Useful Links – Bath Astronomers

What are we up to?

Feb19

Astronomy Night - Fun for all the Family

19 FebPercy Community Centre

An evening organised in collaboration with the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and the Percy Centre, we'll be running two hours of astronomy, stargazing and space fun for the whole family. They'll be telescopes, binoculars, craft, making paper rockets for the Stomp Launcher, playing with Infrared and lots of hot chocolate. You can book via the Percy Centre by calling 01225 423 014 or emailing info@percycentre.org.uk The Percy Centre is located on New King Street just a few tens of metres from the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.

Feb23

Stargazing at Wellow for all

23 FebPublic Car Park, Wellow, Somerset

Public stargazing session at Wellow, south of Bath. These events involve Bath Astronomers bringing along a telescope and helping visitors see objects of interest in the sky that evening. It's all about sharing. If you have your own kit, bring it along and we might be able to help you use it more effectively or give you some hints/tips. Start time is 7pm. Subject to clear skies - weather dependent. You can find out more about the Wellow site by visiting https://bathastronomers.org.uk/observing/sites-wellow/ We'll check the weather is suitable and issue guidance on whether things are going ahead by 4pm on the day. Guidance will be issued on Facebook and Bath Astronomers website. Do no travel until you see confirmation in this Facebook event or on Bath Astronomers website. If you register for the event on our web site, we'll email you to confirm the event is happening i.e. registration is a good idea. You should dress warmly and arrive as close to the start time as possible to avoid car lights ruining people's night vision too frequently. Wear stout, warm, waterproof footwear and consider a thermos of your favourite warm drink. If you are not a member of Bath Astronomers/William Herschel Society, you can get on our mailing list by emailing stargazing-join@bathastronomers.org.uk

Feb26

Talk by Owen Brazell, Observing Planetary Nebulae

26 FebHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 26th Feb – 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 per adult. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members enter for free. Picture: Simon Holbeche

Feb29

Stargazing at Wellow for all

29 FebPublic Car Park, Wellow, Somerset

Public stargazing session at Wellow, south of Bath. These events involve Bath Astronomers bringing along a telescope and helping visitors see objects of interest in the sky that evening. It's all about sharing. If you have your own kit, bring it along and we might be able to help you use it more effectively or give you some hints/tips. Start time is 7:30pm. Subject to clear skies - weather dependent. You can find out more about the Wellow site by visiting https://bathastronomers.org.uk/observing/sites-wellow/ We'll check the weather is suitable and issue guidance on whether things are going ahead by 4pm on the day. Guidance will be issued on Facebook and Bath Astronomers website. Do no travel until you see confirmation in this Facebook event or on Bath Astronomers website. If you register for the event on our web site, we'll email you to confirm the event is happening i.e. registration is a good idea. You should dress warmly and arrive as close to the start time as possible to avoid car lights ruining people's night vision too frequently. Wear stout, warm, waterproof footwear and consider a thermos of your favourite warm drink. If you are not a member of Bath Astronomers/William Herschel Society, you can get on our mailing list by emailing stargazing-join@bathastronomers.org.uk

Mar13

Stargazing at Wellow for all

13 MarPublic Car Park, Wellow, Somerset

Public stargazing session at Wellow, south of Bath. These events involve Bath Astronomers bringing along a telescope and helping visitors see objects of interest in the sky that evening. It's all about sharing. If you have your own kit, bring it along and we might be able to help you use it more effectively or give you some hints/tips. Start time is 7:30pm. Subject to clear skies - weather dependent. You can find out more about the Wellow site by visiting https://bathastronomers.org.uk/observing/sites-wellow/ We'll check the weather is suitable and issue guidance on whether things are going ahead by 4pm on the day. Guidance will be issued on Facebook and Bath Astronomers website. Do no travel until you see confirmation in this Facebook event or on Bath Astronomers website. If you register for the event on our web site, we'll email you to confirm the event is happening i.e. registration is a good idea. You should dress warmly and arrive as close to the start time as possible to avoid car lights ruining people's night vision too frequently. Wear stout, warm, waterproof footwear and consider a thermos of your favourite warm drink. If you are not a member of Bath Astronomers/William Herschel Society, you can get on our mailing list by emailing stargazing-join@bathastronomers.org.uk

Mar18

Getting to Grips with the Night Sky: Introduction to astronomy

18 MarHerschel Museum of Astronomy

A talk on the night sky, how to get more involved in stargazing and ideas for enjoying astronomy. All are welcome from beginners upwards. It is intended to show you the simple science of the night skies above your head and how that knowledge can help you observe. Please register your interest so we can manage numbers. Numbers are limited and so registration is required. Credit: NASA, Juno

Mar21

Wells & Mendip Astronomers Messier Marathon

21 MarCharterhouse Outdoor Activity Centre

Wells & Mendip Astronomers are having their Messier Night on Saturday 21st March 20120 The event is open to the public and to Bath Astronomers. Discover Charles Messier’s deep-sky wonders in an almost moonless sky and listen to a Introductory talk.

