1. SUPERNOVA IN M51 - FIRST PHOTO
FROM IRELAND!
(SN 2005cs)
A new supernova has exploded in to view in the famous M51
or "Whirlpool Galaxy" (named by Irish astronomer Lord Rosse) which is just off
the end of the 'handle' in the Plough.
When discovered from Germany on the night of June 28/29 it
was about magnitude 13 meaning you'll need at least an 8-inch telescope to see
it, although the galaxy itself at 8th magnitude can be
glimpsed in 10x50 binoculars.
SN 2005cs as it has been designated does not seem to be
brightening substantially, but reports this early are very sketchy.
The last supernova in M51 in 1994 (SN 1994I) reached 11th
to 12th magnitude.
Last night I alerted some of our more expert photographers
and Kevin Sweeney in Co. Meath managed to secure what must be the FIRST image
taken from Ireland:
This photo will appear in our magazine in due course.
Congratulations Kevin!
The supernova is about 80 arc seconds south of the nucleus
of the galaxy for those of you with telescopes good enough to show it (8-inch,
maybe 6-inch in a dark sky?).
Smaller instruments can photograph it of course, if you
have a suitable camera - call the Astronomy Shop staff in Artane for
advice.
Richard Miles of the B.A.A. also sent me this image taken
last night after I 'bumped into him' on the net:
Try here as well:
2. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ON
VIEW UNTIL JULY 10!
I managed to see I.S.S. on both of the last two nights and
it was extremely bright. Even after years of watching ISS and Mir I was still
transfixed by its brilliance on both evenings.
Astronauts currently on board are: Sergei Krikalev and
John Philips. I.S.S. is visible in our skies until July 10. Next Shuttle launch
is due July 13.
For those of you who don't have regular access to the net
or want more info about this and everything else to see call our Newsline each
afternoon and it will give the time to watch out for I.S.S. that
night:
1550-111-442
(95cent/minute, or in U.K. dial 09001-88 1950 at
60p/min)
3. MORNING IRELAND - DEEP IMPACT,
JULY 4
I have been invited on RTE Radio's premier news programme
on Monday morning to talk about the Deep Impact probe slamming in to Comet
Tempel 1 and the Comet Crash Watches we are running all around Ireland that
night. Tune in to Radio 1 between 7am and 9am (I haven't been given the
exact time yet). I've already done loads of ISS and DI interviews this week for
newspapers and local radio stations.
For details of the DI mission and the venues for the
Watches see our website www.astronomy.ie
Don't miss it no matter what you do - there is even a
chance the comet (which is too faint for binoculars right now) could flare up to
become easily visible to the naked eye!
Magnitude 0 is the most optimistic I have heard from a DI
scientist but most expect a bit fainter than that - but no one really
knows.
Practically every telescope in the world seems to have
been commandeered for the event - including Hubble.
Impact is at 6:52am our time, expect to see the first
pictures within an hour - while you're eating your cornflakes!
The website to link to is on our website so start there;
BBC 2 TV are running a special show and I'm sure it'll be all over CNN, Sky
News, etc and on the net.
Then that evening drive how ever far it takes to get to
your nearest AI Comet Crash Watch.
And bring a few euro to buy a copy of our magazine with
details of the mission and how to spot the comet for the rest of the month, and
lots more!
More details on this week's Astronomy Radio Show, download
at www.astronomy.ie/radioshow.html
(next Tuesday's show will be a real humdinger with our July Lecturer Brian
Coleman in studio to explain Time Travel and Relativity for Einstein Year
2005!).
The Triple Planet Conjunction is still on until next week
- see magazine, and if you saw it please email observe@astronomy.ie for our
report.
- David Moore, Chairman (
Astronomy
Ireland -promoting interest in astronomy all around Ireland)
info@astronomy.ie Visit our
Shop to see huge range of telescopes on offer: Tel (01) 847
0777 Monday to Saturday inclusive.
HUBBLE DVD FREE to every visitor, and with every order by
phone!
