Saturday, 9 October 2010

The Mag-7 Star Atlas Project


Astronomy observation help

What is it?

This project is my attempt to produce a free, downloadable set of high-quality star charts -- the Mag-7 Star Atlas -- capable of being printed at reasonable resolutions on the average home printer.
The Mag-7 Star Atlas plots stars down to Magnitude 7.25, with double / multiple stars indicated by a thin horizontal bar. Plotted DSO's (Deep Sky Objects) include all objects on the Messier list, the RASC's finest NGC list, and the Herschell 400 list --- more than 550 DSO's in total.
Now that this project is also being hosted by the kind folks at CloudyNights, availability shouldn't be an issue and it will be more convenient and reliable to make reference to the charts in forum posts (no need to worry about an external site being down when linking to or referring to a chart). It will also relieve some of the bandwith load on my website, for which I am certainly grateful.
I hope beginner's and experienced observers alike might find some use in these charts -- as a first atlas, as a bridge atlas between planishere and a deeper atlas, as a binocular atlas, as printable charts for outlining observing plans and/or recording small field notes, or to make wallpaper for your outhouse. At the very least, when you take family or friends on an observing outing it is easy (and affordable) to ensure everyone has an atlas of their own to refer to. The free licencing (see below) makes these charts an open resource for teachers and astronomy outreach programs. But, you don't have to be an association -- go ahead and print one off for your neighbor, and the kid down the street, and ...

But Free? Really?

Yes. And not just free of charge -- you have other freedoms as well. This work is licenced under a Creative Commons License. Basically you are free to download, use, and or distribute this work for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. You can create and distribute derived works if they follow the same licence. 

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Night-Sky Objects for Southern Observers

Astronomy observation help
Night-Sky Objects for Southern Observers is a collection of maps, objects and data that highlight each constellation. Most of the well known visual objects for southern observers have been included. In particular, maps have been designed to be the "right way up" for observers facing north at southern latitudes. The limit of observation to the north is declination +55 degrees.
Each map and its object data has been formatted to print on an A4 page with a minimum of colour printing. All maps have a white background.
To encourage education and interest in astronomy, the document may be freely reproduced but without modification.
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Where is M13? — A Three Dimensional Galactic Atlas!

Astronomy observation help
Hier is `n oulike stukiie sagteware om te kyk waar die Messier-voorwerpe in ons galaksie geleë is. En dit is gratis (No cosmic strings attached!) - Hannes Pieterse, ASSABFN.

 We all have our favorite deep sky objects that we've looked at hundreds and hundreds of times. We know where to find them in the night sky, but most of us have little idea where they lie in the three-dimensional space around our Galaxy. Isn't that just a bit strange?

Where is M13? is a unique application that helps you visualize the locations and physical properties of deep sky objects in and around the Galaxy.

At home, Where is M13? serves as a reference you will frequently turn to when you read about an object and become curious where it is with respect to our galaxy. In the field, the program will enhance your observing experience by allowing you to get an intuitive sense of the physical location, size, luminosity, and distance of the object you are viewing. You will find Where is M13? a great educational and outreach tool as well. 

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Saturday, 2 October 2010

Karoo National Starparty 2011 is om die draai.




 2011 Karoo National Starparty
Datum: Vrydag, 29 April - Maandag, 2 Mei 2011
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Nuusbriewe: Canopus en Cape Observer - Oktober 2010

Besoek die Astronomical Society of Southern Africa - Johannesburg Centre se webblad  en laai die jongste tydskrif af. (Links onder op die spyskaart.


 


Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
- Cape Centre


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Friday, 1 October 2010

Waarnemingshulp vir Oktober 2010

Astronomy observation help
 October 2010
Pdf (Thanx Auke)


Ander hulp



Pdf -formaat (Dankie Auke)

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'Goldilocks planet just right for life'

An artist's impression of Gliese 581g and its parent star
Source: BBC News By Katia Moskvitch Science reporter, BBC News

Astronomers have detected an Earth-like exoplanet that may have just the right kind of conditions to support life.
Gliese 581g lies some 20 light-years away in its star's "Goldilocks zone" - a region surface temperatures would allow the presence of liquid water.

