From: Terry Moseley <terryjmoseley@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2026, 20:20
Subject: Lecture, Orionids, Mayo DSF, ISS, Planets, Moon occults Maia, UOS Global Conf, Teasers, More
To: <iaaastro@gmail.com>
Hi all,
1. IAA LECTURE , 21 October.
“Looking at Comets and Asteroids through ….. Sunglasses? ” by Dr Rok Nežič (Armagh Observatory & Planetarium). 7.30p.m., Wed 21 October, Larmor Lecture Theatre, Astrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, QUB
SYNOPSIS:
It is a simple fact in astrophysics that light is nearly our only source of data about the Universe. While this is somewhat less true for Solar System science, ground-based observations are still the primary tool for us to learn more about our local neighbourhood. It therefore behoves us to gather as much information from it as possible. Light scattered from certain types of materials can become polarised, and – in addition to brightness and colour properties – analysis of this polarisation can teach us more about the structural and mineral properties of those materials. We will delve into the properties of electromagnetic radiation – light – that cause polarisation, as well as into the observational and theoretical outcomes from polarimetric analyses of asteroid surfaces and cometary dust.
Biography:
Dr Rok Nežič hails from Slovenia and studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, followed by a Master’s in Astrophysics at the University College London (UCL). In 2015 he undertook his PhD as a joint project between the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and UCL, focusing on polarimetry of cometary dust, analysing how the composition of cometary dust changes along the comet tail, and through time. He now uses his love of astronomy and history of science to educate and entertain visitors through school visits, history tours, planetarium shows, talks, and more.
Admission free, including light refreshments. All welcome.
2. ORIONIDS
The Orionids peak on October 21, with the radiant in the NE corner of the constellation, near the feet of Gemini. The Moon is waxing gibbous, so it won’t be ideal for observing. The quoted ZHR is about 20, but moonlight will probably halve that. The Orionids are tiny particles left behind by Halley’s comet in its orbit round the Sun.
3. MAYO DARK SKY FESTIVAL, 31 October – 1 November.
Based mainly in Newport, with other events in Mulranny and Ballycroy Dark Sky Park VC, this is always a brilliant event! Excellent speakers again this year, something for everyone. This year is their 10th: I’ve been to them all, and they just keep getting better and better!
The Mayo Dark Sky Festival is a three-day celebration of our pristine night skies and proud winner of the Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Award for Best Festival 2025. From Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, join us in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy for stargazing, expert talks, guided walks, planetarium shows, live music and inspiring night-sky experiences for all ages.
Full details Mayo Dark Sky Festival | Mayo Dark Sky Festival
4. NEXT ECLIPSE – COMMENTS & GUIDANCE
Thanks for the feedback on my information piece in the last bulletin. I’ll add more here as anything of interest becomes available.
I think some of this was taken from my last bulletin!
The photographers’ secret that changes everything for the 2027 total solar eclipse I mentioned every one of the places that are mentioned here! And I think that she is AI, not a real person!
10 incredible places to see the 2027 eclipse of the century — beyond Luxor
5. ISS. The ISS continues its series of morning passes until 14 November. Details for your location are available on www.heavens-above.com
6. VENUS is too low in the W twilight to be seen.
7. SATURN just past OPPOSITION on October 4. The Ringed Planet is visible for most of the night, rising at sunset. It’s now North of the Equator, giving us better viewing for longer each nigh. It’s in Cetus, which of course is not one of the zodiacal constellations, but the astrologers will ignore that!
It will be mag 0.4 and diameter 19.8”. The angle of the rings is now steadily increasing, about 7.4 degrees, with the South side presented to Earth.
Of the main moons, Titan is by far the easiest to see, reaching mag 8.3 at opposition and just visible in good binocs when at greatest elongation from Saturn. Rhea is visible in any decent amateur telescope, reaching mag 9.7, and next, moving in closer to the planet, are Dione (mag 10.4), Tethys (mag 10.2) and Enceladus, mag 11.7. The next one in is Mimas, challenging at mag 12.9, especially as it never gets far from the bright rings. Much further out from Saturn, beyond Titan, is the mysterious Iapetus, where one side is more than twice as bright as the other, with the mag varying from 10.2 – 11.9.
