A new method for cleaning catadioptric telescope corrector plates
Ron Arbour presents a novel technique he has developed for cleaning the front of Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes.
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Taurids 2012 − Dual-station meteor videography
The results from dual-station observations of the 2012 Taurid showers are presented and discussed.
Read moreSpectroscopic observations of the bright RV Tauri variable R Scuti
A series of spectra of the RV Tauri star R Scuti taken as it rose from a deep minimum to a bright maximum during 2013 October and November reveals major changes taking place in the photosphere and outer atmosphere of the star. This may be the first such series of spectra and demonstrates the capability of amateur spectroscopy for studying these complex stars.
Read moreThe comets of 2002 (Part 1)
This report is the thirteenth in the annual series which gives for each comet: the discovery details, orbital data and general information, magnitude parameters and BAA Comet Section observations. The year was somewhat unusual with several bright comets.
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Analysis of lunar crater timings, 1842-2011
Crater timings are made during a total or partial lunar eclipse as the Moon slowly glides through the Earth’s central shadow cone, or umbra. We have gathered 22,539 observations made at 94 lunar eclipses since 1842 – the largest collection of crater and contact timings ever compiled. In this paper we analyse these timings to derive an improved characterisation of the umbra’s size, shape, and stability over time.
Read moreEstimating 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreRecording 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
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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.
Read moreThe 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.
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