Event Information – Bath Astronomers

Next monthly meeting

Wednesday 13th January
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What are we up to?

Jan27

Talk by Nick Howes, Oh My God, We're all gonna die

27 JanOnline

Wednesday 27th January – Monthly meeting. Nick Howes has sixteen years' experience working at the cutting edge of Research and Development. Formerly Deputy Director of Kielder Observatory, Sci-Comms for ESA, software development for the SKA Telescope, and Pro-Am Programme Manager for the Faulkes Telescopes, helping to discover dozens of new asteroids. Nick is both a fellow of the BIS and of the Royal Astronomical Society, and works now as the Lead Specialist for BMT's Space R&D team. BMT Defence and Security were the architectural design team behind the QEC Aircraft Carrier, and have offices all over the world, including Bath. His Talk "Oh My God...We're all gonna die" takes us through the perceived threats in space, and hones in on the ones that could truly change the face of our planet forever. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Usually held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. Due to COVID-19, this talk is being delivered via Zoom. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. Picture: Nick Howes

Feb24

Talk by Nora Eisner, University of Oxford

24 FebHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 24th February – Monthly meeting. This month's talk will be given by Nora Eisner, Department of Physics, University of Oxford. She is a DPhil student working under the supervision of Professor Chris Lintott and Professor Suzanne Aigrain. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month online or at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street.

Mar31

Talk by Dr Julian Onions - Aperture Fever

31 MarOnline

Wednesday 31st March – Monthly meeting. Topic: Aperture Fever - does my mirror look big in this? After a very brief review of how telescopes work, we look at some of the existing telescopes, both visible and other wavebands, and consider why they are so big, what they can and can't see and what the telescopes planned for the next few years will deliver. Dr Julian Onions has always had an interest in astronomy, and after many years as an amateur went for a Phd in astrophysics at the University of Nottingham. There he studies computer models of galaxy formation using some of the biggest computers in the world, building model universes using mostly dark matter. He also helps out with undergraduate teaching and various outreach activities. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Usually held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. Due to COVID-19, this talk will be via Zoom. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. Picture: Dr Julian Onions

Apr28

Talk by Mary McIntyre

28 AprHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 28th April – Monthly meeting. This month's talk will be given by Mary McIntyre. Mary is a well reknown astro artist and astrophotographer. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month online or at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get in for free.

May26

Talk by Pete Williamson FRAS

26 MayHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 26th May – Monthly meeting. Topic: From Herschel to Hawkwind Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get free entry. Picture: Peter Williamson

Jun30

Talk by Chris Starr, Cassini and Saturn

30 JunHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 30th June – Monthly meeting. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5 which helps cover the cost of the venue. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or Bath Astronomers members. Picture: Simon Holbeche

The Moon

First Quarter (Illumination: 45.5%)
Age: 6.96 days (Phase: 23.6%)
Size: 29.5' (Distance: 404,737km)
Moon rise: 11:22

New Moon	First Quarter	Full Moon	Last Quarter
Wed 13 Jan	Wed 20 Jan	Thu 28 Jan	Thu 4 Feb
Thu 11 Feb	Fri 19 Feb	Sat 27 Feb	Sat 6 Mar
Sat 13 Mar	Sun 21 Mar	Sun 28 Mar	Sun 4 Apr
Mon 12 Apr	Tue 20 Apr	Tue 27 Apr	Mon 3 May

The Sun

Sunset: 16:38
End twilight: 18:36
Begin twilight: 06:03
Sunrise: 08:01

Current Meteor Showers

Shower	Start	Peak	End	ZHR
Gamma Ursae Minorids	10 Jan	18 Jan	22 Jan	3

Talk by Pete Williamson FRAS

Wednesday 26th May – Monthly meeting.

Topic:
From Herschel to Hawkwind

Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street.

The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs.

All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get free entry.

Picture: Peter Williamson

Date: Wednesday, 26 May 2021
Commences at 7:30PM and due to end by 9:00PM
Anticipated duration of the event is 1.5 hours

Venue:
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
19 New King Street
Bath
BA1 2BL
United Kingdom

Click here to view this event in Facebook.

