From: TerryMosel@aol.com
Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2003 19:01:56 EST
Subject: Comet, Meteors, TV, Lecture, ISS:

Hi all,

Miraculously, I have now observed comet Kudo-Fujikawa for the third night in 
a row! I only had 10x50 binocs, but could see it clearly, estimated magnitude 
6m.5, with a hint of a tail pointing towards Lyra, so it is still brightening 
more or less as predicted.

On the night of 3-4 January, which was clear from sunset to sunrise, as far 
as I can tell, I got 4 hours observation of the Quadrantid meteors. I haven't 
transcribed the tape yet, but saw about 50 meteors, even though the radiant 
was still quite low. I also saw a brief but quite active aurora around 
midnight, very low in the NNE. Having also observed the two comets, and an 
Iridium flare, and some binocular variables before I went to bed at 03.30, it 
was just like the good old days  - being an observer again!

You might like to note the following TV Progs: Sky at Night, tonight, BBC1, 
00.50, on The Sun (repeated next Saturday, 12.10, BBC2); Wed 8 January, 7.30, 
RTE 1 "The Big House" features Birr Castle, the Rosses, and the Leviathan; 
Sat 11 Jan, 21.00 - 22.30, BBC2, "Taken" features 'Alien Abductions' - the 
first in a series, with Steven Spielberg. Apparently more Americans have been 
to Alpha Centauri than to Europe.... Watch it, even if only to see how far 
your jaw drops!

Next IAA lecture, Wed 8 January, 19.30, Stranmillis College, Belfast: Mark 
McCluney will give a talk entitled "How Do They Know That?". Admission and 
light refreshments free; all welcome.

The ISS is now starting another series of morning passes over Ireland, in the 
predawn sky, or twilight: details for your own location are on 
www.heavens-above.com.

Finally, thanks to all who attended our IAA Xmas/New Year Party & film on 
Saturday, including members/visitors from Dublin & Limerick, & made it 
another very enjoyable evening!

Terry Moseley (aka 'Space Cowboy')

Last Revised: 2003 January 7th WWW contact: webmaster@star.arm.ac.uk

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