Professional Documents
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Astronomy Wise August
Astronomy Wise August
AW EZine
August 2012
Rouges Gallery
Higgs Boson
www.astronomy-wise.com
Astronomy Wise
Images: NASA
Astronomy Wise Page 2
Credits
Check out
Awesome Astronomy
Astronomy Wise
News Pages
John Harper Former director of the occultation section, S.P.A, (Society for Popular
Astronomy).
John Harper Former director of the occultation section, S.P.A, (Society for Popular Astronomy).
As the month begins, the Sun is passing through the stars of Cancer, until around
11h on the 10th, when it crosses the IAU boundary into Leo, where it remains for
the rest of the month. Once again from the beginning of the month, truly dark
nights begin again in northern UK.
The Moon
The Moon is at perigee, its nearest to the earth, at 19h40 on the 23rd. It is at apo-
gee (furthest from the earth) at 10h53 on the 10th
Constellations visible in the south around midnight, mid-month, are as follows: Cap-
ricornus, Aquarius, Equuleus (the Little Horse), Delphinus (The Dolphin) and Cygnus.
The Milky Way is at the zenith, and spans the sky from the NE to the SW.
Below: Nex-
Star 102SLT
with Baader
solar film. Ni-
kon D80,
ISO800
1/320s
(10 images) all
at prime focus.
Stacked and
deblurred in
GIMP
using the
method I
showed
the other
night at
NASTRO
This months book comes from Paul Halpern ( http://phalpern.com ).
Synopsis:
These are far from the only cosmological enigmas. A strange dark flow seems to be
driving galaxy clusters toward an unknown destination. Scientists wonder if it could
be a sign of tugs from regions beyond the observable universe. Indeed the theory of
inflation, the leading explanation for why the observable is relatively uniform, offers
the intriguing possibility that our universe is a mere drop in a vast cosmic sea called
the multiverse. Researchers are examining the cosmic microwave background
searching for signs of collisions with other universes.
Is time travel possible? Does the universe have unseen extra dimensions? Could an
advanced civilization construct traversible wormholes to expedite interstellar travel?
What is the fate of the universe? Could there have been cycles of time before the Big
Bang?
Edge of the Universe: A Voyage to the Cosmic Horizon and Beyond explores these
strange mysteries and more. It offers a passport to the frontiers of contemporary
cosmology, examining the latest discoveries and debates in the scientific quest to
unravel the mysteries of the universe.
Website:
http://edgeofuniverse.com
Amazon (USA):
http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Universe-Voyage-Cosmic-Horizon/dp/0470636246
Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edge-Universe-Paul-Halpern/dp/0470636246
Young Astronomer Is Back…
Due to school and college exams we postponed young astronomer for a month or
two, however this month we have a young astronomer Awel-Medi Evans.
I don't really know what clicked my interest in astronomy, but I do remember seeing
a comet when I was about 4 years old. I still remember its vibrant colours now. It's
possible that that is the reason why I was so fascinated with space at a very young
age. I also had a slight obsession with the moon, the stars and the clouds when I
was young; I used to study them all the time, in the garden, out with family. They
just kept drawing my attention.
When I was 6 years old, I made a space book and I showed it to my teachers in
school, they made me show it to all the teachers in year 3 & 4 and they were very
impressed. I remember being the only one that had an interest in space in primary
school (that I know of).. I also remember when another class were playing 'the
weakest link' and a question associated with space popped up, they used to come
get me from my class to answer the question for them! Oh, also I remember one
day, when we got asked what we wanted to be in the future.. I answered 'an astro-
naut' many people were laughing at the time, but now I realise that it really isn't
something to be laughed at. One of my idols, Cady Coleman was on board the ISS
for 159 days! What an inspiration.
My other inspirations are Dr Lucie Green, Professor Brian Cox, Professor Iain
Stewart , Sir Patrick Moore and Dr Helen Czerski. They all specialise in the subjects I
love the most and I love how they engage the public with their immense passion for
space, geology, physics and more.