Scientists say that the newly found world could also potentially have an atmosphere.

Their findings, made with the Keck telescope in Hawaii, appear in the Astrophysical Journal.

The researchers, from the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) and the Carnegie Institution of Washington, have been studying the movement of the planet's parent star, a red dwarf called Gliese 581, for 11 years.

Their observations have revealed a number of exoplanets spinning around the star.
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A Fun and Easy Way To Learn More About Astronomy

Astronomy observation help

A Fun and Easy Way To Learn More About Astronomy

If you want to learn more about astronomy, telescopes, and the night sky, then you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re a total beginner or you’ve been a stargazer for some time, this website will help build your enjoyment and appreciation of the constellations and night sky in the northern and southern hemispheres.  Even if you have just a few minutes a week.  Even if you haven’t taken a science course since high school.

You’ll find no long, dense pages filled with facts and equations here.  Just short, easy-to-readthe most beautiful sights in nature. bits of insights and advice– delivered directly to you by email– to help you find your way around the stars and constellations, select and use a telescope or pair of binoculars, and understand a little of the science behind some

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Discovery's Last Ride

By Susan Poulton
for Breaking Orbit
Space Shuttle Discovery rolled out to the launch pad for the final time tonight, with first motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) coming 30 minutes early at 7:23pm ET, beneath a stunning sunset. Hundreds of employees gathered to watch the event and cheer on Discovery as they watched the last of two launches get underway. Loud roars and applause could be heard as the shuttle passed the grandstands and cars poured into the area as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse.  

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Saturn Aurora


Image courtesy NASA/JPL/University of Leicester/University of Arizona

Hundreds of miles tall, curtains of aurorae undulate above Saturn's south polar clouds in a
composite of near-infrared images released Friday by NASA's Cassini orbiter. (See pictures of earthly auroras generated by a September solar storm.)
In this false-color picture, aurorae are bright green, sunlight reflected off Saturn's rings and high-altitude haze are blue, and heat emissions from the planet's interior glow deep red. Get the full story on National Geographic's Breaking Orbit blog >>
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Star Gazers Deep Space Atlas

Astronomy observation help

STAR GAZERS DEEP SPACE ATLAS
A VALUABLE AND VERSITILE TOOL FOR STAR GAZING 
  • For ANYONE interested in the night sky, but has no idea where to start!
  • For the BEGINNER and SERIOUS star gazer.
  • Beginners may with ease, gaze up at the starry sky, find constellations and experienced observers may use a telescope to its full potential.
CAMPING - HIKING - USE AT HOME - DARK SKY OBSERVING
SPECIAL FEATURES
  • 270 DEW RESISTANT PAGES - Dew may be wiped off (cold nights).
  • STARS SHOWN AS VIEWED FROM HOME - Most other books show the sky upside-down for S.A. because published for northern hemisphere.
  • STEP BY STEP GUIDED SKY TOURS EACH MONTH - Locate a constellation and/or celestial object the same evening after purchase.
  • WHITE TEXT ON BLACK PAPER - Excellent reading at night with a red LED torch which maintains your “dark adaption”.
  • HUNDREDS OF OBJECTS TO OBSERVE -  Star Clusters, Gas Clouds, Galaxies, Dying Stars, Double Stars and Variable stars.
  • ON-LINE SUPPORT - Wayne offers assistance to users via a website.
Contact Information:
Wayne Mitchell

Author of the STAR GAZER'S DEEP SPACE ATLAS

Member of the Pretoria Centre of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

Email: wayne.mitchell@penbrogroupe.com    

Cell: 072 465 7739.
  1. Example Pages and contact information(2M)
  2. Example Pages and contact information in PDF format .  (2M)
  3. Website
  4. Information and how to order

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Sunday, 26 September 2010

Get ready for a naked-eye comet - Comet 103P/Hartley 2

Astronomy observation help
Comet 103P Hartley 2 imaged on the evening of 10 Sep 2010 from Mauna Kea, 13x100s luminance plus 3x100s@2x2binning for RGB color, ST2k camera and 100mm APO. Foto: Andrew Cooper
Lekker! Dit lyk of hier weer `n helder komeet (Comet 103P/Hartley 2) op pad is. Die maan gaan pla, maar dalk sien ons dit met die blote oog of ten minste met verkykers. Hier is `n klomp inligting. Kry jou sterkaarte reg en maak reg om te kyk.

