Papers – Page 26 – British Astronomical Association

Estimating the time of first light of SN 2014J in M82 from MicroObservatory pre-discovery images

SN 2014J was discovered on 2014 January 21, but prediscovery images suggest the supernova may have exploded several days earlier.

The Ashen Light of Venus: the oldest unsolved solar system mystery

The Ashen Light, a feeble glowing or colouration of the night-side of Venus, has been discussed ever since Riccioli reported it in 1643.

Recording of ‘sprites’ by video meteor detection cameras

This paper describes a series of ‘sprites’ serendipitusly recorded by video cameras operated by members of the BAA meteor section

The Waverton long pendulum experiment, 2009-2012

In 1851 Jean Leon Foucault demonstrated a proof that the Earth turns on its axis, by swinging a long (67m) free pendulum from the roof of the Pantheon in Paris. This paper describes attempts started in 2009 in a rural Cheshire church to repeat that experiment, and what those attempts revealed.

The British Astronomical Association and the Great War of 1914-1918

Marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, this paper considers the effect of the war on the BAA and pays tribute to some of its members who were involved in the conflict.

Arthur Neville Brown: schoolmaster and variable star observer

Arthur Neville Brown, MA, FRAS (1864−1934) was a prolific variable star observer and served for many years as Secretary of the BAA Variable Star Section.

Latitude dependency of the maximum duration of a total solar eclipse

What is the maximum duration of a total solar eclipse as a function of the latitude?

Saturn in 1994−’95

BAA observations from 1994 April to 1995 January are reviewed.

Measurement of double stars

This short paper reports measurements of double stars made by BAA members, and aims to encourage double star observing by briefly describing the main observational ways of carrying out these measurements.

Henry Beighton and astronomy in the Ladies’ Diary

Henry Beighton, FRS (1687−1743) was a polymath who played an important role in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.