From: TerryMoselaol.com

Subject: Krauss @ QUB, Near-miss, Andor, Leo's lecture, Sunspot, Jup Moons, Dublin talk

Date: 6 September 2014 02:50:40 BST

Hi all,

ƒŠƒŠƒŠ

1.ƒŠSpecial Krauss lecture at QUB: Taking advantage of the visit to Belfast by world famous cosmologist Lawrence Krauss (see last bulletin), the IAA is teaming up with the Astrophysics Research Centre at QUB (to which sincere thanks are due)ƒŠto present a public lecture by himƒŠon 22 October. Full details are being finalised by Prof Stephen Smart, but that talk willƒŠprobably beƒŠon Cosmology and/or dark matter, on both of whichƒŠKrauss is an expert. Start time 7.30 p.m., inƒŠLarmor Lecture Theatre, QUB. Free admission but by email ticket application only. More details in next bulletin, but keep the date free!

ƒŠƒŠ Lawrence Krauss is a renowned cosmologist, and author of many best-selling books such as "The Fifth Essence" (Dark Matter); "The Physics of Star Trek"; "A Universe From Nothing"; "Quintessence, The Search For Missing Mass In The Universe", "Beyond Star Trek"; "Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth...and Beyond"; and many articles in various science journals. He is also the ONLY physicist to have received awards from all three of the major American Physics Societies. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_M._Krauss.

ƒŠƒŠ By coincidence, this story on dark matter has just broken: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140904121241.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29. Intuitively, IƒŠlike it, although the science is of course totally beyond me!

ƒŠ

2. Another Asteroid Near-Miss:ƒŠ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2743450/Asteroid-close-shave-Earth-Sunday-Rock-come-TEN-TIMES-closer-planet-moon.html

On Sunday, Sept. 7th, a house-sized asteroid named "2014 RC" will fly through the Earth-Moon system approximately 40,000 km from our planet. At closest approach, the space rock will be almost inside the orbit of Earth's geosynchronous satellites.ƒŠ Amateur astronomers, especially those in the southern hemisphere, may be able to observe the flyby. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.

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3. EXCLUSIVE: Visit to Andor Technology Camera Facility, 13 September: The IAA has arranged a special visit to the Andor Technology Camera manufacturing facility in Belfast. As many of you will know, Andor make some of the best - inƒŠmany cases the best - high-end digital cameras in the world. They are used in every scientific application imaginable, including of course astronomy, and they can be found in many of the world's top observatories, and in spacecraft. They are also moving into the range of amateur astronomers, having recently acquired Apogee Instruments. Thanks to Dr Andy McCrea we have arranged a free special visit for IAA members, and friends, to this facility, on Saturday 13 September.

Programme:

1200 Meet in Andor Reception

Introductory welcome and short talk

Lunch (Free, provided by Andor) in their canteen

Tour of the Clean Room and factory assembly floor

Talks on the range of cameras and their applications

Talk on solar astronomy imaging using Andor camerasƒŠby Prof Mihalis Mathioudakis of the Astrophysics Research Centre inƒŠQUBƒŠ(link from QUB/ Professor Smart)

Q&A Discussion

Finish - say 1530

ƒŠ This is an exceptional opportunity to see and learn all about the latest developments and future plans for top class astronomical imaging equipment. Andor will also be interested in feedback from expert amateur users of digital imagers, so this is your opportunity to let them know what YOU would like to see available.

ƒŠƒŠ Spaces are limited, so you must register your intention to attend. Please send your name and contact details to Dr Andy McCrea (of North Down Telescopes: email s.mccrea980btinternet.com) to ensure that you get a place, and mark your diaries now!

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4. IAA New Season Opening Lecture 24 Sep: Latest Science Results from Rosetta, by Leo Enright

ƒŠThis talk by Ireland's leading science broadcaster and journalist, will reveal the latest findings from the fantastic Rosetta spacecraft at Comet C-G. As you can see from some of the images, the comet is weird - absolutely unlike anything we've seen before. And Leo usually updates his talk from the InternetƒŠjust about 10 minutes before he's due to start, so it will be the VERY latest information. Not to be missed!

