The Liverpool Astronomical Society

Just for info

The penumbral eclipse will begin at 18:23 UTC, with the partial eclipse beginning at 19:36. The time of greatest eclipse is 21:10. The partial eclipse will end at 22:44, and the penumbral eclipse will finally at 23:57.

The planet Neptune will be visible in binoculars as an 8th magnitude "star" just two degrees west and slightly south of the moon.

Although weather forecast doesn't look good.

Brian

The show gets going on Friday, July 4th. Red Mars and ringed Saturn converge just to the left of the bright star Regulus. The three lights make a pretty 1st-magnitude line in the heavens.
 
But that is just the beginning. On Saturday, July 5th, a lovely crescent Moon joins the show. Saturn, Mars, and the Moon trace an even brighter line than the night before.

Each of the three worlds is orbited or inhabited by probes from Earth. Saturn has the Cassini spacecraft, studying the gas giant's storms, moons and rings. The Moon has two probes in orbit: Kaguya from Japan and Chang'e-1 from China. The pair, operating independently, are mapping the Moon and scanning for resources in advance of future human landings. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will join them later this year

Mars has more probes than the others combined. Three active satellites orbit the red planet: Europe's Mars Express and NASA's Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The three not only study Mars with their own instruments, but also form a satellite network in support of NASA's Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity and Mars lander Phoenix.

full text http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/01jul_4thofjuly.htm?list1007477

Brian

Hi All,

Just been to Albert Dock (first time in years) there are about 12 astronomy images on long placards eg Hubble Images etc overlooking the water. Starts outside the Tate and goes down to what was the TV studio.

Worth a look if you're in the area.

Brian

Due to land Sunday 25th May.  NASA TV coverage as below:

Thurs 22nd May 19.30hrs   MPL briefing - Entry, Descent and Landing Overview

Sun 25th May   20.00hrs MPL Briefing
                     23.30hrs - 01.45hrs  MPL Landing Coverage

Mon 26th May   17.00hrs MPL Post Landing Briefing
                      19.00hrs MPL Update Briefing

NASA TV website  www.nasa.gov/ntv

Brian

 

Today, in celebration of the Hubble Space Telescope's 18th launch anniversary, 59 views of colliding galaxies constitute the largest collection of Hubble images ever released to the public.  Website is below

http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/16/

(Brendon,  Hubble a real telescope I think !)

Brian

WASHINGTON -- On Monday, April 21, Professor Stephen Hawking of the University of Cambridge will be the featured speaker at a lecture that is part of a series honoring NASA's 50th anniversary. The title of Hawking's lecture is "Why we should go into space." The event will be held at the George Washington University's Morton Auditorium at 3 p.m. EDT (8.00pm UK). NASA television will broadcast the event live on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Brian

Hi All,

This is a first docking and shows that ESA leads the world in automated docking. This expertise should prove useful for recovering satellites in space, building structures in space etc without exposing humans to risk and in preparing space bases in advance of human occupation.

NASA TV will be showing live the demonstration approach of Jules Verne to within 36ft of ISS to confirm its ability and the actual docking at the times below.

Monday 31 March 3.00pm onwards for the demonstration

Thursday 3 April 12.00pm (noon) with the actual docking programmed for 3.38pm

To get NASA TV on your computer www.nasa.gov/ntv

Brian   

Apologies All,

ISS & ATV are not visible in the evening from Liverpool until 27th March. I had the Heavens above website set on Florida from the last time I used it. They are visible in Florida from 23rd March I am sure you will all be glad to know.

Brian

Hi David,

Good to hear from you.

Starting Sunday 23rd March ISS and Jules Verne ( ESA's ATV)have visible passes from Liverpool at about 2100 hrs each evening until at least 29th March. Heavens Above website gives exact times www.heavens-above.com.

Also, STS 123 (Shuttle) is programmed to land March 26th 11.01pm (GMT) - the landing is usually covered live on NASA TV and will start about 2 hrs before. The pilot's eye view live from the cockpit just before they land is impressive.

Brian

Just viewing NASA TV www.nasa.gov/ntv on the laptop where they are preparing to start a spacewalk from the ISS.

Two spacewalkers suited up and Houston comes on saying that there is a slight build up of pressure in the drinking water supply of one of the spacewalkers. They even diagnose the cause – an air bubble displacing 1/2lb of water in the 8lb supply – no action needed just a ‘heads-up’ as they call it. 

The technology is so impressive, as is the live video from ISS.
Certainly worth logging on just to see what they can do.

Brian

hi Kingcomet,

A useful website for you and your out of focus bins maybe http://www.ave.nikon.co.jp/bi_e/how_to/1/pop6.htm

Regards

Just witnessed lunar eclipse totality in shorts, tee shirt and accompanied by bottles of Bud and will be in bed before midnight  - life is good !

The earth’s shadow started crossing the moon from the  7 o’clock position, moving towards the 1 o’clock position.

Saturn’s rings where also oritenated in the same plane.

Question;  does this show that the earth and saturn orbit the sun in the same plane?

I think it does, but would like other’s thoughts.

Brian

hi Brendan,

Thanks for info on Lunar eclipse.
A better place to view it is Florida - the forecast is clear skies and a warm night, and its earlier at 10.25pm.- that's what I'm doing; I'll be thinking of you all at Pex Hill.

Also saw STS 122 launched and hope to hear it arrive back with a sonic boom at 0900hrs Wed, with a bit of luck may also see it.

Best viewing yet for me of ISS last Sunday night, max altitude 47degs and a 5 minutes visibility period.

See in March.   

Personally, can't speak for others, I have no problem with it if it helps save the environment by saving energy. Don't see any health problems and so far a safety goes the lack of light can be a benefit - if the muggers can't see you they can't mug you.

Less light pollution would be a potential benefit, but the lights would only be out after midnight or later .

 

Just read the BBC website ‘ Skies dim for UK Astronomers’  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7210342.stm

Basically, UK research money is being withdrawn from the Gemini telescope consortium resulting in UK astronomers being excluded from the use these telescopes. They are 8.1 metre telescopes, one each in the northern and southern hemispheres. My understanding is that while there are alternative telecopes in the southern hemisphere, the northern telescope is unique and no other alternative exists for UK astronomers.

Questions:
1.   Should this Society be lobbying Government for an increase in budget to allow UK Astronomers access to Gemini North? The Society’s aim ‘" To promote the science of Astronomy primarily in Liverpool and the neigbourhood thereof’ does not exclude this.

The Government after all has stated that it recognisies the benefits of science.

2.   Does anyone have a view on whether this is academic shroud waving? It appears genuine to me.

Regards

Brian