Archives
The Radio Astronomy Group in 2017
Figure 1 shows the number of Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances (SIDs) recorded by the Radio Astronomy Group (RAG) each month since
Read more
Exploring the galaxies of Virgo
Perhaps this article should be called Getting Lost in Virgo, because that is often what happens when you start exploring
Read more
Richard M. Baum, 1930−2017
Richard Myer Baum will not have been known personally to many of today’s members, but readers of the Journal will
Read moreSpectroscopic observation of planetary nebulae
This paper describes how commercially available spectrographs can be used to identify and measure some basic characteristics of planetary nebulae.
Read more
Saturn, 2004-’05
The 2004-’05 apparition was very well observed, though the planet showed less atmospheric activity than in the previous apparition. Many images were obtained at visible, infrared, ultraviolet and methane band wavelengths. The planet was at opposition in Gemini on 2005 Jan 13, at declination +21°. Solar conjunctions occurred on 2004 Jul 8 and 2005 Jul 23. Our observers monitored the planet from 2004 Aug 15 (Gray) till 2005 Jun 9 (Yunoki).
Read moreFranz von Paula Gruithuisen (1774− 1852) and the ‘Lost City in the Moon’
In the early hours of the morning of July 12 in the year 1822, Franz von Paula Gruithuisen (1774–1852) turned his small telescope to the Moon. What greeted him at the eyepiece, in the environs of the crater named Schroeter, was nothing short of a revelation. The jumbled terrain, caught under raking illumination, coalesced into a regular arrangement which convinced the astronomer he had discovered evidence that the Moon was inhabited….
Read more