The Planets

Planet	Rises	Sets	Constellation	Disk Size	Sun separation

Rise and Set times are with respect to Bath, UK. (%) indicates size compared to maximum possible. As Separation with the Sun approaches 0°, we have Conjunction. As it approaches 180°, we have Opposition. Planets will not be visible between Sunrise(07:59) and Sunset(16:40)

Messier objects due South now

Messier	Name	Type	Magnitude	Constellation
M6	Butterfly Cluster	Open Cluster	4.2	Scorpius
M7	Ptolemy Cluster	Open Cluster	3.3	Scorpius
M8	Lagoon Nebula	Emission Nebula	5.8	Sagittarius
M9	NGC6333	Globular Cluster	7.9	Ophiuchus
M11	Wild Duck Cluster	Open Cluster	5.8	Scutum
M14	NGC6402	Globular Cluster	7.6	Ophiuchus
M16	Eagle Nebula	Emission Nebula	6	Serpens
M17	Omega, Swan, Horseshoe, or Lobster Nebula	Nebula	7	Sagittarius
M18	NGC6613	Open Cluster	6.9	Sagittarius
M19	NGC6273	Globular Cluster	7.2	Ophiuchus
M20	Trifid Nebula	D.Neb.	8.5	Sagittarius
M21	NGC6531	Open Cluster	5.9	Sagittarius
M22	Sagittarius Cluster	Globular Cluster	5.1	Sagittarius
M23	NGC6494	Open Cluster	5.5	Sagittarius
M24	Sagittarius Star Cloud	Open Cluster	4.5	Sagittarius
M25	NGCI4725	Open Cluster	4.6	Sagittarius
M26	NGC6694	Open Cluster	8	Scutum
M28	NGC6626	Globular Cluster	6.9	Sagittarius
M54	NGC6715	Globular Cluster	7.7	Sagittarius
M57	Ring Nebula	Planetary Nebula	9	Lyra
M62	NGC6266	Globular Cluster	6.6	Ophiuchus
M69	NGC6637	Globular Cluster	7.7	Sagittarius
M70	NGC6681	Globular Cluster	8.1	Sagittarius
M92	NGC6341	Globular Cluster	6.5	Hercules

Click on the Messier number for the finders guide for the deep sky object.

Spot the Space Station from Bath

Date	Mag	Start	Max	End
Wed 20 Jan	-0.9	19:16:48 look SW alt 12°	20°	19:17:52 look SSW alt 20°
Thu 21 Jan	-1.5	18:29:16 look SSW alt 11°	28°	18:32:23 look SE alt 28°
Thu 21 Jan	0.0	20:05:22 look WSW alt 11°	11°	20:05:22 look WSW alt 11°
Fri 22 Jan	-1.1	17:42:03 look SSW alt 10°	20°	17:46:32 look ESE alt 13°
Fri 22 Jan	-1.6	19:17:40 look WSW alt 11°	32°	19:19:34 look SW alt 32°
Sat 23 Jan	-2.4	18:30:00 look SW alt 10°	51°	18:33:47 look ESE alt 45°
Sat 23 Jan	-0.2	20:06:41 look W alt 11°	13°	20:06:57 look W alt 13°
Sun 24 Jan	-2.1	17:42:40 look SW alt 12°	38°	17:48:15 look E alt 13°
Sun 24 Jan	-2.0	19:18:56 look W alt 11°	40°	19:21:08 look W alt 40°
Mon 25 Jan	-2.9	18:31:12 look WSW alt 11°	80°	18:35:18 look E alt 48°
Mon 25 Jan	-0.2	20:08:01 look W alt 11°	13°	20:08:18 look W alt 13°
Tue 26 Jan	-2.9	17:43:30 look WSW alt 11°	66°	17:49:29 look E alt 15°
Tue 26 Jan	-2.0	19:20:16 look W alt 11°	40°	19:22:27 look W alt 40°
Wed 27 Jan	-2.9	18:32:30 look W alt 11°	84°	18:36:37 look E alt 49°
Wed 27 Jan	-0.2	20:09:19 look W alt 11°	12°	20:09:35 look W alt 12°
Thu 28 Jan	-3.0	17:44:45 look W alt 11°	89°	17:51:03 look E alt 13°
Thu 28 Jan	-2.0	19:21:35 look W alt 11°	40°	19:23:46 look W alt 40°
Fri 29 Jan	-2.9	18:33:50 look W alt 11°	89°	18:38:12 look E alt 40°
Fri 29 Jan	-0.2	20:10:49 look W alt 11°	13°	20:11:05 look W alt 13°

