From: TerryMoselaol.com
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2005 08:29:47 EST
Subject: Quadrantids, Machholz, Sun, meetings
Happy New year to all!
1. The Quadrantid meteors, 3rd best of the annual showers, will peak on
January 3 at 10.00. The peak is shorter & sharper than most meteor showers, so our
best view from Ireland/UK will be jsut before dawn on the 3rd, when we might
see up to 80 meteors per hour from a very dark site. Earlier on Sunday evening,
or after dark on Monday evening, rates will be somewhat less - perhaps 20-50
per hour, in a dark sky, depending on conditions.
This shower is unusual, in that it seems to consist of particles emanating
from an asteroid (2003 EH1), rather than a comet.
The radiant lies in northern Bootes, about halfway between the end of the
handle of the 'Plough' or 'Big Dipper', and the head of Draco.
2. Comet Machholz is now a nice sight in a dark evening sky, West of Orion.
It's about manitude 4, slightly brighter than the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), and
has two shortish tails. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the lovely green
colour! You'll probably only see the colour in binoculars or a telescope. And
there are also reports of short jets emanating from the apparent nucleus,
visible in a medium-sized telescope.
I attach a bitmap file showing its position at 8 p.m. each evening: note
that it's about 1 magnitude brighter than the figure given, which is a pleasant
change!
3. SUN: A new sunspot appeared this week, with increased solar activity. The
active region, NOAA 715, is emitting M-class solar flares. So far no CMEs
have been
directed toward Earth, but this could change in the next few days as the spot
rotates to face Earth. So there's a possibility of aurorae to come: watch
this space, as they say.
4. The next EAAS meeting is on Jan 3, 8 p.m., Thompson Primary School
Ballyrobert, when member Paul Evans will talk on "Eclipses". Admission £3.
5. The next IAA meeting will be on Wed 5 January, 7.30 p.m., Lecture Theatre
5, Stranmillis College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. Dr Katherine Gunn
(Southampton University) will talk on X-Ray Astronomy. Admission free, including light
refreshments. All welcome.
Happy Perihelion! (Tomorrow, 2 January....)
And clear skies for 2005....
Terry Moseley
aol.com Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2005 08:29:47 EST Subject: Quadrantids, Machholz, Sun, meetings Happy New year to all! 1. The Quadrantid meteors, 3rd best of the annual showers, will peak on January 3 at 10.00. The peak is shorter & sharper than most meteor showers, so our best view from Ireland/UK will be jsut before dawn on the 3rd, when we might see up to 80 meteors per hour from a very dark site. Earlier on Sunday evening, or after dark on Monday evening, rates will be somewhat less - perhaps 20-50 per hour, in a dark sky, depending on conditions. This shower is unusual, in that it seems to consist of particles emanating from an asteroid (2003 EH1), rather than a comet. The radiant lies in northern Bootes, about halfway between the end of the handle of the 'Plough' or 'Big Dipper', and the head of Draco. 2. Comet Machholz is now a nice sight in a dark evening sky, West of Orion. It's about manitude 4, slightly brighter than the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), and has two shortish tails. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the lovely green colour! You'll probably only see the colour in binoculars or a telescope. And there are also reports of short jets emanating from the apparent nucleus, visible in a medium-sized telescope. I attach a bitmap file showing its position at 8 p.m. each evening: note that it's about 1 magnitude brighter than the figure given, which is a pleasant change! 3. SUN: A new sunspot appeared this week, with increased solar activity. The active region, NOAA 715, is emitting M-class solar flares. So far no CMEs have been directed toward Earth, but this could change in the next few days as the spot rotates to face Earth. So there's a possibility of aurorae to come: watch this space, as they say. 4. The next EAAS meeting is on Jan 3, 8 p.m., Thompson Primary School Ballyrobert, when member Paul Evans will talk on "Eclipses". Admission £3. 5. The next IAA meeting will be on Wed 5 January, 7.30 p.m., Lecture Theatre 5, Stranmillis College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. Dr Katherine Gunn (Southampton University) will talk on X-Ray Astronomy. Admission free, including light refreshments. All welcome. Happy Perihelion! (Tomorrow, 2 January....) And clear skies for 2005.... Terry Moseley
