From: TerryMoselaol.com
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2004 18:42:40 EDT
Subject: Solar day, Morning planets, ISS

Hi all,

1. A final reminder about the IAA Solar Day will be at Mount Stewart, the 
lovely National Trust House & Garden on the Portaferry Road (Ards peninsula), on 
Sat 11 September, from 14.00 to about 17.00. We will have a variety of 
filtered telescopes, including Coronados, large binoculars, projection systems etc, 
to show the Sun in all its glory - and it has been active again recently, with 
a big spot now on view.
   We also hope to have a live science show, and Derek Heatly will be there 
with his excellent collection of meteorites & space memorabilia, his near-space 
adventure photographs & video, and the latest news on his planned sub-orbital 
flight into actual space!
   Members bringing telescopes or filtered binocs get in free, others pay the 
normal National Trust admission charges, so bring appropriate equipment!

2. There's a lovely array of solar system bodies in the morning skies right 
now. Venus has been brilliant in the early twilight for the last few months, 
now Saturn is close by, above right of Venus, there's a lovely waning crescent 
Moon, and the most elusive of the 'bright' planets, little Mercury, is well 
placed, but much closer to the horizon. You can see it from about 05.30 to about 
06.00 or 06.15 depending where you live. It's about 25 degrees below left of 
Venus, but the Moon provides an even better guide on the mornings of the 12th & 
13th. On the 12th, Mercury lies 11 degrees below, and slightly left of the 
Moon - about 6.30 to 7.0 on a clock face. On the 13th, the Moon has moved lower, 
and Mercury will lie just 3.2 degrees to the right of the Moon. Use 
binoculars if you can't find it at first, but in a clear sky it should be readily 
visible to the unaided eye, as a twinkly slightly pinkish 'star'. On the next 
morning, the Moon will be too close to the Sun to be visible.

3. The ISS starts another series of evening passes on the 11th or 12th 
September; the 11th for the most Southerly observers. Details of passes for your 
locality can be found on www.heavens-above.com


Clear Skies

Last Revised: 2004 September 10th WWW contact:webmaster@arm.ac.uk

Go to HOME Page