31 March 2008

Sunspots Observed

The Sun was quiet much of the month, but when it came back to life it did it with a vengance spawning three groups within a few days. These groups were all still part of Cycle 23 although they say we are already in Cycle 24.

Observing Hours for the Year 2008

	Day			Night			Total
	Hours	Days	Avg	Hours	Days	Avg	Hours	Days	Avg
Jan	2.25	9	0.25	2.75	5	0.55	5.00	13	0.38
Feb	3.25	9	0.36	8.25	7	1.18	11.25	12	0.94
Mar	5.25	10	0.53	8.50	12	0.71	13.75	16	0.86
TOTAL	10.75	28	0.38	19.50	24	0.81	30.00	41	0.73

30 March 2008

Observing Location	PSC
Observational Period	1130-1200 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 37°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.72" Hg Falling Feels Like Cold Wind Chill 31°F Transparency Excellent Seeing III
Instruments	SAR: Coulter CT-100 Newtonian reflector - Charlie CelEDTron Omni 20mm (21x) CelEDTron Omni 2x Barlow w/Baader AstroSolar filter film
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Psc Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080330.1145 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.999 AU 8m 18s Angular Size 32' 04.4" Altitude 50.3° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -6.60° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 220.15° Parallactic Angle (P) -26.11° Carrington rotation number (CR) 20.68 I saw all three groups again today but only through the telescope.   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 3 6 36 Total 3 6 36 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots) Group 987 The group appears as a gray smudge. It looks like two spots to me. Heliographic Latitude -1° Heliographic Longitude 266° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 Mcintosh System Bxx Group 988 The predominant spot is dark with a broad penumbra. There are small spots above it and behind it against the penumbra. Heliographic Latitude -2° Heliographic Longitude 240° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 Mcintosh System Cho Group 989 This is a very indistinct group and was only seen at low power and at times of good seeing. Heliographic Latitude -2° Heliographic Longitude 208° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 Mcintosh System Axx

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Observing Location	McGraw Ave between Pugsley Ave and Metropolitan Ave, Bronx, NY Lat.: 40° 50' 05.27" Long.: -73° 51' 32.83"
Observational Period	2045-2100 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 38°F Wind Light Breeze gusting to Moderate Breeze Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.69" Hg Steady Feels Like Cold Wind Chill 31°F Transparency Excellent Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

I went out for one satellite and got three on the same track one behind the other. This is usually spay satellites like Lacrosse that are used for change detection but at least the last one in this case was an Iridium communications satellite.

CalSky lists three satellites passing on the same track at 2056 (NOSS 3-3 (A), NOSS 3-3 (B), and NOSS 3-3 (E), and a Cosmos and a Lacrosse that followed somewhat similar tracks at 2045 and 2053 respectively.

I am not sure which of these satellites I saw, but I know I saw an extremely bright flare.

Target Iridium 91 Flare Constellation Ums, Leo Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080330.2053 EDT Comments This was like a visible pass and a flare combined. I thought when the second satellite came through at about the right time that I had been skunked because CalSky says this is Iridium 90 and that it is a spare satellite and may not flare when and where they predict it or at the magnitude they predict, but it flared as it approached Zosma, the haunch of Leo and faded before reaching 60 Leo. The flare was long and bright and the fade was very rapid and disappearance occurred down below the belly of Leo between M65 abd M105.   Heavens Above CalSky Alt. 53° 53.2 Az. 111° ESE 111.1 ESE Mag. -8 -7.0

29 March 2008

Observing Location	East Tremont Ave @ Unionport Rd. & White Plains Rd @ Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, NY I started out up north where I am on a high point of ground so have a reasonable northern horizon but am blocked by the Parkchester apartment buildings to the south, and moved down to the south where I have a better view to the East-South-West
Observational Period	0520-0600 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 33°F Wind 8 MPH Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.27" Hg Rising Feels Like Cold Wind Chill 26°F I think there is some light haze as I wasn’t seeing everything I thought I should have. Transparency Good Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

0511 EDT	Astronomical Twilight begins

Target Iridium 96 Flare Constellation Cas Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.0522 EDT Comments Not Seen By the time I got there, got my bearings and found a place where I could see the chunk of sky I needed to see the flare had already occurred.   Heavens Above CalSky Alt. 22° 22 Az. 14° NNE 14.3° NNE Mag. -3 -4.5

Target Lacrosse 5 Flare Constellation Vul Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.0528 EDT Comments I was looking low and didn’t see the flare. I saw a satellite heading up toward zenith past Altair and Tarazed but appear to have stopped looking before it flared.   CalSky Alt. 55.7° Az. 114.3° ESE Mag. 0.0

0544 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins
0616 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Civil Twilight begins
0644 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Sunrise

Target Iridium 33 Flare Constellation Lib Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.0555 EDT Comments Not Seen I saw Zuben Alschemali but Zuben Elkrab, and no flare.   CalSky Alt. 28.8° Az. 209.8° SSW Mag. -1.1

