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

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).

M67 OpenCluster - 27 Jan12 (click for larger)

Continuing our quest to capture images of the Messier objects, we secured another one at last night’s observing session

This image was captured using the Alan Young 22.5″ reflector telescope.

M67 (NGC 2682) in Cancer. An open cluster known to be one of the oldest in excess of 10 billion years old!!

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 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!

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)

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.

It’s offered by Dr David Mannion FRAS (just a few years ago he taught my son Physics and was quite inspirational).

For more information including contact details, please see his website:
http://www.worldofastronomy.org.uk/

Kevin

Interested to find out about the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Geneva?  Come to our talk on Monday 9th January 2012 at 8pm.

Hear Dr. Colin Lally present an introduction to the LHC, plus some recent results achieved.

(Free for CADSAS members, Cranbrook School students and all accompanied under-16s. Others £2)