Category: Uncategorized

Planets

Mercury

Mercury is an evening object and is just 0.4^o South of the Moon on the 1^st March.  It is occulted by the Moon in Australia if you fancy a trip! It reaches greatest eastern elongation on the 8^th March and will be 18.2^o from the Sun, and favourably placed.

Venus

Venus is still visible, but rapidly moving back towards the Sun.  It reaches Inferior Conjunction on the 23^rd March.  Its phase drops from 13% near the start of the month, to zero through conjunction.  It then becomes a morning object and will be visible by the start of April. 

Mars

Mars is well past opposition now but remains well placed for observing throughout most of the night. It is a prominent reddish object of near the stars Castor and Pollux and has a magnitude around 0. Its diameter drops to 10”.

Jupiter

Jupiter is well past opposition but remains a prominent object high in the south-western  sky as soon as it is dark. It is well placed for observing throughout the night. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.2, making it a great telescope object, so do get observing!

Saturn

Saturn is lost to observation this month as it passes through conjunction on the 12^th March

Uranus

Uranus is still observable throughout most of the night (RA: 3h 22m, Dec +18.3^o).  It reached opposition in November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

Neptune

Neptune is now lost in the twilight.

Anyone wishing to observe Uranus, and who would like more details, should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

There will be a total eclipse of the Moon on the 14^th March..

The early stages are visible.  It will reach totality just around Moonset at about 06:26 UT.

 Phases:

6^th March:  Moon is at First Quarter                         14^th March:  Full Moon   

22^nd March:  Moon is at last quarter                        29^th  March:  New Moon

  

Sun

There will be a Partial eclipse of the Sun on the 29^th March.

First Contact is at 08:50:35 UT.  Maximum coverage is nearly 50% at 10.47.18 UT

The eclipse ends at 12.43.36 UT

The Sun remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is still around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro. 

Meteors

There are no significant meteor showers this month.

Dark Sky Objects

The Milky Way is well placed for photography and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is still high in the sky, making it a good target for photography.  The Perseus Double Cluster is also high in the sky.  The Pleiades and Taurus are getting well-placed for observing and photography, and Orion is now visible in the evening skies, so the M42 nebula is a target again.

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

We hope you have all been taking photos over the past year and are getting ready to enter some into the annual photographic competition.

This year we are going to ask you to submit photos in one or more of the three categories we are offering.  

These are: 

1. Technical  (where individual processing or stacking of photos is required)

2. Aesthetic (which could include landscape or asterisms for example)

3. Smart Telescope (a new category for those using a smart telescope for imaging)

When submitting your photo, please also include as much information as possible about the photo, the camera and telescope settings and location.

Also, to ensure correct judging, it is essential that you please state the category in which you are submitting the photo for consideration. Omission of the category will result in an invalid entry.

Photos can be sent to the Coordinator; (email address given in the last newsletter or please message first using this form – click here)

The deadline for entries is 30^th March.  

Entries will be judged by all who attend  the AGM on the 12^th April.

 

 

Planets

Mercury

Mercury becomes an evening object, having passed through superior conjunction on the 9th. On the 25^th it will be 1.7^o N of Saturn in the twilight.  The elongation is then only 13^o and may be tricky, unless you have a clear western horizon.

Venus

Venus is high in the west after sunset.  Its phase of 33% near the start of the month decreases to 23% by the end, and its magnitude increases to -4.9.  lts diameter increases to around 45” by the end of the month.  Being high in the sky makes it easy to observe and it will suffer less atmospheric turbulence.

Mars

Mars remains well placed for observing throughout the night. It is a prominent reddish object of near the stars Castor and Pollux and has a magnitude around -1. Its diameter drops to 12”. It is now very well placed for observation.  On the 9^th, there is a grazing occultation by the Moon at 18h 56m UT.  A complete occultation is only visible in the north of Scotland and higher latitudes, but it will be a close approach in the south.  Some photo opportunities!

Jupiter

Jupiter is well past opposition but remains a prominent object high in the sky as soon as it is dark. It is well placed for observing throughout the night. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.4, making it a great telescope object, so do get observing!

