SOLENT AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS

There is a change of venue for our monthly meetings. Oasis Academy, Lordshill, have relocated us to their Green Lane site, which is the former Millbrook School. If you come along to any of our meetings on the third Tuesday, you will find us the the room “Science 1”.

If you remember from the last issue, there were two remaining missions for the shuttles. Well now you can take part. Go to http://faceinspace.nasa.gov/ Here you will be able to upload your picture and or name, which will be flown on either Discovery or Endeavour, one of the two last flights. Read the instructions on the first page and click the “Participate” button. After the mission has ended, go back to the site and print off your certificate.

MERCURY is visible during the morning twilight from mid September to early October. If you have a clear eastern horizon, it will be visible as a star-like object. VENUS is getting lower in the sky and will be lost as it approaches inferior conjunction (between the Earth and Sun) on October 29th. During November, it will become a morning object and will appear to climb quite rapidly. MARS is setting in the twilight soon after the Sun, so will be very low down. JUPITER is in Pisces and moves into Aquarius on October 15th. Opposition is on September 21st when it will be visible all night. As the day on Jupiter is less than ten hours, it will be possible to observe a complete rotation of the planet in one night. Go to www.skyandtelescope.com for a calculator that will tell you when the Great Red Spot is visible. SATURN is in conjunction with the Sun on October 1st so will be out of view. You may see it as a morning object in November in Virgo. URANUS is also in Pisces very close to Jupiter. Mid September, it will be above Jupiter, less than 1° away. NEPTUNE is in Capricornus and visible for most of the evening.

During this period the Moon will be New on September 8th, October 7th and November 6th, then Full on September 23rd, October 23rd, and November 21st. There are no eclipses during this period. The Autumnal Equinox is on September 23rd at 03:39 UT. This marks the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere. GMT begins on October 31st. Remember to put your clocks back one hour.

For more information about Solent Amateur Astronomers the club can be contacted through any of the following.

         • at the club’s website: www.delscope.demon.co.uk
         • at my website: www.toothill.org
         • by telephone: Pete Cutler on (023) 8073 4001 or
                                                          07989 904575
         • by e-mail: astropete@toothill.org

Clear Skies