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From: TerryMoselaol.com Date: 2 January 2007 23:19:04 GMT Subject: Perihelion, NY Party, Comet, Magic Lecture, Certificate Hi all, Happy New Year to you all! 1. You'll be glad to know that the Earth is at perihelion (closest to the Sun) tomorrow, 3 Jan, although N Hemisphere residents don't get much benefit from the fact. 2. The Irish Astronomical Association's annual Xmas/New Year Party will be held as usual at the Tudor Private Cinema, near Comber, on Sat 6 January, at 7.30 p.m. The film will be the very enjoyable "October Sky", & there will be lots of lovely eats & drinks of varying degrees of lethality, from totally innocent up to Polonium 210 cocktails. We finish off with the usual diabolical quiz from George Brannan, with lovely prizes. Only £10 per adult, £5 per child; special family rate of £25 for 2 adults + 2 children. Best value this side of Betelgeuse! Book now with the IAA Treasurer, John Hall, at iaa2000btinternet.com, or Jimmyaquariusbtinternet.com, or ring 028 (048 from ROI) 9084 3109. All members, friends and visitors are welcome. 3. Brightening Comet McNaught: (the following is adapted from a BAA e-circular, with thanks). A few observers, including at least one in Ireland, have been able to find comet 2006 P1 (McNaught) in the twilight sky, and estimates are that the comet is about 2nd magnitude. as the brightening continues it should become easier to see. Some predictions indicate that it may become brighter than Venus, but as it will be low in the twilight, that may not be as spectacular as it sounds! It can now be seen in both evening and morning twilight, with the tail better seen in the evening twilight when it will be nearly vertical. Exact magnitudes are difficult to predict, and probably even more difficult to estimate, as differential atmospheric extinction will be considerable. However, it should get at least as bright as Sirius, and maybe much brighter. When reporting magnitude estimates please give the exact time of observation, your location (latitude and longitude) and the comparison stars you have used. Please submit observations, whether visual or CCD/DSLR images as soon as possible after you make them. UK/Ireland observers will be able to see the comet in the twilight until around January 14th, when it will only be visible in the evening. It may be worth trying daylight observation around January 14, although the comet is then only 5 degrees from the Sun, so extreme care will be needed. Mercury is close by, and the comet may well be brighter than Mercury. Venus is rather more distant, but may be comparable in brightness to the comet. The comet will be visible in the SOHO and STEREO coronagraphs from January 12 to 15, so for a real-time view see link After the 15th the comet will probably only be seen by Southern Hemisphere observers, where it may be a spectacular sight. Location charts and the latest information is available on the BAA Comet Section web page at link. 4. The opening lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's 2007 programme will be on Wed 10 January, when Prof John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, will give a public lecture entitled: "Black Holes and White Rabbits". Prof Brown is also an accomplished magician, and he really does incorporate some spectacular magic into a proper astronomical lecture! Amazingly entertaining, as well as informative! Not to be missed. 7.30 p.m., Lecture Room 5, Stranmillis College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. Admission free, including light refreshments, and all are welcome. 5. Until 5 January, The Planetary Society is doing a special Holiday version of the Phoenix Mars Lander Certificate: link (Thanks to Derek Heatly for that) Clear skies for 2007. Terry Moseley
Last Revised: 2007 January 3rd
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