Monday 13 April 2015
Sunday 29 March 2015
DSLR Photometry Experiments. 4. How many darks?
When performing photometry on DSLR images, should dark frames be stacked and subtracted from the light frames? If so, how many dark frames should be used, and which stacking method should be employed? This experiment attempts to answer the first question by evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of stars on an image from which different numbers of dark frames have been subtracted.
Learn more...
Working with constellations in DOCdb
Constellations, of course, aren’t “real” objects, but they are a handy way of slicing up the night sky into more manageable chunks.
Having the sky sub-divided in this way immediately suggests an observing project: carefully examine each chunk of sky for anything and everything interesting. This raises the question: when is a particular part of the sky well-placed for observing?
With the recent addition of “constellation place holders” to the DOCdb database, this is now easy to answer, using the DOCdb List Plan option. Here’s the step-by-step guide.
"Nightfall" - the deep-sky observing newsletter
[1] Editorial
[2] News Notes
[8] Three in: Carina by Dave Blane & Auke Slotegraaf
[19] E3 — A curious globular cluster in Chamaeleon by Douglas Bullis
[28] Heartbeat of a Unicorn — Exploring the fascinating but often overlooked constellation of Monoceros by Carol Botha
[31] Birth of a Deep-Sky Marathon — A report from the 2014 Free State Star Party, with guidelines and recommendations for conducting a deep-sky observing marathon by Hannes & Pieter Pieterse
[50] At My Eyepiece — Veteran deep-sky observer Magda Streicher gives us a look at how she observes. by Magda Streicher
[56] Deep-Sky Projects
[57] Photo Gallery
[59] On The Cover
[appendix] Big 5 of the African Sky
Saturday 28 March 2015
Sunday 15 February 2015
Boyden Observatory in the light pollution glow
Click to Enlarge.
The Boyden Observatory is not next to the light pollution from "next door neighbours" anymore. It is right in the glow. Not long before the Milky Way will be an image on the screen and not a magnificent object in the Boyden night sky.
"next door neighbours" - Maselspoort resort and all the owners on the banks of the Modder River.
Earth Observation Group (EOG)
The NGDC Earth Observation Group (EOG) specializes in nighttime
observations of lights and combustion sources worldwide. The group
started working with DMSP data in 1994 and has produced a time series of
annual cloud-free composites of DMSP nighttime lights. EOG's current
focus is on nighttime VIIRS data.
Monday 26 January 2015
15P/Finlay is now a binocular object due to a series outbursts.
Click to Enlarge!
Hot bright news (26 January 2015) Chart date 26 January 2015, 20:30
from Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Source: Comet Chasing in January; Chart: Skytools 3
15P/Finlay is now a binocular object! It brightened by several magnitudes on January 16, on top of a similar episode in mid-December, apparently due to a series outbursts.
Coma Diameter: 3.9'
Earth Distance: 1.4 AU
Sun Distance: 1.1 AU
Elongation: 49°
Tail Position Angle: 65°
Tail Forshortening: 30%
Actual Coma Diameter: 240000 km
DC: 1
Total motion: 3.06 "/min
RA: 2.71 "/min
Dec: 1.44 "/min
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Print a Naked Eye Star Map for the Southern Hemisphere
Click to see example map!
- Download and print Naked Eye Star Map for the Southern Hemisphere
(Select Southern hemisphere, the time and the type of map)
Sunday 11 January 2015
C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy)
Click to enlarge
Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) from 11 - 25 January 2015 (21:00) in the South African Night Sky.
Friday 26 December 2014
Flapping UFO's
UFOS: UNEXPLAINED FLAPPING OBJECTS
In SkyNews (January 2015)
On August 5, 2010, I was out with my telescope observing the night sky from my drive- way in southern Hamilton, Ontario, when I looked up toward the zenith and saw a triangular formation of three bright “orbs” of light moving incredibly fast toward the northern sky. By this time, I had already been observing the night sky for two years and quickly realized the lights were moving too fast and were larger in size and appearance than a satellite. They were also switching positions smoothly and swiftly. My next thought was a meteorite breakup, but there was no trail and no change in luminosity, and these objects persisted at a constant brightness for about 20 seconds before disappearing behind a tree. I could not come up with a plausible explanation.
