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I have uploaded the meeting videos to the BAA YouTube channel. I provide links below for easy access. I divided the meeting into the 3 sessions, and in the YouTube video descriptions there are links so you can jump to each of the talks.
Unfortunately there were a few IT issues on the day so the recordings are not perfect. The first few minutes of the introduction were missed due to a recording issue, and then one of the microphones failed for the start of Paul Leyland’s talk. I have left all of Paul’s talk as you can still see the slides before I swapped his microphone.Session 1 (morning) – https://youtu.be/XIIO4Wbi6Rw
Session 2 (after lunch) – https://youtu.be/GmV6uenWiUM
Session 3 (after tea) – https://youtu.be/REQ3deLjfc8Here is the revised schedule for the day.
10:30 – Welcome and introduction. Director
10:50 – Richard Sargent – Hind’s Variable Nebula
11:20 – Paul Leyland – Observing extragalactic variables
11:50 – Jeremy Shears – Cluster variables in M5
12:20 – Chris Lloyd – Targets for Smart Scopes
12:50 – Lunch
14:15 – Brian Kloppenborg (Remote) – How AAVSO is adapting to the sky survey era
14:45 – David Boyd – Spectroscopy of the massive eclipsing binary VV Cephei
15:15 – Des Loughney – Using the MAST Database to study eclipsing binaries
15:45 – Tea
16:15 – John Toone – 50 years of visual photometry
16.45 – Ingrid Pelisoli (University of Warwick) – Discovering and characterising white dwarf pulsars
17:35 – Closing remarks – DirectorBest wishes,
AndyI am also staying at the Premier Inn. Friday night as well as Saturday night, as that is the only way I can be there for the start of the meeting.
Cheers,
AndyIt is a remarkably high proper motion.
I just noticed the Gaia DR3 parallax puts it at just 17.5pc distant (57 light years). So a celestial next door neighbour! That helps to explain the high proper motion.
A good spot on those images Robin.
Cheers,
AndyHi Ian,
Looking at SIMBAD, I see it has a very high proper motion, approximately 0.5 arcseconds per year. So for an EPOCH of J2000 it should have a very different position.
Over the 25 years since the J2000 coordinates, I work this out at roughly -0.6″ in RA and -6.75″ in Dec. So pretty close to what you are finding.
https://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-basic?Ident=ZZ+psc&submit=SIMBAD+search
Cheers,
AndyHi Robin,
That is an interesting idea about spectroscopy.
There does not appear to be a ‘no filter’ option. Either VIS (430-650nm), Astro (430-690nm), or Duo band (H-alpha and OIII). It does not look like modification to remove a filter would be straightforward.
Best wishes,
AndyIt is impressive what this little scope managed. I will gradually try some harder targets to see how it handles them.
I have added images of the Sun and Moon to the gallery.
https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20250317_121906_068460f96a587c0d
https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20250317_122120_ed54a2b52dca88f9
It obviously lacks resolution compared to longer focal lengths and larger apertures, though I think it does a decent job.
I worked out how to copy the FITS files onto my computer. This includes the original raw files, and the stacked image created by the Dwarf. That is a really nice best of both worlds approach. It has a timelapse function, that might be interesting for some variable stars, to avoid taking hundreds of images to process over an extended period. My main aim is to use it for Deep Sky, and variable stars will be an added bonus if it works.
Thanks,
AndyHi Ken,
I expect you have already done this, but I thought I would mention it just in case. Where there is an unexpected difference in the intensity between two lines, my first thought is to check the response correction. Not just whether you have good confidence in your own spectrum, but also the one you were supplied with. I imagine the response correction would have to be obtained at night by a observing a star, with the spectrograph in the same configuration as the daytime solar spectrum.
Sorry I am not able to provide a spectrum.
Best wishes,
AndyThat link actually points to a high resolution solar spectrum by me (taken through a solar filter, not of the sky) though unfortunately although it covers H beta it does not cover Na D
Cheers
RobinThank you for pointing out my mistake Robin, now corrected.
