- Version
- Download 53
- File Size 2.60 MB
- File Count 1
- Create Date 1 July 2024
- Last Updated 1 July 2024
BASIL July 2024
The front cover of BASIL shows the BAS team at the Festival of Nature held on 1-2 June 2024, along with 'live' solar images shared with visitors during the festival. The last page of BASIL shows more photos of the event and a link to the Festival of Nature report written by BAS Committee member John Henn, who coordinated BAS planning and activities at the festival. It was a very successful event for the Society and many thanks to all members who volunteered.
Observing highlights of the month include:
- All month: Possibility of noctilucent cloud displays
- 1 July: Mars lies near the waning crescent Moon (am)
- 6 July: Ceres reaches opposition
- 15 & 16 July: Mars and Uranus in conjunction (am)
- 30 July: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and crescent Moon in Taurus (am)
There are plenty of opportunities in July to observe the transit of the ISS (total of 60) and p21 shows a recent telescope image of the ISS, taken by an amateur astronomer, clearly showing the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Dragon capsules in-situ.
25 well placed observing targets for the month are listed on p24-25, with more information provided for observing M11 and M26 (Open Clusters in Scutum) and NGC 6543 (the Cats Eye Nebula).
The Society has recently benefited from generous donations of astronomical equipment from members of the public. Chris Amos has donated a high quality astrophotography rig and other valuable astronomical equipment. Sophie Ashford has donated a rare and original Atlas Coeli 1950.0 Star Atlas. More information about these items is given on p30-31, including the Society's future plans for their use. Many thanks to Chris and Sophie for their very kind donations to the BAS.
Finally, Society News includes meetings and events for 2024 and news from the recent Festival of Nature.