side, a fraction of a second before the impact.
Scientists discover first direct evidence that slivers of 'proto-Earth' may survive today
NASA confirms Earth now has a second "moon" — for the next 58 years
Scientists Fear Another Carrington Event More Than Any Natural Disaster
Scientists Keep Spotting Strange Flashes on the Moon, What's Really Going On? https://share.google/k6mj3N1TcgCvgfSzi
EXOLIFE:Are We In The Solitude Zone Of The Universe? - Universe Today
Martians would be God's children too says Vatican astronomer https://share.google/wvgpf7aNAEQpU3JPg But the important question is – would they be Protestants or Catholics???? 😉 Much more important than whether, not being descended from Adam and Eve, they would be burdened by Original Sin…..
Mars ice could preserve signs of ancient life for 50 million years - Earth.com https://share.google/cRH5kBdd4GaDClDwd
Life's Ingredients Found Frozen Beyond The Milky Way For First Time : ScienceAlert https://share.google/6WL3hGYMs9AyVWbjV
JWST finds building blocks of life in another Galaxy for the first time | BBC Sky at Night Magazine https://share.google/5pARaU3QE7B33xl4u
New study says microbes on Mars might be living in the ice
EXOPLANETSThis dead star is still shredding its planetary system
Super-Earth less than 20 light-years away is an exciting lead in the search for life | Space https://share.google/icxzegyC2ZH9x0JD7
A Galaxy's Age Determines What Type Of Planets It Can Form - Universe Today
Three Earth-sized planets discovered in a compact binary system https://share.google/SX1sasLZ6u4sZsuv0
Astronomers are currently tracking a Jupiter-sized exoplanet that was ejected from its star and is hurtling towards the Solar System.
Scientists discover exoplanet-forming disk with water older than the star it orbits
Seeing a newborn planet sculpting its dust disk for the first time - Earth.com https://share.google/jJ1iOHobaOUZF7NVR
Incredible telescope image shows baby exoplanet being born | Space https://share.google/OhAZJB41euSuSk6Ae
IMAGESJWST Amazing image of Helix Nebula Black Hole on X: "Helix Nebula The Helix Nebula also known as NGC 7293 or Caldwell 63 is a Planetary Nebula located in the constellation Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, most likely before 1824, this object is one of the closest of all the bright planetary nebulae to Earth. Image https://t.co/wd9tX4zj4H" / X
Ripples in Saturn's rings from tiny moon https://x.com/MAstronomers/status/1980617174227316976?t=6ueeR7wl0KLacS9vZuezlQ&s=09
https://x.com/konstructivizm/status/1980211523109736776?t=tH0u4opFTiimzyAoeZNxIw&s=09
LIGHT & SATELLITE SKY POLLUTIONRadio Astronomers Fight Back Against Satellite Interference - Universe Today https://share.google/dl3Z3ttLRaGSLy3ne
PEOPLE:£30m state-of-the-art research vessel named after Lurgan-born physicist will help marine industries to 'adapt' – Armagh I https://share.google/0vd2aw8HI4JlGPaig
SOLAR SYSTEM Bizarre Crystals in Titan's Lakes Could Break a Fundamental Rule of Chemistry : ScienceAlert https://share.google/M7nCK2W6vo4YGvgcn
Astronomers discover 2nd fastest asteroid in the solar system hiding in the sun's glare | Space
The Winds on Mars are Stronger Than We Thought - Universe Today
Titan Is Teaching A New Chemistry Lesson - Universe Today
Without Jupiter, Earth may have spiraled into the sun long ago | Space https://share.google/xHyrPs2qJgDiFcnuf
Mars crater holds much information https://x.com/HiRISE/status/1981843429500793242?t=7Hpal6WxgyDiN7s5fa5I6w&s=09
James Webb telescope spies a 'farting' dwarf planet with fluorescent gas in the outer solar system Maybe it's an escaped satellite of Uranus?
"It Shouldn't Be Possible": Scientists Find Titan's Atmosphere Spins Like a Gyroscope (and it's rewriting NASA's next mission plans) https://share.google/ALy6gwBZVd09Kx01a
Ghost Craters of Utopia Planitia. Sometimes we see circles on the Martian landscape with no apparent cause, such as in this picture of Utopia Planitia. https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_069243_2030
Do the organics in Enceladus' ocean point to habitability?
Dancing dust devils on Mars trace raging winds
Channels on Mars https://x.com/HiRISE/status/1980710952245862831?t=Pdy-TlBkryqKi4rxJ9pslQ&s=09
Volcanic explosions on Mars may have left massive ice deposits at the Red Planet's equator | Space https://share.google/2b4X8BAQNd6tL94pZ
NASA's $20 Million Mission to the "God of Chaos" Asteroid Set to Launch After Major Hurdles https://share.google/6lM1sjhL6xHGqlz39
SPACEEuropean firms unite in bid to rival SpaceX - BBC News https://share.google/cBBI6ZGwysAXAHUYf
Elon Musk now controls two thirds of satellites as 10,000th Starlink launches https://share.google/ZXc4j8n4qEOrr1gaY
Acting NASA Chief Announces More "Shakeups" - Universe Today
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a leading European player in space by combining their respective activities in satellite & space systems manufacturing and services. This project aims to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in space, a major sector that underpins critical infrastructure and services related to telecommunications, global navigation, earth observation, science, exploration and national security. Learn more in the press release: https://search.app/mKppT
Kessler Syndrome risk https://x.com/esa/status/1981008134232821967?t=LB_ChHjnoc4G7ulSdkkADg&s=09
Physicist and author Brian Greene to host 1st Global Space Awards in London | Space https://share.google/u9jvPqYQ3wt1RFq52
What space does to body will terrify you, are we really ready for Mars? https://share.google/UR3VEfjPkFjzVbaIx
Starship V3: The World's Largest Rocket Is About to Get Even Bigger https://share.google/VOP5E8CLF1TSluh24
SUN
Astronomers solve the mystery of why the Sun's outer atmosphere is far hotter than its surface - The Brighter Side of News https://share.google/cRrUKv2ADYYD0c7nY
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES
How A Trick From Radio Astronomy Could Help Astronomers Find Earth-like Planets - Universe Today
FINAL WORD:
"The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - Johannes Kepler
19. 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
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