About eight months later, while walking into The Hamilton Spectator building to attend a meeting of the Hamilton amateur astronomers, I briefly witnessed a similar event in the low eastern sky and still had no explanation. My answer finally came in June 2011. While outside on my driveway observing, I noticed five strange objects moving down the eastern sky. Luckily, I had binoculars with me this time. To my amazement—and embarrassment— I discovered that the strange “ufos” I had told numerous friends and fellow astronomers about were, in fact, Canada geese illuminated just enough by city lights from below to give the geese a strange, almost otherworldly glow, which made it very difficult to see any detail with the unaided eye. I could not hear them flying, and because they were moving about one another in formation, flapping their wings and flying at a fair speed, they gave an eerie appearance that had haunted me for almost a year.
Since then, I have seen Canada geese at night on numerous occasions. however, once I look through my binoculars, I laugh at myself and return to observing. if you witness what at first appears to be a strange triangular formation of alien craft, grab your binoculars, because I would wager that it’s some Canada geese happily on their way. and you can blame light pollution for the interruption.
Kevin Salwach
Hamilton, Ontario
(Het self al saans oor Bloemfontein hierdie wit voëls - soos bosluisvoëls gelyk - met my verkyker gesien. Wonder of hulle die stadsligte vir navigasie gebruik? - Hannes Pieterse)
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Rosetta Images Show Philae Lander Bouncing Across Comet
Click to enlarge image
When the European Space Agency's Philae lander descended to the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko last week, the Rosetta spacecraft's OSIRIS camera was watching from almost 10 miles above. Now a poignant series of images tracks Philae's double rebound — with a parting shot that shows the lander in mid-bounce.
After bouncing twice, Philae settled onto the comet's shadowed surface and operated for almost 57 hours before its batteries ran out.
The lander's current location doesn't show up on the OSIRIS imagery
released Monday, but the Rosetta mission's managers are confident that
it will eventually be spotted.
Source: NBC News
Saturday 15 November 2014
Our lander’s asleep
"Prior to falling silent, the lander was able to transmit all science data gathered during the First Science Sequence," says DLR's Stephan Ulamec, Lander manager, who was in the main control room at ESOC tonight.
Read more
Tuesday 4 November 2014
Seven Mars spacecraft attempted observations of comet Siding Spring.
Seven Mars spacecraft attempted observations of comet Siding Spring. How did they go?
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla
Tuesday 28 October 2014
"Discover!" and "ConCards"
Click on image to enlarge!
Updates for our popular introductory star charts are now available for free download from the ASSA website.
The short "Discover!" workbook is perfect for getting to know the southern constellations. (Tip: Use the workbook in conjuction with the "Southern Star Wheel" for a complete solution.)
To delve deeper into the constellations, and to explore their deep-sky treasures, get your copy of the updated "ConCards".
Thursday 16 October 2014
Sunday 12 October 2014
Rosetta mission - Philae’s descent and science on the surface
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission will deploy its lander, Philae, to the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko on 12 November.
Philae’s landing site, currently known as Site J, is located on the smaller of the comet’s two ‘lobes’, with a backup site on the larger lobe. The sites were selected just six weeks after Rosetta arrived at the comet on 6 August, following its 10-year journey through the Solar System
In that time, the Rosetta mission has been conducting an unprecedented scientific analysis of the comet, a remnant of the Solar System’s 4.6 billion-year history. The latest results from Rosetta will be presented on the occasion of the landing, during dedicated press briefings.
The main focus to date has been to survey 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in order to prepare for the first ever attempt to soft-land on a comet.
Read more...
After the Blood Moon comes the Pumpkin Sun
Click to enlarge!
On October 7, 2014 [Manila time], active regions on the sun gave it the
appearance of a jack-o'-lantern. This image is a blend of 171 and 193
angstrom light as captured by the NASA-Solar Dynamics Observatory.
NASA/GSFC/SDO
Source: GMANews
It looks like the Moon isn't the only heavenly body giving the skies a creepy feel this month.
After last Wednesday's "Blood Moon" comes the "Pumpkin Sun" as captured by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration last Wednesday, October 8.
Last Wednesday, the moon took on a blood-colored appearance during a total lunar eclipse.
"Active regions on the sun combined to look something like a jack-o-lantern’s face on Oct. 8, 2014. The active regions appear brighter because those are areas that emit more light and energy – markers of an intense and complex set of magnetic fields hovering in the sun’s atmosphere, the corona," NASA's Goodard Space Flight Center said.
After last Wednesday's "Blood Moon" comes the "Pumpkin Sun" as captured by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration last Wednesday, October 8.
Last Wednesday, the moon took on a blood-colored appearance during a total lunar eclipse.
