====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00383 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== When I last prepared the Sky Notes for a general BAA Meeting I asked several people for input and received some excellent material. Since then they've kept me on their mailing list and I regularly receive some fantastic pictures of all sorts of objects. I'm now thinking that many of these deserve a wider audience, not just on the web where many can be seen under "Picture of the Week" but also in the Journal. These, together with short descriptive notes and any other points of interest, particularly if there is some anecdote associated with them, should be sent to Hazel McGee hazelmcgee@btinternet.com Many thanks. Roger Pickard ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Sun Feb 22 18:34:35 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00382 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== I wonder if there is anybody in the Blackburn area who may be prepared to help Zubada Lee? Please let me know if you'd like more information. Roger Pickard, President > Dear BAA > > I am emailing in the hope that you may have a member in the > Blackburn > area. I am in the process of setting an Astronomy Club for a local > school and would appreciate if you could link me to an BAA > individual, > who would like to direct this club. > > Any assistance would be appreciated immensely > > Kind regards > > Zubada Lee ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Sat Feb 21 20:37:25 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00381 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== The following email is, I believe, self explanatory. Roger Pickard >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Erwin van Ballegoij" >> >> To: "AAVSO-DIS" >> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 11:36 AM >> Subject: [AAVSO-DIS] Exchange >> >> >>> This e-mail is intended for those who work in secondary education >>> or have kids in secondary education. >>> Observing variable stars, weather permitting, is my biggest hobby. >>> In daily life I work as a Chemistry, Physics and Science for >>> Public Understanding teacher at a Dutch secondary school. My >>> school offers bilingual education for a limited number of the >>> students. These students receive their education in most subjects >>> in English. One of these activities my school organizes for these >>> students is an exchange. In an exchange our students visit a class >>> in a foreign country. Every student is matched to a foreign >>> student and they stay 5 to 7 days at their place. Some time later >>> the foreign class visits our school and the same happens here. >>> During the stay the pupils are offered an educational program, >>> including activities at school and excursions. The pupils should >>> communicate in English. For my bilingual class I am looking for an >>> exchange partner, preferably somewhere is Europe, for next >>> schoolyear (2009-2010). My students are on average 14 years of >>> age. If there is a teacher who is interested in an exchange, or >>> somebody who has a kid of this age and can convince the secondary >>> school to be involved in an exchange, please contact me directly >>> at aavso.id.bve@home.nl. I can supply you off group with a lot of >>> information about exchange programs and how to (partially) fund >>> them. >>> >>> Clear skies, >>> >>> Erwin van Ballegoij (BVE) >>> Teacher Maaslandcollege in Oss, the Netherlands >>> (http://www.maaslandcollege.nl/home/index.php) ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Fri Feb 20 20:31:52 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00380 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== I'm delighted to advise that Neil Bone has just had an asteroid named in his honour. The following citation has appeared in M.P.C. 65121: Discovered in 1936 July 12 by C. Jackson at Johannesburg. Neil Bone (b. 1959), a British observer and author of several books, founded the Aurora Section of what is now the Society for Popular Astronomy in 1981 and became director of the British Astronomical Association's Meteor Section in 1992. He also compiles the "Society News" notes for Astronomy Now. We offer our sincere congratulations to Neil, not only for his accomplishments as described above but also for his many other achievements. Roger Pickard, President ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Tue Feb 17 22:23:05 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00379 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== The following alert by Andrew Elliott concerns an extremely rare event and I strongly recommend you try to observe it. If clear, the shadow of two objects will cross England in quick succession - Please try and time the event and in particular be prepared for the star to 'disappear' a second time. Good Luck, Richard Miles At around 2307 UT on Thursday night, 2009 February 19, the *binary* asteroid (90) Antiope is predicted to occult the 12th magnitude star TYC 0849-01304-1. In the UK, this star will be at about 42 elevation in azimuth 142 (SE). This is in Leo, about half way between Saturn and Regulus, or 0.6 east of 5.3 magnitude star 53 Leonis. The maximum duration of the occultation for observers in the actual shadow path will be ~5.5 seconds *for each body*, and the visual brightness will drop by 1.6 magnitudes. The shadow tracks of the two components overlap and, according to the latest prediction, observers in the middle third of the combined track should see two separate occultations 5-7 seconds apart. There will be no interference from the moon or twilight. The current update (2009 Feb 06) shows the combined 143 km wide track crossing from east to west over south east England, the south Midlands, Wales, and central RoI, and crossing most major conurbations in the south east. The formal probability of a positive observation is quite high being 71% for observers on the centre line reducing to 48% at the shadow edges. In more detail, in GB, the main shadow crosses Greater London, the Home Counties, the south and central Midlands, and parts of Sussex, Hants, Wilts, Oxon, Gloucs, (former) Avon, and all of Wales except N Wales. The uncertainty zone extends these areas to parts of East Anglia, the northern Midlands, Cheshire, the IoW, Dorset and Somerset. Click on the following link to see the precise tracks plotted on a Google map, and zoom in:-http://www.poyntsource.com/New/Google/20090219_17281.HTM The predicted centre line is shown in green, the shadow track edges in blue, and the 1 standard deviation uncertainty track in red. (Ignore the movable grey lines.) Good planetarium software will aid identification of the correct star. More detailed information, with links to a track map and star charts can be found here:-http://asteroidoccultation.com/2009_02/0219_90_17281.htm Another useful map of the UK showing both components and the area of uncertainty is on the following page (with other occultations):-http://call4obs.iota-es.de/ Click on the small UK map for an enlarged version. There is also a link to a Word document containing much more detailed information about the circumstances of the double occultation. As with all predictions of this type, there is some uncertainty in the precise location of the track, although in this case the prediction is expected to be quite accurate. For visual observers, the star should be just visible in 4" aperture telescopes, but to reliably observe the occultation(s) a larger aperture would be preferable. Those with integrating CCD video cameras e.g. Mintron, Stellacam, Watec 120N, or integrating CCDs would probably need larger apertures, above 8", to achieve acceptable time resolution. Sensitive CCD video cameras e.g. Watec 902H, would require larger apertures still, but are capable of producing the highest timing accuracy. The star should appear brighter (Mr 11.0) in CCD cameras and the magnitude drop correspondingly greater (2.1). Scientifically valuable information can be obtained from accurate timings of the disappearance *and* reappearance of occulted stars. A single positive timing can yield a position relative to the star of several times higher precision than standard astrometry. Combined timings from observers distributed across the track can yield the size and shape of the asteroid. Even more valuable information can be obtained from this particular occultation to define the size, shape, separation and orientation of the binary components. Observers wishing to make serious *visual* timings (to better than 1 second) will need a multi-lap stopwatch or a tape/digital voice recorder linked with an accurate UT time signal. Those with video and CCD systems sensitive enough to record the events, will need some method of accurately time-stamping the events, or otherwise relating them to UT. Integrating CCDs can be used in fast frame readout or 'drift scan' mode. Observations of this event from suitably equipped observers have been requested by professional colleagues. So serious timings of positive occultations would be welcomed by the undersigned, as would definite negative events from within or just outside the predicted shadow track. It is normal practice to observe or record for 2 minutes either side of the predicted occultation time above, although the formal time uncertainty is expected to be only a few seconds. A specimen report form can be found here:-http://astrosurf.com/eaon/Report%20form.htm Please email any reports to me, or contact me if you need assistance with timing methods or completing the form. The required accurate latitude and longitude (WGS84 datum) can be obtained from the Google Map above (at the highest zoom level on the 'Satellite' view), before or after the event. Elevation above Mean Sea Level is also required, preferably from an OS map. Good luck and clear skies! Andrew Elliott Assistant Director (Occultations), Asteroids and Remote Planets Section Email: ae [at] f2s [dot] com ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Mon Feb 16 20:43:04 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00377 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== The Exhibition Meeting website (URL below) has