March 2007 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] Asteroid Flyby, Moon Occults Saturn AND Regulus!, Eclipse Cancelled
by Secretary AI 28 Mar '07

28 Mar '07

1. Asteroid 2206 VV2 Flyby A fairly large asteroid passes relatively close to Earth this week, and some of you with telescopes could see it at around 10th magnitude. An asteroid bigger than this is not predicted to pass closer to Earth until 2036. David Grennan writes the Sky Diary pages for our magazine (www.astronomy.ie/sub) every month and he has put full information and detailed maps on our website www.astronomy.ie Please report any sightings and send photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie 2. Moon Occults Saturn As reported in the Sky Diary of our March magazine the Moon will pass in front of Saturn in the small hours of Thursday March 29. Saturn will be visible to the naked eye all Wednesday evening to the lower left of the Moon, which will slowly close in on it. Closest approach comes as they set in the West between 5am and 6am. Further details are in the magazine. A similar event occurred on March 2nd when Astronomy Ireland Chairman David Moore got this image www.astronomy.ie/satmoon070302b.jpg with an 8-inch Celestron telescope and NexImage camera from Dublin (the car park outside our Shop!). Seen in a telescope close-up he and others reported it was an amazing view with Saturn's rings and the craters on the Moon visible in the same field of view. Reports and photos will be in the next magazine going to the printer this week so sign up or order the "May" issue here: www.astronomy.ie/sub In the U.K. Saturn actually passed in front of the Moon (it was a near miss from Ireland) and Damian Peach used a Celestron 9.25-inch telescope to get these remarkable results: http://damianpeach.com/satoccul07.htm 3. Moon Occults Regulus The brightest star in Leo, first magnitude Regulus, will be the Moon's target almost exactly one day later. In the small hours of Friday March 30th the Moon will pass in front of Regulus and snuff it out in an instant. Such lunar occultations are amazing to watch in a telescope and this event is so bright that binoculars should show it also. Depending on where you live in Ireland the occultation will happen between 4:15am and 4:30am but get ready a half hour before that to watch the Moon creep up on the star. Naked eye viewers will see Regulus to the lower left of the Moon all Thursday night of course. Full details are in our March magazine in the Sky Diary pages. www.astronomy.ie/sub So that's two mornings to set your alarm clocks and please report sightings/photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie 4. US Security Fears Sparks Eclipse Cancellation Coinciding with the 6th anniversary of "9/11" there will be a deep partial eclipse of the Sun on September 11 ( www.eclipse.org.uk/eclipse/0422007 ). Fearing opportunistic attacks on its embassies under the eclipse the U.S. has decided to bring its might to cancelling this eclipse. This has never been done before and suggestions are being sought worldwide. See the special report on our website www.astronomy.ie and note the special email address to send your proposals as the deadline is this Sunday, so mark that date on your calendar/diary! ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777 Star-B-Q tickets: special price runs out soon : www.astronomy.ie/sbq Stephen Hawking's Protégé in Ireland April 16: www.astronomy.ie/lecture200704.html book now!

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Nova in Cygnus, Brian May Book in Ireland, Shop open St Pat's Day
by Astronomy Ireland 17 Mar '07

