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BASIL March 2023
The front cover of BASIL shows a group photo of BAS members attending the 2023 Annual General Meeting, held on 24 February. We enjoyed a very interesting talk from Dr Vivien Raymond during the evening, who is a Reader in gravitational-wave astrophysics at Cardiff University - also pictured on the front cover.
Predicted solar activity, solar images from the GOES SUVI telescope, solar cycle progression, lunar phases and events, solar system finder charts and rise / set times are reported for March. Note that solar activity is expected to be elevated throughout the outlook period - see page 4.
Also included is the monthly observing calendar, highlights of the March night sky, observable comets and asteroids, and the calendar of astronomical events for March.
Information about the March Equinox on 20 March is given on page 19.
Constellation of the month is Leo, which is well-placed for observing the constellation's stars and DSO (Deep Sky Objects), including the galaxies M65, M66, M95, M96 and M105 and NGC 3628.
Visible transits of the ISS for March are listed - a total of 40 visible passes.
26 observing targets for the month are provided, with more details given for:
- M82 (the 'Cigar Galaxy' in Ursa Major)
- M95 (barred spiral galaxy in Leo)
- M96 (intermediate spiral galaxy in Leo)
- M105 (elliptical galaxy in Leo)
There is an asteroid occultation on 14 March - see pages 30-31. Asteroid (1692) Subbotina will occult a 10.1 magnitude star in the constellation of Leo and the 'centre line' passes relatively close to our observatory at Failand. Thanks to BAS member Nigel Wakefield who provided this information and data links.
Society News gives details of the 2023 programme of talks and events, including the BAS 80th anniversary event on 25 March, and shows a photo and details of the new BAS Committee for 2023.