Archives
Sailing with the Argonauts
Puppis is an interesting constellation. Originally it was part of the huge southern constellation of Argo Navis (the ship in which
Read moreFrom the BAA Archives
Warren De la Rue (1815–1889) was a British astronomer, chemist and inventor, famous for his pioneering work in astronomical photography.
Read moreThe opposition of Mars, 2012: Part II
Part I of this report covered dust storm activity and variations in the albedo markings, along with the remarkable terminator projections seen at high southern latitudes during 2012 March–April. Part II discusses white cloud activity. The appearances of the Equatorial Cloud Band, the Syrtis Blue Cloud and the various orographic clouds were all seasonally normal, while the seasonal commencement of the N. polar cyclonic white clouds were recorded from Ls= 116° onwards; they exhibited obvious signs of vorticity only from Ls= 129°. The N. polar cap retreat was in close accord with the average, but there was a small systematic difference from 2010 when the seasonal separation of Olympia had been slightly delayed: in 2012 the recession of the cap after Ls~ 35° was a little faster. The onset of the N. polar hood was timed at Ls= 151°. The seasonal brightening of Hellas, due to ground frost formation, was well observed in 2012 March–April.
Read moreThe brighter comets of 2015
This report describes and analyses observations of the brighter or more interesting comets discovered or at perihelion during 2015, concentrating on those visually observed. Magnitude parameters are given for all comets with observations. Any evolution in the magnitude parameters of those periodic comets with multiple returns is discussed. Additional information on the comets discussed here, and on other comets seen or at perihelion during the year, may be found on the Comet Section’s visual observations web pages.
Read more