In Suid-Afrika gaan Comet 103P/Hartley 2 so teen 8 Oktber sy kop in die Noorde bo die horison uitsteek.

Groete
Hannes Pieterse
_________________________________________________________________________
Astronomy:

Get ready for a naked-eye comet
Comet 103P/Hartley promises to be the brightest comet of 2010 when it peaks in October.
Richard Talcott, senior editor

 The brightest comet of the year starts to put on a good show in late September before reaching its peak in October. When Comet 103P/Hartley glows at its brightest, it should be visible with naked eyes under a dark sky.

Australian astronomer Malcolm Hartley discovered this comet in March 1986. It orbits the Sun once every 6.5 years, traveling from just outside the orbit of Jupiter to nearly Earth's distance from the Sun. This is the comet's fourth return to the inner solar system since it was discovered, and its best one yet.

Comet 103P/Hartley should peak at 5th magnitude when it passes closest to Earth in October. A 5th-magnitude star is bright enough to see with naked eyes if you're out of the city, but a comet's light spreads out, making it harder to see. Still, you'll have a good chance to see it without optical aid from a dark-sky site. Binoculars will show the comet nicely, and a telescope will let you see details.
More info
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Friday, 24 September 2010

You know you're a Deep Sky Observer when...

Astronomy observation help
  1. You consider the moon a major annoyance.
  2. You consider Jupiter 'light pollution'.
  3. You consider meteors 'light pollution'.
  4. You consider the Milky Way 'light pollution'.
  5. You contemplate ways of destroying the Earth because it's in the way.
  6. You pack Dry Ice around your head to reduce the "noise" from your retina and optic nerve.
  7. You refuse to use the ladder with your 20" f/6 at the Winter Star Party stating, "If I use that, the objects are too far north."
  8. You consider the H-II regions of distant galaxies as individual observing targets.
  9. You spend most of your time looking at or for objects you can barely see.
  10. Your favorite objects are objects you can barely see.


    Click for the rest of the list..
101.  You see the letters "sex" and your first thought is of the constellation sextans!
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Wednesday, 22 September 2010

ISS oor Bloemfontein

Use Heavens Above to track satellites

Try out the Orbitron software


ISS - Visible Passes from Heavans Above


Search period start: 00:00 Wednesday, 22 September, 2010
Search period end: 00:00 Saturday, 2 October, 2010
Observer's location: Westdene - Bloemfontein, 29.1022°S, 26.2110°E
Local time zone: South African Standard Time (UTC + 2:00)
Orbit: 351 x 360 km, 51.6° (Epoch Sep 22)
Click on the date to get a star chart and other pass details.

DateMagStartsMax. altitudeEnds
TimeAlt.Az.TimeAlt.Az.TimeAlt.Az.
22 Sep-2.405:20:2316W 05:21:5926NW 05:24:3010N
22 Sep-0.320:07:3610NW 20:07:3910NW 20:07:3910NW
23 Sep-0.904:16:2316NE 04:16:2316NE 04:17:0510NE
23 Sep-2.619:00:0310NNW19:02:4229NE 19:03:5022E
24 Sep-2.619:27:0410WNW19:29:5946SW 19:31:3422SSE
25 Sep-2.918:19:1410NNW18:22:0137NE 18:24:5110ESE
25 Sep-0.319:56:0610WSW19:57:3213SW 19:58:5810S
26 Sep-2.018:46:2810WNW18:49:1737SW 18:52:0810SSE
27 Sep-0.119:16:0010SW 19:16:4911SW 19:17:3810SSW


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Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Astronomy Picture of the Day