8. MARS & JUPITER – becoming more visible in the early morning sky
Mars in in Cancer, still small and faint, with mag 1.0, and a diameter of only 6.0”. Jupiter lies in Leo, much brighter at mag -1.8, and bigger, with a diameter of 34.4”
9. Moon occults Pleiades.
The Moon occults 20 Tau, better known as Maia, mag 3.9, of the Pleiades, on 28 Oct at about 00.35.
10. UNDER ONE SKY GLOBAL ONLINE CONFERENCE, 6-7 November
Under One Sky 2026 brings together a global community united by a shared mission to protect the night. From DarkSky Advocates and lighting designers to ecologists, astronomers, policymakers, artists, and more, our community is as diverse as the night itself. Join us as we hear from leading experts, explore innovative ideas, and discover inspiring stories as we follow the night around the world.
Whether you’re passionate about the night sky, protecting wildlife, or improving communities through responsible lighting, we invite you to join us for a one-of-a-kind learning journey as we work together to protect the night. under one sky
11. EASY TEASER
What’s special about asteroid 15?
Clue: Do I have to spell it out for you?
Another clue – it’s the only one of the first 100 asteroids (at least) which has this characteristic.
Another clue: Sounds like it’s not a matter of consonance, I hear. (- or of dissonance either.)
Rule: You are only eligible to enter the Easy Teaser if you have not been a member of an astronomy club or society for more than 10 years, or if you have not already correctly answered one of the difficult ones. This is to give the beginners and young readers a chance!)
12. DIFFICULT TEASER- ANSWERED
Philip Baxter was first in with the right answer, again!
What star will you not find in Taurus? – Apart, obviously, from ones in other constellations.
Clue: ‘ ‘They call me the Wanderer”
ANSWER: 34 Tauri. That’s because before Wm Herschel discovered Uranus, it had already been noted and logged by John Flamsteed in his catalogue, as 34 Tauri. Once it was found that it was Uranus (and had moved away!), that designation was cancelled, and there is no ’34 Tauri’. (The wanderer refers to the fact that the word planet means wanderer.)
Well done Philip again.
And John Flannery also gave the correct answer shortly afterwards – well done John.
13. NEW DIFFICULT TEASER:
What do the following have in common? Orion, Gemini, Draco, Sagittarius
BTW, I’m NOT accusing anyone of using Chat GPT, or any other form of AI, but to be safe, and for my own satisfaction, I’m trying to make the questions as AI-proof as possible!
Remember, send answers to me only at my aol address: terrymosel@aol.com.
14. 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:
Supernova evolution captured in stunning Dark Energy Camera timelapse | Watch
What are white dwarf stars? How do they form? And 2nd-generation planet: Was this world born around a dead star?
Space breakthrough: Astronomers at UK university discover first ever green star in history https://share.google/3ErAaSVUHavWLCvcX
Webb spots possible early-universe supernova just days after it happened https://share.google/xQXNTiSfk5a3Bs2ph
A gigantic map of the universe is revealing invisible phenomena in space
We might finally know what caused the strangest flash in the entire universe
A 2-billion-light-year void surrounds our cosmic neighborhood - and it could be hiding the truth | Watch
Betelgeuse has a companion star – so why hasn't Hubble been able to see it? Astronomers may finally have worked out where it's been hiding
Astronomers find 'intricate structure' in unique object in our galaxy
Major breakthrough. Astronomers have found sugar in clouds between stars for the first time, hinting the ingredients for life formed in deep space
Worlds collide! James Webb Space Telescope investigates what happens when planets crash together
Dead star orbiting a neutron star 'cosmic lighthouse' is at a rarely seen stage of its afterlife
A huge chunk of our sky has been missing, unable to be seen. Here's the genius science behind how humanity got its sky back
Supermassive black holes 'kill' their host galaxies using plasma jets as their murder weapons
Astronomers Observe The Limb Darkening Effect On Nearby Stars - Universe Today https://share.google/fiszOKqeAZJcIPXQz
https://www.science.org/content/article/simons-observatory-takes-closer-look-infant-universe?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_content=alert&utm_campaign=DailyLatestNews&et_rid=415711678&et_cid=6095848
"JWST Discovers an Unexpectedly Mature Galaxy Cluster 🌌 The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a galaxy cluster that existed approximately 10 billion years ago. While cosmological models suggest it should be less developed, observations reveal a fully formed, "mature" https://t.co/fsIkjrzqZR" / X https://share.google/wzHVIYCYXzjipLAP5
Astronomers combined 16.7 years of gamma-ray data with 4.9 years of FAST radio observations to confirm a 3.2-millisecond pulsar has two companions, including a Sun-like star on a 73.5-year orbit - The Times of India https://share.google/UB0SuCaSsiqQbk6M7
Astronomers detect mysterious burst of energy from a galaxy far, far away | Astronomy | The Guardian https://share.google/yhoRb7e0tDuUvBnli
New study changes what we know about space dust
COSMOLOGY
A faint glow from the early universe could help solve the mystery of dark energy
'If I'm wrong, I can retire': Why some physicists are now betting big that dark energy doesn't exist (Hmmm – what have I been saying for many years???)
