Monday, 30 July 2018

Total Lunar Eclipse: 27 July 2018 (Occultation)

Animation of the occultation during the total Lunar Eclipse: 27 July 2018. SAO163626 and SAO163625. (Photo: Hannes Pieterse)

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Tuesday, 24 July 2018

Open Evening at Boyden Observatory - Lunar Eclipse, Friday 22 July 2018



Open Evening at Boyden Observatory!
 ● Friday 22 July 2018
The Friends of Boyden cordially invite the public to their Open Evening on Friday 27 July 2018 at the Boyden Observatory (next to Maselspoort).
The programme begins at 18:00 for 18:30.  Entrance is R50 per vehicle.

Booking is not necessary.

A total lunar eclipse takes place that night – and mars is in opposition.

Lunar Eclipse – Mars at its closes
Refreshments will be on sale.

Entrance:  R50 per car – no booking

Enqueries : Office hours (weekdays):  Yolande Fick, tel. 051 401 9751 (or ficky@ufs.ac.za )
After hours:  Prof. Matie Hoffman, tel. 083 625 7154
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Monday, 23 July 2018

Lunar Eclipse 2018 on your doorstep in South Africa - Friday, 27 July 2018

Who will see it
Most of Africa, Europe, the Middle East and eastern Asia will see this eclipse.
For far western Africa and Europe, the eclipse will have started by the time the Moon rises.

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12 Newfound Moons Discovered Orbiting Jupiter

One 'Oddball' Among 12 Newfound Moons Discovered Orbiting Jupiter 

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Monday, 16 July 2018

Calculate Lunar and Solar transits on your door step


 Transits 240km radius from Bloemfontein. Today -15 August 2018


ISS transit finder: Calculate Lunar and Solar transits on your door step.
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Friday, 15 June 2018

Photos: 5th Free State Star Party, Gansvlei (Brandfort) 8,9 & 10 June 2018 hosted by ASSA Bloemfontein

Photo: Frans Human, ASSA Bloemfontein


Photos: Shaun Staats, Frans Human, Etsuo Takayanagi, Matie Hoffman, Andy Overbeek
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Sunday, 22 April 2018

5th Free State Star Party - 8,9 & 10 June 2018

 Photo: Hannes Pieterse (ASSA Bloemfontein)

A Star Party in the warm heart of Central South Africa
8,9 &10 June 2018 (Friday - Sunday)

Where
 On the farm Gansvlei close to Brandfort (13km)
GPS Coordinates:  28°47'48.63"S   26°28'25.66"E

 Booking via Shaun Staats  -   assabfn@gmail.com

GPS Coordinates  28°47'48.63"S   26°28'25.66"E
 Google Earth - Gansvlei - FS Star Party
Prepairing for the FS Star Party

To dew or not to dew



Observation site - In short
Storage room close to observing site during night/day.
Separate astro photography site available not to disturb serious observers.
Electricity available for telescope and electronic equipment (No kettles or heaters).
Observers must bring their own leads to get power from a central point in the veld.
Bring covers if you want to leave your equipment in the veld during the day.
 
- Have respect for your fellow observers. Use your headlight sparingly. You are blinding someone next to you. No bright white/red lights when observing starts. 

Deep-sky Marathon
ASSA Bloemfontein did the  first Deep-sky Marathon on Gansvlei in 2014 . (ASSA Top-100 Observing List). It is based on the very popular Messier Marathon. It was customized for deep sky objects visible in Southern-Africa.

 Visit the ASSA Marathon web page Sections > Deep-sky Section > Nebulae >  Clusters>
 Deep-Sky Marathons


 Download Observing lists for the Free State and Karoo Starparties
 - Scroll down to Observing Lists  for the Southern Hemisphere
( ASSA Deepsky 100, Lacaille and Messier)

The FS Star Party is not about marathons alone. It is also an event where astro friends will do some serious observing, astro photography and relax with hot coffee and serious braaiing. 

Weather
 2017 -7°C (00:00) and with a light wind from the East pestering us. It was 2.8 °C at 01:00 (Friday night)
2016 2°C (23:00 Friday); 10°C (00:00 Saturday; with wind and clouds moved over late in the evening. Clear early morning, with wind)
2015 dew caused havoc. Bring your dew heaters. Come prepared!
2014 Extreme –  We measured -7°C during the first night. Prepare with warm clothing and bedding.

Meals
Bring your own food according to your dietary preferences.
Hot beverages will be available during the night at a Coffee point close to the observing point.
Central braai area available. We braai early to be ready for the nights observing.
Brandfort - 13 km
- Branfort Slaghuis/Butchery is the place to buy your meat   (14 Voortrekker St, Brandfort)

Bloemfontein 52 km

Provisional Programme

Friday  –  8 June 2018
Afternoon: Arriving and setting up at observing point
Evening - Early Morning:  Observing

Saturday –  9 June 2018
Morning: Visit Brandfort or sleep late; (No official programme). 
Afternoon - 11:00 till Before observing time: Advice and discussing Astronomy
Evening - Early Morning:  Observing

 Sunday –  10 June 2018
Breakfast and we all leave! 


Other accommodation - Brandfort and surrounding
Various  
Ou Pastorie 
Lekkeslaap – Near Brandfort

June is Deepsky Marathon Month at the Free State Star Party - Helpful links
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