been updated with information on exhibitors, and activities throughout the day. Further details will be added in due course. Lorraine Crook Exhibition Meeting Organiserhttp://www.britastro.org/exhibition E-mail : lorraine@hamal.demon.co.uk Mobile : 07964759278 ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Sat Jan 31 21:49:12 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00376 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== We regret that due to an error at the printers, the Index to the 2008 Journal is not in fact included in the 2009 February issue which members will be receiving shortly. It will now be printed in the April issue. Meanwhile a PDF copy can be downloaded from this address:http://www.britastro.org/journal/pdf/119-1index118.pdf We apologise to members for any inconvenience. Best regards Hazel McGee Journal Editor ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Fri Jan 30 15:36:55 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00375 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== At the March Council meeting, Council will consider nominations for the Association's Medals and Awards for 2009. If any members wish to nominate a fellow member for some notable contribution, please send a suitably worded citation to the Business Secretary no later than 2009 March 6th. All nominations must be in writing and signed by two sponsors. Please try to confine citations to one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Conditions relating to each award are given below. Members are requested to read the conditions carefully and to ensure that citations comply with the conditions for the relevant award. MERLIN MEDAL & GIFT The award shall ordinarily be made not more than once in any year and not less often than one every five years, the year being reckoned to start at each Annual General Meeting. This award shall be made in recognition of a notable contribution to the advancement of astronomy. If two or more persons have been jointly concerned in any particular work, a joint award may be made, in which case each recipient shall receive a medal and gift. LYDIA BROWN MEDAL & GIFT This award shall be made at the discretion of the Council. This award shall be in recognition of meritorious service to the Association in an honorary capacity over many years on grounds that would not qualify a nominee for either the Walter Goodacre or Merlin Awards. If two or more persons have been jointly concerned in any particular work, a joint award may be made, in which case each recipient shall receive a medal and gift. THE STEAVENSON AWARD This award shall be made at the discretion of the Council. This shall be awarded to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to observational astronomy. HORACE DALL MEDAL & GIFT The award shall be made at the discretion of the Council but not more than once in any calendar year. It shall be made to the person whether or not a member of the Association, who has shown marked ability in the making of Astronomical Instruments. If two or more people have been jointly concerned in a particular work then each person may receive a medal and gift. Ron Johnson, Business Secretary ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Mon Jan 26 19:50:48 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00374 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== Instruments and Imaging Section This year the Association is introducing an Internet-based system allowing Members access to robotic telescopes and imaging systems at attractive rates. Jeff Moreland has recently been appointed Robotic Telescope Coordinator, under the auspices of the Instruments and Imaging Section, and preliminary information is now on the Section website (URL below). Follow the link to Robotic Telescope Project. The website has also been updated with Tom Boles' latest supernova discoveries. R.A. Marriott Directorram@hamal.demon.co.ukhttp://www.britastro.org/iandi ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Sun Jan 18 23:41:04 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin No. 00373 http://www.britastro.org/ ====================================================================== I would like to remind you that the next meeting of the BAA will be on Wednesday 28th January in the new lecture room, Burlington House. Our speakers are Dr Nick Achilleos (UCL) Modelling & Observations of the ionospheres & magnetosphere of Jupiter and Saturn with John Rogers giving a talk about the observations of Jupiter and a brief section update. David Arditti will be doing Sky Notes Doors open at 17.00 and the meeting will start at 17.30 and is due to finish by 20.00 Hazel Hazel Collett Meeting Secretary ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletins service. E-mail: circadmin@britastro.org To unsubscribe please send an e-mail to circadmin@britastro.org Bulletin transmitted on Sun Jan 11 10:25:18 GMT 2009 (c) 2009 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/ ======================================================================
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