Your membership – Bath Astronomers

What are we up to?

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

Sep30

Talk by Mark Radice, Observing the Planets

30 SepHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 30th September – Monthly meeting. A talk by Mark Radice on observing the planets. 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: Mark Radice

Oct28

Talk by Stephen Tonkin, Two Eyes are Better than One

28 OctHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 28th October – Monthly meeting. A talk by Stephen Tonkin on binocular astronomy. Two Eyes are Better than One. Steve Tonkin has been an amateur astronomer since childhood and now spends most of his time doing astronomical outreach; he leads public observing sessions at BBC Stargazing Live events. He has taught astronomy to adults and children for over 35 years and has authored many articles and several books on practical aspects of astronomy. He writes equipment reviews and a monthly Binocular Tour for BBC Sky at Night magazine. Steve is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, a past-chairman of the Wessex Astronomical Society and a founder member of Fordingbridge Astronomers. 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: Stephen Tonkin

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.

Nov25

A Life on Mars. Talk by Bud Martin

25 NovHerschel Museum of Astronomy

A Life On Mars by Bud Martin We take a look at the personalities, speculations and theories that have contributed to our changing views of the Red Planet over the last 150 years. From the sublime to the ridiculous, we examine what it takes to visit our near neighbour. About Bud Bud first became interested in astronomy at 8 years old after seeing a bright meteor flash across the night sky. Determined to learn more, he avidly read all the astronomy books in the local Public Library then set about making his first telescope from spectacle lenses and cardboard tubes. At the same time, he developed a love for music and by the age of 13 had made his own electric guitar. Nearly 60 years later, Bud is still performing at gigs on his equally old Gibson 345. Astigmatism in his right (dominant) eye began to make observation at the telescope eyepiece a troublesome experience so Bud developed a system using a modified web-cam to view the heavens. Naturally, this paved the way to enable him to capture the images he was seeing on the computer screen. Constantly improving camera sensor technology meant that before long he was seeing objects – especially on the Lunar surface – in such detail impossible with his naked eye. Bud is an internationally published Lunar Astrophotographer. The event: 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. Bath Astronomers' members and under 18s enter for free. All visitors welcome and there is an entry charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for Herschel Society members and students. Picture: Bud Martin

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

Jan27

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

27 JanHerschel Museum of Astronomy

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. 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: Nick Howes

Mar31

Talk by Pete Williamson FRAS

31 MarHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 31st March – Monthly meeting. Topic to be confirmed: Observing the Moon, or 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 William 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

Full Moon (Illumination: 99.7%)
Age: 14.29 days (Phase: 48.4%)
Size: 32.9' (Distance: 363,349km)
Moon rise: 18:04
Moon set: 05:45

New Moon	First Quarter	Full Moon	Last Quarter
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
Sun 21 Jun	Sun 28 Jun	Sun 5 Jul	Sun 12 Jul

The Sun

Sunset: 18:52
End twilight: 20:54
Begin twilight: 03:25
Sunrise: 05:27

Current Meteor Showers

Shower	Start	Peak	End	ZHR

The Planets

Planet	Rises	Sets	Constellation	Disk Size	Sun separation
Mercury	Wednesday 05:07:24	Wednesday 16:32:25	Aqr	6.0" (46%)	23.7°
Venus	Tuesday 06:42:51	Tuesday 23:31:06	Tau	27.5" (43%)	45.4°
Mars	Wednesday 03:21:08	Wednesday 11:50:30	Cap	6.7" (26%)	72.9°
Jupiter	Wednesday 02:44:17	Wednesday 10:56:23	Sgr	37.0" (75%)	83.4°
Saturn	Wednesday 03:01:11	Wednesday 11:28:19	Cap	15.8" (79%)	77.6°
Uranus	Tuesday 06:09:53	Tuesday 20:25:56	Ari	3.4" (83%)	17.9°
Neptune	Wednesday 04:48:22	Wednesday 15:59:42	Aqr	2.2" (98%)	29.1°

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(05:26) and Sunset(18:54)