A 2-billion-light-year void surrounds our cosmic neighborhood - and it could be hiding the truth | Watch
Ancient black holes could unlock secret 'fifth dimension' beyond universe
We thought the universe was the same everywhere. But it turns out it could be much stranger than we'd imagined
Is the universe a simulation? https://pod.link/1296673906/episode/MDFiNDdhZjQtYjJhMy0xMWYxLWFkM2ItMzdlNGVlMDBlYjU0
Alternative gravity theory offers possible explanation for dark energy changing over time https://share.google/ZvoV26opZ4izHzgle
Primordial Helium Further Confirms Our Understanding Of The Big Bang - Universe Today https://share.google/6mLMxp34x5cDJceGY
Five-dimensional black holes offer a possible explanation for dark matter and neutrinos - The Brighter Side of News https://share.google/LAkVaVuNW2F2xGvkc
A New Test Upends a Long-Held Assumption About Dark Matter https://share.google/3sagOJHOwJvWhc4MU
DARK SKIES /LIGHT POLLUTION
Wild Hideaways becomes Europe’s first DarkSky Approved Lodging, connecting guests to ancient stars above Ireland’s West Cork Mealagh Valley | DarkSky International
https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit%2Ely%2F4hEuOV5&urlhash=oj_x&mt=82LOqdi90ovZENh8hCyrNzoPxIZE1TpokKU-Wkm4Ip8pAtPyM4nN3MJBmxllqeE2Rw2mtkOaVQHAKIZByOucvuaN2j4YL4Etya4TK3ZUtrh2elBGQcH6GBP2&isSdui=true
EARTH & MOON
All the Artemis 2 data released! Artemis II Preliminary Lunar Science Report - NASA Science
Scientists found a second crater - its trajectory pointed straight toward Chicxulub | Watch This is good - worth watching.
The moon could turn astronauts into 'walking, high voltage capacitors' that accidentally zap spacecraft | Space
EXOLIFE:
Star Wars-like planet of Earth’s size can actually support life, scientists say | The Independent https://share.google/MPfoNaObSKee2P1la
EXOPLANETS
Scientists have discovered six planets in perfect balance
2nd-generation planet: Was this world born around a dead star?
