A Star Party in the warm heart of Central South Africa

 

 Where

• Gansvlei Information (Pdf to download))

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

More information  -   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

• Dealing With Dew: Dew Heaters, Dew Shields and More
• Best length for a dew shield
• Blog article 
  
  Photo Galleries
  

1st Free State Star Party 2014

2nd Free State Star Party 2021

 3rd Free State Star Party 2016

4th Free State Star Party 2017

5th Free State Star Party 2018

7th Free State Star Party 2021

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


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

Thursday Afternoon: Arriving and setting up at observing point; Braai
Evening - Early Morning:  Observing
Friday  Evening - Early Morning:  Observing
Saturday – Evening - Early Morning:  Observing
Morning: Visit Brandfort or sleep late; (No official programme). 
Afternoon - 11:00 till Before observing time: Advice and discussing Astronomy and braai.
Evening - Early Morning:  Observing  
Sunday
Breakfast and we all leave! 

Other accommodation - Brandfort and surrounding
Lekkeslaap – Search: Near Brandfort

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

• Deep-Sky Marathons (ASSA Website) 
  
• Article in Nightfall "Birth of a Deep-Sky Marathon"
• Deep-Sky Observer's Companion Database – DOCdb
• ASSA Top-100 Deep-Sky Observing List
• Stellarium software
• Cartes du Ciel software
• Jet stream predictions for Southern Africa
• Deep-Sky Hunter Star Atlas 

International Observe the Moon Night - 16 October 2021

 

Follow links: 

International Observe the Moon Night

Download 2021 Moon Maps here

Gigantic galaxies discovered with the MeerKAT telescope

 

Above: The two giant radio galaxies found with the MeerKAT telescope. In the background is the sky as seen in optical light. Overlaid in red is the radio light from the enormous radio galaxies, as seen by MeerKAT. Left: MGTC J095959.63+024608.6. Right: MGTC J100016.84+015133.0. Credit: I. Heywood (Oxford/Rhodes/SARAO).

 

Two giant radio galaxies have been discovered with South Africa’s powerful MeerKAT telescope. These galaxies are amongst the largest single objects in the Universe and are thought to be quite rare.

The fact that MeerKAT detected two of these monsters in a relatively small patch of sky suggests that giant radio galaxies may actually be much more common than previously thought. This gives astronomers further vital clues about how galaxies have changed and evolved throughout cosmic history.

The discovery has been published today, Monday, 18 January 2021 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

 Source: The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation

Read more...

Jupiter, Saturn shine close together in December conjunction

 

A Visual created in Stellarium. Moons from the two planets are visible through a telescope.
(Click on image to enlarge.)

Visible from Bloemfontein, South Africa in the Western sky after sunset with naked eyes.

• Follow the event in South Africa on the facebook page RSG, Sterre en Planete

Dr Daniel Cunnama, a science engagement astronomer at the South African Astronomical Observatory, confirmed that a spectacular conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on 21st December will be visible in South Africa. “You can look to the West just after sunset and you will see them over the next two weeks.

 According to the BBC’s Sky at Night magazine, the closest giant planetary “kiss” since 1623 will see gas giant planets Jupiter and Saturn just 0,06° apart.

“Our Solar System’s two gas giant planets have been edging closer in recent months, and on Monday, December 21 Jupiter and Saturn will be less than a degree apart in the night sky,” says the magazine.

The spectacular sight will be visible in clear skies across the world. Sky at Night said Jupiter and  Saturn won’t really be close to each other at all. “In fact, on that date — which also just happens to be the date of the December solstice — Saturn will be about twice as far from Earth as Jupiter will be.

“However, our line of sight from Earth will suggest otherwise, as we all get to witness (clear skies allowing) the closest planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn that most of us are ever going to see. “Saturn and Jupiter appear to pass close to each other, as seen from Earth, every 20 years, and when they do we call it a ‘great conjunction’.”

If you see it, count yourself lucky.

Information: Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

 

 

Sky Guide Africa South 2021: Astronomical Handbook for Southern Africa | Penguin Random House South Africa

Sky Guide Africa South – 2021 is a practical resource for all astronomers, whether novice, amateur or professional. It covers the upcoming year’s planetary movements, predicted eclipses, meteor showers – any events and facets of the night sky that change annually. Star charts plot the evening sky for each season, facilitating the identification of stars and constellations. The guide contains a wealth of information about the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, meteors and bright stars, with photos, diagrams, charts and images. There’s also an excellent list of useful websites and a comprehensive glossary.

 

This annual publication is an invaluable guide for anyone with an interest in the night skies of southern Africa, from beginner through to professional.

 

Information from Penguin Random House South Africa

 

•  Availbale online and local book stores
  or your local ASSA Centre.   
  

South African Heritage Full Moons Project

International Observe the Moon Night 26 September 2020

 

 Moon Map for Southern Hemisphere  Download

Join us on  Saturday, 26 September 2020 in the worldwide celebration of International Observe the Moon Night 2020. We have everything you will need to host an event or observe the Moon as an individual on September 26th. Explore our printable Moon Maps, viewing guide, highlighted activities, and scientific visualizations from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to learn more about the Moon. Visit our website for many additional resources — happy observing!