[David Swan]

Thanks for the image analysis. So with several ‘winged’ bright stars nearby, it looks like PSF contamination is an unlikely explanation. Maybe an artifact produced by the optics or by something weird associated with frame stacking? Hopefully someone else will image this transient at a good scale and post astrometry.

[David Swan]

Hi Paul,

The abstract is most interesting – thanks for pointing this out. I’ll read the article proper this eve. I hope Robin or someone else takes up the spectro.

David

[David Swan]

2018 09 05 20:35 UT

Maxim DL Photometry on 10 x 20s stack through Baader V filter

Ref (000-BMT-466) set as V = 13.77

Variable (IRAS 03536+6235) measured V = 15.08

Check (000-BMT-467) measured V = 14.20 

[David Swan]

Still waiting on a clear patch. Hopefully I’ll get my first measurement this eve.

[David Swan]

Thanks for pointing this out Gary. I’m going to adopt this star and do regular filtered V measurements with my CMOS. There seems to be a good number of suitable APASS stars within 20-30arcmin for reference and check. David

[David Swan]

Thanks to all the contributors and the editorial team. A good read!

[David Swan]

Absolutely superb Nick. The sky is very busy now isn’t it! I see this all the time too.

Good plan about the astrometry. I’ve taken another sequence of images – after syncing the computer clock – and I’ll do the measurements tomorrow.

[David Swan]

This NEO will pass less than a third of a degree from Pherkad Major (UMi) at around 4am on 2nd September, when it is expected to be around mag 15. It is brightening rapidly at the moment. Here is an animation of its movement from 2018/08/30 21:16:33 – 21:22:47 UT taken from Tynemouth, UK. What I presume to be a satellite also flashes by too!

[40MB]

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Agvxu8wNOxpAfFIR0S5BJyuzpW0

[David Swan]

The Orion 8in f/3.9 astrograph (FL 800mm) is less than 500 pounds. I think with a Baader coma corrector it should be a good fit. This combo is on my wish list. The reviews that I have read have been very complimentary.

[David Swan]

Thanks for pointing out this article, Jeremy.

[David Swan]

This all sounds very sensible. You can count me as a supporter of this plan. David

[David Swan]

Transparency poor, but managed 10 frames when it seemed to clear slightly. 10 x 10s

[David Swan]

Not looking as impressive this evening (20 Jul / 2300 BST). Fingers crossed that this isn’t the beginning of the end….

[David Swan]

LOL. It all ended amicably and I’m sure well reasoned arguments will – in the long run – lead to downward-directed, low colour-temperature, and proportionate-intensity lighting nationwide.

[David Swan]

Last year – I forget precisely when – I had the telescope out on some land jutting into the sea, a great dark spot if winds are light. A curious member of the public came over and we had a good talk and I showed him some bright DSOs. He then proceeded to tell me that he was the person primarily responsible for installing the LEDs all over Tynemouth, and wasn’t it just wonderful ….

[David Swan]

I believe the close approach was June this year (2018), so we’ve missed the best of it. It is low down in Capricornus now, and dimmer than mag 16, but I might have a go if I get a really clear southern sky.

[David Swan]

The coma looks like it has expanded significantly since last night. Still bright and quite something.

[David Swan]

Thanks very much Dominic – and Andy.

[David Swan]

Looking quite spectacular as a big fuzzball moving through the star field.

[David Swan]

Thanks for pointing this out. I’ll have a look. David

[Author]

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