This is a real image of a huge 'super Jupiter' exoplanet near Earth, and it's one of the coldest ever seen
Rogue planets and how the Euclid spacecraft is tracking them down | BBC Sky at Night Magazine https://share.google/sSppQl1IIfaDQzWOe
Trailblazing technique uncovers real shape of scorching-hot exoplanet atmospheres https://share.google/B0u5hjG6a6aWQWH2b
New dwarf planet formed from remnants of a dying star, study finds https://share.google/ODlGJI4DoNm0HsB09
Host Stars Shape Their Planetary Systems Into Two Families - Universe Today https://share.google/iBA7rj17KK6tDCbBR and https://share.google/eIHrAdJuFMnkiBLwk
This star is so weird, some think it could host an alien megastructure. Now scientists may finally have solved the mystery
Star Wars-like planet of Earth’s size that can support life
Worlds collide! James Webb Space Telescope investigates what happens when planets crash together
Astronomers detect first 'phoenix planet' around white dwarf
‘Phoenix planet’ born from star’s ashes could tell us what will happen when our sun dies
IMAGES:
Supermassive black hole blasts out a neon treble clef | Space photo of the day for Oct. 16, 2026
Windblown yardangs on Mars photo of the day for Oct. 15, 2026 | Space https://share.google/i2T3fbbRaJjzSqayA
The Antennae galaxies https://share.google/pWCzEAXRXR7fT93OK
Tarantula Nebula's star-forming heart revealed in stunning multi-telescope image | Watch
This is a real image of a huge 'super Jupiter' exoplanet near Earth, and it's one of the coldest ever seen
Astronomers find 'intricate structure' in unique object in our galaxy
Mesmerizing flyover of Mars' Schiaparelli Crater | Watch
"NGC 1385 glows with regions where stars are forming. @ChandraXray data (magenta) highlights stellar nurseries and X-ray binaries, while Hubble's optical (white and gray) and @NASAWebb's infrared (orange and red) observations showcase the galaxy's dusty spiral structures. https://t.co/vnsLd2wGxW" / X https://share.google/7wkFHZojTd7uKoica
Rho Ophiuchi star-forming cloud https://x.com/konstructivizm/status/2109831488241877339?s=20
LIGHT & SPACE POLLUTION:
Rescuing astronomy from its satellite megaconstellation crisis - SpaceNews https://share.google/HCosl3ALblAtRmgHI
SOLAR SYSTEM
Things are finally looking up for NASA's first missions to Venus in a generation - Ars Technica https://share.google/KHTcH0gJXJRt4snPL
NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars sets off-world driving record
Four years ago, NASA punched an asteroid. Europe's Hera probe arrives this month to inspect the wreckage | Space
Windblown yardangs on Mars | Space photo of the day for Oct. 15, 2026
Infrared surveys reveal possible Planet Nine candidate
UAE unveils lander for bold 7-asteroid mission set to launch in 2028 (photos)
Mars’s strangest cloud is even weirder than we thought, scientists say
Carbon Rocks Deep Underground Could Hold the Evidence of Mars' Watery Past. - Universe Today
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover breaks interplanetary driving record — and it's far from done | Space
A spacecraft has detected evidence of water ice at Mars's equator | BBC Sky at Night Magazine https://share.google/3odIOr7upHGxoWrz6
Vera Rubin Observatory spots the largest ultra-fast spinning asteroid yet https://share.google/Hpg8iKxqNkmvP1D7r
SPACE
I watched this live at the time, (although without the pics then!), and I’ve watched it dozens of time since – still makes me hold my breath! https://www.msn.com/en-gb/science/aeronautics/apollo-11-s-historic-eagle-landing-on-the-moon/vi-AA29iYHI?ocid=socialshare
Inside Artemis II: Meet Orion - The spacecraft taking humans around the moon | Watch
‘We’re going to the Moon to stay’: Jeff Bezos targets a sustainable lunar base after investing $28 billion in Blue Origin since 2000 https://share.google/xHpKiY8coAI3QtTqv
NASA Develops Batteries to Power Humanity's Return to Moon - NASA https://share.google/fxceSZylaYdES397U
SpaceX wants to launch Starship more than 450 times per year from South Texas | Space
Aboard New Mission to ISS: Bunch of Tiny Brains, Hearts https://share.google/Zto38riBUTCDQ0YLT
What space travel teaches us about sleep and circadian rhythms https://share.google/GX9M7mKAWxhHY9tfE
UAE unveils lander for bold 7-asteroid mission set to launch in 2028 (photos)
UAE unveils lander for bold 7-asteroid mission set to launch in 2028 (photos) | Space https://share.google/dvPEdBqiLbARED6Br
SUN
New solar model maps sun more accurately by checking far-side activity https://share.google/Q9hblxuR1mypo5fmV
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES:
NASA unveils its next space telescope, designed to explore the depths of the universe
NASA Roman Team Checks Out Main Instrument, Sharpens Telescope’s Focus - NASA Science https://share.google/EKCMmjRXigkwFBucE
Here's What Sets The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Apart From The James Webb https://share.google/IjKQHrQkDTivT90CC
Trump fires entire Science Board 'Stupid move': Fury as Trump fires entire science board with no warning or explanation - Raw Story This could be bad for various telescope projects,
Rogue planets and how the Euclid spacecraft is tracking them down | BBC Sky at Night Magazine https://share.google/sSppQl1IIfaDQzWOe
FINAL WORD:
“The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - Johannes Kepler
15. 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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