Twitter has helped me interact with space enthusiasts around the world, it makes
me feel a part of something big. Before twitter, I genuinely thought that I was the
only one in Wales that had an interest in such a subject.. I have made many new
helpful contacts via twitter, such as Jane MacArthur, Geraint Jones, Nick Howes,
Virtual Astronomer and other really inspiring people. I would like to thank all of them
for there kindness and advice through out my twitter 'career'. OK moment of truth -
I made a twitter account in 2010 as a belieber - how cringe worthy - I then noticed
that people that had the same enthusiasm as me for space had a twitter too, so in
2011, I suddenly 'stopped' being a belieber and I began chasing the dream I always
wanted to come true. I began to tweet NASA, and I have been fortunate enough to
get some replies! I began to follow those with the same interests as me and people
then began to follow me... I changed my twitter username to @Astro_Awel because
I wasn't ashamed of being so enthusiastic about space.. Also, I noticed that many
astronauts at NASA have 'astro_' before their name and that made me feel a closer
to them. I had some help off my friend Glen to give me a boost with some publicity..
He gave me a shout out and I gained many followers, coincidently, many of them
had an interest in space too! Recently, I have switched accounts to @AwelEvans -
Feel welcome to follow me!
At the moment, I don't have a very good telescope, I've has it since I was VERY
young. It doesn't have a make. I'm currently searching for a new one and I'd love a
Celestron C8 telescope or a telescope that is decent for planetary and some deep
sky observing. My birthday is coming up so cross fingers that I get a telescope then!
My favourite astronomical wonders are the Helix nebula, Aurora Borealis, Saturn's
magnificent rings, Io's beautiful volcanic behaviour and Enceladus. I have always
been interested in extra-terrestrial life and I believe that if we were to search for
less complex life or traces of some less complex life forms, Enceladus would be one
of the best places to look.
http://astroawel.wordpress.com/
Life and Death of A Star
By D Bood
Image: NASA
AW: Ralph when did you first become interested in Astronomy and
Science?
Science has always been a passion of mine, whether it’s the history of the geniuses
who brought us out of the darkness of ignorance or a personal exploration of the
natural world, there’s a battle going on inside every one us between the urge to
explore and discover new things and the hard to suppress urge to accept the
established ‘wisdom’.
I remember as a kid using a toy telescope at my bedroom window to observe the
moon – there were a lot of entries in my astronomy log book stating ‘Observations
obscured due to cloud’! I wanted to be Patrick Moore back then. But recently it’s
been moving to London, ironically, that has led to becoming more active in
astronomy and astronomy outreach in particular. And the podcast’s a wonderfully
informal and fun forum for astronomy education.
AW: When did Tom first become interested in Astronomy and Science?
I was fortunate enough to be gifted a passion for science and astronomy at a young
age by my Dad. His childhood interest in the Apollo Programme would inspire him
to join the RAF as a Fighter Pilot, and from the moment I could read, he was
sharing his space books with me (Sir Patrick Moore’s ‘Moon Flight Atlas’ is a
memorable favourite!)
In many ways, the Moon and Man’s exploration of it was my gateway drug to the
rest of astronomy, and I became addicted to stargazing as a hobby, quickly
collecting far too many telescopes and eyepieces! I focused my Higher Education on
Astrophysics and Space Technology, but after all of that, it is experience of being at
the eyepiece that I regard as my true calling, and, not surprisingly, my career.
AW: Can you tell us about the astronomy scene in London?
Ralph: Counter-intuitively, it’s incredible! We have some of the most light polluted
skies in the world but it has so many people to introduce to astronomy. Having the
RAS, BAA, many experienced astronomers and most of the country’s media outlets
based here also helps to get the message out. Of course, the moon, Saturn and
Jupiter look the same wherever you view them from and nothing sells astronomy
better than letting someone see them for themself.