Latest Starlink Satellites - 13th June

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Wed 20 Jan	STARLINK-1477	18:05:42 look SSW alt 11°	27°	18:10:27 look ESE alt 21°
Wed 20 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:44:00 look WSW alt 10°	31°	19:46:13 look WSW alt 31°
Thu 21 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:58:57 look SSW alt 10°	33°	18:04:43 look E alt 20°
Thu 21 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:37:43 look WSW alt 10°	37°	19:40:16 look WSW alt 37°
Fri 22 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:52:32 look SW alt 11°	40°	17:59:01 look E alt 17°
Fri 22 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:31:27 look W alt 10°	52°	19:34:38 look W alt 52°
Sat 23 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:46:09 look SW alt 11°	48°	17:53:02 look E alt 15°
Sat 23 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:25:13 look W alt 10°	60°	19:28:43 look WNW alt 60°
Sun 24 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:39:49 look SW alt 12°	57°	17:47:04 look ENE alt 14°
Sun 24 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:19:18 look W alt 12°	67°	19:22:48 look NW alt 67°
Mon 25 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:33:31 look WSW alt 12°	68°	17:41:07 look ENE alt 12°
Mon 25 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:13:05 look W alt 12°	69°	19:16:54 look N alt 69°
Mon 25 Jan	STARLINK-1477	20:52:27 look WNW alt 10°	10°	20:52:27 look WNW alt 10°
Tue 26 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:26:55 look WSW alt 10°	78°	17:34:52 look ENE alt 12°
Tue 26 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:06:53 look W alt 12°	68°	19:10:42 look N alt 68°
Tue 26 Jan	STARLINK-1477	20:46:13 look WNW alt 10°	12°	20:46:32 look WNW alt 12°
Wed 27 Jan	STARLINK-1477	17:27:40 look ENE alt 19°	19°	17:28:57 look ENE alt 10°
Wed 27 Jan	STARLINK-1477	19:00:40 look W alt 12°	69°	19:04:49 look NE alt 65°
Wed 27 Jan	STARLINK-1477	20:40:17 look WNW alt 12°	14°	20:40:36 look WNW alt 14°
Thu 28 Jan	STARLINK-1477	18:54:29 look WNW alt 12°	71°	18:58:56 look ENE alt 58°
Thu 28 Jan	STARLINK-1477	20:34:03 look WNW alt 12°	16°	20:34:41 look WNW alt 16°
Fri 29 Jan	STARLINK-1477	18:48:17 look WNW alt 12°	74°	18:53:03 look E alt 51°
Fri 29 Jan	STARLINK-1477	20:27:48 look WNW alt 11°	18°	20:28:45 look W alt 18°

This is a satellite from the 9th batch of 58 of the Starlink constellation launched on 13th June 2020

Prior Starlink Satellites - L7 - 4th June

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Thu 21 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	06:26:01 look SSE alt 10°	13°	06:29:40 look ESE alt 10°
Fri 22 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	06:19:40 look S alt 11°	17°	06:24:37 look E alt 11°
Sat 23 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	06:13:36 look S alt 11°	21°	06:19:21 look E alt 11°
Sun 24 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	06:07:33 look SSW alt 11°	26°	06:14:05 look E alt 11°
Mon 25 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	06:01:32 look SSW alt 10°	32°	06:08:50 look E alt 10°
Tue 26 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	05:56:28 look SSW alt 15°	39°	06:03:16 look ENE alt 11°
Wed 27 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	04:16:11 look ESE alt 12°	12°	04:16:42 look ESE alt 10°
Wed 27 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	05:51:46 look SSW alt 24°	48°	05:57:43 look ENE alt 11°
Thu 28 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	04:11:04 look ESE alt 13°	13°	04:11:53 look E alt 10°
Thu 28 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	05:46:47 look SW alt 34°	58°	05:52:10 look ENE alt 12°
Fri 29 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	04:06:01 look E alt 13°	13°	04:06:36 look E alt 11°
Fri 29 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	05:41:51 look SW alt 49°	69°	05:46:36 look ENE alt 12°
Sat 30 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	04:01:01 look E alt 12°	12°	04:01:18 look E alt 11°
Sat 30 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	05:36:36 look SW alt 62°	79°	05:41:23 look ENE alt 10°
Sat 30 Jan	STARLINK-1436 (VISORSAT)	07:13:06 look W alt 12°	16°	07:13:45 look W alt 16°

This is one of the satellites from the 8th batch of 60 of the Starlink constellation launched on 4th June 2020

The Magnetic Field of the Whirlpool Galaxy

Do magnetic fields always flow along spiral arms? Our face-on view of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) allows a spectacularly clear view of the spiral wave pattern in a disk-shaped galaxy. When observed with a radio telescope, the magnetic field appears to trace the arms' curvature. However, with NASA’s flying Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) observatory, the magnetic field at the outer edge of M51's disk appears to weave across the arms instead. Magnetic fields are inferred by grains of dust aligning in one direction and acting like polaroid glasses on infrared light. In the featured image, the field orientations determined from this polarized light are algorithmically connected, creating streamlines. Possibly the gravitational tug of the companion galaxy, at the top of the frame, on the dusty gas of the reddish star-forming regions, visible in the Hubble Space Telescope image, enhances turbulence -- stirring the dust and lines to produce the unexpected field pattern of the outer arms.