Sunday 18 September 2016

Penumbral eclipse, First meeting, Major meteorite impact site found, Mercury etc

Hi all,

 

1. A Partial Penumbral Lunar Eclipse tonight. The Full Moon tonight will look just a little bit dimmer than usual as it rises: it will be mostly in the penumbra, the faint outer part of the Earth's shadow. this will cause a faint dimming of the N part of the Moon's disc, but it will be barely noticeable unless you look carefully.

   The magnitude of the eclipse is 0.93, i.e. that's the amount of the moon's diameter which will pass inside the penumbra.

   The eclipse starts with the Moon still below the horizon from here: at the time of maximum eclipse at 19.54 BST the Moon will only be 1.6 degrees above the horizon from Belfast, and lower the further West you are. The eclipse ends at 21.56, when the Moon's altitude from Belfast will be 17 degrees.

 

2.  IAA Opening Public Lecture Meeting, 21 Sep; Prof Alan Fitzsimmons of QUB, will be the star opening speaker, on the Topic "Sungrazing Comets - Falling Into Hell". Alan is one of our greatest supporters and most popular speakers, and has given us more superb lectures than I can count! This once again promises to be an excellent start to our new lecture season. 

For an example, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3724208/Watch-amazing-moment-comet-crashes-fiery-death-passes-past-sun-1-3-MILLION-miles-hour.html 

7.30 p.m., Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, QUB. Free admission, including light refreshments.

 

3. IAA Member Dr Mike Simms' major asteroid impact paper and V documentary:

Documentary about the Scottish impact deposit will be aired on Channel 4 on 24th September. See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-37360696
From Mike: Also coverage in the Times, various Scottish papers, and the Daily Mail Online (how could they get it so wrong?!): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3786339/Asteroid-slammed-Earth-1-2-billion-years-ago-bigger-one-killed-dinosaurs.html

 

4. AstroPhoto Exhibition, Linenhall Library, Belfast, until 30 Sep. We're delighted to have in Belfast the amazingly popular and successful astrophoto exhibition that featured recently in Dublin. This runs until 30 September. Free admission. A MUST SEE!

 

5.  Annular solar eclipse, Africa, 1 Sep. This was only visible in Africa, Madagascar, S. Arabia, and parts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. I was invited to lead the Independent Traveler group to Katavi National Park in Tanzania to see it. We got a superb view in totally clear skies - I'll try to show a few photos at the start of our meeting on Wed 21, if there's time. And the safari drives were amazing too.

For another story, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3769879/African-stargazers-enjoy-ring-fire-eclipse.html (Good old DM - doesn't know East from West. La Reunion is EAST of Madagascar.)

 

6. Autumn Equinox, 22 Sep at 15.21 BST/IST. Start of Autumn in N. Hemisphere.

 

7. The Annual Institute of Physics Teachers Conference

 " Frontiers of Physics 2016", Sat Sept 24th DIT Grangegorman Campus, Dublin 7
Although primarily for teachers of physics, many of the sessions may be of interest to those interested in physics including DIT Showcase Talks on modern research.
The keynote presentation will be delivered by the eminent physicist, Prof Mike Cruise who was part of the LIGO team who confirmed the existence of gravitational waves. There will be other guest presenters, including Prof Tom Ray DIAS speaking on Einstein's relativity and Eddington's Coelostat . Note DIT Grangegorman is a green no-cars campus. Free onstreet parking is available and paid local parking. Booking is available on www.iopireland.org and https://www.eventsforce.net/iop/949/home

 

8. Mercury visible in morning sky from late Sep to Mid Oct - See Stardust for details

 

9. Mercury just above thin crescent Moon before sunrise, 29 Sep. Look from about 30 to 45 mts before local sunrise.

 

10. N.I. Science Festival at Ulster Museum, 30 Sept, 19.00 - 22.00. Free, but places must be booked, via Ulster Museum Reception on 028 9044 0000 or email ulstermuseumreception@nmni.com

 See @UlsterMuseum

#ScienceUncoveredNI

 

11. Rosetta Impacts Comet 67P, 30 Sep. This amazing spacecraft will make a very gentle touchdown, or 'controlled crash', on Comet Churyumov - Gerasimenko, sending back data as it descends. The end to a fantastically successful mission. Note that Rosetta has now found Philae: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3774604/Philae-Rosetta-s-lost-lander-spotted-comet-67P-just-weeks-probe-s-suicide-mission.html 

 

12: World Space Week, 4 - 10 October.