Saturn

Saturn is becoming a difficult object during this month as it heads towards conjunction with the Sun in mid March. On the 1^st of February the Moon is 1.0^o N of Saturn.  The rings are almost edge on and this makes it dimmer.

Uranus

Uranus is still observable throughout most of the night (RA: 3h 22m, Dec +18.3^o).  It reached opposition in November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

Neptune

Neptune is now a difficult object as it is lost in the twilight.

Anyone wishing to observe Uranus, and who would like more details, should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

Phases:

5^th February:  Moon is at First Quarter 12^th February:  Full Moon   

20^th February:  Moon is at last quarter 28^th  February:  New Moon  

Sun

The Sun remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is still around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro. 

Meteors

There are no significant meteor showers this month.

Dark Sky Objects

The Milky Way is well placed for photography and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is still high in the sky, making it a good target for photography.  The Perseus Double Cluster is also high in the sky.  The Pleiades and Taurus are getting well-placed for observing and photography, and Orion is now visible in the evening skies, so the M42 nebula is a target again. 

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

Happy New Year to all Members

Planets

Mercury

Mercury is a morning object. However, its southerly declination of -21^o will make it hard to see in the northern hemisphere.

Venus

Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation of +47^o on the 10^th and its increasing northerly declination may make it a little easier to see after sunset.  Its phase will then be 50% and its magnitude increases to -4.6.  lts diameter increases to around 30”. 

Mars

Mars reaches opposition on the 16^th January and is  observable for most of the night. It is a prominent reddish object of magnitude -1.4 and diameter of 14.6”. It is now very well placed for observation.  On the 14^th, the Moon will be just 0.2^o North of Mars.  Some photo opportunities for sure!

Jupiter

Jupiter reached opposition in December and is therefore still well placed for observing throughout the night. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.7, making it a great telescope object, so do get observing!

Saturn

Saturn is well past opposition but still visible during the early evening in the south west. 

On the 4^th January the Moon occults Saturn.

It disappears at the dark limb at 17.21UT and reappears at the bright limb at 18.30UT.  The times are for Greenwich and may be a few minutes different in Cheltenham.

The rings have a tilt of about 3^o.   On 18^th Venus is 2.2^o north of Saturn.

Uranus

Uranus is observable throughout the night (RA: 3h 24m, Dec +18.5^o).  It reached opposition in November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

Neptune

Neptune is well past opposition and observable only in early evening.  It has a diameter of 2.4” and mag. +7.8.

Its approximate position is RA 23h 50m, Dec -2.4^o.

Anyone wishing to observe Uranus and Neptune, and who would like more details, should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

The winter Moon is well placed for observation and photography.

Phases:

6^th January:  First Quarter     21^st  January:  Last quarter

13^th January:  Full Moon         29^th  January:  New Moon     

 Sun

The Sun is remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro.  The darker nights mean that there is a much better chance of seeing them.

Meteors

The Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak on the 3^rd January, though may be visible a few days either side of this.

Dark Sky Objects

The long dark nights make deep sky objects much more accessible – if only the clouds get out of the way!

The Milky Way is well placed for photography and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is high in the sky, making it a good target for photography.  A wide angle shot could take in the Milky Way as well. The Perseus Double Cluster is also high in the sky.  The Pleiades and Taurus are getting well-placed for observing and photography, and Orion is now visible in the evening skies. 

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

Planets

Mercury

Mercury passes through inferior conjunction on the 6^th December and reaches greatest western elongation on the 25^th. It is then a morning object. However, its southerly declination of -20^o will make it hard to see in the northern hemisphere.

Venus

Venus remains an evening object with a magnitude of – 4.3 and it’s elongation increases to 47^o, with a phase dropping to around 60%, and a l diameter of 20”.  As with Mercury, it’s southerly declination also makes it hard to view as it is low in the sky after sunset, but can be seen if you have a good western horizon.