17 Mar '07

1. A bright Nova ('new star') in Cygnus was discovered from Japan by Akihiko Tago on the evening of March 15 at magnitude 7.4 (within easy binocular range). Another estimate 24 hours later was magnitude 6.7. It may have peaked? It may brighten to naked eye visibility? It may last days, weeks or months? We will have to see, so do use the charts below, go out and check, and report back to us what you see. Beginners: a nova is a colossal thermonuclear explosion on a faint white dwarf star (the dead core of star, like our Sun will produce in 5 billion years) making it brighten by up to a million times. More here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova This reminds me of 1992 when the now famous Nova Cygni 1992 was spotted by Peter Collins in the USA around magnitude 6.8. I had the privilege of becoming only the second person in the world to see it and put Ireland on the map! It was reported on IAU Circular 5454 which is still online since 1992 at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iauc/05400/05454.html The nova eventually reached magnitude 4 and became of great astronomical interest being intensively studied! I still remember being able to walk out of my house, and see it with the naked eye over the roof - now that's how easy astronomy should be. After 15 years aren't we due a repeat? Let's hope so. The new nova is circumpolar for us, so it never sets as seen from Ireland, but it will be quite low, only 5 degrees up around 9pm when at its worst, due North. You'll see it a little higher, just 7 degrees up, as evening twilight fades away around 7:45pm, low in the North. However, by midnight it will be 12 degrees up in the north-northeast. The nova is at its very highest as morning twilight begins around 5:15am when it will be 50 degrees up in the East. Beginners should locate the constellation Cygnus with the naked eye first and then use binoculars and the maps below to track down the 'new star' where the "+" symbol is. Have fun! Please email observe(a)astronomy.ie and report whether you see something or not. Photographers too, please send in results. Star charts to locate it are here (wide field and close up) www.astronomy.ie/images/novacyg80.gif www.astronomy.ie/images/novacyg95.gif Best wishes for clear skies, David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. 2. Brian May, Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott's new book "BANG! The Complete History of the Universe" was launched in Ireland with the WORLD PREMIERE of the Public Lecture to go with the book. It was delivered by Chris Lintott himself who gave a superbly passionate and highly authoritative lecture. Perhaps the best lecture we have ever had, and we've had some brilliant speakers in the past. Before and afterwards Chris signed copies of his book for the huge audience. We were also presented with a copy signed by Brian May and Patrick Moore also, a collector's item! You can still get to see and hear the lecture by ordering the DVD here www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html for just 5euro each and I would highly recommend that everyone in Ireland orders a copy of this DVD. You can also order copies of the book itself (which were selling on the night for 30euro) at a special price of 25euro. Call the Shop number below to order by Laser/Visa/MasterCard or cheque/postal order/bank draft. 3. Our Astronomy Shop WILL BE OPEN on St. Patrick's Day. Like every Saturday it will be open from 10am to 6pm. Drop in, or call us for advice, or to place orders for telescopes to books. ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777 Star-B-Q is coming, May 5: special price now at www.astronomy.ie/sbq

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] ISU's Call for Irish Applicants, Monday's Lecture, Eclipse Report coming
by Secretary AI 10 Mar '07

10 Mar '07

1. INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY CALLS FOR IRISH APPLICANTS Leo Enright writes to tell us that although the official deadline has passed, the International Space University is so keen to get Irish students that they've extended the deadline especially for Irish applicants. Remarkably, no Irish student has applied to date. Let us know if you are successful. More details on their website. Leo notes the Masters curriculum is at: www.isunet.edu/EN/574 The Summer Session Program (SSP) is in Beijing, China, this year www.isunet.edu/EN/211 2. MONDAY'S LECTURE If there's anyone left who wants tickets to the launch of Brian May's (Queen) new book "BANG! The Complete History of the Universe" - Please book them here - www.astronomy.ie/lecture200703.html Or order the DVD here - www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html Monday 8:00pm March 12, Trinity College Dublin. Admission 5euro. 3. ECLIPSE REPORT Watch out for a report of the Lunar Eclipse last weekend coming soon to our website www.astronomy.ie. If any of you saw the eclipse please email your location and description to observe(a)astronomy.ie where you can also send any photos. ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Sky at Night Presenter Public Lecture to launch Brian May/Patrick Moore book
by Secretary AI 07 Mar '07