"Active regions on the sun combined to look something like a jack-o-lantern’s face on Oct. 8, 2014. The active regions appear brighter because those are areas that emit more light and energy – markers of an intense and complex set of magnetic fields hovering in the sun’s atmosphere, the corona," NASA's Goodard Space Flight Center said.
Thursday 2 October 2014
Saturday 27 September 2014
Rosetta: Date fixed for historic comet landing attempt
Philae is about the size of a washing machine.
It will use harpoons and screws to try to hold itself down
It will use harpoons and screws to try to hold itself down
The date has been fixed for Europe's daring attempt to land on a comet: Wednesday 12 November.
It will see the Rosetta satellite, which is currently orbiting the huge "ice mountain" known as 67P, drop a small robot from a height of 20km.If all goes well, the lander will free-fall towards the comet, making contact with the surface somewhere in a 1km-wide zone at roughly 15:35 GMT.
The European Space Agency (Esa) says the challenges ahead are immense.
Imagine pushing a washing machine out the back of an airliner at twice cruising altitude and expecting it to hit Regent's Park in London - all while the ground is moving underneath.
Although not really analogous for many reasons, this scenario does give a sense of the difficulties involved.
The chances of failure are high.
Friday 19 September 2014
Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014 - in pictures
Click to enlarge
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced the winners of this
year’s international astronomy photography competition. The
observatory’s annual free exhibition,
which opened on Thursday, showcases these dazzling images of the sky,
ranging from within our solar system to far into deep space. British
photographer James Woodend beat over a thousand amateur and professional
photographers to win the top prize.
Inkspot - The only Dark Nebula with it's own wine?
Is it Barnard 86 with it's own wine label or Inkspot 2010 Vin Noir with it's own dark nebula?
- Give that man an Inkspot! From Herschel with love!
Monday 15 September 2014
Space in Images - 2014 - 09 - Philae’s primary landing site
Philae’s primary landing site will target Site J, the centre of which
is indicated by the cross in this OSIRIS narrow-angle image.
Site
J is located on the head of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and is
close to the candidate site B, the large depression to the right of the
image.
Site J offers the minimum risk to the lander in comparison
to the other candidate sites, and is also scientifically interesting,
with signs of activity nearby. At Site J, the majority of slopes are
less than 30º relative to the local vertical, reducing the chances of
Philae toppling over during touchdown. Site J also appears to have
relatively few boulders and receives sufficient daily illumination to
recharge Philae and continue science operations on the surface beyond
the initial battery-powered phase.
Full story: 'J' marks the spot for Rosetta's lander
Wednesday 10 September 2014
Rosetta spacecraft selfie with comet
Here is a Rosetta ‘selfie’ with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in
background. It was taken by the CIVA camera – short for Comet Infrared
and Visible Analyser – onboard the Philae Lander. This is the same
camera that will be acquiring images from the surface of the comet
itself, when the Philae lander sets down on the comet in November.
Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko was 50 kilometers / 31 miles away at the time of this image.
Two frames were taken and merged due to the high contrast.
Rosetta isn’t the first otherworldly object to get in on the earthly trend of selfies. NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover caught one, too, earlier this year.
Rosetta spacecraft selfie with comet | Science Wire | EarthSky
Friday 29 August 2014
Naval Hill Planetarium
Tariffs:
Adults: R50
Learners: R30
Students (with valid student card): R30
Pensioners: R30
Tariffs and dates for group reservations are available on request.
Buy tickets at:
- The Planetarium before shows (but keep in mind that the Planetarium is regularly full);
- Computicket at all Checkers, Shoprite, House and Home and Checkers Hyper shops;
- Computicket’s enquiry centre (08619158000); or
- Online at www.online.computicket.com (look for ‘planetarium’);
- Online mobi www.computicket.mobi with mobile devices (look for ‘planetarium’).
Please direct enquiries via email to Yolandie Loots at FickY@ufs.ac.za or contact her on 051 401 9751.
Monday 18 August 2014
C/2013 V5 (Oukaimeden) visible in South Africa
.JPG)
Click to enlarge
- C/2013 V5 (Oukaimeden) Pdf Map Created in Skytools 3
05:00, 2 day increments, 1 August - 8 September 2014
Telescope: SkyQuest XT10 Dob. It is magnitude 9 with a diameter of 2.7'.
In the following 30 days this object is obvious visually from August 20 on, with the best view coming on September 15. During this period it will brighten rapidly and will reach peak altitude of 34° on September 2.