The lectureƒŠis free and open to all, including free refreshments.ƒŠVenue: the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast, at 7.30 p.m.ƒŠ

ƒŠƒŠ Thanks to the Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, for help in hosting these lectures.

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5. Large sunspot appearing:

The SOHO website showsƒŠthat a fairly large sunspot, AR2158, is comingƒŠonto the visible side of the discƒŠand mayƒŠbe worth keeping an eye onƒŠin case it produces any CMEs which could give an aurora.ƒŠ SeeƒŠ

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/

ƒŠƒŠ There's also the possibility of an aurora this weekend, but it will probably only be visible at high latitudes. Also, the Moon will be rather bright.ƒŠ

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6. Comet Jacques. This comet is proving disappointing, being now below 11th magnitude, and only visible in a good telescope. You can find details and a star chart on www.heavens-above.com. Scroll down to Astronomy, and then Comets.

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7. Fascinating and rare Jupiter satellite event:

ƒŠƒŠƒŠOn the morning of 12 Sep at about 05.00 the shadows of both Ganymede and Callisto will be well visible on the planet's disc, and if you can follow the scene into the brightening twilight youâÀÙll see Ganymede enter into transit as well! The timetable will be (all times BST)

02.57: Ganymede Shadow Ingress

04.26: Callisto Shadow Ingress

05.58: Ganymede Ingress.

By 06.10 the sky will probably be too bright. Use a fairly high power to darken the sky background from about 05.30.

ƒŠƒŠ If you want to photograph the triple event, do so just as soon as Ganymede is mainly onto the disc, before the sky gets too bright. Also, the contrast between Ganymede and Jupiter itself is greatest when the satellite is silhouetted against the darker planet limb. As it progresses onto the brighter area of the disc, the contrast is lost.

ƒŠ Those in the W of the island will have the best view, as the Sun will be lower below the horizonƒŠat that critical stage.

ƒŠƒŠƒŠƒŠ You can find predictions for the times of all the satellite events on various websites, such as http://www.rasnz.org.nz/SolarSys/JovSatJul.htm.

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8. Astrophotography talk in Dublin: To coincide with the release of his new DVD âÀÜHigh Resolution AstrophotographyâÀÝ Damian Peach will be giving a talk/workshop and signing copies of his New DVD fromƒŠthe lecture room at Scopes and Space on 13th of September. Start time 13.00. Damian will also be on the astronomy show on 103.2 Dublin city FM http://www.dublincityfm.ie/programmes/special-interest/astronomy-show on Tuesday 9 September at 20.00.ƒŠOnly 30 places available, book now to avoid disappointment. Price: âÂ?20, Location: Scopes and Space Ltd; call on 01-890 2736 to book your seat

9. Culture Night 2014 with Deirdre Kelleghan at Dunsink Observatory Dublin. FREE tickets forƒŠthe Action Comet Children's Workshop (age 5-9) at Dunsink Observatory Sept 19th 5pm - Culture Night 2014 click the button onƒŠher home page and get your eticket !!!ƒŠ http://www.deirdrekelleghan.net/

10. IAA Observing Nights at Delamont Country Park

These very popular weekendƒŠobserving sessions will start again this month. Delamont is well signposted off the A22 just South of Killyleagh, (North of Downpatrick)ƒŠCo Down. They are suitable for anyone, but are aimed especially at beginners.

We bring our own large telescopes; bring your own if you have a portable one.

ƒŠƒŠThe eventsƒŠwork like this: If it's clear on the Friday night, the event goes ahead. If not, we try again on the Saturday night. If both are cloudy, we try again on the following weekend, same procedure. To check if it's going ahead, check the IAA website: www.irishastro.org up to 6.0 p.m.ƒŠon each day. Dates for first session: Sep 19-20 If cloudy, we'll try again on Sep 26-27.

ƒŠƒŠƒŠƒŠƒŠ

11. ASTROMASTER LA PALMA, Sep 27 - Oct 3,ƒŠ2014:ƒŠƒŠAdvanced Landscape Astrophotography & Time-lapse.ƒŠ(From Ana on La Palma): There are a couple of places left for this Sept. Please share this if you know someone that might be interested. Iƒ?d really appreciate it.

