2013 Karoo Starparty

Foto: 2010, Britstown Star Party

The ASSA Pretoria Centre wants to hold its fifth National Karoo Starparty during the
weekend of 9 to 11 August 2013 about 20 km north of Britstown in the Karoo, right next
to the N12 at the Kambro Padstal. The reason for this locality, apart from the fabulous
Karoo skies, is that it is almost exactly halfway between Gauteng and the Cape Town
area, so we can all drive the same distance to the site. The first event of this type was held
during April 2009 and proved to be a huge success. The Karoo lived up to its reputation
and provided magnificent views to those lucky enough to be present.

More information from: Pretoria branch of the Astronomical Society of South Africa

To book, please book contact Wilma Strauss, the Manager of Kambro, directly at
0833056668 or at e-mail: kambro@albieswireless.co.za

Neil Armstrong: 1930-2012

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, has died, following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. He was 82.

Armstrong's words "That is one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," spoken on July 20, 1969, as he became the first person ever to step onto another planetary body, instantly became a part of history.

Source: NASA

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Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) in Southern Sky

Source: Copyright © 2012 by Leonid Elenin (Russia)

Images of PANSTARRS acquired by Leonid Elenin on 2012 July 14 (left) and August 9 (right).

Skytools 3 Information

On this night (18 August 2012) C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) is best visible between 18:53 and 21:40, with the optimum view at 19:15. Look for it in Libra, high in the sky in complete darkness. It is detectable visually in the Orion SkyQuest XT10 Dob. Use the Ultima 42mm for optimum visual detection. It is magnitude 10 with a diameter of 4.8'.

In the following 30 days this object is detectable visually from August 19-26, and again from September 2 on, with the best view coming on September 17. During this period it will brighten slowly and move lower in the sky.

C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) will reach perihelion in early March 2013. It also is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude -3 in early March. The best visibility from Bloemfontein, Boyden, ZA near maximum brightness is predicted to be in early March when it will be approximately magnitude -3. At that time it will be in Pisces, very low in the western sky during evening twilight and will be obvious in the Orion SkyQuest XT10 Dob. Note that the magnitude and visibility of a comet can be very unpredictable.

 

Visible in Libra - 18 August 2012

Links fo more information:

  

•  Comet Chasing in August (Skyhound, Skytools 3)
•  C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
•  New comet may be visible to the naked eye in 2013

Javascript AstroTools

•  Online Javascript Astro Tools
  
•  Download astrotools.zip

NASA's Curiosity Rover Caught in the Act of Landing

NASA's Curiosity rover and its parachute were spotted by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as Curiosity descended to the surface on Aug. 5 PDT (Aug. 6 EDT). Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona 

PASADENA, Calif. – An image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance orbiter captured the Curiosity rover still connected to its 51-foot-wide (almost 16 meter) parachute as it descended towards its landing site at Gale Crater.
"If HiRISE took the image one second before or one second after, we probably would be looking at an empty Martian landscape," said Sarah Milkovich, HiRISE investigation scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "When you consider that we have been working on this sequence since March and had to upload commands to the spacecraft about 72 hours prior to the image being taken, you begin to realize how challenging this picture was to obtain."
The image of Curiosity on its parachute can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia15978b.html
The image was taken while MRO was 211 miles (340 kilometers) away from the parachuting rover. Curiosity and its rocket-propelled backpack, contained within the conical-shaped back shell, had yet to be deployed. At the time, Curiosity was about two miles (three kilometers) above the Martian surface.
"Guess you could consider us the closest thing to paparazzi on Mars," said Milkovich. "We definitely caught NASA's newest celebrity in the act."

NASA's Curiosity rover has landed on Mars!

Firtst Image from Curiosity

Curiosity Lands on Mars

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:32:54 AM GMT+0200

 NASA's most advanced Mars rover, Curiosity, has landed on the Red Planet. The one-ton rover, hanging by ropes from a rocket backpack, touched down onto Mars early Monday EDT to end a 36-week flight and begin a two-year investigation.

President Obama said the landing "will stand as a point of national pride far into the future."