C/2013 V5 (Oukaimeden) will reach perihelion in late September. Also in late September this comet will pass within 0.6 AU of the earth. It is predicted to reach maximum brightness of magnitude 5 in mid September. The best visibility from Bloemfontein, Boyden, ZA near maximum brightness is predicted to be in mid September when it will be approximately magnitude 5. On September 16 this comet will be moving quickly across the sky at a peak rate of 13.8 "/min. Note that the magnitude and visibility of a comet can be very unpredictable.
Current Status
Earth Distance: 1.3 AU
Sun Distance: 1.0 AU
Elongation: 51°
Tail Position Angle: 259°
Tail Forshortening: 24%
Actual Coma Diameter: 160000 km
DC: 5
Total motion: 1.68 "/min
RA: 1.30 "/min
Dec: -1.09 "/min
Monday 11 August 2014
Rosetta arrives at comet destination
6 August 2014
After a decade-long journey chasing its target, ESA’s Rosetta has today become the first spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet, opening a new chapter in Solar System exploration.
Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko and Rosetta now lie 405 million kilometres from Earth, about half way between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, rushing towards the inner Solar System at nearly 55 000 kilometres per hour.
The comet is in an elliptical 6.5-year orbit that takes it from beyond Jupiter at its furthest point, to between the orbits of Mars and Earth at its closest to the Sun. Rosetta will accompany it for over a year as they swing around the Sun and back out towards Jupiter again.
Comets are considered to be primitive building blocks of the Solar System and may have helped to ‘seed’ Earth with water, perhaps even the ingredients for life. But many fundamental questions about these enigmatic objects remain, and through a comprehensive,in situstudy of the comet, Rosetta aims to unlock the secrets within.
Read more
More images
Saturday 9 August 2014
10 August 2014 - The largest Full Moon for the Year
Image of the Moon taken over Table Mountain, credit: Dr Steve Potter, SAAO.
Source: SAAODid you know that the Moon travels around the Earth in an oval shaped or elliptical orbit rather than a circular one? The average distance between the Earth and Moon is 384,400 km. However, because of its elliptical path, the distance to the Moon varies depending on where it is in its orbit around Earth. At its closest point or perigee, the Moon is about 50,000 km closer to Earth than at its most distant point (called apogee).
Full Moons that occur when the Moon is close to or at perigee are called Supermoons and they appear slightly larger and brighter than usual. There is nothing magical about a Supermoon, it is simply a coincidence that full moon has occured when the Moon is near to its closest point to Earth. Just like an aeroplane looks larger the closer it is, so does the Moon.
Read more...
Sunday 3 August 2014
Deep-Sky Hunter Star Atlas
"Deep Sky hunter" is a printable deep sky atlas, designed for serious deep sky observers. It features stars down to 10.2m and DSO down to 14.0m.
This is my second release of a deep sky atlas. It is much more detailed, and covers entire sky with 101 portrait oriented pages. Manual post-editing was performed in order to ensure readable and non-cluttered charts. In addition, the atlas features 8 pages with 21 supplement "zoom" charts of galaxy clusters and densly populated areas, and indications of over 500 best objects (Messier, Caldwell, Herschel 400, SAC's best).
I designed this atlas with A3 page size in mind, however you may find it usable on A4 as well. In terms of scale and amount of detail - "DeepSky Hunter" falls between Sky Atlas 2000 and Uranometria 2000.
- Michael Vlasov
Here you can see a comparison with other atlases.
- Visit the page and download. Yes it is free. No strings attached.
- Print back to back on light 200gram carton (A3).
- It is searchable in Adobe Pdf Reader on your computer. (Search the constellation or the NGC, etc.)
(Hannes Pieterse)
Thursday 31 July 2014
Rosetta's comet rendezvous
Since its launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 2 March 2004, Rosetta has travelled more than six billion kilometres, passing by Earth three times and Mars once, and flying past two asteroids.
For the most distant part of the journey, when it travelled out to the orbit of Jupiter, Rosetta was put into deep-space hibernation for 31 months, waking up on 20 January 2014 for the final leg of its epic journey to Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
Now, with less than 10 000 km to go, Rosetta is preparing to arrive at its destination.
Read more...
Saturday 26 July 2014
Sunday 29 June 2014
Monday 9 June 2014
Iridium 3 with a spectacular double flair
Click to enlarge
Iridium 3 started out as a -8.2 Magnitude flair but no-one expected the second flair. The first was on time (top) and the second one a bonus. Notice the second satellite in a northern direction in the middle of the image.Still trying to identify it! Then two bright lines are the pointer stars next to the Crux constellation.
