Aylesbury Astronomical Society
Registered Charity Number 276313
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“Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler” (Einstein)
AYLESBURY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
For Heaven’s Sake!
Aylesbury Astronomical Society Newsletter
February 2012
Issue No. 526
50th Anniversary of the AAS
2012 is the 50th anniversary of the AAS. If you have any past information about the society – anything at all, please contact Ian Macdonald at meetings or by email sandymacdee@btinternet.com. Ian is putting together a history for our 50th year. For example, if you were around when the dome blew off the observatory, a photo would be great
OBSERVING
Observing from 8pm every Friday unless there is full cloud cover. We usually pack up around 11 pm depending on the quality of viewing. In case of doubtful weather, please check with a committee member before attending.
The Winchendon Observatory is available at any time to key holders. Keys are available from Steve Edwards, 01296 427098 or steven.l.edwards@ntlworld.com
Outside observing nights we ask that you attend with at least one other person in case of mishap at the site and check clashes with visiting groups although helpers are welcome. Please record your visit in the log book provided.
Please do not turn on the electricity in the observatory dome building where there is some problem with damp. The meeting hut and Meade telescope shed are all okay
Visitors to Observatory:
7th Feb: Aylesbury Cubs
15th Feb: Aylesbury Scouts
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
All at 7.30 pm at the Scout Hut, Oakfield Road, Aylesbury unless otherwise stated,
Monday 6th Feb: Dr Lucy Rogers author of “It’s only rocket science”.
We appreciate you may experience some difficulty with the recent snow but we plan to meet as usual unless there is further severe weather.
Monday 5th March: Visit to South West Herts Planetarium TBC.
Monday 2nd April: Additional viewing night at Winchendon observatory
Monday 7th May: AGM + a talk on the history of the AAS
Monday 11th June: Visiting speaker TBC
Saturday 7th July: Anniversary celebration BBQ with solar observing. Time TBC. Note no meeting on 2nd July
Monday 6th August: Allan Chapman
WHAT’S UP? February Night Sky
General picture:
Ursa Major and Orion still prominent separated by Gemini with its bright stars Castor and Pollux. Below Gemini lies the bright star Procyon in Canis Minor. Just to the east Leo is hot on the pincers of Cancer. The Sickle of Leo (looking like a backwards question mark) is very distinct. In the western sky we are losing Andromeda and Pisces. Just below Cancer and its associated Beehive Star Cluster, the Hydra snakes down towards the south eastern horizon. In the north eastern sky Bootes with its bright star Arcturus is coming into view. Not far away are Coma Berenices and Virgo, with their vast collection of galaxies, are also coming into view. February ends with a nice line of three planets in the western sky just after sunset, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury.
The following shows the night sky at 22:00 on 15th
Mercury reaches Superior Conjunction on 7th, moving out of the Sun’s glow into the evening twilight. It will be visible in the west at -1 magnitude low down in the western sky from the middle of the month so it should be easy to spot and remains visible until the end of the month. Please do not look for Mercury before the sun has set!
Venus is easily visible in the western sky just after sunset brilliant at magnitude -4. Viewing through a telescope you will see Venus approaching a half phase. Please do not look for Venus before the sun has set!
Mars moving retrograde back towards Leo and getting brighter as it is reaches opposition in early March. Clearly red at magnitude -1.2 you will need a large telescope to see any features such as the polar cap and Syrtis Major, which shows as a large dark triangular shape
Jupiter still big and bright at magnitude -2.2 and visible over in the western sky after dark. Slowly moving into the Sun’s glare, so see this while you can
Saturn moving slowly through Virgo this month and at its highest in the early hours of the morning. The planets disk is tilted about 15 degrees towards Earth making detail easier to see in the rings, especially towards the edge
Uranus & Neptune are too low to be seen this month
Observing at Winchendon
We’ve had some really good viewing evenings this winter. Yes it is cold, but winter skies are often the clearest with little heat shimmer. Please wrap up warm with several layers and bring a flask of soup or something stronger!
It can be difficult for beginners to find their way around the sky but most us can remember what this is like and therefore are willing to help and encourage others. Someone from the society will be there most Friday evenings from 8 pm unless there is heavy cloud or rain. Please contact a member of the committee if in doubt. We are looking to send a text to inform members about Friday viewing if people wish to sign up to this. If uncertain how to get to the observatory, please contact a member of the committee
It’s ONLY rocket science by Lucy Rogers
I’ve plugged Lucy’s book before but after February’s meeting, I hope you will consider buying her book “It’s ONLY rocket science” available from Amazon from about £12. It explains that when you or an unmanned vehicle goes into space, there is not a single item that can be taken for granted. Otherwise you could end up missing the planet eg. in 1999 a NASA climate orbiter should had been orbiting Mars but owing to mix up between metric and imperial units, it is probably orbiting the sun. Doh, $125 m up in smoke!