Mar25

Talk by Bud Martin, A Life on Mars

25 MarHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 25th Mar – 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

Mar27

Stargazing at Wellow for all

27 MarPublic Car Park, Wellow, Somerset

Public stargazing session at Wellow, south of Bath. These events involve Bath Astronomers bringing along a telescope and helping visitors see objects of interest in the sky that evening. It's all about sharing. If you have your own kit, bring it along and we might be able to help you use it more effectively or give you some hints/tips. Start time is 8pm. Subject to clear skies - weather dependent. You can find out more about the Wellow site by visiting https://bathastronomers.org.uk/observing/sites-wellow/ We'll check the weather is suitable and issue guidance on whether things are going ahead by 4pm on the day. Guidance will be issued on Facebook and Bath Astronomers website. Do no travel until you see confirmation in this Facebook event or on Bath Astronomers website. If you register for the event on our web site, we'll email you to confirm the event is happening i.e. registration is a good idea. You should dress warmly and arrive as close to the start time as possible to avoid car lights ruining people's night vision too frequently. Wear stout, warm, waterproof footwear and consider a thermos of your favourite warm drink. If you are not a member of Bath Astronomers/William Herschel Society, you can get on our mailing list by emailing stargazing-join@bathastronomers.org.uk

Apr29

Talk by Chris Starr, Cassini and Saturn

29 AprHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 29th Apr – 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

May27

Talk by Elizabeth Pearson, Rovers and Landers

27 MayHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 27th May – 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. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get free entry. Picture: Simon Holbeche

Jun20

Solar Observing on the day of the Summer Solstice

20 JunHerschel Museum of Astronomy

June 20th (Saturday) , 12noon to 4pm Solar observing on the day of the Summer Solstice from the house and garden where 18th century brother and sister astronomers William and Caroline Herschel lived and the site where the Planet Uranus was discovered from in 1781. Generously supported by volunteers of Bath Astronomers.

Jun24

Talk by Roger Hyman, Getting great astrophotos

24 JunHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 24th June – Monthly meeting. Roger has been taking astro photos for the last 18 months and has produced some amazing results from commercially available kit you don't need to be a millionaire to afford. Roger will lead us through how he does it and perhaps you'll pick up a few tips. 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 William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get free entry. Picture: Simon Holbeche

Nov23

Moon/Planet viewing with Bath Astronomers

23 NovHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Monday 23 November, 6pm to 9pm Evening observing session from the house and garden of 18th century brother and sister astronomers William and Caroline Herschel. The Planet Uranus was discovered from the garden in 1781, by William. Generously supported by volunteers from Bath Astronomers.

Dec17

Evening Astronomy

17 DecHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Thursday 17 December, 8pm to 11pm Evening observing session from the house and garden of 18th century brother and sister astronomers William and Caroline Herschel. The planet Uranus was discovered from the garden here, by William, in 1781. Generously supported by volunteers from Bath Astronomers

The Moon

Third Quarter (Illumination: 34.4%)
Age: 23.63 days (Phase: 80%)
Size: 31.7' (Distance: 377,509km)
Moon rise: 03:00
Moon set: 11:31

New Moon	First Quarter	Full Moon	Last Quarter
Fri 24 Jan	Sun 2 Feb	Sun 9 Feb	Sat 15 Feb
Sun 23 Feb	Mon 2 Mar	Mon 9 Mar	Mon 16 Mar
Tue 24 Mar	Wed 1 Apr	Wed 8 Apr	Tue 14 Apr
Thu 23 Apr	Thu 30 Apr	Thu 7 May	Thu 14 May

