As one of the BAA's observing sections, we aim to cover all aspects of those smaller Solar System objects termed asteroids, minor planets, dwarf planets, Centaurs, trans-Neptunian objects, Plutinos, near-Earth objects, plus more recently Exoplanets. Much of the Section's activities will be observation based, so this includes CCD/webcam imaging, astrometry, photometry, occultation monitoring and visual telescopic observation. However there are lots of other areas where you can participate as a Section Member such as those relating to the impact hazard, orbital motion, history of discovery and observation, evolution of the Solar System and spacecraft missions to such bodies to name a few.

The 2019 meeting of the Section will be held at Clanfield Memorial Hall, Clanfield, Hampshire on Sunday, 2019 September 29 from 10am to 5pm. Roughly 50% of the meeting will be devoted to the subject of minor planets in our own Solar System whilst the remaining half will involve exoplanets and in particular the activities of the Exoplanets Division of ARPS headed up by Roger Dymock. Roger aided by Andy Wilson have now set up a dedicated webpage giving some details of this forthcoming meeting. A full announcement will be circulated to section members shortly.

Tim Haymes has uploaded a tutorial on Observing asteroid occultations with digital cameras to the BAA Homepage. In the last few years, star catalogues as well as the orbits of asteroids have become much more precise and so it is now possible to predict these events with a fair certainty. It can be very satisfying and potentially addictive pursuit. Since the predicted time is usually accurate to a few minutes at worse, you do not have to spend to much time performing this type of occultation and it always seems a surprise if you do record a positive event with the star disappearing from view! You can use video or still digital cameras to make a recording - Do read Tim's article as all the details you need to get started are there.

Richard Miles

The Asteroids and Remote Planets external website, is currently in the process of being transferred to this site (as of 2018 Nov 12).

When the transfer of the external site is completed you will be notified here.