Dark side of the Moon
We may have listened to it but a recent video can be seen on the following link:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/far-side-moon-caught-camera-050939907.html
A camera on board a Nasa's lunar spacecraft videoed the far side of the Moon which are the first pictures sent back from one of the twin GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) spacecraft as it was pulled into the Moon's orbit over the New Year. Previously named GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B, the washing machine-sized spacecraft were named Ebb and Flow by US schoolchildren who won a nationwide contest. (Well as everyone knows there is an old oven skiing on the moon!)
The video scans the barren, dusty face – thought to be the oldest part of the Moon - all the way from north to south. One of the prominent geological features seen on the lower third of the Moon is the Mare Orientale, a 900km wide (560 miles) impact basin that straddles both the near and far side. To the left of centre, near the bottom, is a 93-mile-wide (149km) Drygalski crater with a distinctive star-shaped formation in the middle. The formation is a central peak, created billions of years ago by a comet or asteroid impact
Further detailed observations will take place from March this year including high resolution gravity mapping to solve the age-old problem of where the moon came from
Observing the far side is not new and scientists have been trying to understand why the near side of the Moon is flat and cratered while the rarely-seen far side is heavily cratered (with mountain ranges higher than 3 km) for decades. The accepted theory suggests that tidal heating, caused by the pull of the Earth on the ocean of liquid rock that once flowed under the lunar crust, may have been the cause of the distinctly different sides. Now a new theory suggests the Earth once had a small second moon that perished in a slow motion collision with its "big sister" which may explain the mysterious mountains on the far side of our Moon. The relatively slow speed of the crash was crucial in adding material to the rarely-seen lunar hemisphere
Researchers now argue that the Earth was struck about four billion years ago by another planet about the size of Mars. This is known as the global-impact hypothesis. The resulting debris eventually coalesced to form our Moon. But another, smaller lunar body may have formed from the same material and become stuck in a gravitational tug of love between the Earth and the Moon
In a commentary, Dr Maria Zuber, MIT, Cambridge, US, suggests that while the new study "demonstrates plausibility rather than proof", the authors "raise the legitimate possibility that after the giant impact our Earth perhaps fleetingly possessed more than one moon". But according to Dr Jutzi, University of Bern, Switzerland, the scientists would prefer to get their hands on samples from the far side of the Moon to prove their theory. "Hopefully in future, a sample return or a manned mission would certainly help to say more about which theory is more probable.". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14391929
2012 is the 50th anniversary of the AAS. If you have any past information about the society – anything at all, please contact Ian Macdonald at meetings or by email sandymacdee@btinternet.com. Ian is putting together a history for our 50th year. For example, if you were around when the dome blew off the observatory, a photo would be great
OBSERVING
Observing from 8pm every Friday unless there is full cloud cover. We usually pack up around 11 pm depending on the quality of viewing. In case of doubtful weather, please check with a committee member before attending.
The Winchendon Observatory is available at any time to key holders. Keys are available from Steve Edwards, 01296 427098 or steven.l.edwards@ntlworld.com
Outside observing nights we ask that you attend with at least one other person in case of mishap at the site and check clashes with visiting groups although helpers are welcome. Please record your visit in the log book provided.
Please do not turn on the electricity in the observatory dome building where there is some problem with damp. The meeting hut and Meade telescope shed are all okay
Visitors to Observatory:
7th Feb: Aylesbury Cubs
15th Feb: Aylesbury Scouts
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
All at 7.30 pm at the Scout Hut, Oakfield Road, Aylesbury unless otherwise stated,
Monday 6th Feb: Dr Lucy Rogers author of “It’s only rocket science”.
We appreciate you may experience some difficulty with the recent snow but we plan to meet as usual unless there is further severe weather.
Monday 5th March: Visit to South West Herts Planetarium TBC.
Monday 2nd April: Additional viewing night at Winchendon observatory
Monday 7th May: AGM + a talk on the history of the AAS
Monday 11th June: Visiting speaker TBC
Saturday 7th July: Anniversary celebration BBQ with solar observing. Time TBC. Note no meeting on 2nd July
Monday 6th August: Allan Chapman
WHAT’S UP? February Night Sky
General picture:
Ursa Major and Orion still prominent separated by Gemini with its bright stars Castor and Pollux. Below Gemini lies the bright star Procyon in Canis Minor. Just to the east Leo is hot on the pincers of Cancer. The Sickle of Leo (looking like a backwards question mark) is very distinct. In the western sky we are losing Andromeda and Pisces. Just below Cancer and its associated Beehive Star Cluster, the Hydra snakes down towards the south eastern horizon. In the north eastern sky Bootes with its bright star Arcturus is coming into view. Not far away are Coma Berenices and Virgo, with their vast collection of galaxies, are also coming into view. February ends with a nice line of three planets in the western sky just after sunset, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury.
The following shows the night sky at 22:00 on 15th
Mercury reaches Superior Conjunction on 7th, moving out of the Sun’s glow into the evening twilight. It will be visible in the west at -1 magnitude low down in the western sky from the middle of the month so it should be easy to spot and remains visible until the end of the month. Please do not look for Mercury before the sun has set!