Image info: 192 images were stacked with Starstax; Camera on tripod; Remote control; ISO 800; 10 sec exposures; f4.5; Moon a big hinderance.
Friday 6 June 2014
Vrystaat Sterrefees / Free State Star Party
Vrystaat Sterre Partytjie
( English version below)
ASSA Bloemfontein nooi u na twee nagte van waarneming en verwondering van die Winterkonstellasies in die unieke Vrystaatse naghemel. Daarmee saam gedurende Saterdag 28 Junie, is daar praatjies en besprekings oor onder meer teleskoopkollimasie deur Brett du Preez.
Plek: Gansvlei-gasteplaas tussen Brandfort, Bloemfontein en Winburg. (G.P.S.: Suid 28°47'49.9" en Oos 26°28'23.1"; Elevasie: 1395m).
Tyd: Vanaf 17:00 op 27 Junie tot omtrent 09:00 op 29 Junie 2014, dus twee nagte.
Koste: R80 per persoon per nag, wat insluit 'n bed met paslaken, ablusiegeriewe, volledig toegerusde kombuis en eetgerei, hout en braai geriewe soos roosters en selfs potte.
Benodigdehede: U eie waarnemingstoerusting soos teleskope, vêrkykers, kameras, sterkaarte, stoel/tafel, beligting (beperk tot die flouste rooi liggie wat jy het...!) ens. U eie kos en drinkgoed - genoeg vir die tydperk wat u daar bly - naaste winkel is omtrent 40km vanaf die plaas. Warm klere en warm slaapgoed: onthou dis in die middel van die winter en dis in die middel van die Vrystaat...!!!
Bespreking: Indien u belangstel, antwoord asseblief per e-pos na assabfn@gmail.com, en doen dit asseblief nie later as 20 Junie 2014 nie. Geen voorafbetaling is nodig nie. Daar is huisvesting vir 40 mense so laat weet asseblief vroegtydig.
Finale informasie sal per e-pos gekommunikeer word op Maandag 23 Junie aan diegene wat bespreek het teen daardie tyd.
Free State Star Party
ASSA Bloemfontein invites you to two nights of wonderful observation of the Winter Constellation in the unique Free State night skies. Including, during Saturday 28 June, there will be talks and discussion on telescope collimation by Brett du Preez.
Venue: Gansvlei guest farm situated between Bloemfontein, Brandfort and Winburg (G.P.S.: South 28°47'49.9" and East 26°28'23.1"; Elevation: 1395m).
Time and duration: Two nights, from 17:00 on 27 June to about 09:00 on 29 June 2014.
Cost: R80 per person per night, which includes a bed with a fitted sheet, ablution facilities, fully equipped kitchen with cutlery, wood and braai facilities such as braai grids and even pots.
Requirements: Your own observation equipment such as telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star charts, chair and table, lighting (confined to the weakest and reddest light you own...!) etc. Your own food and drinks for the duration of your stay - the nearest shops are about 40km from the farm. Warm clothes and bedding: remembers it is mid-winter in the middle of the Free State...!!!
Booking: Please answer by e-mail to assabfn@gmail.com not later than 20 June 2014 if you are interested. No pre-payment is necessary. There is accommodation for 40 people so please respond soon.
Final information will be communicated by e-mail on 23 June 2014 to those who have booked by then.
Wednesday 21 May 2014
Astrofotografie Werkswinkel vir beginners / Basic Astrophotography Workshop
Foto: Hannes Pieterse
ASSA Bloemfontein bied aan:
‘n Basiese Astrofotografie Werkswinkel.
(English version below)
Aanbieder: Brett du Preez, lid van ASSA Bloemfontein en ervare Astrofotograaf.
Plek: Boyden Sterrewag
Tyd: Saterdag 24 Mei 2014, vanaf 15h00.
Toegang: Gratis vir Klublede en R100-00 per persoon vir nie-lede.
Weens die aard van die Werkswinkel, kan slegs 30 persone geakkomodeer word.
Bespreek asseblief deur per e-pos te stuur aan assabfn@gmail.com
Program:15h00 vir 15h30 – Ons begin op die Platform: Almal pak hul goed uit en slaan op wat hulle saamgebring het.