Space Week at BCO, Cork; "Our Planet  - Our Space - Our Time". Space Week is Ireland's newest national STEM week in parallel with World Space Week. It is YOUR week to focus on the wonders and realities of the Universe around us. Taking place from October 3 – 8, Space Week will enable all people to explore how, as 21st century citizens under one sky, we can use the power of critical thinking, science, technology, engineering and maths to shape our understanding of life on Earth and our place in Space. 

Plan an event: Organise an event in your school or community and register your details on www.spaceweek.ie. All registered events will receive Space Week merchandise and promotional materials.  

Attend an event: Family-friendly events, stargazing, workshops and more will take place nationwide.  Or discover the Universe in your own home using the fun space activities on spaceweek.ie

Discover Your Universe! Find or register events on spaceweek.ie, #SpaceWeek16

CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork. Tel 021 4326120

PLUS: Various other activities throughout Ireland

 

13. Blue Shift, Dublin, 7-8 October; this has now been canceled due to a low response

 

14. Stargazing at Silent Valley, Mourne Mountains, 8 October: The IAA has been invited back to this really dark sky site for another stargazing evening. More details later.

 

15. Armagh Observatory event at Beaghmore Stone Circles, Co Tyrone, 15 October. More details later.

 

16. Mayo Dark Sky Festival, 27-30 October, Update Mayo Dark Sky Festival website https://mayodarkskyfestival.wordpress.com/. They now have an official IDA Gold Tier Dark Sky Park award for this site in Mayo see http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/mayo/

TIME TO REGISTER NOW: Time to pre-register for the upcoming Mayo Dark Sky Festival in Newport County Mayo 28-30 October! By pre-registering (no payment necessary) your itinerary, programme and tickets will all be ready for you at the Fast Track Desk in Hotel Newport before the start of the festival and can be done at https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdi0O5j3U8VgQ7hDp…/viewform   

17. Science Week Ireland 13 - 20 November; see www.science.ieEmail scienceweek@sfi.ie for more details.

18. IAA Subscriptions due: You can pay by Paypal via the IAA website www.irishastro.org. If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you.

19. End of the World religious nonsense starts again: http://www.aol.com/article/2016/09/06/christian-doomsdayers-predict-the-world-will-end-in-2017-due-to/21466591/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D-1328232158_htmlws-main-bb, and http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/543062/Total-solar-eclipse-2017-apocalypse-end-times-world-US-America-UK-Europe-Bible-revelations

20. IAA Telescopes for loan: The IAA has telescopes available to borrow, for any paid up member Enquiries to David Stewart david.stewart22@ntlworld.com or Andy McCrea s.mccrea980@btinternet.com

21. Interesting Weblinks.

ASTROPHYSICS. Echoes of Black Holes eating stars https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915142609.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

Starving black hole dims galaxy: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915120347.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 

Black Hole hidden in its own exhaust https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915120520.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

Gaia's first billion stars: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160914130710.htm, and https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915141950.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 and http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gaia-space-telescope-is-the-first-to-map-over-a-billion-stars_uk_57da6f3de4b0d584f7efdff2?ir=UK+Tech&utm_hp_ref=uk-tech and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3789109/The-detailed-map-galaxy-Gaia-probe-plots-BILLION-stars.html 

New Light on galaxy types https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160914085800.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3778778/How-Milky-Way-formed-Stunning-3D-maps-130-000-stars-came-13-5-billion-years-ago.html, and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3785225/Watch-Milky-Way-BORN-seconds-New-simulation-solves-decades-old-mystery-galaxy.html Hmmm. A lot of conjecture there, methinks. And the MW is a barred spiral, but it doesn't show any bar.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3776581/Star-cloud-galactic-fossil-birth-Milky-Way.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3778857/Computer-simulations-help-scientists-uncover-black-holes.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3780303/The-impossibly-bright-monster-pulsar-Researchers-recreate-mysterious-mammoth-galactic-event-supercomputer.html 