I had been checking what solar spectra we had in the BAA database, as well as Europa, and I copied the wrong link.
Cheers,
AndyI suspect part of the issue is this is a very specific request, so there will be at best a handful of BAA members in a position to make the observation. A required spectral resolution rather than a specific spectrograph could open it up to a few more observers. Also, when I was doing spectroscopy with an LHIRES III, I would leave it set at H-alpha, so I could be as efficient as possible at acquiring data by requiring only one setup and calibration set.
We do have a spectrum of Europa in the BAA database, but it is low resolution with an R value of 564.
https://britastro.org/specdb/data_graph.php?obs_id=12734&obs_validated=&obs_observer_id=HAL&r_c=1&f_c=0&o_comment=&plot=PlotA minor point, but it can be helpful to be more specific in the forum post title. So people visiting the website know a bit more about what you are after without opening the post. Hence, Jeremy’s suggestion to make your enquiry about de-forking your Meade 12″ on a new thread.
Best wishes,
AndyIt was fantastic to see Michael Woodman in person, and really great that many members of his family were able to attend the presentation of his Butterworth Award.
While it is a shame not to have consistency, I think in general it is a good policy to give Observing Sections as much autonomy as possible. The Observing Sections are the heart of the BAA, and are run by experts in their field doing world class observing and research.
The Variable Star Section is a good example of why it can be useful to make a Circular public. I know that professional astronomers read it. If it were behind a pay wall then that might not happen. Having the professional researchers read the Circular benefits the members who contribute to the Section.Hi Nick,
You need to be logged into the website to download the Solar Section Newsletters. I suspect that if you login then that will solve the problem.
https://britastro.org/document_folder/baa-document-store/sections/solar-section
Best wishes,
AndyI have a 250mm Mewlon. To solve a problem with condensation on the main mirror, I wrap a dew heater band around the back of the scope, near the main mirror cell. During the winter months I leave it on constantly at a low level, turning it off before observing. I have found this works well at preventing any moisture from forming on the optical surfaces or within the telescope tube. It only uses a tiny amount of power.
I also have a tube heater, something like 60W or 80W, set on a timer in the winter. This gives just a little heat to the observatory, but did not stop condensation within the optical tube.
I have a wooden roll off roof observatory.
AndyHi Paul,
With a Digital Subscription you receive everything digitally, including the Handbook. The difference in price between Digital and Paper subscriptions is the cost of printing a posting both the Journals and the Handbook.
Here is the link to the Handbook archive.
https://britastro.org/document_folder/baa-document-store/the-baa-archives/baa-handbooksBest wishes,
AndyThank you all!
I have received official notification of the award of my PhD, after the minor corrections to my thesis were accepted.
I don’t expect anyone to read it, but I thought I would use this opportunity to provide a link to my thesis at the University of Exeter online portal http://hdl.handle.net/10871/137743I think a coalition of organisations with a shared interest in reducing light pollution is an excellent idea. While the CfDS could campaign purely on astronomical grounds, this won’t be important to many people and politicians. Joining forces with others who see the problems of light pollution from other perspectives will strengthen the case for change.
There is no mention of involvement with ‘climate activist’ groups or anything that is likely to be picked up by media as activism. I think you would find the majority of wildlife campaign groups go about their activities in a law abiding way, trying to engage with people rather than causing confrontation. That is certainly how our local wildlife group goes about their work. In fact we had a talk on light pollution this week.Hi Gordon,
I know what you mean, lugging a heavy telescope outside can put me off observing.
Assuming you are using your Televue for visual observing, I wonder if an altazimuth mount would be lighter? You can get manual or ones that track sufficiently for visual observing. Some of the tripods themselves can still be a little heavy, though the whole package should be lighter than an equatorial mount.
The latest smart telescopes look very interesting. I am contemplating buying one of the lighter models. Of course the observing experience will be different. They specialise in Deep Sky targets and none are good for planets. Most can observe the Moon and Sun, though only the full disc.
Best wishes,
Andy