Venus is easily visible in the western sky just after sunset brilliant at magnitude -4. Viewing through a telescope you will see Venus approaching a half phase. Please do not look for Venus before the sun has set!
Mars moving retrograde back towards Leo and getting brighter as it is reaches opposition in early March. Clearly red at magnitude -1.2 you will need a large telescope to see any features such as the polar cap and Syrtis Major, which shows as a large dark triangular shape
Jupiter still big and bright at magnitude -2.2 and visible over in the western sky after dark. Slowly moving into the Sun’s glare, so see this while you can
Saturn moving slowly through Virgo this month and at its highest in the early hours of the morning. The planets disk is tilted about 15 degrees towards Earth making detail easier to see in the rings, especially towards the edge
Uranus & Neptune are too low to be seen this month
Observing at Winchendon
We’ve had some really good viewing evenings this winter. Yes it is cold, but winter skies are often the clearest with little heat shimmer. Please wrap up warm with several layers and bring a flask of soup or something stronger!
It can be difficult for beginners to find their way around the sky but most us can remember what this is like and therefore are willing to help and encourage others. Someone from the society will be there most Friday evenings from 8 pm unless there is heavy cloud or rain. Please contact a member of the committee if in doubt. We are looking to send a text to inform members about Friday viewing if people wish to sign up to this. If uncertain how to get to the observatory, please contact a member of the committee
It’s ONLY rocket science by Lucy Rogers
I’ve plugged Lucy’s book before but after February’s meeting, I hope you will consider buying her book “It’s ONLY rocket science” available from Amazon from about £12. It explains that when you or an unmanned vehicle goes into space, there is not a single item that can be taken for granted. Otherwise you could end up missing the planet eg. in 1999 a NASA climate orbiter should had been orbiting Mars but owing to mix up between metric and imperial units, it is probably orbiting the sun. Doh, $125 m up in smoke!
Dark side of the Moon
We may have listened to it but a recent video can be seen on the following link:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/far-side-moon-caught-camera-050939907.html
A camera on board a Nasa's lunar spacecraft videoed the far side of the Moon which are the first pictures sent back from one of the twin GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) spacecraft as it was pulled into the Moon's orbit over the New Year. Previously named GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B, the washing machine-sized spacecraft were named Ebb and Flow by US schoolchildren who won a nationwide contest. (Well as everyone knows there is an old oven skiing on the moon!)
The video scans the barren, dusty face – thought to be the oldest part of the Moon - all the way from north to south. One of the prominent geological features seen on the lower third of the Moon is the Mare Orientale, a 900km wide (560 miles) impact basin that straddles both the near and far side. To the left of centre, near the bottom, is a 93-mile-wide (149km) Drygalski crater with a distinctive star-shaped formation in the middle. The formation is a central peak, created billions of years ago by a comet or asteroid impact
Further detailed observations will take place from March this year including high resolution gravity mapping to solve the age-old problem of where the moon came from
Observing the far side is not new and scientists have been trying to understand why the near side of the Moon is flat and cratered while the rarely-seen far side is heavily cratered (with mountain ranges higher than 3 km) for decades. The accepted theory suggests that tidal heating, caused by the pull of the Earth on the ocean of liquid rock that once flowed under the lunar crust, may have been the cause of the distinctly different sides. Now a new theory suggests the Earth once had a small second moon that perished in a slow motion collision with its "big sister" which may explain the mysterious mountains on the far side of our Moon. The relatively slow speed of the crash was crucial in adding material to the rarely-seen lunar hemisphere
Researchers now argue that the Earth was struck about four billion years ago by another planet about the size of Mars. This is known as the global-impact hypothesis. The resulting debris eventually coalesced to form our Moon. But another, smaller lunar body may have formed from the same material and become stuck in a gravitational tug of love between the Earth and the Moon
In a commentary, Dr Maria Zuber, MIT, Cambridge, US, suggests that while the new study "demonstrates plausibility rather than proof", the authors "raise the legitimate possibility that after the giant impact our Earth perhaps fleetingly possessed more than one moon". But according to Dr Jutzi, University of Bern, Switzerland, the scientists would prefer to get their hands on samples from the far side of the Moon to prove their theory. "Hopefully in future, a sample return or a manned mission would certainly help to say more about which theory is more probable.". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14391929
CONTACTS www.aylesbury-astronomy.org.uk/contact us.html
Chairman:
Ralph Campbell 81 Narbeth Drive, AYLESBURY, HP20 1NY 01296 421328 Chairman@aylesbury-astronomy.org.uk
Secretary:
Sue Macdonald 107 Willis Road, Haddenham, AYLESBURY, HP17 8HG 01844 299031 Secretary@aylesbury-astronomy.org.uk
Editor:
Simon Leach 28 Vicarage Road, Winslow, Bucks, MK18 3BE 01296 713061 Editor@aylesbury-astronomy.org.uk
Welcome to the official newsletter of the Aylesbury Astronomical Society. If some of the following is not clear, please contact the editor or member of the committee
See also www.aylesbury-astronomy.org.uk if you have access to the web