Tom: Over the years, I’ve been a member of several societies, having moved around
the UK quite a bit, but nothing could prepare me for London. Of course the skies are
probably the worst in Europe, but I’ve never encountered a hungrier and more
enthusiastic scene! I think the massive (and massively diverse) population yearns to
push past the soupy orange skies with a level of determination not commonly seen
in areas that enjoy much better conditions.
AW: Looking at the new Awesome Astronomy Podcast what made you
both decide to write, produce and present a podcast?
Ralph: We just love talking about astronomy and through the outreach we run, we
get no shortage of questions and a good feel for what astronomy enthusiasts want
to know. I like the more sensational side of astronomy, you know, exoplanets,
asteroid impacts & space missions - the popular science, if you like. Tom’s the
astrophysicist with a love of pure astronomy and has a background as an
astronomy communicator on TV and radio. We discussed doing something like this
almost as soon as we met, so it was only a matter of time until it happened.
Tom: I can only mirror Ralph’s sentiments here. All of astronomy, from the
staggering progress of the last 400 years, to the near daily discoveries - so
awesome, that they flirt with the science-fiction dreams of our childhoods – and
the mere fact that we can gaze out at innumerable other worlds… the whole field
just catalyses great discussions. Deep discussions, about everything in the
universe (even that yet to be discovered) and about ourselves. We relish the
conversation, as many others do, and we decided to put it on the internet, and, so
far, it seems to have been well received!
AW: How do you think social media has changed Astronomy and science?
Ralph: Oh, beyond belief! You only have to see the dynamic astronomy community
on Twitter to realize how much energy’s being created by astroimagers, curious
novices and astro-news junkies. If you’re not using Twitter and Facebook as a
minimum, you’re going nowhere because it’s the greatest communication tool in
the history of mankind! If you have the time and ability to do something like
Astronomy-Wise online, you’re making an even more welcome contribution. But
everyone has a voice now and that’s the exciting thing – the freeflow of ideas from
Tahrir Square to the ATLAS detector at CERN – because we all have the ability to
filter out the noise and concentrate on the content we’re interested in. We have
exponentially more information now and, if we want to, we can read, write or
listen to astronomy stories all day with just an internet connection.
Tom: First and foremost, I think social media has raised the profile of astronomy
in the minds of young people. What has, for many years, been somewhat
stigmatised as an antiquated hobby has now regained its rightful status as a very
cool pursuit. More importantly, however, the Internet has facilitated astro-
journalism in a way that traditional media still largely fails to do. Remarkable and
awe-inspiring things are discovered, reiterated and shared every day to millions
online, most of which go unreported in the papers, or on news channels, whose
primary focus is on a wholly more depressing catalogue of human affairs. Lastly,
social networks have enabled the creation of a global astronomical community.
Societies can be born out of a handful of emails, and instantly placed on the map
for all to see and engage with. Social networks bring like-minded astronomers
closer together, and as Ralph and I (The Widescreen Centre) so I get to use
favour a social approach to astronomy, everything from small refractors to huge
we’ve always agreed that this is a great Newtonians but I’m currently found
imaging mostly with a 4.5” triplet
thing.
refractor, which is great for mid-sized
AW: Apart from internet based DSO, lunar & planetary work. You’d be
hard pushed to persuade me to swap the
projects what else do you both do?
contrast of lenses for the aperture of
Ralph: I work in R&D, so there’s a mirrors.
science link there, but travelling and Tom: Oh boy, that’s a big question! I’m a
skiing are my other passions – oh, and committed refractor man, and like Ralph
tutting at people who don’t walk fast I just adore the deep contrast and rich
enough in the London underground. saturation of a small apochromat, even
Tom: I work in astro-equipment over a larger mirror. In the interest of
consultancy and freelance portability, I typically use refractors from
communication. Like Ralph I love to about 4.5” down to 1” (yes, really!) or a
travel, but I’m not so keen on skiing pair of 10x50 binoculars. I’m a bit of a
(sorry mate!) I love culture, museums, gear-freak for astronomy equipment, so
cinema and just generally spending time it’s best not to get me talking about it
with my girlfriend and my family. I’m also unless you have a lot of free time!
keen on meditation and mindfulness.