Click on image to enlarge

Opposite the Sun
Image Credit & Copyright: Babak Tafreshi (TWAN)
Explanation: Chances are the brightest star you've seen lately is actually planet Jupiter. Jupiter rules the sky in this labeled view of a starry September night from the Alborz mountains in Iran, complete with the trail of a red flashlight illuminating the mountain road. On September 21st (Universal Time) Jupiter will be at opposition, the point opposite the Sun along its orbit, rising just as the Sun sets. For this opposition, Jupiter will be slightly brighter and closer to planet Earth than in any year since 1963. Much fainter and also approaching its own opposition on September 21st, is the distant planet Uranus. Very near Jupiter on the sky, the fainter planet is easy to spot in binoculars (similar to the inset view), well above and right of brilliant Jupiter and about as bright as one of Jupiter's own Galilean moons. Remarkably close to the opposition of both planets, the point on the sky exactly opposite the Sun on September 23rd is marked the Vernal Equinox. On that date, a Full Moon will join the celestial scene. Of course, any Full Moon is also at opposition.
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Monday, 20 September 2010

Nog Astrofoto's uit Bloemfontein deur Herman Bonnet

My poging met M27 in Vulpecia .My" tracking" was uit,die wind het gewaai ,maar ek kon 25 min kry.
Die eerste keer 'n EOS CLS light pollution filter gebruik .Die verskil is dramaties.Ek het geen" flats" ,"darks" of "bias frames" gebruik nie.Het te laat by die huis gekom en dit sou te lank neem.Kamera :Canon 400d met eos cls clip filter,Skywatcher equinox 120mm refraktor,skywatcher eq 6 pro
Foto: Herman Bonnet
ASSA Bloemfontein
Horsehead nebula, Barnard 33, IC434, NGC2023 in Orion
Geneem op 19/12/2009
Canon 400D
Skywatcher eq6 pro
William Optics Zenithstar 80mm refractor
40 min exposure
Foto: Herman Bonnet
ASSA Bloemfontein
Helix Nebula,NGC7293 in Aquarius
Geneem 07/09//2010
Skywatcher equinox 120 mmrefractor
Skywatcher eq6 pro
Astronomik cls light pollution filter
Canon 400D
60 min exposure
darks ,flats,bias frames
Foto: Herman Bonnet
ASSA Bloemfontein
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Closest Encounter with Jupiter until 2022


Sept. 20/21 2010:  Been outside at midnight lately? There's something you really need to see. Jupiter is approaching Earth for the closest encounter between the two planets in more than a decade--and it is dazzling.
The night of closest approach is Sept. 20-21st. This is also called "the night of opposition" because Jupiter will be opposite the sun, rising at sunset and soaring overhead at midnight. Among all denizens of the midnight sky, only the Moon itself will be brighter.

Source: NASA Science
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Sunday, 19 September 2010

Opeaand by Boyden-sterrewag, Bloemfontein - RSG opname vir Sterre en Planete



Klik op die foto's om te vergroot
Foto bo: Daar's hy. Die Hubble ruimte teleskoop sorg altyd vir groot opgewondenheid tydens ope-aande by Boyden-sterrewag.

Foto middel: Thinus van der Merwe, Prof Matie Hoffman en Hennie Maas aan die gesels tydens `n opname van die gewilde Sterre en Planete-program wat Donderdagaande om 20:30 op die lug is.

Foto onder: Die gehoor luister aandagtig terwyl die opname gemaak word. 

Foto's: Hannes Pieterse
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Telescope Dealers in South Africa


Techno Pro
Tel: +27-11-792-6034      Facsimile: +27-11-792-6755
E-Mail: astro@technopro.co.za
Online Shop: shop.technopro.co.za
Internet: http://www.technopro.co.za/

 PhotoWeb SA
Contact Dennis du Plooy
Tel: (011) 888-8858
E-Mail: contact@photowebsa.co.za 
Internet: http://www.photowebsa.co.za/ 

Foton Optoelectronics
Tel: +27 11 787-4375 Or call Oleg : 082-680-4700
E-Mail : sales@foton.co.za 

