What’s Up – Bath Astronomers

What are we up to?

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

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

New Moon (Illumination: 0.9%)
Age: 0.90 days (Phase: 3%)
Size: 29.5' (Distance: 404,460km)
Moon rise: 07:55
Moon set: 18:28

New Moon	First Quarter	Full Moon	Last Quarter
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
Fri 22 May	Sat 30 May	Fri 5 Jun	Sat 13 Jun

The Sun

Sunset: 17:40
End twilight: 19:30
Begin twilight: 05:12
Sunrise: 07:02

Current Meteor Showers

Shower	Start	Peak	End	ZHR

Step by: Mode:
North latitude East longitude
DSOs Star names Constellation lines Constellation labels

Reproduced and extended by permission of Ernie Wright under GNU

The Planets

Planet	Rises	Sets	Constellation	Disk Size	Sun separation
Mercury	Monday 06:53:21	Monday 18:04:16	Aqr	10.3" (79%)	5.6°
Venus	Monday 08:20:57	Monday 21:48:51	Psc	17.9" (28%)	43.9°
Mars	Tuesday 04:27:42	Tuesday 12:07:13	Sgr	5.3" (21%)	60.0°
Jupiter	Tuesday 05:11:51	Tuesday 13:11:16	Sgr	33.1" (67%)	47.2°
Saturn	Tuesday 05:40:13	Tuesday 13:59:12	Sgr	14.9" (74%)	38.2°
Uranus	Monday 08:54:58	Monday 23:03:20	Ari	3.4" (85%)	58.6°
Neptune	Monday 07:38:32	Monday 18:43:32	Aqr	2.2" (98%)	13.1°

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(07:00) and Sunset(17:42)

Messier objects due South now

Messier	Name	Type	Magnitude	Constellation
M31	Andromeda Galaxy	Spiral Galaxy	3.4	Andromeda
M32	NGC221	Elliptical Galaxy	8.2	Andromeda
M33	Pinwheel Galaxy	Spiral Galaxy	5.7	Triangulum
M74	NGC628	S	9.2	Pisces
M76	Cork Nebula, Little Dunbbell	Planetary Nebula	11.5	Perseus
M103	NGC581	Open Cluster	7.4	Cassiopeia
M110	NGC205	Elliptical Galaxy	8	Andromeda

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
Tue 25 Feb	-0.6	04:57:26 look SSE alt 13°	15°	05:00:47 look ESE alt 11°
Wed 26 Feb	-0.0	04:11:54 look SE alt 10°	10°	04:11:54 look SE alt 10°
Wed 26 Feb	-2.2	05:44:54 look SW alt 14°	41°	05:50:32 look E alt 12°
Thu 27 Feb	-1.6	04:59:16 look S alt 27°	30°	05:02:56 look E alt 11°
Fri 28 Feb	-0.7	04:13:49 look ESE alt 18°	18°	04:15:05 look E alt 11°
Fri 28 Feb	-2.9	05:46:32 look WSW alt 17°	70°	05:52:16 look E alt 11°
Sat 29 Feb	-2.5	05:00:50 look SSW alt 48°	55°	05:04:38 look E alt 10°
Sun 01 Mar	-1.3	04:15:09 look ESE alt 27°	27°	04:16:45 look E alt 12°
Sun 01 Mar	-3.0	05:48:00 look W alt 17°	87°	05:53:46 look E alt 11°
Mon 02 Mar	-2.9	05:02:16 look WSW alt 60°	83°	05:06:06 look E alt 11°
Tue 03 Mar	-1.6	04:16:32 look E alt 32°	32°	04:18:27 look E alt 11°
Tue 03 Mar	-3.0	05:49:14 look W alt 15°	85°	05:55:16 look E alt 11°
Wed 04 Mar	-0.1	03:30:32 look E alt 12°	12°	03:30:48 look E alt 10°
Wed 04 Mar	-2.9	05:03:28 look W alt 49°	83°	05:07:35 look E alt 11°
Thu 05 Mar	-2.0	04:17:43 look E alt 40°	40°	04:19:54 look E alt 11°
Thu 05 Mar	-3.0	05:50:26 look W alt 13°	78°	05:56:43 look ESE alt 11°

Latest Starlink Satellites - 17th Feb

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Tue 03 Mar	STARLINK-1241	05:44:13 look SSW alt 10°	24°	05:48:32 look E alt 10°
Wed 04 Mar	STARLINK-1241	04:40:14 look SE alt 11°	11°	04:41:23 look ESE alt 10°
Wed 04 Mar	STARLINK-1241	06:12:50 look WSW alt 10°	19°	06:13:45 look SW alt 19°
Thu 05 Mar	STARLINK-1241	05:08:44 look S alt 24°	28°	05:11:36 look E alt 11°

This is the lead satellite from the 5th batch of 60 of the Starlink constellation launched on 17th Feb 2020

Prior Starlink Satellites - 29th Jan

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Tue 25 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:02:08 look SSE alt 25°	25°	05:03:35 look SE alt 11°
Wed 26 Feb	STARLINK-1150	05:27:19 look SSW alt 16°	16°	05:28:26 look S alt 10°
Thu 05 Mar	STARLINK-1150	19:16:02 look SSE alt 10°	13°	19:16:54 look SSE alt 13°

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

NASA APOD

Moon Corona, Halo, and Arcs over Manitoba

Brent Mckean

Yes, but could you get to work on time if the Moon looked like this? As the photographer was preparing to drive to work, refraction, reflection, and even diffraction of moonlight from millions of falling ice crystals turned the familiar icon of our Moon into a menagerie of other-worldly halos and arcs. The featured scene was captured with three combined exposures two weeks ago on a cold winter morning in Manitoba, Canada. The colorful rings are a corona caused by quantum diffraction by small drops of water or ice near the direction of the Moon. Outside of that, a 22-degree halo was created by moonlight refracting through six-sided cylindrical ice crystals. To the sides are moon dogs, caused by light refracting through thin, flat, six-sided ice platelets as they flittered toward the ground. Visible at the top and bottom of the 22-degree halo are upper and lower tangent arcs, created by moonlight refracting through nearly horizontal hexagonal ice cylinders. A few minutes later, from a field just off the road to work, the halo and arcs had disappeared, the sky had returned to normal -- with the exception of a single faint moon dog.