Target Moon Constellation Sgr Category Lunar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.0555 EDT Comments Lunation 1054 Phase Last Quarter Age Distance Light Time (from earth) 399,548 km 1.32s Elongation 95.4° W % Illuminated 55.1% Morning Terminator Colongitude (λ E) 178.6° Evening Terminator Colongitude (λ W) 358.6° Libration in Latitude 6° 12' Libration in Longitude -4° 19' Magnitude -10.3 Angular Size 29.91' Altitude 20° 44' Virtual Moon Atlas graphic

Target Jupiter Constellation Sgr Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.0555 EDT Comments Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 79.3° W Distance Light Time (from Earth) 5.31 AU 44m 09s Distance (from Sun) 5.22 AU Angular Size 37.1"x34.7" Magnitude -2.1 Central Meridian I/II 291°/342° Altitude 22.2° Moons Starry Night Starter graphic Juliter was big and bright to the left of the Moon by ~15°. Meridian graphic

Target Saturn Constellation Leo Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.0555 EDT Comments Saturn looked yellowish [According to the computers Saturn had already set by this time, but I am sure that I saw it above the horizon. Maybe I saw it when I was up north and have my time wrong but even if I had seen it from there Regulus would have already been below the horizon. Spica and Porrima have about the same brightness ratio but are too far apart to be mistaken. Denobola and Zosma were still up but again are too far apart and they are too faint. I don't know what I saw. Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 143.6° E Distance Light Time (from Earth) 8.47 AU 1h 10m Distance (from Sun) 9.29 AU Angular Size 19.5"x17.4" Ring Angular Size 44.3"x7.33" Ring Inclination 9.5° Magnitude +0.4 Altitude -4.4° Starry Night Starter graphic

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Observing Location	PSC
Observational Period	1100-1130 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 38°F Wind 10 MPH gusting to 25 MPH Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.39" Hg Rising Feels Like Cold There is lots of boiling on the limb and I had to wait for the spots to pop into focus. Transparency Excellent Seeing II-III
Instruments	SAR: Coulter CT-100 Newtonian reflector - Charlie CelEDTron Omni 20mm (21x) CelEDTron Omni 2x Barlow Baader AstroSolar filter film
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation PSC Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.1115 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.999 AU 8m 18s Angular Size 32' 05.5" Altitude 46.6° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -6.65° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 233.62° Parallactic Angle (P) -26.06° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 I was not able to see anything naked-eye but there were three groups visible through the scope.   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 3 8 38 Total 3 8 38 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots) Group 987 This group is not as pronounced as 988 but is easily visible. There is a thin penumbra around the main spot and there are small sport outside of the penumbra on either side of it. Heliographic Latitude -1° Heliographic Longitude 207° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 Mcintosh System Cro Group 988 There is penumbra visible surrounding the F sopt. There is a small spot visible just outside the penumbra and another small spot a good way ahead of it. Heliographic Latitude -3° Heliographic Longitude 243° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 Mcintosh System Dho Group 989 This is the hardest spot to detect and can only be seen when the seeing pops into focus. It is mostly a gray smudge with a smaller smudge below and before it. Heliographic Latitude -2° Heliographic Longitude 273° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2063 Mcintosh System Bxx

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Observing Location	Benedict Ave @ Olmstead Ave, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	1950-2015 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 41°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.46" Hg Rising Feels Like Cold Transparency Good Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

1648 EDT	Last Quater Moon
1917 EDT	Sunset Civil Twilight begins
1944 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins

Target ISS Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.1957 EDT Comments     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n &nbst s   Time 1957:37 EDT 2000:24 EDT 2003:11 EDT Alt. 10° 47° 10° Az. WSW NNW NE Mag -1.4 C a l S k y Time 1955:35 EDT 2000:23 EDT 2004:30 EDT Alt. horizon 46.9° 3.2° 245.2Az. WSW 237.8° NNW 49.0° NE ° Mag 2.3 -3.2 -1.2

Target ATV Jules Verne Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080329.2004 EDT Comments Not Seen     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n &nbst s   Time 2004:07 EDT 2006:56 EDT 2009:45 EDT Alt. 10° 42° 10° Az. WSW NNW NE Mag 0.9

2017 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Astronomical Twilight begins
2050 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends

27 March 2008

I wanted to see how the shape of the ecliptic changes from day to day. I know that the Sun rises in different locations each day and we talk about the ecliptic being steep or shallow and the crescent Moon diagrams in the Astronomical Calendar show it being steep at moonrise and shallow at moonset during some months and similar during other months. So I decided to chart the ecliptic.

The first chart was for three dates during the current month.

Next I made a chart for the equinoxes and solstices. For this chart I used Standard Time throughout the year so that I was not comparing apples and oranges.

I was surprised that the shape of the ecliptic seems to remain constant. The only change I see is when it intersects the horizon and how high it gets.