(Image top left: The Baker Street Irregulars, BBC Sky At Night )
Well, dear chap, the Baker Street Irregular Astronomers - who also go by the
moniker Central London’s Astronomical Society - gather each month in Regent’s
Park for a free observing evening. It’s a social gathering of likeminded folk!
For the Irregular Astro Camp, we’re adding the one thing that London can’t
offer – truly light pollution free skies. But there’ll still be the usual party
atmosphere, friendly help to get the best from the night sky, an opportunity for
some astrophotography and, for some, an opportunity to see the splendours of
the night sky for the 1st time.
And what’s more, it’s an open invitation for anyone to come along!
What if people don’t have scopes of
their own or don’t know their way
around the night sky?
Fun is our primary aim – we often call our gatherings ‘social occasions with
astronomy thrown in’, but the dark skies of the Brecon Beacons will allow us to fully
explore the night skies - and allow the more serious astronomers and
astrophotographers to join the Irregularities on 8th and 9th September 2012.
We’ll arrive on the Friday and stay for two nights, leaving on the Sunday.
Will it be expensive?
Heavens, no! We'll be heading over to a campsite where you can bring a
motorhome, caravan or pitch a tent for just £25 – and that’s for both nights!
Of course, if camping strikes fear into your hearts, there are a few hotels within ten
miles of the campsite. This option is just £10 - but we'd much rather you had a
sleepover with us.
Isn’t this all a bit daunting for dwellers of one of the finest cities in the world?
Not a bit of it (…well, maybe just a bit). Although we’ll be miles away from any
towns, we’ve ensured there’ll be free wifi covering the whole camp so you can leave
the city but take civilisation with you.
But this event isn’t just for members of the Baker Street Irregular Astronomers. We
welcome anyone to join us from the experienced astronomer to the 1st timer. The
Brecon Beacons are centrally(ish) located to make it easier for anyone, wherever
they live, to come along. We love making new friends and look forward to meeting
new people.
This all sounds very nocturnal. What will there be to do during the day?
Sleep! Lots of lovely sleep after a long night exploring the universe!
We’ll have safe solar observing throughout the day and we’re planning an
Astronomers in the Pub event with speakers and an astro pub quiz. If the weather
permits we’ll round off the Saturday with a free group barbeque - or starbeque, if
you’ll permit me a bon mot!
Brecon Beacons
£25 per person (camping on site) or £10 per person (if not camping on site)
There is a little corner on the internet called YouTube. This social media outlet
gives people to opportunity to create media about their chosen subject. One such
person is young Liam Edwards who as a passion for science. Liam is running a
series called Physics 101, where he talks on different subjects. Episode 2 talks
about Higgs Boson. So we have all seen the main stream media take on the Higgs
Boson subject. So lets look at Higgs Boson from a young enquiring mind.
would release the video sooner than planned. So without further ado, let’s
get this video started.
Firstly, I need to tell you about something called the Standard Model of
Particle Physics. Physicists have developed a theory called The Standard
Model that explains what the world is and what holds it together. It is a
simple theory that explains all the hundreds of particles and complex
interactions between them. Imagine the Standard Model as a jig-saw where
all the particles in it are pieces that fit together. Now imagine there is one piece
missing in that jig-saw. This piece is the Higgs Boson.
The Higgs Boson is an elementary particle whose possible discovery was
announced on July 4th, 2012. It was predicted by the Standard Model. More
investigation is needed to confirm whether or not the particle exists. All the
Higgs Boson’s in the Universe combine to make something called the Higgs
Field. The Higgs Field is everywhere! And all the other particles (except
photons which are particles of light) interact with this field and therefore
acquire mass.
Here’s an analogy describing the Higgs Boson: The Higgs Field is shown here
as a room of physicists chatting among themselves.
A well-known scientist walks into the room and causes a bit of a stir - attract-
ing admirers with each step and interacting strongly with them - signing auto-
graphs and stopping to chat.