"Join TWAN Photographers Babak Tafreshi (the founder and director) and Christoph Malin (dedicated timelapse photographer, TWAN-Austria) for a world-class week-long workshop on night sky photography and timelapse imaging and processing. Started in 2013 the Astromaster workshops have been a great success that inspiredƒŠ photographers and amateur astronomers who attended the event from across the world. La Palma, home to one of the world's notable observatories, isƒŠ a stargazers paradise in the Canaries. Registration fees include full board accommodation, transportation andƒŠ course fees.

ƒŠMore here: astromaster.astrolapalma.com"

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12. World Space Week: October 4 to 11; UK Launch in N. Ireland!

There will be events in various parts of the province.ƒŠMore news on this excellent coup by Robert Hill in the next bulletin.

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13. ASTROARCHAEOLOGY TRIP TO NEWGRANGE and KNOWTH, 11 October: Following the success of last years' trip,ƒŠStranmillis UniversityƒŠCollege Institute of LifeLong Learning haveƒŠasked meƒŠto run another one, on 11 October, but this time including a visit to the Knowth Tomb as well. It has the largest collection of Megalithic art anywhere in Europe in one single site, some of which is reckoned to be astronomical. Booking for thus very popular, non-technical trip, is via the Stranmillis website www.stran.ac.uk, or go direct to http://www.stran.ac.uk/media/media,456138,en.pdfƒŠand scroll down to p. 23, or pick up a brochure from Reception.

ƒŠƒŠ This trip is booking quickly, so reserve your places now if you want to go!

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14. The Elements in the Universe:ƒŠ Ulster Museum, 11 October, 12.00 - 4.30). this event will beƒŠlooking at the Universe from an elemental point of view.ƒŠDr Mike Simms willƒŠbe there withƒŠhis meteorites. He has also invited IAA members to participate,ƒŠparticularly those withƒŠtelescopes, especially if linked to spectroscopy of the Sun and stars. If anyone is interested in being involved, pleaseƒŠcontactƒŠMike so thatƒŠhe can plan the event. michael.simmsnmni.comƒŠ

15. ROSETTAƒŠnow orbiting Comet.ƒŠThe Rosetta spacecraftƒŠcontinues toƒŠ'orbit'ƒŠroundƒŠComet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, sending back some jawdropping photos.ƒŠAfter studying the 'binary' surface in more detail, it will land a probe on the surface. Watch out for some amazing photos.ƒŠƒŠSee http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/24jul_rosetta/

See: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140904153803.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29, and http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/05sep_rosetta/

This will be the topic for the IAA's opening lecture of the new season, by the incomparable Leo Enright.

ƒŠSee 4, above:

ƒŠ

16. COMETƒŠNEAR-MISS WITH MARS,ƒŠOct 19:

Comet Siding Spring will pass 134,000 kilometresƒŠfrom Mars onƒŠOctober 19. The neutral-gasƒŠcoma of the comet, whichƒŠextends for more thanƒŠ100,000 kilometres in all directions from the nucleus,ƒŠmay well interact with the atmosphere of the planet. Ions mayƒŠextend away than that, and the tailƒŠis millions ofƒŠkilometres long.ƒŠAs a precaution, the orbits of the Martian orbiters have been altered to place them on the safe side of the planet during the most dangerous part of the encounter, which will occur whenƒŠMars' path through the comet's tail reaches the region ofƒŠhighest dust density, about 100 minutes after closest approach.

ƒŠNevertheless, every effort will be made to get good observations from the comet from all the spacecraft on or near the Red Planet. Siding Spring is a long-period comet on its first visit toƒŠthe inner Solar System andƒŠspacecraft designed to studyƒŠMarsƒŠup-closeƒŠare not idea forƒŠgood observations ofƒŠthe tinyƒŠcomet nucleus muchƒŠfurther away.ƒŠ

ƒŠƒŠ The comet'sƒŠcomaƒŠof dust and ice particles are the main hazard for the orbiters, but will not affect theƒŠrovers on the surface which will be protected by Mars' atmosphere. Even though it's much thinner than ours, theƒŠtiny particles in the comaƒŠwill burn up without reaching theƒŠground.