COSMOLOGY, Dark Matter, Dark Energy:  The nature of time: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3791484/What-does-instantaneous-REALLY-mean-According-mathematician-comes-point-view.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3778315/A-stellar-punch-Gaps-band-stars-outskirts-Milky-Way-help-reveal-secrets-dark-matter.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3735130/Thousands-tiny-robots-soon-reveal-true-nature-dark-energy-Project-create-3D-map-universe-enters-construction-phase.html 

 

EARTH: World's second-heaviest ever meteorite found! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3787510/Giant-30-tonne-meteorite-discovered-Argentina-second-heaviest-found.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3785799/Humanity-WIPED-deadly-asteroids-unless-threat-seriously-warns-expert.html How do these illustrators get it so wrong? The supposed '10 km diameter asteroid' illustrated is actually more than 1,000 km in diameter. And look at the perspective, and scale, and lighting, in the one showing dinosaurs running from the impact.  Pathetic.

New theory on Earth's origin: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160914134917.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

 http://cars.aol.co.uk/2016/09/15/giant-inflatable-moon-rolls-over-cars-in-china/  And why were you late for work today? - I was run over by the Moon.....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3781711/Large-earthquakes-triggered-MOON-Biggest-shakes-history-occurred-spring-tides.html 

 

EXOPLANETS

Icy Giant Planet growing round nearby star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160914090456.htm 

 

SETI:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/scientists-discover-a-second-dyson-sphere-along-with-a-new-explanation_uk_57c939a2e4b01e35922a75f5 

 

SOLAR SYSTEM:

Some Martian lakes more recent than others https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915142043.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 

Pluto paints Charon red https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160914145849.htm 

X-rays from Pluto https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160914150515.htm 

http://earthsky.org/space/july-25-flyby-images-titan-cassini-saturn 

Superb images from Mars http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3783258/Red-Planet-revealed-NASA-s-stunning-pictures-Mars-Rover-hills-plateaus-rock-faces-likened-road-trip-desert.html I'd love to meet the photographer who took that last photo......

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3785342/Lightning-bolts-battering-moon-Electric-sparks-lunar-dust-melting-soil-lunar-surface.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3781843/The-mystery-moon-s-eerie-glow-solved-Nanodust-lunar-clouds-caused-METEOROID-impacts.html 

 

SPACE:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3781560/Virgin-Galactic-takes-skies-test-flights-completed-VSS-Unity-aircraft-one-day-blast-humans-space.html

Going to the Moon in a water-powered rocket https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915120522.htm
 
TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/peoplesdaily/article-3779848/The-135-million-alien-scanner-Incredible-gallery-shows-Chinese-engineers-turn-remote-area-World-s-largest-radio-telescope.html 

New ultra-wide field binoculars http://alpha-lyrae.co.uk/2014/10/25/vixen-sg-2-1x42-binoculars-review/

  

22. TWITTER Follow the IAA on Twitter: @IaaAstro.

 

23. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://documents.irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc
If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you. You can also make a donation via Paypal if you wish: just click on the 'Donate' button. See also
www.irishastro.org.

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley



Wednesday 7 September 2016

Lecture, INAM, Exhibition, ASE, PLE, Podcasts, Conference, Mercury, NISF, Rosett

Hi all,

 

1. IAA Opening Public Lecture Meeting, 21 Sep; Prof Alan Fitzsimmons of QUB, will be the star opening speaker, on the Topic "Sungrazing Comets - Falling Into Hell". Alan is one of our greatest supporters and most popular speakers, and has given us more superb lectures than I can count! This once again promises to be an excellent start to our new lecture season. 

For an example, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3724208/Watch-amazing-moment-comet-crashes-fiery-death-passes-past-sun-1-3-MILLION-miles-hour.html 

7.30 p.m., Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, QUB. Free admission, including light refreshments.

 

2. AstroPhoto Exhibition, Linenhall Library, Belfast, until 30 Sep. We're delighted to have in Belfast the amazingly popular and successful astrophoto exhibition that featured recently in Dublin. This runs until 30 September. Free admission. A MUST SEE!