15h30 - 16h30 –
Gesels oor wat ons gaan doen en begin die Werkswinkel met die afneem van
Son (bring hoedens ens saam….). Brett sal ‘n beperkte hoeveelheid
son-filter saambring vir afneem van
die son. Bring ook ‘n skêr of matmes, karton, dubbelkantige kleefband
en gewone kleefband of kits-gom vir die maak van sonfilters.
16h30 - 18h00 – In
die Ouditorium: stapsgewyse demonstrasie van die omskepping van die son
se data na 'n foto. Bring asseblief u eie rekenaars en geheue-stokkie
(“flashdisc”) saam. Brett sal
sagteware verskaf en ook basiese prosesering demonstreer op 'n foto van
die naghemel.
18h30 - 19h30 - 'n
Kort praatjie oor astrofotografie. Die plan is om as groep saam te
gesels. Brett sal begin met die basiese beginsels asook 'n
verduideliking van die konsep oor "noise". Hannes
Pieterse verduidelik ook die gebruik van die “barndoor“ montering vir
nag-hemel fotografie.
20h00 - 22h00 – Terug
op die Platform wys Brett hoe om polêre oplyning (“polar alignment“) te
doen met 'n kamera asook watter tipe fotografie mens kan doen met die
minste moeite en met ‘n basiese
kamera….
Onthou asseblief:
Almal wat fotografiese en ander toerusting
saambring, moet weet hoe om dit te gebruik sodat ons nie gedurende die
werkswinkel tyd hoef te spandeer om basiese
gebruike aan te leer nie. Toerusting om
saam te bring sluit in: kamera, driepoot, genoeg batterye (daar sal
kragpunte op die Platform wees), nodige verbindingskabels en
afstandsbeheer kabel, tafeltjie om op te werk ens: eerder teveel as te
min.
Daar sal tussendeur geleentheid wees om ietsie te
eet: elkeen bring sy eie verversings. Daar sal kookwater wees vir
diegene wat koffie of ‘n soppie will maak.
ASSA Bloemfontein presents:
A Basic Astrophotography Workshop.
Presenter: Brett du Preez, member of ASSA Bloemfontein and experienced Astrophotographer.
Venue: Boyden Observatory
Time: Saturday 24 May 2014, at 15h:00.
Admission: Club members free. Non-members: R100-00 per person.
Only 30 persons can be accommodated.
Send e-mail to assabfn@gmail.com to book
Program: 15h00 for 15h30 – We start on the Platform: unpacking and setting-up of equipment.
15h30 - 16h30 – Discuss the program and start the Workshop
by taking a photo of the Sun (remember to bring a hat…). Brett will
demonstrate the making of a solar filter: he has a limited stock of
solar film which he will provide.
For this, please also bring along scissors or a carpet knife and
carton, double sided tape and normal tape or fast-drying glue.
16h30 - 18h00 – In the auditorium: step-by-step
demonstration of the conversion of the Sun data to a photographic
image. Please bring your own computer and flash disc. Brett will
provide the necessary software and also demonstrate
the basic processing of a night-sky image.
18h30 - 19h30 – A short discussion on Astrophotography, also
involving the audience. Brett will also explain the importance of the
concept of “noise”. Hannes Pieterse will demonstrate the use of the
“barn door” mounting for night-sky
photography.
20h00 - 22h00 – Back to the Platform: Brett demonstrates
polar alignment using a camera and also demonstrates what type of
photography can be performed with the least effort and with a basic
camera.
Please remember:
Make sure that you know how to operate all the equipment you bring
along: you do not want to figure out how to use your equipment during
the workshop, you actually want to use it. This equipment can include:
camera, tripod, enough batteries
(power outlets are available on the Platform), all necessary connecting
cables and remote control cable, a small table to work on: rather bring
too much than forget something vital…!
Wednesday 19 March 2014
Sutherland by Night - Milky Way, Melkweg
Sutherland by Night - Milky Way, Melkweg
In this beautiful image by SAAO Astronomer Stephen Potter we see the Milky Way setting behind the 20, 30, 40 inch, MONET and SALT telescopes. Jupiter is the bright star at the top and Venus is setting into the MONET dome. The bright glow on the horizon is from distant city lights.
- What’s Up – March 2014 (The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO))
Monday 17 March 2014
Key Signature of the Big Bang's Origin Discovered
South pole telescope detects echoes of Big Bang
UPDATE MARCH 17: All the rumors were true. The story below was written yesterday, before today's announcement that "primordial B-waves" have been found in the cosmic background radiation. These must have arisen from inflation-driven gravitational waves rippling through spacetime in the first 10–34 second of the Big Bang.