26 March 2008

Observing Location	PSC
Observational Period	1145-1215 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Broken Temperature 55°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 29.98" Hg Falling Feels Like Very mild It was clear this morning but has now clouded over getting ready for a few days of rain. I had to wait for gaps in the cloud to get a sighting of the Sun. Transparency Poor Seeing I
Instruments	Brunton 8x21 compact binocular w/Welco gold shade 14 welder's filter - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Psc Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080326.1145 EDT Comments When there are spots there are lots of them. I can see two groups and SOHO sees a third that is right on the eastern limb that I can’t see yet. They say that Cycle 24 has already begun but that the polarization of these spots indicates that they belong to Cycle 23. Distance Light Time 0.998 AU 8m 18s Angular Size 32' 06.7" Altitude 50° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -6.79° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 227.72° Parallactic Angle (P) -25.85° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 I initially assessed these groups to be north of the equator but on looking at Active Region Explorer found that they were actually to the south.   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 2 4 24 Total 2 4 24 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots) Group 988 This group looks to me like two faint smudges. They are about equal in size. Heliographic Latitude -11° Heliographic Longitude 249° Carrington rotation number (CR) 1068 Mcintosh System Bxo Group 989 The P spot of this group is the largest and blackest of the spots that I can see. The F spot is smaller than either of the spots of Group 988. Heliographic Latitude -12° Heliographic Longitude 225° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2068 Mcintosh System Bxo It has been so long since I have made a sunspot entry in the blog that I had forgotten where the text goes in the template.

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Observing Location	White Plains Road over the Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	2010-2030 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Isolated Temperature 56° Wind Calm Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.03" Hg Rising Feels Like Warm It is nearly 60° an hour after sunset and they are predicting snow for tomorrow night and Friday. Transparency Good Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target ATV Jules Verne Visible Pass Constellation Lep, CMa, Mon, CMi, Cnc, Leo, LMi, UMA, CVn Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080326.2021 EDT Comments Not Seen I may have seen it but misidentified it as an airplane as there were lots of planes taking off from LGA or EWR that were flying through that area.     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n   s   Time 2021:45 EDT 2024:31 EDT 2025:26 EDT Alt. 10° 48° 32° Az. SW SE E Mag -0.2

Target ISS Visible Pass Constellation Lep, CMa, Mon, CMi, Cnc, Leo, LMi, UMA, CVn Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080326.2025 EDT Comments ISS appeared belor Orion and passed above Mirzam and Sirius (CMa), above Gomesa and Procyon (CMi), below Castor, Pollux and Saturn then above Zosma (Leo), and disappeared as it approached Alkaid (UMa).     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n   s   Time 2025:56 EDT 2028:43 EDT 2029:29 EDT Alt. 10° 54° 38° Az. SW SE E Mag -2.3 C a l S k y Time 2024:05 EDT 2028:53 EDT 2029:46 EDT Alt. horizon 54.0° 35.2° Az. 223.1° SW 140.1° SE 82.2° E Mag 0.3 -4.4 -3.9

While waiting I identified Mars and Saturn but was not able to fine M45.

25 March 2008

Observing Location	McDonalds, Westchester Ave near Pugsley, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	1915-2005 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Overcast? Temperature 40°F Wind Light Breeze gusting to Gentle Breeze Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.16" Hg Falling Feels Like Cold It was dark out and I couldn’t tell if I was seeing overcast with lower clouds or clear sky with a few patches of cloud. It turned out that it was overcast. Transparency nil Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

There was a parade of satellites in the ISS orbital plane but I didn’t see any of them.

1912 EDT	Sunset Civil Twilight begins

Target Iridium 19 Flare Constellation Gem Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080325.1933 EDT Comments Not Seen   Heavens Above CalSky Alt. 63° 62.9° Az. 165° SSE 165.0 SSE Mag. -6 -6.2 Surface   MMA1 (right antenna)

1940 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins

Target ATV Jules Verne Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080325.1959 EDT Comments Not Seen     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n   s   Time 1959:28 EDT 2001:08 EDT 2001:30 EDT Alt. 10° 14° 14° Az. SSE SSE SSE Mag 1.6

Target STS-123 Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080325.2002 EDT Comments Not Seen     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n   s   Time 2002:38 EDT 2004:26 EDT 2004:42 EDT Alt. 10° 16° 15° Az. S SE SE Mag -0.5 C a l S k y Time 2001:45 EDT 2006:04 EDT 2006:24 EDT Alt. horizon 16.2° 15.9° Az. 196.5° SSW 132.4° SE 123.6° ESE Mag 2.7 0.3 0.3

Target ISS Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080325.2004 EDT Comments Not Seen     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n   s   Time 2004:41 EDT 2006:35 EDT 2006:47 EDT Alt. 10° 16° 16° Az. S SE SE Mag -0.6 C a l S k y Time 2002:22 EDT 2006:42 EDT 2007:02 EDT Alt. horizon 16.5° 16.2° Az. 196.9° SSW 132.6° SE 123.8° SE Mag -0.3 -2.7 -2.7

