The front cover of BASIL shows an image of the Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 27), taken by BAS member Simon Smith, using a SeeStar S50. Observing highlights of the month include: 1 August: Waning crescent Moon lies near M35 after rising (am) 5 August: Jupiter, Mars and Aldebaran form a right-angled triangle (am) 9 August: Double shadow transit of Jupiter (am) […]
The front cover of August’s BASIL shows progress with the installation of the foundations for the Star-Chair 3000 – an electrically driven, joystick controlled large binocular (6-inch) observing chair. Since this photograph was taken, the concrete pour has taken place and preparations are being made for the installation of the shed which will house the […]
The front cover of BASIL shows the Star Chair 3000, a motorised, joystick controlled binocular observing chair. The Star Chair 3000 was kindly donated to the BAS by Andy Stephens (a former Chair of the BAS) and the cover photo (top) shows Andy and Dave Bennett with the equipment. Predicted solar activity, solar cycle progression, […]
Solar cycle progression data shows a spike in sunspot numbers over the last two months – predicted numbers are given for the next 12 months, as solar activity is forecast to slowly increase. August is a good month to observe Jupiter and the Great Red Spot – see the monthly planetary observing notes. Andrew Grasemann […]