The Sun

Sunset: 17:27
End twilight: 19:19
Begin twilight: 05:25
Sunrise: 07:17

Current Meteor Showers

Shower	Start	Peak	End	ZHR
Alpha Centaurids	31 Jan	8 Feb	20 Feb	6

Current Missions

Past Missions

Mythology

Constellation Mythology- A nice little page with links to more details on the mythology behind certain constellations

Exoplanets

Sun

Mercury

BepiColombo

The Moon

Moon Phases and Libration 2019
Apollo- NASA's overview of the Apollo programme to land people on the Moon

Mars

Jupiter

Juno

Saturn

Cassini-Huygens- Great mission that rewrote the book on Saturn

Asteroids

Space Ideas

Space Elevators and Astronomy

Astro Clubs and Observing

Go Stargazing- Listings of UK observing events
Bath Astronomers- Meets last Wednesday of the month
Beckington AS- Meets 3rd Friday of the month
Bristol AS- Meets once a week
Starquest Astronomers
Wells and Mendip Astronomers
Wiltshire AS- Meets first Tuesday of the month

School Outreach Ideas

Telescopes

Guide to Telescopes by Stargazing Live- A 6 page guide from the BBC on buying your first telescope

Software

Solar System Scope- A great tool for exploring the Solar System in both enlarged and realistic modes. You can use it online or pay a small sum to download and use it offline.
Worldwide Telescope- The American Astronomical Society's Worldwide Telescope available as a web application or a Windows download

The Planets

Planet	Rises	Sets	Constellation	Disk Size	Sun separation
Mercury	Monday 07:35:28	Monday 18:53:44	Aqr	8.7" (66%)	15.3°
Venus	Monday 08:37:56	Monday 21:29:13	Psc	17.0" (27%)	42.9°
Mars	Monday 04:35:16	Monday 12:14:31	Sgr	5.1" (20%)	57.4°
Jupiter	Monday 05:37:54	Monday 13:34:44	Sgr	32.6" (66%)	40.7°
Saturn	Monday 06:09:10	Monday 14:26:11	Sgr	14.8" (74%)	30.9°
Uranus	Monday 09:22:03	Monday 23:29:30	Ari	3.5" (85%)	65.5°
Neptune	Monday 08:05:37	Monday 19:09:36	Aqr	2.2" (98%)	19.9°

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(07:15) and Sunset(17:29)

Messier objects due South now

Messier	Name	Type	Magnitude	Constellation
M11	Wild Duck Cluster	Open Cluster	5.8	Scutum
M26	NGC6694	Open Cluster	8	Scutum
M27	Dumbbell Nebula	Planetary Nebula	8.1	Vulpecula
M29	NGC6913	Open Cluster	6.6	Cygnus
M54	NGC6715	Globular Cluster	7.7	Sagittarius
M55	NGC6809	Globular Cluster	7	Sagittarius
M56	NGC6779	Globular Cluster	8.2	Lyra
M57	Ring Nebula	Planetary Nebula	9	Lyra
M70	NGC6681	Globular Cluster	8.1	Sagittarius
M70	NGC6838	Globular Cluster	8.3	Sagitta
M75	NGC6864	Globular Cluster	8.6	Sagittarius

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
Fri 21 Feb	-0.8	06:30:40 look S alt 11°	16°	06:34:29 look ESE alt 11°
Sat 22 Feb	-0.3	05:44:33 look SSE alt 10°	10°	05:45:51 look SE alt 10°
Sun 23 Feb	-1.8	06:30:55 look SSW alt 11°	30°	06:34:20 look SE alt 29°
Mon 24 Feb	-1.2	05:43:49 look SSW alt 11°	22°	05:48:52 look E alt 11°
Tue 25 Feb	-0.6	04:57:29 look SSE alt 13°	15°	05:00:49 look ESE alt 11°
Wed 26 Feb	-0.0	04:11:58 look SE alt 10°	10°	04:11:58 look SE alt 10°
Wed 26 Feb	-2.2	05:44:58 look SW alt 14°	41°	05:50:36 look E alt 12°
Thu 27 Feb	-1.6	04:59:20 look S alt 27°	30°	05:03:01 look E alt 11°

