Friday Observing 10th February

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Quite a number of people (including several students) braved the freezing temperatures (-5C) to benefit from clear skies!

In the observatory, under the ever present risk of a thick layer of frozen snow perched periliously on the edge of the roof, the AY scope secured some fine images to add to the growing collection of Messier objects (principally open clusters).

M103 (NGC 581) an open cluster in Cassiopeia
M41 (NGC 2287) an open cluster in Canis Major
NGC 2264 The Christmas Tree Cluster & the star 15 Monoceros
M34 (NGC 1039) another open cluster in Perseus

Astrology Talk – Monday February 13th at 8pm

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Capricorn Sun Sign - Astrology Talk 13thFeb

As astronomers and good scientists, we should keep our minds open.

So for our February monthly talk, we will tackle the subject of Astrology and cover some aspects you might want to know about, but are too scared to ask!

Our speaker team have views from “it’s total rubbish” to “science can’t explain everything yet”.

Should be interesting… see you at 8pm in the Lecture Theatre.

Special Offer:  Would you like your personal natal (birth) horoscope calculated for the talk?  If you will be there on the night and are happy to share, please say. Just send me your birth date and time (we will keep the year secret, if you prefer).

 

 

Crab Nebula And Other Images From Our BBC Stargazing Event

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Last Monday January 16th, we held a public observing event at our Observatory, as part of the BBC Stargazing Live 2012 programme this year.

It was successful with very clear skies and about 30 people attending.

The following images of 3 Messier objects, were taken on the night with the Alan Young telescope.

Wide-Field Image of Orion

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Wide-Field-Orion-Constellation

Wide-field image of constellation Orion

This nice wide-field picture (click thumbnail image for a larger version) was taken last night at the Observatory by CADSAS member Graham.

He writes:
“One picture for the gallery. I’ve touched it up a bit but this isn’t a stacked output, just a single photo. If you look closely you can just about make out the Orion Nebula.

For those budding astrophotographers the settings for the shot were:
Exposure: 20secs
Aperture: 3.5
ISO: 1600
Focal length: 18mm

Thank you!

 

Alan Young Telescope Adjusted For Better Images

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Last night, some adjustments were made to our big telescope, the Alan Young, to improve alignment.

Then taking advantage of the clear, cold night, some “test” images were taken. These are some of its sharpest images so far.

Here are 3 images of Jupiter with moons and the Orion Nebula M42. (click each thumbnail for a larger version)

Guide To The January Night Sky – Monday 16th January

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As part of the BBC Stargazing LIVE series of events and BBC2 TV programmes next week, we are holding an observing event next Monday 16th January at 8pm.

Come along to the CADSAS observatory for our “Guide to the January Night Sky”.  It’s open to everyone, not just CADSAS members.

This will be a guided outdoor observing session and is weather permitting.  Please ensure you have appropriate clothing etc.

We will have plenty of telescopes and binoculars you can use, plus a number of experienced astronomers to help you.