Mars

This is in Gemini and near Castor and Pollux.  It rises about 7pm and so is well placed before midnight now.  Its magnitude increases to -1.1 throughout the month and its diameter increases to 14 arcsec during the month.  Its approximate position is RA 8h 30m, Dec +22^o, but is easy to see in the south-east as its red colour will make it easy to identify.

Jupiter

Jupiter reaches opposition on 7^th December and is therefore observable throughout the night. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.8, making it a great telescope object, so do get observing!

Saturn

Saturn is well past opposition but still visible throughout most of the evening.  The rings have a tilt of about 4^o.  This could make a nice photo.  It is still a bit low in the sky. Look for Titan, its brightest and biggest satellite which orbits every 16 days.  On 8^th December Saturn is 0.3^o South of the Moon.

Uranus

Uranus is observable throughout the night (RA: 3h 28m, Dec +18.5^o).  It reached opposition in November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

Neptune

Neptune reached opposition in September, with a diameter of 2.4” and mag. +7.8.

Its approximate position is RA 23h 50m, Dec -2.4^o. On the 9^th, Neptune is about 0.8^o south of the Moon.  This should make it easier to find.

Anyone wishing to Uranus and Neptune, and who would like more details, should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

30^th  December:  New Moon                          8^th December:  Moon is at First Quarter

15^th December:  Full Moon                            22^nd December:  Moon is at last quarter

Sun

The Sun is remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro.  The darker nights mean that there is a much better chance of seeing them.

Meteors

The Geminid meteor shower occurs between 4^th and 17^th of this month, reaching their maximum around the 13^th. Unfortunately, that is just before full Moon, making this display less favourable.  The ZHR can reach 100.  You may still get to see the brighter ones.

The Ursid meteor shower is from the 17^th to 26^th of December and is therefore more favourable.  Although the typical ZHR is only around 10, the shower does produce some outbursts, the last being in 2000 and 2014.

Dark Sky Objects

The long dark nights make deep sky objects much more accessible – if only the clouds get out of the way!

The Milky Way is well placed for photography and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is high in the sky, making it a good target for photography.  A wide angle shot could take in the Milky Way as well. The Perseus Double Cluster is also high in the sky.  The Pleiades and Taurus are getting well-placed for observing and photography, and Orion will soon be visible in the evening skies. 

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

Now that the clocks have gone back, we have long dark evenings for observing – provided the clouds clear!

Comet Tshuchinshan-ATLAS

This wasn’t quite as spectacular as some predicted, but many did get some decent photos.  It is now rather faint as it recedes from Earth.

Planets

Mercury

Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation on the 16^th and is an evening object. However, its southerly declination of -25^o will make it hard to see in the northern hemisphere.

Venus

Venus remains an evening object with a magnitude of – 4.1 and it’s elongation increases to 40^o, with a phase of 73%, and a l diameter of 16”.  As with Mercury, it’s southerly declination also makes it hard to view as it is low in the sky after sunset, but can be seen if you have a good western horizon.

Mars

This is in Gemini and near Castor and Pollux.  It rises about 9pm and so is well placed before midnight now.  It is much brighter, at magnitude -0.4 and its diameter increases to 11 arcsec during the month.  Its approximate position is RA 8h 25m, Dec +21^o, and its red colour will make it easy to identify.

Jupiter

This rises by 7pm now and is well placed for observing later in the evening.  It reaches opposition in December. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.8, making it a great telescope object, so do get observing!

Saturn

Saturn is well past opposition and still visible throughout the evening.  The rings have a tilt of about 5^o.  This could make a nice photo.  It is still a bit low in the sky but is a little brighter due to more of the rings showing (mag.0.9).  Look for Titan, its brightest and biggest satellite which orbits every 16 days.  On 11^th November Saturn is less than 0.1^o South of the Moon.

Uranus

Uranus is observable throughout the night (RA: 3h 30m, Dec +18.5^o).  It reaches opposition on 17^th November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

Neptune

Neptune reached opposition on 21^st September, with a diameter of 2.4” and mag. +7.8.

Its approximate position is RA 23h 50m, Dec -2.4^o. On the 16^th, Neptune is about 0.6^o south of the Moon.  This should make it easier to find.