Messier objects due South now

Messier	Name	Type	Magnitude	Constellation
M1	Crab Nebula	Planetary Nebula	8.4	Taurus
M35	NGC2168	Open Cluster	5.1	Gemini
M36	NGC1960	Open Cluster	6	Auriga
M37	NGC2099	Open Cluster	5.6	Auriga
M38	NGC1922	Open Cluster	6.4	Auriga
M41	NGC2287	Open Cluster	4.5	Canis Major
M42	Great Orion Nebula	Nebula	4	Orion
M43	De Mairan’s Nebula	Nebula	9	Orion
M78	NGC2068	Nebula	8	Orion
M79	NGC1904	Globular Cluster	8	Lepus

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

Latest Starlink Satellites - 17th Feb

Date	Satellite	Rise	Max	Set
Tue 07 Apr	STARLINK-1241	21:20:28 look WNW alt 10°	87°	21:26:51 look ESE alt 27°
Tue 07 Apr	STARLINK-1241	23:00:17 look W alt 10°	28°	23:02:44 look WSW alt 28°
Wed 08 Apr	STARLINK-1241	21:14:58 look WNW alt 10°	84°	21:21:40 look ESE alt 23°
Wed 08 Apr	STARLINK-1241	22:55:04 look W alt 11°	25°	22:57:27 look WSW alt 25°
Thu 09 Apr	STARLINK-1241	21:09:48 look WNW alt 12°	73°	21:16:29 look ESE alt 19°
Thu 09 Apr	STARLINK-1241	22:49:32 look W alt 10°	22°	22:52:09 look SW alt 22°
Fri 10 Apr	STARLINK-1241	21:04:17 look WNW alt 12°	63°	21:11:15 look SE alt 16°
Fri 10 Apr	STARLINK-1241	22:44:17 look W alt 10°	18°	22:46:48 look SW alt 18°
Sat 11 Apr	STARLINK-1241	20:58:46 look WNW alt 12°	52°	21:06:00 look SE alt 14°
Sat 11 Apr	STARLINK-1241	22:39:17 look WSW alt 10°	14°	22:41:40 look SW alt 14°
Sun 12 Apr	STARLINK-1241	20:53:14 look WNW alt 11°	43°	21:00:43 look SE alt 11°
Sun 12 Apr	STARLINK-1241	22:34:58 look WSW alt 10°	11°	22:36:27 look SW alt 10°
Mon 13 Apr	STARLINK-1241	20:47:42 look W alt 11°	35°	20:55:04 look SSE alt 11°
Tue 14 Apr	STARLINK-1241	20:42:28 look W alt 11°	29°	20:49:05 look SSE alt 12°
Wed 15 Apr	STARLINK-1241	20:42:11 look S alt 16°	16°	20:43:21 look SSE alt 10°

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 14 Apr	STARLINK-1150	05:26:24 look SSW alt 11°	29°	05:32:37 look E alt 11°
Wed 15 Apr	STARLINK-1150	05:02:53 look SSW alt 11°	28°	05:09:08 look E alt 11°
Thu 16 Apr	STARLINK-1150	04:41:25 look SSW alt 16°	28°	04:46:50 look E alt 11°
Fri 17 Apr	STARLINK-1150	04:21:03 look S alt 22°	29°	04:25:38 look E alt 11°
Sat 18 Apr	STARLINK-1150	04:01:21 look SSE alt 27°	30°	04:05:23 look E alt 11°

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

A Path North

Mario Konang

What happens if you keep going north? The direction north on the Earth, the place on your horizon below the northern spin pole of the Earth -- around which other stars appear to slowly swirl, will remain the same. This spin-pole-of-the-north will never move from its fixed location on the sky -- night or day -- and its height will always match your latitude. The further north you go, the higher the north spin pole will appear. Eventually, if you can reach the Earth's North Pole, the stars will circle a point directly over your head. Pictured, a four-hour long stack of images shows stars trailing in circles around this north celestial pole. The bright star near the north celestial pole is Polaris, known as the North Star. The bright path was created by the astrophotographer's headlamp as he zigzagged up a hill just over a week ago in Lower Saxony, Germany. The astrophotographer can be seen, at times, in shadow. Actually, the Earth has two spin poles -- and much the same would happen if you started below the Earth's equator and went south.