Word of what may be announced first broke into wide circulation late Friday night, when The Guardian newspaper in the U.K. published an article online, Gravitational waves: have US scientists heard echoes of the big bang? Here are excerpts:
- Watch Sky & Telescope.com for new material soon!
Word of what may be announced first broke into wide circulation late Friday night, when The Guardian newspaper in the U.K. published an article online, Gravitational waves: have US scientists heard echoes of the big bang? Here are excerpts:
South pole telescope detects echoes of Big Bang
Sunday 9 March 2014
ESA's Gaia Mission Launches to Map the Milky Way
“Gaia promises to build on the legacy of ESA’s first star-mapping mission, Hipparcos, launched in 1989, to reveal the history of the galaxy in which we live,” says Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA’s Director General.
- ESA
Scientists detect extraterrestrial neutrinos (Down South)
Buried deep in the pristine Antarctic ice lie 5,160 basketball-sized detectors that look for flashes of blue light.
This radiation signals that a high-energy particle has interacted with an atom of the ice and given off some energy in the process. Scientists built the underground cubic kilometer IceCube detector to find a specific type of particle called a neutrino. This particle has no electric charge, is nearly massless, and interacts extremely weakly with matter. (In fact, billions of them are zooming through you as you read this story.)
Astronomers have detected neutrinos from the Sun and from Supernova 1987A when a massive star exploded. Now, the IceCube team reports in the November 22 issue of Science that it has found 28 high-energy neutrinos during a two-year all-sky search. The newly discovered particles have energies at least a million times that of the SN 1987A neutrinos.
At most, 11 of the 28 detected signals could result from background events or atmospheric neutrinos — those created as high-energy particles called cosmic rays collide with atoms and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere and create secondary particles. However, the researchers say the neutrinos don’t have the characteristics of atmospheric ones.
They looked in the data for evidence of multiple neutrinos originating from a specific location on the sky or arriving at a similar time but were unable to trace the 28 neutrinos to specific sources. Most of the detected signals correspond to locations on the Southern Hemisphere sky.
Scientists can calculate the energies of the incoming neutrinos from the light the detectors register. The 28 particles discussed in the Science study had energies ranging from 30 trillion electron volts (TeV) to 1,141 TeV; visible light has energy between 1.5 and 3 electron volts. The data also include the two highestenergy neutrinos ever observed. — L. K.
Source: Astronomy March 2014
Mark Kelly, twin brother enlisted for NASA study
This undated photo provided by NASA, astronauts Mark Kelly, right, STS-124 commander, and Scott Kelly are pictured in the check-out facility at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA announced Friday, March 7, 2014, that Mark Kelly and astronaut Scott Kelly will participate in 10 different investigations. Craig Kundrot, deputy chief scientist of NASA's Human Research Program, says in a news release that the brothers provide a unique opportunity to study two people with the same genetics who were in different environments. Officials say Scott Kelly spent a year in space while Mark Kelly was on Earth. NASA says it is hoping the studies can be the basis for future research initiatives. (AP Photo/NASA)
Monday 3 February 2014
Saturday 25 January 2014
Klubbyeenkoms: ASSA Bloemfontein - 1 Februarie 2014
Die Bloemfonteinse Amateur Sterrekunde Vereniging (ASSA Bloemfontein) hou op Saterdag 1 Februarie sy eerste byeenkoms van die jaar. Voornemende amateur sterrekundiges is welkom om die geleentheid by te woon.
Op die program is onder meer:
- Die gebruik van 'n teleskoop insluitende die eienskappe van verskillende oogstukke;
- Wat kan gesien word in die nagruim in verskillende ligomstandighede (Limiting Magnitude);
- Ons kyk ook na `n nova wat onlangs uitgebars het en met `n verkyker sigbaar is;
- As die weer saamspeel soek ons die Perdekopneuwel in Orion.
Koste: Gratis vir lede en R50 per persoon vir besoekers. Die bedrag word terugbetaal as jy by die vereniging aansluit. Ledegeld is R100 per jaar vir `n gesin.
- Stuur e-pos aan assabfn@gmail.com om vir die geleentheid te bespreek.
Tyd: 18:30 (Ons braai, so bring jou eie kosmandjie met vleis, eetgoed, eetgerei en koeldrank. Braaivuur en roosters is beskikbaar.)