Anyone wishing to Uranus and Neptune, and who would like more details, should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

1^st   November:  New Moon                             9^th November:  Moon is at First Quarter

17^th November:  Full Moon                            23^rd November:  Moon is at last quarter

 Sun

The Sun is remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro.  The darker nights mean that there is a much better chance of seeing them.

Meteors

The Leonids become visible this month, reaching their maximum around the 17^th. Unfortunately, that is just after full Moon, making this display less favourable.  The ZHR is about 15, so not many each hour.

Dark Sky Objects

The Milky Way is well placed for photography and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is high in the sky, making it a good target for photography.  A wider angle shot could take in the Milky Way as well. The Perseus Double Cluster is also high in the sky.  The Pleiades and Taurus are getting well-placed for observing and photography. 

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

Autumn and the dark skies are now well upon us. 

***Comet Tshuchinshan-ATLAS***

This could potentially become very bright.  Look low in the west after sunset from the 10^th October when it is first observable.  Its elongation from the Sun will increase each night.  The 12^th is a good time to look.  We hope it survives its close approach to the Sun and puts on a good display throughout October.

Annular Solar Eclipse

This takes place on the 2^nd October, but you’ll need to go to the South Pacific Ocean or southern Chile I’m afraid.

Planets

Mercury. 

Mercury will not really be observable this month

Venus

Venus is an evening object with a magnitude of – 4.0.  Its elongation increases to 37^o, with a phase of 75%, and a diameter of 14”.  Its southerly declination also makes it hard to view as it is low in the sky after sunset, but can be seen if you have a good western horizon.

Mars

This is in Gemini but still effectively a morning object, although it rises a little before midnight now.  Its diameter increases a bit to 9 arcsec during the month and is high in the sky.  Its approximate position is RA 7h 35m, Dec +22^o, and its red colour and the fact that it won’t be twinkling (planets don’t twinkle) will make it easy to identify.

Jupiter

This rises around 9pm now and is well placed for observing later in the night.  It reaches opposition in December. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.6, so stay up and get observing!

Saturn

Saturn reached opposition in September.  The rings have a tilt of about 5^o by the end of the month.  This could make a nice photo.  It is still a bit low in the sky but is a little brighter due to more of the rings showing (mag.0.7).  Look for Titan, its brightest and biggest satellite which orbits every 16 days.  On 14^th October Saturn is just 0.1^o South of the Moon.

Uranus

Uranus is observable for much of the night (RA: 3h 36m, Dec +18^o).  It reaches opposition in November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

On the 19^th, The Moon will be between the Pleiades and Uranus.

Neptune

Neptune reached opposition on 21^st September, with a diameter of 2.4” and mag. +7.8.

Its approximate position is RA 23h 54m, Dec -2.2^o. On the 15^th, Neptune is about 0.6^o south of the Moon.  This should make it easier to find.

Anyone wishing to Uranus and Neptune, and who would like more details, should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

 2^nd   October:  New Moon                  10^th October:  Moon is at First Quarter

17^th October:  Full Moon                    24^th October:  Moon is at last quarter

   The Full Moon on the 17^th  is a good Supermoon to view

 Sun

The Sun remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro.  The darker nights mean that there is a much better chance of seeing them.

Meteors

The Orionids become visible this month, reaching their maximum around the 20^th. Unfortunately, that is just after full Moon, making this display less favourable.  The radiant is near the top of Orion (hence the name) and the ZHR is about 20, so not many each hour.

Dark Sky Objects

The Milky Way is well placed for photography and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is high in the sky, making it a good target for photography.  A wider angle shot could take in the Milky Way as well.

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

The nights are now getting much longer after our ‘summer’. We reach the autumnal equinox on the 22^nd September.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

There will be a ‘slight’ partial eclipse of the Moon on September 18^th. The maximum magnitude of the Moon in the umbral shadow is 0.085, so just a bit at the top right corner.

It is also, of course, a long penumbral eclipse.  The times are given below (converted to BST from UT). P1 refers to the start of penumbral phase, P4 the end. U1, onset of umbral phase and U4 the end.  Greatest eclipse occurs at 03:45 BST.  All times below are BST.