 

3. INAM 2016, UCD, 7-9 Sep: The 3rd Irish National Astronomy Meeting (INAM 2016) will be held between Wednesday 7th and Friday 9th September 2016 in UCD. Currently it is expected that the meeting will consist of themed science sessions over two full days, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th, with a welcome reception on the evening of 7th.

   There will be a free public lecture on Thursday at 8.00, see http://www.astrophysics.ie/?page_id=666

NB, the main meeting is a professional level event, but members of societies affiliated to the ASGI, such as the IAA, are welcome to attend, at a reduced fee of €15.

 

4. 50th anniversary of Star Trek, 8 Sep: the first broadcast of the first episode of the classic "Star Trek" TV series was on the 8th of September 1966. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Trap. (Thanks to Brian Beesley for this - I remember it well, in B&W!)

 

5. Annular solar eclipse, Africa, 1 Sep. This was only visible in Africa, Madagascar, S. Arabia, and parts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. I was invited to lead the Independent Traveler group to Katavi National Park in Tanzania to see it. We got a superb view in totally clear skies - I'll try to show a few photos at the start of our meeting on Wed 21, if there's time. And the safari drives were amazing too.

For another story, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3769879/African-stargazers-enjoy-ring-fire-eclipse.html (Good old DM - doesn't know East from West. La Reunion is EAST of Madagascar.)


6. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, 16 Sep. Visible when underway at Moonrise. A very slight darkening of the N limb of the Moon may just be visible

 

7. Recent Podcasts by Kevin Nolan of the Planetary Society: From Kevin -

Two 'online outputs' I've been involved with recently as Coordinator to Ireland for The Planetary Society, are a Podcast about Mars Exploration run by the Irish Times, and a blog I've just written targeted at the non-expert (and expert alike) about the Proxima Centauri planet discovery.

Irish Times Podcast with Kevin Nolan of The Planetary Society about Mars Exploration: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/podcast-why-humans-must-go-to-mars-1.2760615

Blog about the Proxima Centauri Planet discovery offering background details, and thoughts on the science, sociological and future impact of the discovery. the blog aimed at non-expert and expert alike: http://planetarie.wordpress.com

 

8. Autumn Equinox, 22 Sep at 15.21 BST/IST. Start of Autumn in N. Hemisphere.

 

9. The Annual Institute of Physics Teachers Conference

 " Frontiers of Physics 2016", Sat Sept 24th DIT Grangegorman Campus, Dublin 7
Although primary for teachers of physics, many of the sessions may be of interest to those interested in physics including DIT Showcase Talks on modern research.
The keynote presentation will be delivered by the eminent physicist, Prof Mike Cruise who was part of the LIGO team who confirmed the existence of gravitational waves. There will be other guest presenters, including Prof Tom Ray DIAS speaking on Einstein's relativity and Eddington's Coelostat . Note DIT Grangegorman is a green no cars campus. Free onstreet parking is available and paid local parking. Booking is available on www.iopireland.org and https://www.eventsforce.net/iop/949/home

 

10. Mercury visible in morning sky from late Sep to Mid Oct - See Stardust for details

 

11. Mercury just above thin crescent Moon before sunrise, 29 Sep. Look from about 30 to 45 mts before local sunrise.

 

12. N.I. Science Festival at Ulster Museum, 30 Sept, 19.00 - 22.00. Free, but places must be booked, via Ulster Museum Reception on 028 9044 0000 or email ulstermuseumreception@nmni.com

 See @UlsterMuseum

#ScienceUncoveredNI

 

13. Rosetta Impacts Comet 67P, 30 Sep. This amazing spacecraft will make a very gentle touchdown, or 'controlled crash', on Comet Churyumov - Gerasimenko, sending back data as it descends. The end to a fantastically successful mission. Note that Rosetta has now found Philae: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3774604/Philae-Rosetta-s-lost-lander-spotted-comet-67P-just-weeks-probe-s-suicide-mission.html 

 

14: World Space Week, 4 - 10 October. Various activities.