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Boyden Observatory Open Evening - 4 August 2012

 Dr. Brian van Soelen - Explaining the SKA Telescope…

National Science Week 2012

Boyden Observatory Open Evening

4 August 2012
18h30 for 19:00

18:30: Observing with the 13-inch telescope - Saturn
19:00: Presentation on SKA: Dr. Brian van Soelen - Explaining the SKA Telescope…
19:45 Observing through telescopes weather permitting
Informal outdoor presentation

Refreshments for sale

Proposed donation: R 30 per car
Booking essential: Yolandie Fick: (051) 401 9751 FickY@ufs.ac.za
Presented by: Friends of Boyden Observatory and the  en die Amateur Astronomy Society

Nasionale Wetenskapweek 2012

Boyden Sterrewag Ope-aand

04 Augustus 2012,
18h30 vir / for 19:00

18:30: Waarneming deur 13-duim teleskoop - Saturnus
19:00: Presentation on SKA: Dr. Brian van Soelen - Explaining the SKA Telescope…
19:45: Waarnemings deur teleskope indien die weer dit toelaat.
Informele buite-aanbieding

Verversings te koop

Voorgestelde donasie: R 30 per motor
Bespreking noodsaaklik
Yolandie Fick: (051) 401 9751 FickY@ufs.ac.za

Aangebied deur: Vriende van Boyden Sterrewag en die Amateur Sterrekunde Vereniging

Challenges of Getting to Mars: Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror

Astronomy Books at a Bargain Price!

Bargain Books opened in Bloemfontein, Preller Square and these bargain price books are on the shelve.
Alson in Welkom: Goldfields Mall

Astronomica  (R199) 

- A Coffee Table book with a foreword by Sir Patrick Moore, 524 Pages packed with information.

Publication Date: 2007  Reprinted 2010

Written in an engaging and accessible format, Astronomica is an invaluable reference book. There are comprehensive profils of each of the planets in our Solar System, the dwarf planets, the major stars, and other astronomical bodies. The galaxies - including the Milky Way - are examined. The history of cosmology focuses on the advances that have been made through the centuries, up to the latest in cutting-edge technology. The chapter on space exploration discusses early program development, historical milestones, current ventures, the role of space stations, and the long-distance spacecraft sent out to the far reaches of the Solar System and beyond. Successful sky-watching is covered, with detailed charts of each of the 88 recognized constellations, helpful monthly sky charts, and information on equipment. Discover all you need to know about the cosmos and its fascinating features. Stunning photographs (including dual page fold-outs), detailed charts and illustrations, fact files, and timelines enhance the descriptive and informative text, as Astronomica brings the cosmic world within easy reach. (Source: Amazon)

The Practical Astronomer

Publication Date: May 17, 2010

For anyone who's ever looked at the night sky and wanted to know more about the galaxy around them, The Practical Astronomer shows readers how to discover and understand the mysteries of the solar system and beyond. Illustrated throughout with detailed photographs and illustrations, and using clear, easy-to-follow text, The Practical Astronomer takes you on a step-by-step journey from the basics of what can be seen with the naked eye, to how you can view more distant objects such as the planets of the solar system, and even galaxies far, far away-all in your own backyard. Source: Amazon

The Practical Skywatcher's Handbook. by David H. Levy, John O'Byrne

Publication Date: January 1, 2012

This practical, hands-on guide is the sailor's essential atlas of the sky. Assuming no prior knowledge, this comprehensive, practical handbook helps the user at sea or on land read and understand the changing sky. Readers are given hands-on advice on how to read the night sky and star charts, as well as information on whether particular stars can be seen with the naked eye or require binoculars or a telescope. At the core of the book are 150 sky charts, showing what features can be seen in each position and when. Every constellation in the northern and southern hemisphere is mapped out. Simple methods are given for finding the biggest, brightest stars and then identifying other lesser stars by their relative position. For sailors out of the sight of land, celestial navigation really comes into its own - providing a sure means of checking the boat's position even when GPS and other electronics malfunction. This book will provide a complete reference as to what stars and constellations they should be able to use when and where in the world. The Practical Skywatcher's Handbook is ideal for anyone, on land or sea, wanting a complete guide to the night sky. Source: Amazon

UFS101 Astronomy Fair in Bloemfontein

Click to enlarge

Maklik `n duisend Vrystaters het die Sterrekundefees by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat in Bloemfontein bygewoon. Hier kyk van die toeskouers hoe vuurpyle gelanseer word.

• Foto's op die Universiteit se facebook blad