From: TerryMoselaol.com
Subject: Nova, Lecture, IAA @Castle Espie, Dunsink, Sir P.M.
Date: 19 March 2007 00:10:49 GMT
Hi all,
á
1. NOVA in CYGNUS: A fairly bright Nova has been discoveredá in Cygnus by
Akihiko Tagoá in Japan on the evening of March 15 at magnitude 7.4.
Another estimateá next eveningá indicated aá magnitude of 6.7. It may still
be brightening or may have already reached maximum, so observe it if you
can. At around 7th magnitude, it's within easy reach of binoculars, but
it lies in the Milky Way so it's in a crowded starfield, and may not
beá that easy to identify at first. á á A nova is a star, usually a member
of a close binary system where one star is accreting material from
another, and undergoes a a colossal explosion, blowing off the outer
layers of the star, increasing its brightness by may thousands of times.
á á This nova is circumpolará in Ireland, but it it's quite low when at
lower culmination (due North). It's best seen later in the night: by
midnight it will beá 10-14 degrees up (depending on your latitude)á in the
NNE. Its position is: R.A: 20h 28m 12.5s Dec: +41 deg, 48' 36.5" (2000.0
co-ordinates) I'll send a map out separately shortly for those of you
without deep star atlases or a PC sky programme.
2.á á IAA Lecture:á BELFAST: Wed 21 March: á Irish Astronomical Association
Public Lecture: "The VirgoCluster: Stepping Stone to Infinity" byá Tony
O'Hanlon. 7.30 p.m., Lecture Room 5, Stranmillis College, Belfast.
Admission free, includingá light refreshments. All welcome.
3. IAA Public Observing Evening, WWT, CASTLE ESPIE: The Irish
Astronomical Association will be hosting another in its very successful
series of public observing evenings at Castle Espie on Saturday 24
March. We'll be observing a nice waxing Moon, Saturn, & other sky
attractions, with indoor alternatives if cloudy. All welcome, and bring
your own binoculars &á portable telescopes if you have them.
4. Programme re Dunsink: Re my last E/M alert, please note that the
programme is oná RTE1 RADIO next Thursday, 8.30pm
5. BAA Tribute to Sir Patrick Moore: On April 24, the BBC's Sky At Night
programme and Sir Patrick Moore (a BAA member for more than 70 years)
celebrate 50 years of continual broadcasting: the world's longest
running television programme with the same presenter. á á Many
astronomers, amateur and professional alike, have been inspired by
Patrick and the programme over the years.á Following a suggestion by one
ofá the BAA's younger members, Philip Jennings,á they are giving members
and others an opportunity to send a personal greeting to Patrick on this
unique achievement.á á Visit this webpage where you can add your name and
also send a personal greeting or message.á The address is:
www.britastro.org/skyatnight50
á á They plan to present Patrick
with his "Sky at Night at 50" greetings card and read out some of your
messages on the anniversary date.á Hopefully this will come as a
pleasant surprise for him.á (via Richard Miles, BAA President)
Clear skies,
á
Terry Moseley
aol.com Subject: Nova, Lecture, IAA @Castle Espie, Dunsink, Sir P.M. Date: 19 March 2007 00:10:49 GMT Hi all, á 1. NOVA in CYGNUS: A fairly bright Nova has been discoveredá in Cygnus by Akihiko Tagoá in Japan on the evening of March 15 at magnitude 7.4. Another estimateá next eveningá indicated aá magnitude of 6.7. It may still be brightening or may have already reached maximum, so observe it if you can. At around 7th magnitude, it's within easy reach of binoculars, but it lies in the Milky Way so it's in a crowded starfield, and may not beá that easy to identify at first. á á A nova is a star, usually a member of a close binary system where one star is accreting material from another, and undergoes a a colossal explosion, blowing off the outer layers of the star, increasing its brightness by may thousands of times. á á This nova is circumpolará in Ireland, but it it's quite low when at lower culmination (due North). It's best seen later in the night: by midnight it will beá 10-14 degrees up (depending on your latitude)á in the NNE. Its position is: R.A: 20h 28m 12.5s Dec: +41 deg, 48' 36.5" (2000.0 co-ordinates) I'll send a map out separately shortly for those of you without deep star atlases or a PC sky programme. 2.á á IAA Lecture:á BELFAST: Wed 21 March: á Irish Astronomical Association Public Lecture: "The Virgo Cluster: Stepping Stone to Infinity" byá Tony O'Hanlon. 7.30 p.m., Lecture Room 5, Stranmillis College, Belfast. Admission free, includingá light refreshments. All welcome. 3. IAA Public Observing Evening, WWT, CASTLE ESPIE: The Irish Astronomical Association will be hosting another in its very successful series of public observing evenings at Castle Espie on Saturday 24 March. We'll be observing a nice waxing Moon, Saturn, & other sky attractions, with indoor alternatives if cloudy. All welcome, and bring your own binoculars &á portable telescopes if you have them. 4. Programme re Dunsink: Re my last E/M alert, please note that the programme is oná RTE1 RADIO next Thursday, 8.30pm 5. BAA Tribute to Sir Patrick Moore: On April 24, the BBC's Sky At Night programme and Sir Patrick Moore (a BAA member for more than 70 years) celebrate 50 years of continual broadcasting: the world's longest running television programme with the same presenter. á á Many astronomers, amateur and professional alike, have been inspired by Patrick and the programme over the years.á Following a suggestion by one ofá the BAA's younger members, Philip Jennings,á they are giving members and others an opportunity to send a personal greeting to Patrick on this unique achievement.á á Visit this webpage where you can add your name and also send a personal greeting or message.á The address is: www.britastro.org/skyatnight50 á á They plan to present Patrick with his "Sky at Night at 50" greetings card and read out some of your messages on the anniversary date.á Hopefully this will come as a pleasant surprise for him.á (via Richard Miles, BAA President) Clear skies, á Terry Moseley