P1= 01:41        U1 = 03:12       U4 = 04:15       P4 = 05:47

Planets

Mercury

Mercury has moved into the morning sky and reaches greatest western elongation, of 18^o,  on the 5^th September.  Its northerly declination makes it higher in the sky and therefore easier to find.   This is a good opportunity to view this planet if you are willing to get up before dawn!  The diameter is around 7 arcsec at that stage and the phase 50% (of course I should add).  

Venus

On the 5^th, Venus will be 1.2^o  N of the Moon, which is only 2 days old.   Venus is now an evening object with a magnitude of – 3.9.  It’s elongation increases to 30^o, with a phase of 85%, and a l diameter of 12”.  It’s southerly declination also makes it a tricky object to view this month.

Mars

This is still effectively a morning object, although it rises a little after midnight now.  Its diameter increases a bit to 7.5 arcsec during the month and is high in the sky.  Its approximate position is RA 6h 30m, Dec +23^o, and its red colour and the fact that it won’t be twinkling (planets don’t twinkle) will make it easy to identify.

Jupiter

This rises before midnight now and is well placed for observing.  It reaches opposition in December. It is unmistakable, with a magnitude of -2.4, so stay up and get observing!

Saturn

Saturn reaches opposition on September 8^th.  The rings have a tilt of about 3^o and so are  nearly edge on.  This could make a nice photo.  It is still a bit low in the sky and not very bright (mag. 0.6) mainly because the rings are not contributing to its magnitude.  Look for Titan, its brightest and biggest satellite which orbits every 16 days.  While looking at it, remember that the Huygens probe landed on it back in 2005.

Uranus

Uranus is observable in the late evening (RA: 3h 39m, Dec +18.5^o).  It reaches opposition in November. Its magnitude is +5.6 and diameter 3.8”.

Neptune

Neptune reaches opposition on 21^st September, with a diameter of 2.4” and mag. +7.8.

Its approximate position is RA 23h 58m, Dec -1.8^o.

Anyone wishing to observe them and who would like more details should contact me at coord@cotswoldas.org.uk

Moon

 3^rd  September:  New Moon              11^th September:  Moon is at First Quarter

18^th September:  Full Moon               24^th September:  Moon is at last quarter

 Sun

The Sun is remains active currently, so watch out for large Sunspot groups.  Remember to never look at the Sun directly without a proper solar filter.

Aurora

The Sun is around its maximum activity and may produce more aurorae.  I suggest you download an aurora alert App, such as Aurora Pro.  The darker nights mean that there is a much better chance of seeing them.

Meteors

There are no major meteor showers this month, but you could watch out for the September ε Perseids during around the 9^th of the month. Radiant position is RA 3h 16m Dec. +39^o.

The Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) is only about 5, but some years they give a much better display.

To view this post in PDF format please CLICK HERE

By James Weightman

The picture was taken on the 20^th June. Taking advantage of a clear southern sky from the disused airfield at Chedworth and despite the nearby full moon and the very low altitude, I managed to capture some of the southernmost Messier objects.

Messier objects M6, the Butterfly Cluster (NGC 6405) and M7 Ptolemy Cluster (NGC 6475) are visible in the picture.

The insets were 5-minute stacks taken with Seestar superimposed on an earlier image which also managed to capture the stars of the scorpion’s sting.

 

It was announced at the last meeting, on the 12th August 2024, which photos were judged by the membership to be the winners of the Aesthetic and Technical categories.

With a total of 24 entries, all of very high quality, (viewable HERE), the votes produced clear winners. Susan Snow was the winner of the Aesthetic category, with her photo Moon Rise.

The winner of the Technical category was Tim Jackson, with his photo of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks “Mother of Dragons”.  With a total of 26 votes this also makes Tim the overall winner and recipient of the Dan Turton Trophy, to be presented at the September meeting.

The Committee would like to extend our thanks all those who entered and for making the competition very interesting indeed. Entries for the next competition will need be submitted in March next year so all members are encouraged to see what they can do before then. We will all be looking forward to it.