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.

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Occultation of Europa by Io

This Sunday the 6th of December, there is a very good reason for taking your telescopes out. Train your telescopes to the planet Jupiter at 8:30pm IST and you will notice that Io and Europa are very close to each other. Observe for couple of minutes more and you can notice that they are getting closer and closer. Yes, your guess is right, there will be an occultation of the Galilean moons Io and Europa. Io will occult Europa this evening, starting at 8:49pm IST. The event can be seen from all parts of India, the timings are for Bangalore co ordinates. Its better to start observing the moons from 8:45pm IST and time the event. The event will be for 5 minutes but better and accurate timing is a good exercise.

Io will be getting closer to Jupiter in its orbit and Europa is moving away from Jupiter.

Here are images that will help you in locating the planet Jupiter and one to help identifying the moons. Click in image for larger version.

Images generated from Cartes du ciel

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