2012 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Astronomical Twilight begins
2045 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends

24 March 2008

Observing Location	MetOval
Observational Period	2045-2130 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Scattered Clouds Temperature 44°F Wind Calm Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.22" Hg Rising Feels Like Cool The weather was saying partly cloudy at Central Park so I went out. There were times when the seeing got soft due to light cloud passing in front of Sirius, but I could always see the star. Transparency Good Seeing II
Instruments	Golden Gate 7x35 binocular - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target ISS may occult Sirius Constellation CMa Category Occultation; Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080324.2117 EDT Comments Not Seen CalSky alerted me to this event and advised that MetOval was right on the centerline (map) so I gave it a try. This was not an ISS visible pass, the station was in earth’s shadow. Given the configuration of ISS I was expecting some twinkling or maybe dimming like a graze of a double star. The event was to take place at 2117:51.89 EDT. I watched from 2115 until 2121 EDT and didn’t see anything

Target Saturn Constellation Leo Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080324.2050 EDT Comments Saturn is a creamy, butter yellow and not as bright as Mars in the binocular although brighter naked-eye. Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 148.1° E Distance Light Time (from Earth) 8.49 AU 21h 43.1m Distance (from Sun) 9.29 AU Angular Size 19.6"x17.5" Ring Angular Size 44.5"x7.28" Ring Inclination 9.4° Magnitude 0.3 Altitude 49° Starry Night Starter graphic

Target Mars Constellation Gem Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080324.2100 EDT Comments Mars, near Castor’s hip, is a bright, transparent orange in color. Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 92.9° Distance Light Time (from Earth) 1.27 AU 10m 34s Distance (from Sun) 1.65 AU Angular Size 7.37" Magnitude 0.7 Central Meridian 119° Altitude 64.4°

The Hyades looks nice next to Aldeberan, but the Pleiades are very subdued with only the brightest stars visible in the binocular and not seen at all naked-eye.

23 March 2008

Observing Location	Home
Observational Period	0550-0605 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 31°F Wind 9 MPH Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.12" Hg Rising Feels Like Wind Chill 23°F I am inside so conditions, other than transparency are irrelevant. Transparency Excellent Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

0522 EDT	Astronomical Twilight begins
0554 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends Nautical Twilight beginss

Target Iridium 33 Flare Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080323.0600 EDT Comments Not Seen The adjoining building is in the way.   Heavens Above CalSky Alt. 33° 32.9 Az. 15° NNE 14.9 NNE Mag. -4 -5.1

0627 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Civil Twilight beginss
0654 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Sunrise
0721 EDT	Moonset

22 March 2008

I set the alarm for early this morning to get up and see Jules Verne and ISS but didn't get up when I should have. Just as the pass was beginning I looked out the kitchen window and it was cloudy anyway. It looks like the weather will be better tomorrow, but Jules Verne will be dimmer then also.

Observing Location	Benedict Ave & Olmstead Ave, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	1015-1030 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Scattered Clouds Temperature 38°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 29.94" Hg Feels Like Cool Transparency Fair Seeing II
Instruments	Brunton 8x21 compact binocular w/Welco gold shade 14 welder's filter - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Psc Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080322.1015 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.997 AU 8m 17s Angular Size 32' 08.9" Altitude 35.5° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -6.95° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 326.49° Parallactic Angle (P) -25.49° Carrington rotation number (CR) 20.68 Nothing seen   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots) NASA has updated their prediction for the new sunspot cycle. They are showing us in a trough between the last cycle (23) and the next one (24)

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Observing Location	MetOval
Observational Period	2200-2300 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 40°F Wind Calm gusting to Light Breeze Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.00" Hg Rising Feels Like Cool It was very pleasant out although my hands were getting cold by the end of the hour. Transparency Excellent Seeing II
Instruments	SAR: Coulter CT-100 Newtonian reflector - Charlie CelEDTron Omni 20mm (21x) CelEDTron Omni 2x Barlow
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target USA 182/Lacrosse crosses the disk of the Moon Constellation Vir Category Lunar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080322.2215 EDT Comments Not Seen I don’t think I saw the satellite but at ~2252 EDT I did see a small, indistinct shadow dart across the Moon from around Aristoteles toward Copernicus. Time 2249:48.37 EDT Duration 1.2s Diameter 2.5" Moves to 9:00 Distance to track center 0.08 km Path Width 33.5 km Lunation Phase Age Distance Light Time (from earth) 397,217 km 1.32s Elongation 164.5° W % Illuminated 98.3% Morning Terminator Colongitude (λ E) 102.1° Evening Terminator Colongitude (λ W) 282.1° Libration in Latitude 5° 36' Libration in Longitude 3° 41' Magnitude -12.3 Angular Size 30.08' Altitude 17° 53' Virtual Moon Atlas graphic Terminator In Sunlight Feature In Shadow <<< Mare Humboldtianum >>> <<< Endymium   <<< Gauss >>> <<< Berosus   <<< Hahn   <<< Alhazen   <<< Hansen   <<< Condorcer   <<< Langrenus   <<< Barkla   <<< Kapteyen   <<< Kastner >>> <<< Ansgarius   <<< Hectares   <’<< Vales Rheta >>> I detected texture in the center of Petavius – its central peak – that makes it look like concentric craters I still see some lumpiness on the limb at Mare Orientale There are lots of rays still visible emanating from both Tycho and Copernicus Palus Somni and Proclus are prominent Aristarchus is chalky white Tycho, Copernicus, Menelaus and Manilius appear bright Grimaldi is the only really dark feature

Target Saturn Constellation Leo Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080322.2230 EDT Comments I saw a triangle of bright stars that didn’t look familiar. The lower left point of the triangle was actually Saturn next to Regulus. It was so clear that I could see all of the stars of the head of Leo. I didn’t try getting the scope onto Saturn. Starry Night Starter graphic Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 150.2° E Distance Light Time (from Earth) 8.41 AU 1h 10m Distance (from Sun) 9.29 AU Angular Size 19.7"x17.5" Ring Angular Size 44.6"x7.25" Ring Inclination 9.4° Magnitude 0.3 Altitude 59.1° Starry Night Starter graphic

Target Mars Constellation Gem Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080322.2230 EDT Comments Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 94° E Distance Light Time (from Earth) 1.25 AU 10m 24s Distance (from Sun) 1.65 AU Angular Size 7.48" Magnitude 0.7 Central Meridian 160° Altitude 48.6° Mars appeared bright off the left hip of Castor. Starry Night Starter graphic

21 March 2008

Observing Location	Home
Observational Period	0515-0530 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 36°F Wind 17 MPH gusting to 28 MPH Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 29.96" Hg Rising Feels Like Wind Chill 26-23°F I am indoors again so the feel of the weather, especially the wind chill, are irrelevant Transparency Seeing Clear
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

0525 EDT	Astronomical Twilight begins

Target ISS/STS-123 Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080321.0522 EDT Comments Not Seen I can’t see high enough into the celestial sphere from my kitchen window. It looks like it must have popped out and faded quickly. I moved to the bedroom where I saw one star but didn’t pick up the satellite.     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n &nbst s   Time 0522:13 EDT 0522: 13 EDT 0525:01 EDT Alt. 84° 84° 10° Az. ESE ESE SE Mag -2.5 C a l S k y Time 0522:02 EDT 0522:08 EDT 0526:59 EDT Alt. 83.1° 88.6° horizon Az. 318.6° NW 36.6° NE 127.1° SE Mag -4.6 -4.6 0.5

0558 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins
0630 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Civil Twilight begins
0657 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Sunrise

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Observing Location	East Tremont Ave @ Unionport Rd, Bronx, NY Lat.: 40° 50 28.51 Long.: 73° 51 42.30
Observational Period	2305-2335 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Scattered (Broken?) Clouds Temperature 40°F Wind 7 MPH gusting to 16 MPH Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.03" Hg Steady Feels Like Cool & Blustery I was leaning up against a street lamp pole but still could not stand steady in the gusty wind. Transparency Seeing Clear
Instruments	Golden Gate 7x35 binocular - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target ISS Occults Capella Constellation Aur Category Occultation Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080321.2321 EDT Comments Earlier in the week CalSky predicted that the ISS might occult Capella tonight at 2321:27.84 EDT. That prediction has since been removed from their listings of Sun and Moon Crossing Satellites but I went out just in case. I didn't see any occultation by anything but clouds.

Target Moon Constellation Vir Category Lunar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080321.2335 EDT Comments Lunation 1054 Phase Full Full + 8h 50m Age 14d 10h 20m Distance Light Time (from earth) 392,585 km 1.31s Elongation 174.6° W % Illuminated 99.9% Morning Terminator Colongitude (λ E) 90.6° Evening Terminator Colongitude (λ W) 270.6° Libration in Latitude 4° 44' Libration in Longitude 4° 11' Magnitude -12.6 Angular Size 30.44' Altitude 38° 36' Virtual Moon Atlas graphic With the hand held binocular I didn’t have a very steady view and was not able to detect any texture on the western limb near Mare Crisium. The moon was in haze or light cloud and had a ring around it.

20 March 2008

... The stars, those dial-points of heaven, ... The Great Carbuncle Nathaniel Hawthorne

19 March 2008

My favorite SciFi author, Arthur C. Clarke, died yesterday morning. If Arthur put it in one of his books it is something that has happened or will happen.

Clarke’s Three Laws When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. Corollary: When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to venture beyond them into the impossible. Any scientifically advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

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The ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, Jules Verne, entered a parking orbit this morning. It is about 1250 miles ahead of the ISS (about 4.5 minutes in orbital time) and will remain there until after STS-123 leaves the ISS. Then it will make two test approaches to the ISS before ultimately docking with ISS, now planned for 3Apr08 at 1020 EDT.

There should be some opportunities to see the two craft fly overhead, but the ATV is not as bright as I had hoped. It was reported to appear as a bright star in the ISS cameras but on checking the pass schedule on Heavens Above I found that most of the passes are fainter than Mag. 1.0.

ESA has committed to build at least five ATVs which will each get their own name. They will transport food, water, oxygen cargo, nitrogen and fuel up to the ISS and on the return to earth, burning up over the Pacific Ocean, will carry garbage.

Spaceflight Now story Mission Timeline

18 March 2008

Observing Location	Jacobi Hospital, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	0530-0545 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 37°F Wind 8 MPH Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.48" Hg Falling Feels Like I am in my constant 72° hospital room so outside conditions are irrelevant. It appeared clear but just before sunrise there was a stripe of cloud across the sky. At sunrise the Sun was sandwiched between the horizon and a deck of overcast stratus. Transparency Good Seeing I
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target ISS Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080318.0530 EDT Comments Not Seen I had an old listing of visible passes in my notebook and used it to search for ISS this morning. It turns out that that data is out of date and I stopped looking before the pass began. I had no idea about directions and guessed at the orientation of Pelham Parkway and that the radio antenna tower on High Island was to the East. I was close since the tower was NNE from here.   Starts Max. Alt. Ends Time 0536 EDT EDT 0524 EDT Alt. 17° 17° 10° Az. NNE NNE ENE Mag 0.4 The updated pass data are   Starts Max. Alt. Ends Time 0547 EDT 0549 EDT 0554 EDT Alt. 11.7° 31.5° horizon Az. 324.5° N 28.5° NNE 105.6° ESE Mag -2.0 -2.5 1.8

0531 EDT	Astronomical Twilight begins
0603 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins
0635 EDT	Nautical twilight ends Civil twilight begins
0702 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Sunrise

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Observing Location	Jacobi Hospital, Pelham Parkway S near Eastchester Rd, Bronx, NY Lat.: 40° 51' 23.13" Long.: 73° 50' 47.47"
Observational Period	1000-1015 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 35°F Wind 17 MPH gusting to 22 MPH Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.47" Hg Rising Feels Like I am in my constant 72° hospital room so outside conditions are irrelevant. I Transparency Excellent Seeing
Instruments	Brunton 8x21 compact binocular w/Welco gold shade 14 welder's filter - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Psc Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080317.1000 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.995 AU 8m 17s Angular Size 32' 11.6" Altitude 31.3° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -7.11° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 32.55° Parallactic Angle (P) -24.86° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2067 Nothing Seen   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots)

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Observing Location	Jacobi Hospital, Bronx, NY I am looking through dirty, double-glazed windows with light coming from behind me that I can’t control so am having trouble seeing anything outside.
Observational Period	1845-1900 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 46°F Wind 13 MPH Humidity Lowd> Barometric Pressure 30.476 Hg Rising Feels Like There is haze on the horizon up to ~5-10°. I am in my constant 72° hospital room so outside conditions are irrelevant. I Transparency Excellent Seeing
Instruments	Brunton 8x21 compact binocular - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Moon Constellation Cnc Category Lunar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080318.1845 Comments Lunation 1054> Phase Waxing Gibbous Age 10d 5h 30m Distance Light Time (from earth) 382,507 km 1.26s Elongation 134.3° E % Illuminated 91.7% Morning Terminator Colongitude (λ E) 51.5° Evening Terminator Colongitude (λ W) 231.5° Libration in Latitude 00° 04' Libration in Longitude 5° 50' Magnitude -11.6 Angular Size 31.24' Altitude 28.0° Virtual Moon Atlas graphic Terminator In Shadow Feature In Sunlight   Sinus Iridum >>>   Mare Imbrium >>> <<< Aristarchus     Gassendi >>> <<< Grimaldi   <<< Oceanus Procelarum >>>   Schiller >>> There is no earthshine. I can see the rays of Tycho. I don’t detect any libration features on the western limb.

12 March 2008

Observing Location	White Plains Rd @ Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	0630-0715 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Overcast Temperature 41°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 29.69" Hg Falling Feels Like Cold Transparency Poor Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

0541 EDT	Astronomical Twilight begins
0613 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins

Target ISS Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080312.0644 EDT Comments Not Seen I didn’t make a note of how bright this pass was but usually don’t go out for them in the morning unless they are brighter than Mag -1.5, unless I am going to be out for another event anyway, in which case I will go out early if there is an ISS visible pass predicted, which was the case today.   Starts Max. Alt. Ends Time 0643 EDT 0644 EDT 0648 EDT Alt. 10° 12° 10° Az. N N NNE Mag

0645EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Civil Twilight begins

Target Iridium 95 Flare Constellation Dra Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080312.0705:40 EDT Comments Not Seen There is just too much atmosphere up there to see anything. Alt. 52.9° Az. 16.3° NNE Mag. -7.6

These two flares were only 31’ 09” distant in space and 12^s apart in time.

Target Iridium 33 Flare Constellation Dra Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080312.0705:52 EDT Comments Not Seen Alt. 52.4° Az. 16.2° NNE Mag. -5.8

0712 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Sunrise

11 March 2008

Observing Location	McGraw Ave @ Virginia Ave, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	0200-0245 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Scattered Clouds Temperature 37°F Wind Calm Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.23" Hg Falling Feels Like Cold NOAA was saying it would be mostly cloudy tonight but I had seen a nice smiling moon with earthshine when I was out around 2000 EDT so I got trussed up and went out to give Endeavour a try anyway. The clouds appeared to be thinning a bit but were concentrated in the area I need to be looking in. I think there may also be some haze up there. Transparency Poor - Fair Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target STS-123 Launch Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080311.0228 EDT Comments Not Seen The clouds were thickest low in the south. It would have helped if I had had ephemeris data so I would have known exactly where to have been expecting it to appear.

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Observing Location	Parkchester Regional Branch Library, Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	1200-1215 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 41°F Wind Calm Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.12" Hg Falling Feels Like Cool Transparency Good Seeing
Instruments	Brunton 8x21 compact binocular w/Welco gold shade 14 welder's filter - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Sgr Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080311.1200 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.993 AU 8m 16s Angular Size 32'14.7" Altitude 44.1° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -7.22° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 110.53° Parallactic Angle (P) 23.91° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2067 Nothing Seen. SpaceWeather is indicating group 953 over on the western limb but it is too small and to close to the limb for me to see it with any of my optics.   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots)

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I checked the STS-123 visible passes on Heavens Above and they are not indicating any before docking. The passes that do occur 12-20Mar08 are all poor passes. It is like this whole mission is a "dark operation."

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Observing Location	PKR – Parkchester Regional Branch Library
Observational Period	1845-1900 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Scattered Hazy Temperature 41°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity High Barometric Pressure 29.97" Hg Rising Feels Like Cool Transparency Good Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Iridium 55 Flare Constellation Orion Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080311.1855 EDT Comments Not Seen The sky was too bright. It also seems like Orion should be lower down and farther east since we played with the clocks over the weekend. This event was not listed in Heavens Above. That usually means that their computer considers it as a daytime event or that it is an out of control or spare bird. CalSky always tells you when they are predicting an unreliable satellite and they are not saying anything like that for this prediction. I would say that this was a daytime flare and may have been too faint for the Heavens Above computer, which seems to always rate magnitudes below the CalSky computer, to list it. -5.5 Alt. 53.9° Az. 192.3° Mag.

1857 EDT	Sunset Civil Twilight begins
1925 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins
1956 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Astronomical Twilight begins
2028 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends

10 March 2008

Observing Location	Chief Dennis L. Devlin Park
Observational Period	1200-1215 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 34°F Wind Light Breeze Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 30.38" Hg Falling Feels Like Cool Transparency Excellent Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Aqr Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.1200 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.993 AU 8m 16s Angular Size 32' 15.6" Altitude 43.1° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -7.23° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 135.65° Parallactic Angle (P) -23.55° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2067 Nothing Seen   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots)

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The ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle safely lunched from the Pacific yesterday and is scheduled to dock to ISS on 3Apr08. There are some problems that have shut down some of the attitude control rockets and main engines but this is not supposed to impact the craft’s ability to reach and safely dock with the ISS. The vehicle will remain at the ISS for six month then will return to earth with waste material and burn up over the Pacific. From the looks of the images in the video at the bottom of the BBC article this is a huge satellite.

BBC

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I found that CelestTrack has a simulation of tomorrow’s launch that allows you to move around the launch pad to get different views. They also have simulations for various cities so I will be able to see what I probably won’t be able to see tonight since it is supposed to be mostly cloudy. A helper program (free) is required to make the simulation work. Both the simulation and the helper files are huge.

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I have been looking a bit in my copies of the NASA Apollo 11 Mission Reports. and particularly looking at the files on the included CDs. The Volume 1 CD has nearly 1500 images and Volume 2 has the video of the first moonwalk. The thing that strikes me about it is the difference between what went on then and what goes on at ISS. Almost all of the communications back in '69 were "Houston we are ..." where now it is "Endeavour you will ..." or "Houston, may we..."

9 March 2008

Observing Location	White Plains Road at Cross Bronx Expressway (NW corner), Bronx, NY
Observational Period	0500-0545 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Scattered Clouds Temperature 31°F Wind Gentle Breeze gusting to Fresh Breeze Humidity Moderate Barometric Pressure 29.89" Hg Rising Feels Like Very cold Wind Chill 22°F There is still ponded water in the low spots, left over from yesterday’s heavy rain, and it is freezing. Strong winds are making it uncomfortable to be standing around. My hands are freezing in the light gloves I am using to keep from working up more blisters on my crutches. Transparency Good Seeing
Instruments	Naked-eye - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Iridium 45 Flare Constellation Dra Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.0514 EDT Comments The satellite appeared at 0515:## at Az. ~10deg; M and subsequently brightened as it shone for ~15s as it fell vertically. This is late from the schedule and makes it look like both Heavens Above and CalSky are reporting azimuths in degrees magnetic which does not agree with my last observation.   Heavens-Above CalSky Alt. 13° 13.1° Az. 8° N 8.4° N Mag. -5 -3.9

Target ISS Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.0535 EDT Comments Not seen I was dividing my attention between ISS and Iridium 20 but spent more time looking for the Iridium since it was the brighter object and ISS was low and should have appeared right next to a street light then dimmed as it descended to the right     Starts Max. Alt. Ends H A e b a o v v e e n   s   Time 0535:54 EDT 0535:54 EDT 0537:13 EDT Alt. 15° 15° 10° Az. N N NNE Mag. 0.1 C a l S k y Time 0535:58 EDT EDT 0539:39 EDT Alt. 15.1° ° horizon° Az. 0.0° N ° 46.2° NE Mag. -1.8 1.4

Target Iridium 20 Flare Constellation Vir Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.0536 EDT Comments Not Seen This flare was not listed on Heavens Above and I didn’t see it in the sky. There were dense fair weather cumulus clouds passing through that area at the time that occluded Spica as they passed by. I also underestimated the elevation. I was concentrating my attention around Spica when I should have been looking half way between Spica and Arcturus. If there weren’t clouds covering it up I should have picked up a Mag. -2 flare with peripheral vision since it was only ~18° away. It appears that I am having trouble estimating where the horizon is when I can’t see it. I have a clinometer built into my Brunton Eclipse compass but it is difficult to use. I wonder if there is a direct-reading unit power clinometer somewhere out there. I do have a cheap hand level similar to the CTS/Berg hand level . If I can find where I have put it it may be of some help if I have enough hands to use it. Alt. 47.3° Az. 216.5° Mag. -1.9

Target Jupiter Constellation Sgr Category Planet Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.0540 EDT Comments Object Class Classical Planet Elongation 62.2° W Distance Light Time (from Earth) 5.61 AU 46m 41s Distance (from Sun) 5.22 AU Angular Size 35.1"x32.8" Magnitude -2.0 Central Meridian I/II 359°/203° Altitude 10.8° Moons Starry Night Starter graphic I suspected a planet but didn’t know which one. I didn’t see anything near it so it was hard to attempt a field ID from memory.

0546 EDT	Astronomical Twilight begins
0618 EDT	Astronomical Twilight ends Nautical Twilight begins
0650 EDT	Nautical Twilight ends Civil Twilight begins
0717 EDT	Civil Twilight ends Sunrise
0759 EST	Moonrise

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Observing Location	PSC
Observational Period	1400-1500 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 38°F Wind Light Breeze gusting to Moderate Breeze Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.08" Hg Rising Feels Like Cold Wind Chill 30°F Transparency Excellent Seeing II
Instruments	SAR: Coulter CT-100 Newtonian reflector - Charlie CelEDTron Omni 20mm (21x) CelEDTron Omni 2x Barlow Baader AstroSolar filter film
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Aqr Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.1415 EDT Comments Distance Light Time 0.993 AU 8m 16s Angular Size 32’ 15.6" Altitude 43.1° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -7.23° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 135.65° Parallactic Angle (P) -23.55° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2067 No spots seen   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots)

I had come out to try to observe a satellite crossing the disk of the Sun but didn’t see it. After I got all packed up I checked my watch and found that I was an hour early for the event. Rather than set up on the oval where I might run into problems with the Sun setting into the buildings I decided to go down around White Plains Road where I have a better western horizon.

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Observing Location	Virginia Ave, McGraw Ave/Wood Road, Bronx, NY
Observational Period	1500-1600 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear Temperature 41°F Wind Moderate Breeze gusting to Strong Breeze Humidity Low Barometric Pressure 30.11" Hg Rising Feels Like Very cold Wind Chill 31°F I should have gone back to PSC and found a place there where the sun would be visible as it set. It was much more windy here and very uncomfortable. I was afraid the gusts would tip the telescope over and they did tear the shroud off of it a couple of times. There was constant boiling on the limb and the scope was moving around in the wind as well. Transparency Excellent Seeing III
Instruments	SAR: Coulter CT-100 Newtonian reflector - Charlie CelEDTron Omni 20mm (21x) CelEDTron Omni 2x Barlow Baader AstroSolar filter film
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target UARS crosses disk of Sun Constellation Sgr Category Satellite Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20080309.1549:17.7 EDT ±4.7s Comments Not Seen This satellite was supposed to be 2.7” in diameter so well within my scopes resolving power. The pass duration was 1.03s. It was supposed to move from PA216.9° to 8:57 on the clock face. I interpret that to be from the 12:00 to 3:00 position in my scope. Between the boiling and the scope being buffeted by the wind I am not surprised that I didn’t see anything.