As he becomes surrounded by admiring fans, he finds it harder to move across
the room - in this analogy, he acquires mass due to the "field" of fans, with each
fan acting like a single Higgs boson.
If a less popular scientist enters the room, only a small crowd gathers, with
no-one clamouring for attention. He finds it easier to move across the room - by
analogy, his interaction with the bosons is lower, and so he has a lower mass.
As I said before, the Higgs is the particle which gives every other particle
(except photons) mass. The main place where experiments are held to try to
find the Higgs is at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider and on the 4th July 2012,
physicists at CERN have revealed that they have found a new boson, but
whether or not it is the Higgs remains to be seen.
The way particle physicists were looking for the Higgs was by colliding 2
seven-Terra electron volts (TeV) (equivalent to 110,000 Joules) proton beams.
But the LHC is shutting down at the end of this year until 2015 because they
are upgrading the power of the LHC from 7-TeV to 14-TeV which gives us the
hope of discovering new things e.g. new particles, answers to dark matter and
super symmetry.
So that’s the end of the video and I would like to thank you for watching and I
hope you have learnt something from this video. Please leave a like, favourite
the video and leave a comment telling me what physics-related topics you
would like me to cover next. Thanks.
Science Talk….
By Edward Dutton
The Michelson and Morley experiment has been classified as the one of the largest failed
experiments of the 20th Century. But was it?...
For those who are unaware of this experimentation it was initial performed by a Polish
physicist named Albert Abraham Michelson and a physical chemist named Edward Williams
Morley. It involved of the construction of the interferometer which was designed to discover
changes in the Ether - a theoretical
body in space that could be measured
to determine Absolute Motion.
If there was light travelling against the Ether it would be slower than the light travelling
perpendicular to it. If this hypothesis was correct the Ether would completely
revolutionise all of the physics laws and require a completely new slate to work with com-
pletely destroying Einstein's idea of relativity. It is very
important to understand This would mean that being able to
go faster than the speed of light without altering the space-
time continuum would be possible. How awesome!
Michelson was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for hiscreation of the interferometer but
not the work with this experiment. He got something at least, 'ey?
Blackpool & District Astronomical Society (BADAS) is a growing and active society in
the North West of England and has around thirty members from novices to
experienced observers and imagers.
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month, at St Kentigerns Parish
Centre, Newton Drive, Blackpool.
Meetings are friendly, quite informal and beginners are especially welcome.
Joining an astronomy club can be daunting to those just starting out in the hobby.
So BADAS tries to encourage new members by advising them each month what
fascinating wonders can be seen in the night sky, either with modest equipment or
none at all. BADAS also help and advise members who are considering purchasing
astronomical equipment. In addition they try to engage and enthuse established
members who are trying to progress in the hobby by having regular "members'
sessions" after the main speaker has finished on their meeting nights.
The society hold regular star parties and observing sessions, weather permitting,
either where they meet at the club or at a rural location near Blackpool.
Membership subs are £20 per year, and unlike many other societies they meet all
year round. Visitors are welcome and your first meeting is free.
www.blackpoolastronomy.org.uk
NEPTUNE is the eighth and farthest planet
from the Sun in the Solar System. It is the
fourth-largest planet by diameter and the
third largest by mass.
Atmosphere
Ices
Ammonia
Water
Ammonium Hydrosulfide
Methane (possible)
Orbit
A day on Neptune lasts 16 hour and 7
minutes
Credits
Image: NASA
Facts: Universe Today & Wikipedia
http://www.felicity-lennie.com/
JAMES LENNIE
I was inspired into Astronomy through my father. His family were all
engineers and also had a business making telescopes, opera glasses,
spectacles, drawtube refractors in Edinburgh since 1830. My Grand Father
was a navigating officer and he also taught me about the stars when I was
5-6 years old
My first astronomical equipment was a 1.5 inch refractor and I was 6 years
old, still remember the sense of amazement when I turned it towards the
Moon. I also saw the 4 moons of Jupiter with it. After this when I was 8, I
made my own telescope, a 4 inch reflector including grinding the main
mirror and building the mount and mirror cell which my father supervised
of course !
