We are planning to meet up at the Ship Inn, Upavon on Saturday 4th May at 8pm for a chinwag and then, weather permitting, some late observing at Casterleigh Camp. Please RSVP to let us know if you intend to join us.
Weather forecast is predicting another clear night. What’s that I hear you say? Yes two clear nights in a row.
After enjoying last night’s excellent views of Comet Panstarrs and M31 in the same field of view through binos and cameras it is time to repeat the experience.
We will be at Tilshead observing site from 2030-ish to catch the comet as it gets dark and then move onto the spring galaxies and finally Saturn in the small hours.
All welcome, any probs give Mark Radice a call on his mobile or email Garry for more details.
We are likely to be meeting this Saturday at the Rose and Crown, Tilshead at 2030, to observe (weather good) or talk nonsense in the pub (weather bad). Watch this space…
A probable supernova has been identified in galaxy M95 in Leo, and its a relatively bright one. The great thing is a) M95 is a bright galaxy, b) it is directly under Mars at the moment, making it easy to find and c) it is well placed, high in the south.
It’s currently at magnitude 13.0 and getting brighter. This means you can currently see it at high power in a 6-inch telescope from dark skies, and anyone with an 8-inch instrument or larger should have no problem provided the air is not too turbulent. The SN is the only obvious star at the 11 o’clock position (observing with a reflector) or 5 o’clock if you’re observing with a Mak or other “right way up scope”.
Supernova in M95 - finder chart 20/03/2012
Why not give it a go and post your observations here?
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