07 Mar '07

BBC Sky at Night Presenter Giving Public Lecture on Monday Chris Lintott, co-presenter of the BBC's Sky At Night TV programme with Sir Patrick Moore is coming to Ireland on Monday and you can get tickets now (or DVD if not in Dublin). Dr Lintott has just written a new book with Patrick Moore and the legendary guitarist Brian May of the rock band Queen, and he will be in Ireland on March 12 to launch their new book "Bang! - The Complete History of the Universe" at a special public lecture organised by Astronomy Ireland in Trinity College Dublin. Dr Chris Lintott is a cosmologist, and expert on star formation in the early universe. Since 2000 he has co-presented The Sky at Night with Patrick Moore, and is expected take the helm in this, the world's longest-running TV show. To millions of viewers in the UK, Chris is the fresh young face of popular astronomy. He is an accomplished public speaker: in December 2005 Chris enthralled members of Astronomy Ireland with a lecture entitled "Cosmology - From Beginning to End" in DCU. Chris will be launching the book in Ireland with a public lecture for Astronomy Ireland on Monday 12 March at 8:00pm in Trinity College Dublin. Chris will also be signing copies of the book at the event. You can book places at the lecture now at www.astronomy.ie/lecture200703.html Can't get to Dublin? You can order the DVD at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html This promises to be one of our most exciting events ever so please forward this email to friends you think may also be interested in the lecture or Brian May's new book with Patrick and Chris. Lecture Title: "BANG!- The Complete History of the Universe," Lecture Venue: Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin. Date: Monday, 12 March 2007 Time: 8:00pm (doors open 7:30pm) Admission: 5euro (3euro to members/students) ALL WELCOME Tickets are available at the door or visit www.astronomy.ie or call Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 0777 ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Moon skims Saturn, Eclipse
by Astronomy Ireland 01 Mar '07

01 Mar '07

Here's a reminder about two of the most spectacular events of the year, happening this week which are fully detailed in our March magazine: 1. MOON SKIMS SATURN On Thursday night/Friday morning (March 1/2) the Moon will nearly pass in front of the planet Saturn as seen from Ireland. From soon after sunset you will see Saturn as a 'star' below the nearly Full Moon. As the hours pass the Moon gets closer to Saturn and you'll need binoculars or a telescope to see it after a few hours. Around 2:30am the Moon will almost pass in front of Saturn. In fact, as the diagram on page 23 of our March magazine shows, the Moon will occult (pass in front of) Saturn as seen from Scotland and most of England. For those in Ireland you will get to see the edge of the Moon skim within 1 or 2 "Saturn ring widths" of the planet. Telescope owners will be able to see the planet and the edge of the Moon in the same high power field of view. This will be an amazing sight so plan to stay up late tonight. Please email your written reports and any photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie for the report we'll be doing for the magazine. Remarkably, Saturn will pass very close to the Moon again later this month - on March 29 - see our magazine again. Then on May 22 the Moon will pass in front of Saturn, but in broad daylight so it won't be easy to see (check the May magazine - out in mid April) But wait until August 2024 and you will get to see the Moon occult Saturn in a dark sky from Ireland! 2. SATURDAY NIGHT (ECLIPSE) FEVER David Grennan's two page feature article in our March magazine details everything you need to know about Saturday night's total eclipse of the Moon - the best that will be seen from Ireland until 2029! There will be Eclipse Watches in Dublin's Phoenix Park, and around Ireland - see www.astronomy.ie for the one nearest you where you can get a close up view and see the planet Saturn as well. Briefly, the Moon first enters the Earth's shadow at 9:30pm and will be Totally Eclipsed from 10:44pm to 11:58pm. It then leaves the Earth's shadow fully at 1:12am. Don't let clouds put you off - this event is so long that any clouds will almost certainly break if you check every few minutes. We've seen eclipses on rainy nights in the past, so persevere whatever the weather. The magazine gives details of how to estimate the brightness of this eclipse on the Danjon scale and we particularly want to receive your estimates and a report from everyone who sees the eclipse for the report we will publish in our magazine so please email your comments to observe(a)astronomy.ie and send any photos too please. For more details of these and many other fascinating events to see in Irish skies always check the HIGHLIGHTS box on page 22 of our magazine the day it drops through your letterbox! Astronomy & Space magazine is on sale in Easons around Ireland (ask their staff if it is not on display) or you can get it by post for 5euro for 1 issue, 40euro for 12 issues at: www.astronomy.ie/sub ASTRONOMY IRELAND - the world's most popular astronomy society Details and information on www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 07 77 ( visit Ireland's BIGGEST telescope showroom when next in Dublin www.astronomy.ie/map.html )

1 0