I have been an Engineer all my life and I like invention so I have been
responsible for various improvements in machinery over the years
(including my own at home). My aunt worked at Woomera Rocket range as
a Chemical Engineer and for some years I built amateur rockets myself
with my wife.
I am writing a large epic novel about Dinosaurs because they are another
of my long-term interests and I have some theories about both their
contribution to our development and their demise. Another great hobby of
mine is Radio-Controlled Model Helicopters though lately I do not get much
chance to fly as the weather has not let me.
This month we are time and time again which Stansted airport and then
featuring Astronomer would revolutionize space back home to
profile, this is something travel, from that moment I America. Where's Stansted
we featured when we couldn't wait for the future airport? I asked, It's a very
started the Astronomy to get here and witness the little airport down in
Wise newsletter. I am flight of the Space Essex. So that was it early
pleased that Neil Samples Transport System, the the next morning Tina and
from Scarborough has Space Shuttle. Anyway on i and two friends set off for
finally agreed to feature in
the 4th June 1983 my this little airport in Essex
this months EZine. radio alarm clock woke me apparently along with
up at the preset time of another 200 000 to witness
So without further a do 7am the news was on and this spectacle. Armed with
here is Mr Samples. I wasn't paying too much my camera we waited the
interest and it was only arrival of this 747 with the
I'd had an interest in when i had got to work and Space Shuttle on it's
astronomy to a degree having a conversation with back.....and it didn't
when i was young like someone that a thought disappoint either, it was
most people, I remember popped into my head and jaw dropping, I nearly
when i was 10 and Neil that the space was coming forgot that i had a camera
Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to England with me and was just
landed on the moon, I also somewhere...had I mesmerised by the
remember that as a child dreamed it or was it real? majestic beauty that this
in 1971 my mum collected Sheepishly I rang East Mid- vehicle displayed, but I
little cards that used to lands airport which was my managed to take the
come with packets of tea, local airport at the time photographs that you see
Brook Bond tea it was, and asked them if they had below. This one is called
there was one set called heard anything about it, ENTERPRISE and was
"race into space" and it half expecting to be actually named this
had different rockets etc. laughed at, but no it was because of the tv show but
etc. but there was a true and it was travelling this one never actually
picture of this new on the back of a 747 made it into space, it has
futuristic looking space aircraft from the Paris flown into the upper
vehicle that could be used airshow landing at reaches of our atmosphere
but this was a development Shuttle and not intended for space flight. My only
regret was that I never actually went to America to witness one of these taking off
for a space journey but never mind, hope you enjoy the pictures. As a footnote
to this story, security wasn't as strict then as it is now. It's unthinkable how close
we were allowed to get to witness this event, can you imagine how far away you
have to be in this current security climate?
In The News from World Wide Web
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/
Univ. of Arizona
Images: NASA
Building My Solar Tube for A Meade ETX 70 Scope
With summer in full swing (oh dear), getting out to view the stars can mean
staying up late, which is not always easy or practical. So why not view our
nearest star, the sun. Now to view the sun you need the correct equipment,
never look at the sun directly or you will cause your eyes damage or blindness.
Equipment can be expensive, however you can make a solar tube or funnel for
under £10 or under a fiver.
Method
Taking the tube I measured 250mm from the end and marked with a pencil. I
then cut the tube with the hacksaw. For safety I made sure the tube was secure
so it could not move.
Fig 1.
The simplest way to find the centre of a circle is to
measure the diameter then half for the radius. Mark
the centre point as shown if Fig. 2
Next using the black card I inserted the card into the
tube, I then marked off its length and diameter so the
card had a nice fit inside the tube. Once trimmed I
inserted the card into the tube and using sellotape I
taped the card where the two ends joined.
A big thank you to all who have Disclaimer: Astronomy Wise is a non
contributed to this months EZine . profitable organization.
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practicable all information is The newsletter may be
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