 

15. Blue Shift, Dublin, 7-8 October. See http://www.smartfutures.ie/resources/events/blueshift-2016

 

16. Stargazing at Silent Valley, Mourne Mountains, 8 October: The IAA has been invited back to this really dark sky site for another stargazing evening. More details later.

 

17. Armagh Observatory event at Beaghmore Stone Circles, Co Tyrone, 15 October. More details later.

 

18. Uranus at opposition in Pisces. See Stardust for details.

 

19. Mayo Dark Sky Festival, 27-30 October. Ronan Newman asked me to mention this new link to the Mayo Dark Sky Festival website https://mayodarkskyfestival.wordpress.com/. They now have an official IDA Gold Tier Dark Sky Park award for this site in Mayo see http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/mayo/

20. End of the World religious nonsense starts again: http://www.aol.com/article/2016/09/06/christian-doomsdayers-predict-the-world-will-end-in-2017-due-to/21466591/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D-1328232158_htmlws-main-bb, and http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/543062/Total-solar-eclipse-2017-apocalypse-end-times-world-US-America-UK-Europe-Bible-revelations

IAA Telescopes for loan: The IAA has telescopes available to borrow, for any paid up member Enquiries to David Stewart david.stewart22@ntlworld.com or Andy McCrea s.mccrea980@btinternet.com

21. Interesting Weblinks.

ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: Stonehenge astronomy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3746705/Stonehenge-really-ancient-computer-Study-standing-stones-UK-confirms-used-astronomical-calculators.html

ASTROPHYSICS.

Milky Way's early blow-out: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160829111120.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29.

The rise and fall of galaxy formation. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160830131202.htm.

I presume that the name ZFOURGE comes from Z4, (i.e. red shift of 4) Galaxy Evolution. The "Four Star" refers to the instrument used.
First stars formed later than we thought https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160902125859.htm 
Superstar Eta Carina did not go supernova: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160902175302.htm 
Second 'Dyson Sphere' dismissed http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3769646/Researchers-SECOND-dyson-sphere-star-believe-simply-dusty-discs.html (I never thought that even the first one was anything other than natural)

'Green Blob' mystery solved http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3734465/Mystery-Green-Blob-solved-Cosmic-cloud-blasted-nearby-black-hole-emerald-glow.html?ito=email_share_mobile-bottom

COSMOLOGY:
A galaxy made of 99.9% Dark Matter http://earthsky.org/space/dragonfly-44-dark-matter-galaxy-2016.   Could 'Madala Boson' explain Dark Matter? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3776610/Have-scientists-spotted-new-particle-Researchers-claim-Madala-boson-help-explain-dark-matter.html 

EARTH:

Life on Earth started really early: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831172441.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

Earth's carbon indicates early massive collision https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160905114511.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 

Another 'close shave' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3766867/Earth-just-close-shave-180ft-asteroid-no-one-saw-coming.html 

 

EXOPLANETS

Could new nearest exoplanet, Proxima B, be habitable? https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160829155336.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

Determining if alien planets are habitable https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160824135752.htm 

Bringing new life to exoplanets https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831085626.htm 

Twin stars host three giant exoplanets https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831133521.htm 

'Hot Jupiter' atmospheres https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160902111408.htm 

 

SETI:

No Alien signal this time http://earthsky.org/space/hd-164595-signal-alien-civilization-seti

 

SOLAR SYSTEM:

New outer solar system objects https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160829093242.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 

Ice geology on Ceres https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160901155103.htm and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3769333/The-lonely-mountain-Ceres-giant-THREE-MILE-HIGH-ice-volcano-Stunning-images-Nasa-s-Dawn-spacecraft-reveal-rich-geology-dwarf-planet.html 

Jupiter's N Pole revealed, and it's weird: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160902124950.htm 

Extraordinary compounds in Uranus and Neptune: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160906103159.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29.