Eridanus Optics CC 
Contact Andrie van der Linde
Tel: 083 632 4898
Telescope SA
Paul 082 823 7384 (Cape Town)
Dave 083 625 7833 (Gauteng)
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25 September, Smithfield: Die moontlikheid van lewe binne ons eie sonnestelsel


RePost

Plek: Pigout Restaurant
Adres: Smithfield
Datum: 25 September 2010
Tyd: 19H00
Koste: R75 vir volwassenes en R50 vir kinders
Program: Sterre kyk voor die maan opkom en praatjie.
Tema: Die moontlikheid van lewe binne ons eie sonnestelsel
Ingeluit by die toegang: Lekker sop en ciabatta en wyn en koeldrank
130 km van Bloemfontein. Hier is gastehuise waar mense kan oorslaap as hulle wil.

Bring ook julle teleskope saam. Die sterre is baie mooi hier.

Werk wat by die sentrum gedoen word: Radiowaarnemings. Navorsing op die son en Jupiter. Die belangrikste werk is navorsing in die 1.4GHz waterstoflyn waar vir enige tekens van ET gesoek word.

Bespreek vooraf

Kontakinligting:
Henk Swanepoel
UFO Research Centre
Smithfield
Tel: (051) 683-0498
E-pos: uforesearch@smithfield.co.za
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Saturday, 18 September 2010

Visit the Royal Observatory

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Astronomy Photographer of the Year

M31, The Andromeda Galaxy

This is a single 20 minute exposure with a William Optics 80mm refractor and Canon XSi. I used Photoshop to increase the exposure 2X and levels to darken the sky. I lost some of the detail in the core, but discovered detail in the arms.

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BBC: Audio slideshow: Seeing into space

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Universe Today: Moon Maps

Astronomy observation help
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BBC: Explore the Solar System


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Thursday, 16 September 2010

SpaceTravel: NASA names 'last' space shuttle crew (The last one?)



by Staff Writers Washington (UPI) Sep 15, 2010 NASA says it has chosen the three-man, one-woman crew that could be the last to fly a U.S. space shuttle mission.
 Source: SpaceDaily
Click to find out who they are. Will there be  lift-off at all?
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Space Daily: Closest Encounter With Jupiter Until 2022

by Dr. Tony Phillips
Science@NASAHuntsville AL (SPX) Sep 16, 2010
Been outside at midnight lately? There's something you really need to see. Jupiter is approaching Earth for the closest encounter between the two planets in more than a decade--and it is dazzling.
The night of closest approach is Sept. 20-21st. This is also called "the night of opposition" because Jupiter will be opposite the sun, rising at sunset and soaring overhead at midnight. Among all denizens of the midnight sky, only the Moon itself will be brighter.

More info
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Wednesday, 15 September 2010

Hubble Completes 100,000th Orbit, Takes Yet Another Breathtaking Photo

Hubble, without a doubt the most spectacular digital camera in the solar system, has completed its 100,000th orbit. To celebrate, scientists pointed the telescope to NGC 2074, a spectacular star birthplace 170,000 light-years away, right next to the Tarantula nebula, where Ming of Mongo is probably building a weapon of mass destruction. Like always, the image—taken with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2—is breathtaking, especially the high resolution version:
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Gallery: The Top 10 Telescopes of All Time


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SOFIA Observatory Completes Open-Door Flight Tests




NASA's SOFIA observatory with a NASA F/A-18 trailing in chase soars over California City in the desert north of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on its last envelope-expansion test flight Aug. 4. The SOFIA's 2.5-meter infrared telescope and its associated telescope cavity doors are rotated open to their maximum 58-degree position in this view. (NASA photo / Carla Thomas)

Source: NASA


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Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010


Congratulations to Tom Lowe who wins the title Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010 with this spectacular image of ancient trees silhouetted against the bright star clouds of the Milky Way. Competition judge Marek Kukula says: ‘I think this beautiful picture perfectly captures the spirit of Astronomy Photographer of the Year, linking the awe-inspiring vista of the night sky with life here on Earth. The bristlecone pines in the foreground can live as long as five thousand years. But they are babies compared to the starlight shining behind them, some of which began its journey towards us almost 30,000 years ago. 

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Saturday is Moon day (night)


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