Plek: Boyden-sterrewag (Langs Maselspoort)
Sunday 8 December 2013
Naked Eye Nova Centauri 2013 - Astronomy Picture of the Day
Source: Astronomy Picture of the Day
Naked Eye Nova Centauri 2013
Image Credit & Copyright: Yuri Beletsky (Las Campanas Observatory, Carnegie Institution)
Explanation: Brightest stellar beacons of the constellation Centaurus, Alpha and Beta Centauri are easy to spot from the southern hemisphere. For now, so is new naked eye Nova Centauri 2013. In this night skyscape recorded near Las Campanas Observatory in the Chilean southern Atacama desert on December 5, the new star joins the old in the expansive constellation, seen at early morning hours through a greenish airglow. Caught by nova hunter John Seach from Australia on December 2 as it approached near naked eye brightness, Nova Cen 2013 has been spectroscopically identified as a classical nova, an interacting binary star system composed of a dense, hot white dwarf and cool, giant companion. Material from the companion star builds up as it falls onto the white dwarf's surface triggering a thermonuclear event. The cataclysmic blast results in a drastic increase in brightness and an expanding shell of debris. The stars are not destroyed, though. Classical novae are thought to recur when the flow of material onto the white dwarf eventually resumes and produces another outburst.
Monday 4 November 2013
1% Solar Eclipse in Bloemfontein, South Africa
Frans Human, member of the Bloemfontein Center of The Astronomical Society of Southern Africa took this image of the hybrid eclipse on Sunday, 3 November 2013. Some sunspots are also visible.
1% visible in Bloemfontein 3:51 - 4:35pm (Sunday - 3 November 2013)
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Official Opening of the Naval Hill Digital Planetarium
Official Opening of the Naval Hill Digital Planetarium in Bloemfontein, South Africa
Live Streaming
Friday 1 November 201310:45 - 13:00
The University of the Free State (UFS) is implementing an innovative and exciting project, namely the establishment of a ‘Centre for Earth and Space’ on Naval Hill in the centre of Bloemfontein.
The
86-year old Lamont-Hussey Observatory on Naval Hill, also known as the
Sterrewag Theatre, is home to the planetarium. The planetarium is the
first component of a proposed Centre for Earth and Space.
Earth-sized 'lava world' discovered
A doomed "lava world" with a similar mass and density to that of Earth has been discovered orbiting a star 400 light-years away.
Observations suggest the planet, named Kepler 78b, is composed mostly of rock and iron, much like our own planet.
But its extremely close proximity to its host star - a hundredth of the distance between the Earth and the Sun - remains something of a puzzle.
Details of the work by two teams of researchers appear in Nature journal.
More...
Tuesday 29 October 2013
Priceless to me - Letter from Sir Patrick Moore
Click to enlarge!
That was where I found the second hand book - Brilliant Stars written by Patrick Moore. And inside, with some newspaper clippings, was this letter, typed on that famous typewriter and signed by that legendary astronomer - Sir Patrick Moore.
A Mister DW Suchterlonie from Clarens wrote to Moore asking about the absolute and apparent magnitude of Sirius on page 13. He received the above letter from Moore.
In another book - Stars and Planets of the Southern Hemisphere (Lionel Warner) DW Suchterlonie wrote his name and also Planetarium, 3rd April 1982 in the front cover. Anyone from ASSA Johannesburg recognizing the name?
- Hannes Pieterse
Sunday 27 October 2013
Hybrid Solar Eclipse of 2013 Nov 03 - 1% visible in Bloemfontein
- 1% visible in Bloemfontein 3:51 - 4:35pm (Sunday - 3 November 2013)
- Johannesburg Planetarium
- Map (Pdf - Johannesburg Planetarium)
- NASA Eclipse Web Site
- More NASA information
Sunday 13 October 2013
International Observe the Moon Night - 12 October 2013
Photo: Pieter Pieterse
(Samsung S3 cellphone through eyepiece + Tiny Touch of Photoshop)
(Samsung S3 cellphone through eyepiece + Tiny Touch of Photoshop)
Boyden Observatory - Bloemfontein, South Africa
Our club evening was dedicated to old Mister Moon. Do the following names mean anything to you? Not a clue. Then it is time to grab a moon map, your telescope and some time to observe this nuisance in the sky....
Aristoteles, Valis Alpes, Morites Alpes, Mont Blanc, Cassini, Aristillus, Archimedes, Spurr (not that one), Patricia, Mons Huygens, Pallas, Herschel, Ptolemaeus; Arzachel, Purbach, Stoller and Shomberger to mention a few.
We also watched a video - "Earth without the moon!"
Thanks for everyone attending!
Sunday 29 September 2013
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