20 September 2010

First light of ATM workshop telescope

It was a nice evening at ABAA on Sunday 19th, as the first telescope of this year's ATM workshop saw the first light. The 6 inch telescope mirror was ground and polished by ATM workshop participant Amrutha. The skies were pretty decent, as shiva prasad described it, with very little haze. Later the haze also cleared. The First object the telescope observed was Moon, in gibbous stage. Members and ATM participants enjoyed observing moon's surface and few photos were taken, thanks to Anita and her iPhone 3GS.


Next was the giant planet Jupiter. Witnessing the transit of IO on the surface of Jupiter and wonderful sight of emergence of IO was a good experience.


Congratulations to Amrutha for completing the telescope. In coming couple of Sundays all the telescope will see the first light.




Moon taken through Amrutha's telescope with 9mm eyepiece. Camera is Anita's iPhone 3GS.


Another pic of Moon taken through Amrutha's telescope again with 25mm eyepiece. Camera is Anita's iPhone 3GS.


Vinay trying to photograph Moon with his mobile phone. Anita and Shiva waiting to see the result.


17 September 2010

Mercury greatest Western elongation

On Sunday 19th, the planet Mercury will reach Greatest Western elongation. It is called Western elongation because the planet will be west of Sun, although we will be seeing the planet in Eastern horizon. Maximum angular separation of Mercury from the Sun will be 18degrees. As Mercury will be low in the horizon, clear horizon is essential. Mercury will rise at 5am and will reach little comfortable viewing altitude of 12 degrees at 5:50am.

Sun will rise at 6:08am on Sunday.


06 September 2010

Aluminized Mirrors

First set of mirrors from the on going ATM workshop are now aluminized and was brought to ABAA on Sunday evening.
Here are few photos of the Aluminized mirrors.

Jayanth, President of ABAA checking the Aluminized surface.


Mirrors in the Box

All mirrors now waiting to be assembled.


Teachers from Namma shale, Jayanth and Viji(from right to left), Jayanth explaining the process.



03 September 2010

Planets for the Month

Mercury:

Mercury will reach inferior conjunction on September 3rd. It will be lost in the Sun's glare in the first week of September. During second week, Mercury will be too close to eastern horizon at around 8 degrees at 6am. After 15th the planet Mercury will be little easy to spot if there is a clear horizon. Mercury will reach greatest elongation on 19th September, the angular separation from the Sun will be 18degrees. Mercury will be in the constellation of Leo all month.


Date

Rise

1st Sep

06:35:00 AM

8th Sep

05:35:00 AM

15th Sep

05:02:00 AM

22nd Sep

04:59:00 AM

29th Sep

05:15:00 AM


Venus:

Venus will continue to dominate the evening western sky all this month. On 11th September, Venus and crescent Moon will be close to each other at a separation of just 1 degree.


Date

Set

1st Sep

08:53:00 PM

8th Sep

08:43:00 PM

15th Sep

08:31:00 PM

22nd Sep

08:16:00 PM

29th Sep

07:57:00 PM

Venus and Mars

Mars:

The red planet will be in the constellation of Virgo all month. Mars can be spotted in the western sky evening sky 6 degrees north of Venus.


Date

Set

1st Sep

08:50:00 PM

8th Sep

08:38:00 PM

15th Sep

08:26:00 PM

22nd Sep

08:15:00 PM

29th Sep

08:04:00 PM


Jupiter:

Jupiter is well placed for observations as it rises early in the evening. The giant planet will the brightest “star” in the region at -2.5 magnitude.

On 19th September, Jupiter and Uranus will be close each other at an angular separation of 48 minutes of arc. An 8 inch f/8 telescope with 32mm eyepiece will show the giant planet and Uranus in single field.

Jupiter will reach opposition on September 21st , this means, the planet Jupiter, Earth and the Sun will be the straight line. As a result, Jupiter will rise as the Sun sets, giving observers chance to study the planet all night.


Date

Rise

1st Sep

07:41:39 PM

8th Sep

07:11:24 PM

15th Sep

06:40:56 PM

22nd Sep

06:10:22 PM

29th Sep

05:39:48 PM


Field in binocular

Saturn:

Saturn, now low in the western horizon is getting difficult to spot. In the constellation of Virgo, the planet Saturn will be lost in the Sun's glare towards the end of the month.


Date

Set

1st Sep

07:58:32 PM

8th Sep

07:33:42 PM

15th Sep

07:08:56 PM

22nd Sep

06:44:14 PM

29th Sep

06:19:33 PM


Uranus:

Uranus can be easily be seen through a 10X50 binoculars. Now its easier as Jupiter can be taken as reference. Pick up the binoculars and point it towards Jupiter and keep the Jupiter at the center of field. Just 1 degrees west to Jupiter you will find 5.7th magnitude Uranus.

Uranus will also reaches opposition on 21st of September, same day as Jupiter.


Date

Rise

1st Sep

07:34:44 PM

8th Sep

07:06:20 PM

22nd Sep

06:09:28 PM

29th Sep

05:41:02 PM




Neptune:

Neptune will be in the constellation of Capricornus in the month of August. Planet Neptune can be found at 4 degrees NE of delta Capricorni. Neptune is at magnitude of 7.8. Neptune will be just 1 degree NE of mu Capricorni


Date

Rise

1st Sep

05:44:39 PM

8th Sep

05:16:30 PM

15th Sep

04:48:22 PM

22nd Sep

04:20:17 PM

29th Sep

03:52:15 PM


Pluto:

Pluto still is in the rich star field of constellation Sagittarius at 14th Magnitude.


Phases of Moon:


New moon: 08 Sep 2010

First quarter: 15 Sep 2010

Full moon: 23 Sep 2010

Last quarter: 01 Oct 2010


Sun:

Sun will be in the constellation of Leo till middle of September and move to Virgo.


Equinox:

On 23rd September at approximately 8:40am the Sun reaches RA of 12h and Dec of 0 degress, this is Autumnal Equinox. This point is also called as First point of Libra.