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BASIL June 2025

The front cover of BASIL shows an image of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51, NGC 5194) taken by BAS member Robin Arnold.

The quantity and quality of members' recent astrophotography has been outstanding, as follows :

• Noctilucent clouds by John Huntley.
• M81 and M82 by Mikail Fahad.
• The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) by Robin Arnold.
• 40 mega-pixel lunar mosaic by Mikail Fahad.
• Spiral galaxy M94 (NGC 4736) by Jane Clark - look for the outer ring spiral structure and read the linked research paper.
• The lunar crater Langrenus by Chris Lee.
• Comet Neowise by John Huntley.
• Sunspots and the solar surface by Chris Lee.

Key topics for June include:

• The June Bootid meteor shower will be active from 22 June to 2 July, producing its peak rate of meteors around 27 June.
• Latest solar images from the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) and the relativistic electron forecast model.
• How to observe noctilucent clouds over the summer.
• Summer solstice on 21 June.
• Mars is a low altitude evening planet during the month and a conjunction with similar brightness Regulus 16 June.
• Observe the 'Strawberry Moon' and the Vallis Alpes with a small telescope.
• 18 DSO observing targets are listed for the month.
• Constellation of the month is Ophiuchus, which is well placed to observe and is exceptionally rich in globular clusters - see links to star charts and DSO targets.
• Solar outreach at the Bristol Zoo Project.
• BAS equipment update

Society News includes the programme of meeting and events up to August 2025.

Finally, Nicolaus Copernicus said: "The strongest affection and utmost zeal should, I think, promote the studies concerned with the most beautiful objects. This is the discipline that deals with the Universe's divine revolutions, the stars' motions, sizes, distances, risings and settings... for what is more beautiful than heaven?".