Lunar Images From Our Recent Autumn Skywatch Public Meeting

We held an Autumn Skywatch on 10th October for our members and the general public who wanted to come along. The clouds did not look promising that afternoon, but cleared pretty well by 8pm.

Many of our telescopes were set up outside and a good range of astronomical targets were observed, guided by our more knowledgeable members.

Here are three images captured that night with our big telescope, the Alan Young. They have been reduced in resolution for the web.

Clvius and Tycho

Clavius and Tycho

Archimedes and Plato

Archimedes and Plato

Monte Apenninus and Caucasus

Monte Apenninus and Caucasus

Guide to the Spring Night Sky – 12th March

nextmeetingbanner_SpringNightSky12thMarch2012

Guide to the Spring Night Sky - 7pm 12th March 2012

At 7pm Monday 12th March, we are welcoming all visitors for an outdoor observing session (weather permitting).

It will be a guide to the Spring Night Sky.

We shall wave our arms, shine laser pointers upwards and generally try to explain, what is up there in the sky to see at this time of year.

Hope to see you. It starts at 7pm (note earlier time) Monday 12th March at the CADSAS
Observatory

Friday Observing 10th February

Quite a number of people (including several students) braved the freezing temperatures (-5C) to benefit from clear skies!

In the observatory, under the ever present risk of a thick layer of frozen snow perched periliously on the edge of the roof, the AY scope secured some fine images to add to the growing collection of Messier objects (principally open clusters).

M103 (NGC 581) an open cluster in Cassiopeia
M41 (NGC 2287) an open cluster in Canis Major
NGC 2264 The Christmas Tree Cluster & the star 15 Monoceros
M34 (NGC 1039) another open cluster in Perseus

Guide To The January Night Sky – Monday 16th January

As part of the BBC Stargazing LIVE series of events and BBC2 TV programmes next week, we are holding an observing event next Monday 16th January at 8pm.

Come along to the CADSAS observatory for our “Guide to the January Night Sky”.  It’s open to everyone, not just CADSAS members.

This will be a guided outdoor observing session and is weather permitting.  Please ensure you have appropriate clothing etc.

We will have plenty of telescopes and binoculars you can use, plus a number of experienced astronomers to help you.

Friday Observing – 25th November

Last night at the Cadsas Observatory, we used the AY main spotter ‘scope to take some slighter wider field images under a somewhat misty sky!

Two nice images secured (see below – click each for a larger version):

1. The Pleiades or Seven Sisters open cluster. Another Messier object – M45 near Taurus.

The Pleiades or Seven Sisters open cluster. Another Messier object - M45 near Taurus.

The Pleiades or Seven Sisters open cluster. Another Messier object - M45 near Taurus.

2. The Perseus open Double Cluster, designated NGC 869 & NGC 884

The Perseus open Double Cluster, designated NGC 869 & NGC 884

The Perseus open Double Cluster, designated NGC 869 & NGC 884

Friday Observing – 21st October

Last night’s viewing was good with five participants.

The Alan Young telescope bagged another Messier object (M39 – NGC7092) an open cluster (unfortunately image is slightly out of focus).

Also imaged various regions in Cygnus. Two images below:-

Gienah-epsilon-Cygni

Gienah (epsilon Cygni) - Alan Young telescope 21/10/2011

Albireo-beta-Cygni

Albireo (beta Cygni) - Alan Young telescope 21/10/2011

Friday 14th October Observing

Last night at the Observatory, we had our usual (if clear skies) Friday evening observing session.

Good viewing conditions enabled us to capture FOUR Messier objects with the AY ‘scope: 

  1. Andromeda Nebula M32
  2. M2 Globular cluster in Aquarius
  3. M15 Globular cluster in Pegasus
  4. M57 the fantastic Ring Nebula in Lyra

Also some nice views of the 17day old Moon.

Here are a selection of images taken: