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Amateur discovery of a nova in the Andromeda Galaxy
The weather forecast for 2018 Nov 26 was atrocious, with cloud and rain expected non-stop. I was therfore surprised when
Read moreA lunar cryptomare dome near Cavalerius A and Hevelius A
In this study we examine a lunar dome, identified using CCD terrestrial imagery, LROC WAC images, Clementine multispectral data and the LROC WAC-based GLD100 DTM. The dome lies near Cavalerius A and Hevelius A, in a complex region known as Hevelius Formation, showing evidence of ancient (pre-Orientale) mare volcanism and cryptomare deposits.
Read moreAlice Grace Cook: An East Anglian meteor observer
Alice Grace Cook (1877–1958, and usually known by her middle name) was one of the first female Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society. She was also briefly the Director of the British Astronomical Association Meteor Section. However, she is a little-known figure. This paper presents an overview of her life and contributions to astronomy.
Read moreThe mean distance from the Earth to the Moon
The mean value (over time) of the distance between the centres of the Earth and the Moon is 385,000 km, not 384,400 km as given in many texts. This is based on the Moon’s mean equatorial horizontal parallax.
Read moreJupiter’s North Equatorial Belt & Jet I. Cyclic expansions & planetary waves
This article presents a synopsis of the activity in Jupiter’s North Equatorial Belt (NEB) from 1986–2010, and of the speeds of dark formations on its south edge and bright streaks (‘rifts’) in its interior. In particular I discuss NEB expansion events (NEEs), which took place every 3–5 years during this time, and how the various features of the NEB are involved in them.
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