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@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)
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