EachƒŠspacecraftƒŠwill observe the comet as best as possible using its respective instruments. MostƒŠattention will be on the comet's coma -- its size, composition, the size of the particles,ƒŠhow itƒŠvaries with time, and the jets from the nucleus.ƒŠThey will also studyƒŠtheƒŠcomet's effect on the Martian atmosphere. AndƒŠone spacecraft may possibly be able to image the tiny nucleus ofƒŠthe comet, only 1-2 kilometres across,ƒŠas it passes byƒŠatƒŠthe challengingƒŠrelative speed of 57 km/s.ƒŠBut most instrumentsƒŠwill be able to see the coma or the coma'sƒŠeffects on the atmosphere.

The spacecraft involved are: 1. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Has 3 cameras plusƒŠan imaging spectrometer and a radar sounder. 2. Mars Express. Will use HRSC camera andƒŠultraviolet/infrared atmospheric spectrometer. 3. Mars Odyssey. Will use THEMIS thermal emissionƒŠimaging system. 4. MAVEN, arriving 2014. Has a suite of instruments devoted toƒŠMars' upper atmosphere, but no camera. 5. Mars Orbiter Mission, arriving 2014. Has a varied instrumentƒŠsuite but not sureƒŠif it will be performing Siding SpringƒŠobservations.

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17. NEXT YEAR'S STAR PARTIES:ƒŠƒŠ

Galway Astrofest: Feb 21, 2015, Theme: "New Worlds - New Horizons" Excellent speaker line-up already!ƒŠ See http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/

ƒŠCOSMOS: April 17th to 19th 2015, Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

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18. INTERESTING WEBLINKS:ƒŠ

ƒŠhttp://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/05sep_ozonelayer/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2744925/The-universe-ve-NEVER-seen-Animations-reveal-stunning-nebulae-cosmos-3D.html. The animation may take some time to load.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2745314/Mystery-missing-Europa-geysers-Disappearance-water-vapour-jets-Jupiter-s-moon-leaves-scientists-baffled.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/feynman-lectures-on-physics-online-free_n_5753056.htmlƒŠThese are generally reckoned to be the best lectures on modern physics ever given!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/11-rocks-on-mars-illusions_n_5697695.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/03/solar-system-missions-map_n_5759180.html?ir=ScienceƒŠThis is fascinating.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2743467/Is-Titan-MORE-Earth-like-thought-Lakes-Saturn-s-moon-fed-springs-ethane-propane.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2743375/Are-two-suns-better-one-50-planets-like-Tatooine-number-worlds-orbiting-binary-stars-revealed-common-thought.htmlƒŠAs a general rule, for the development of advanced life, probably not!

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2014/08311314-hayabusa-2-complete.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2742440/Forget-Rosetta-Japan-reveals-spacecraft-land-ASTEROID-return-samples-2020.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/article-2741050/Land-Rover-joins-space-race-new-compact-seven-seater-4X4.html

What's inside asteroids? http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140902205143.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29ƒŠ

Amazing new depiction of our Galactic Supercluster: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2742446/Welcome-Laniakea-3D-map-super-cluster-galaxies-contains-Milky-Way.htmlƒŠand

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903133319.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29ƒŠ

New clues and theory on solar cycle: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903104743.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29ƒŠ

How much gravity do astronauts need? http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903163538.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29ƒŠ

Dark gas cloud imagedƒŠhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903091720.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29ƒŠ

New theory on solar cycle: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903204127.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_technology+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Technology+News%29

Solar magnetic sub-storms: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140902114721.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

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19. TWITTER:ƒŠFollow theƒŠIAAƒŠon Twitter: The account is now operational again as before: IaaAstro.

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20. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://documents.irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc

ƒŠƒŠ ƒŠIf you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you.ƒŠYou can also make aƒŠdonation via Paypal if you wish: just click on the 'Donate' button.ƒŠƒŠSee also www.irishastro.org.ƒŠ

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Finally,ƒŠin tribute to the late great John Dobson, a quote from him which is typical of the man, and very appropriate:ƒŠ "If you figure something out for yourself, it doesn't make no never-mind who figured it out first, it's yours."

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Clear skies,

Terry Moseley

mob: (0044) (0) 7979 300842

I'm now back on Twitter (occasionally - I don't have enough time!), after some temporary hiccups: terrymoseley2

ƒŠ

Terry Moseley