Latest Starlink Satellites - 29th Jan

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Tue 18 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:37:33 look NNW alt 55°	58°	05:40:22 look E alt 11°
Wed 19 Feb	STARLINK-1150	04:22:38 look ENE alt 11°	11°	04:22:38 look ENE alt 11°
Wed 19 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:53:38 look WNW alt 30°	71°	05:57:26 look E alt 11°
Thu 20 Feb	STARLINK-1150	04:40:24 look ENE alt 21°	21°	04:41:22 look E alt 11°
Thu 20 Feb	STARLINK-1150	06:11:40 look WNW alt 18°	75°	06:16:13 look ESE alt 11°
Fri 21 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:00:02 look E alt 36°	36°	05:01:43 look E alt 11°
Fri 21 Feb	STARLINK-1150	06:31:15 look W alt 10°	38°	06:36:27 look SE alt 11°
Sat 22 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:20:49 look SSW alt 80°	80°	05:23:29 look ESE alt 12°
Sun 23 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:43:00 look WSW alt 33°	41°	05:46:22 look SE alt 11°
Mon 24 Feb	STARLINK-1150	04:34:43 look ESE alt 19°	19°	04:35:27 look ESE alt 12°
Mon 24 Feb	STARLINK-1150	06:06:10 look WSW alt 15°	19°	06:09:32 look S alt 11°
Tue 25 Feb	STARLINK-1150	04:58:48 look SSE alt 23°	23°	05:00:00 look SE alt 11°
Wed 26 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:23:15 look S alt 16°	16°	05:24:09 look S alt 11°

This is the lead satellite from the 4th batch of 60 of the Starlink constellation launched on 29th Jan 2020

Prior Starlink Satellites - 7th Jan

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Tue 18 Feb	STARLINK-1066	05:36:50 look S alt 11°	19°	05:40:53 look E alt 11°
Wed 19 Feb	STARLINK-1066	06:01:43 look SW alt 13°	41°	06:06:48 look E alt 11°
Thu 20 Feb	STARLINK-1066	04:54:57 look SE alt 20°	20°	04:56:46 look E alt 11°
Thu 20 Feb	STARLINK-1066	06:26:51 look WSW alt 12°	83°	06:32:17 look ENE alt 12°
Fri 21 Feb	STARLINK-1066	05:19:46 look SSE alt 42°	43°	05:22:41 look E alt 11°
Sat 22 Feb	STARLINK-1066	04:12:38 look E alt 11°	11°	04:12:38 look E alt 11°
Sat 22 Feb	STARLINK-1066	05:44:13 look WSW alt 31°	85°	05:48:10 look ENE alt 12°
Sun 23 Feb	STARLINK-1066	04:37:20 look E alt 23°	23°	04:38:33 look E alt 11°
Sun 23 Feb	STARLINK-1066	06:08:46 look W alt 16°	65°	06:13:42 look ENE alt 11°
Mon 24 Feb	STARLINK-1066	05:01:48 look ENE alt 57°	57°	05:04:01 look ENE alt 12°
Tue 25 Feb	STARLINK-1066	05:26:21 look WNW alt 52°	64°	05:29:33 look ENE alt 11°
Wed 26 Feb	STARLINK-1066	04:19:08 look ENE alt 19°	19°	04:19:52 look ENE alt 12°
Wed 26 Feb	STARLINK-1066	05:50:42 look WNW alt 21°	60°	05:55:08 look E alt 11°
Thu 27 Feb	STARLINK-1066	04:43:40 look ENE alt 36°	36°	04:45:24 look ENE alt 11°
Thu 27 Feb	STARLINK-1066	06:15:16 look WNW alt 12°	79°	06:20:42 look E alt 12°

This is one of the satellites from the 3rd batch of 60 of the Starlink constellation launched on 7th Jan 2020

NASA APOD

The Changing Surface of Fading Betelgeuse

Besides fading, is Betelgeuse changing its appearance? Yes. The famous red supergiant star in the familiar constellation of Orion is so large that telescopes on Earth can actually resolve its surface -- although just barely. The two featured images taken with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope show how the star's surface appeared during the beginning and end of last year. The earlier image shows Betelgeuse having a much more uniform brightness than the later one, while the lower half of Betelgeuse became significantly dimmer than the top. Now during the first five months of 2019 amateur observations show Betelgeuse actually got slightly brighter, while in the last five months the star dimmed dramatically. Such variability is likely just normal behavior for this famously variable supergiant, but the recent dimming has rekindled discussion on how long it may be before Betelgeuse does go supernova. Since Betelgeuse is about 700 light years away, its eventual supernova -- probably thousands of years in the future -- will likely be an amazing night-sky spectacle, but will not endanger life on Earth.