Total Lunar Eclipse - 2011: a poor show at Bangalore

The eclipse that was awaited for long, an eclipse for which many budding amateur astrophotographs were waiting for turned out to be a poor show. The clouds that have been haunting us throughout this observing season turned out in full force and ensured that we only got a partial show of the total eclipse. There was a sizeable crowd that waited patiently - some even beyond 10 pm - but it was a largely disappointing show.

Some of our members who had traveled outside Bangalore seemed to have a better story to tell. We await their report and/or pictures. Here are some pictures taken during the public show at JNP grounds, Bangalore.


Chandrainsky

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Total Lunar Eclipse December 10th 2011

The last full Moon of the year will put up an amazing show this Saturday. We will witness Total Lunar eclipse on 10^th December 2011. 

The umbral eclipse starts at 6:15pm, at this time Moon will be low in the eastern horizon at an altitude of about 6 degrees. Better to get to a place where we have clear view of the horizon with no obstructions from buildings or trees. The shadow will start from NE of the Moon. 

The shadow slowly covers the Moon's surface and the Moon will enter the totality phase at 7:35pm, with the Moon's altitude at 23degrees. 

The totality ends at 8:27pm with the moon's altitude at 36 degrees, the Moon will emerge from totality shadow slowly brightening from the SE. The umbral eclipse of the Moon ends at 9:48pm with the Moon fully coming out of earth's shadow.  

Here are a few sky maps of the eclipse at different stages.

Beginning of eclipse  6:15pm

Start of Totality 7:35pm

End of Totality 8:27pm

End of Lunar Eclipse of December 10th 2011

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Sunspots viewing at ABAA

On Sunday afternoon the sky was clear and this prompted ABAA members T S Madhava, Naveen and Natraj to take out the association's 6inch telescope to show general public the Sunspots and also safe methods of observing the Sunspots. Members also explained the reasons for Sun spots to the curious public. The response was really good with a question and answer session which continued till the sun set.

Here are few photos of the session:

Naveen, Natraj and Madhava setting up the telescope and focusing Sunspots.



Madhava, Naveen and Natraj making final adjustments.

Madhava happy with public response





Public viewing the Sunspot and discussing

Naveen showing Sunspots to Students





ABAA members enjoy Sunspots before Sun disappears behind the tall buildings.

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TELESCOPE MAKING WORKSHOP

ABAA is known for telescope making and over two decades ABAA has conducted Telescope making workshop for students and general public. The Telescope making workshop has been attend by schools and colleges not only from Karnataka but all over the Country. The year ABAA conducted weekend Telescope Making workshop in Bangalore at JNP from August 1st to 13th September. Participants built 6 inch reflecting telescopes, starting from rough grinding, polishing the mirror and assembling the telescope. The workshop started with Mr Chandrashekar introducing participants to the basics in optics, telescopes and mounts. The workshop went on smoothly and all the telescopes were finished in time with good results. This time in the workshop Dobsonian mounts were used.

There telescopes were handed over to the participants on 13th of September in a small function presided by Prof. Shukre, Director of JNP.

The Workshop is conducted under the supervision of Jayanth, President, ABAA. and Mani.

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