New most distant solar system object http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3764820/A-rock-far-far-away-Hunt-mysterious-Planet-Nine-reveals-tiny-world-solar-s-distant-object.html 

Rosetta captures comet dust http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3767238/Rosetta-captures-pristine-sample-dust-comet-clues-solar-formed.html 

Mystery craters on Phobos explained http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3765107/Mystery-Martian-moon-s-weird-craters-solved-Phobos-giant-scars-caused-strange-orbit.html 

 

SPACE:

Russia tests first pulse-detonation super rocket http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3764051/Russia-reveals-world-s-test-radical-pulse-detonation-super-rocket.html 

US Astronaut logs record 534 days in space http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3777176/Record-holding-US-astronaut-two-Russians-return-Earth.html

Launching cubesats from high-flying jets http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3764956/Ageing-fighter-jets-launch-satellites-space-Firm-plans-fire-rockets-filled-CubeSats-F-104s.html 

China unveils its Mars Rover http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3755789/China-unveils-2020-Mars-rover-concept-report.html 

Looking for life below Martian surface http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3697714/Could-alien-life-exist-beneath-Mars-surface-Radical-mission-map-red-planet-s-interior-finally-reveal-secrets.html 

NASA to test 'Impossible' EM Drive http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3764112/Is-mystery-impossible-fuel-free-EmDrive-thruster-solved-Claims-secretive-Nasa-lab-publish-paper-warp-drive-humans-Mars-10-weeks.html The one thing that's missing here is the amount of thrust this thing is supposed to produce. To get 'humans' to Mars (and stop when they get there), will take a HUGE amount of thrust. Still, they could always heat up their meals in all those microwaves!

Space launch rivalries http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3769427/Mark-Zuckerberg-deeply-disappointed-loss-95m-satellite-SpaceX-crash-says-Facebook-s-drones-place.html 

Asteroid Redirect Mission: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160817190643.htm 

I'm still convinced that there's more to this than the 'stepping-stone to humans on Mars' idea.
  Quote: ARM will demonstrate advanced, high-power, high-throughput solar electric propulsion; advanced autonomous high-speed proximity operations at a low-gravity planetary body; controlled touchdown and liftoff with a multi-ton mass from a low-gravity planetary body, astronaut spacewalk activities for sample selection, extraction, containment and return; and mission operations of integrated robotic and crewed vehicle stack -- all key components of future in-space operations for human missions to Mars.
   1. "high-power, high-throughput solar electric propulsion" - there is no prospect yet of solar propulsion for a manned mission to Mars. Nor indeed for any advance supply missions to the surface: SEP is fine for getting to Mars at low cost, but how do you slow down when you get there? For a soft landing you would need a very big and complex parachute system. VERY big if it's to land a significant payload such as habitation modules.
2. "advanced autonomous high-speed proximity operations at a low-gravity planetary body". That would imply a rendezvous with Phobos or Deimos en route to the Martian surface. Why? Many additional layers of complexity and cost, and things to go wrong, for what benefit? If you are flying to San Francisco, you don't land on Alcatraz first, then take off again and land at the main SF airport! You can't even use atmospheric braking to land on them, as they are airless. To rendezvous with even Phobos in Martian orbit requires a major deceleration burn, not possible with SEP (see above)
3. "controlled touchdown and liftoff with a multi-ton mass from a low-gravity planetary body" - As for 2 above.
4. "astronaut spacewalk activities for sample selection, extraction, containment and return". Again, that would relate mainly to Phobos and Deimos, as it's not a 'spacewalk' when on Mars, but a Marswalk, which is somewhere in between a Moonwalk and an Earthwalk.
   As I've said before, I think this is more to do with asteroid mining than a stepping stone to Mars.

 

SUN:

Origin of solar wind found. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160901152106.htm

Solar storm effects: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3764842/A-solar-storm-destroy-planet-unless-create-massive-magnetic-shield-protect-Earth-warns-expert.html Em, knocking out communications and electric power is not quite the same as 'destroying the planet'!

SDO views eclipse http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3771704/A-stunning-double-eclipse-sun-Nasa-s-observatory-captures-amazing-footage-Earth-moon-block-view-solar-surface.html 

 

TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT:

New ultra-wide field binoculars http://alpha-lyrae.co.uk/2014/10/25/vixen-sg-2-1x42-binoculars-review/

  

22. TWITTER Follow the IAA on Twitter: @IaaAstro.

 

23. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://documents.irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc
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Clear skies,

Terry Moseley