Stargazing Live! – Clear Skies!
Clear sky for observing session
We had a pretty good clear sky for our members’ observing session on January 15th. It had been a fine day, with barely a cloud in the sky, and then a few rolled in towards the end of the afternoon. This did not bode well, but in fact, they came to nothing, and a fine clear evening was enjoyed.
Thanks to Angela, Christine, Sally, Ian, Tom, Dave and Glyn who all came out to observe that evening.
Dates for February are still to be arranged, and will be posted on the header of this site when confirmed.
Clear sky for observing evening
Last night (14 November) a few of us gathered for a rather speculative observing evening at the North Glos site. Forecast was poor, there was lots of fog around on the way to the site, but on arrival was clear and dark.
Although patches of fog passed through, the sky was remarkably clear, with the milky way and M31 being easily visible to the naked eye.
Sadly the equipment dewed up all too quickly, and we packed up after taking in a few sights. Jupiter was very impressive, the Pleiades brilliant, M57, and Albireo were amongst the favourite targets.
Eddies Observing Tips
At our last meeting, Eddie Carpenter presented some observing tips.
Many members asked if these could be written up and put on the website, so here they are.
I have added my own recollections and interpretations on Eddie’s suggestions – Callum.
1. Black cloth over head and eyepiece
A black cloth over your head and eyepiece will help block out any extraneous light, and help you ‘focus’ on the object you are observing.
More Venus transit pictures
Although we did not have too much luck from the top of Cleeve Hill many members managed to capture some images.
Transit Glimpsed from Cleeve Hill
Around about 30 optimistic astronomers ascended the heights of Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham hoping for a glimpse of Venus’ dark silhouette against the rising Sun on the morning of 6th June.
It was an early start for most, and there was quite a crowd already in place by 4.30 am, patiently waiting for sunrise at around 4:50.
However, although tantalising gaps in the cloud cover appeared from time to time, none really settled over the rising Sun sufficiently for anyone to get a good view.
Rik McRae had good luck, managing to capture a few video frames (one at right here). Tom Barnaville caught a glimpse with his binoculars and projection screen, and Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society, who joined with us for the event, managed to see it briefly with a white light filtered Meade ETX. Also around this time Peter Cadogan and William Jackson had a view through William’s white light filtered newtonian.
Afterwards, the skies did clear a bit, and the Sun shone – just to make it clear who is the Boss.
Away from Cleeve Hill, we hear that Tony Ireland managed to see it from his home in Cheltenham and John Fletcher too, from his observing location.
If any members have any pictures from wherever they observed, please send them in for the website and Mercury.
