Society for Popular Astronomy

Well spotted, folks. As I said, I was surprised how easy it was to spot, especially how low it was for me (6 degrees or so). Completely different from observing it with my C8 months ago in April at opposition! That was my best ever view of Mars. Work schedule and good weather never seemed to coincid...

I've read the report about what was observed in the 'many findings' hyperlink. But does anyone know if they made an attempt by any of the surface rovers to either visually spot the comet, or any meteors? I'm sure I read somewhere before the encounter that this might be attempted. Of course, they mig...

Tonight, at 17;30GMT, as I looked out a south west facing upstairs window to check on the weather, I spotted Mars low down with the naked eye in Sagittarius. I was surprised to see the planet this far on its apparition. I know it passed Antares weeks ago, but the bad weather we've all been experienc...

You're lucky, I've been clouded out the last few nights around maximum peak, unlike last year. Had a good hour session last year, and counted about twenty Perseids, despite the partially cloudy skies, similar coverage to what you had last night, David. Been unlucky for the last few Perseids showers,...

A few weeks ago, while checking out a discount shop in the UK, I came across one of these recliners. Hadn't seem them before, and tried one out. Seems a bit different from a 'standard' recliner. As you lean back and forward, the recliner adjusts for your position. Then today, saw an advert in one of...

David

I never realised you could see noctilucent clouds at that high an elevation! The few times I think I've saw some, they were very low down on the northern horizon (5-10 degrees max).

You have to post your best photos, please.

Mark

I finally got a chance to look for Mercury this apparition, and was looking for the crescent Moon as well, but from the garden it was too low behind the houses to my western horizon I think. I may have had luck from upstairs to see the Moon, but Mercury would have been behind the tree at the end of ...

You're being very lucky with the weather, Mike. Stop showing off!

Very nice observations. What were the drivers reactions to all this? Did you convince him to subscribe to the SPA?

Mark

Had heard about this over on the Stargazers Lounge forum. Very sad, condolences to his family and friends. As I said over there, although I never owned a Fullerscopes telescope, I remember when I first got into astronomy more seriously that they were one brand a lot of people wanted. I remember seri...

Since you became involved in astronomy, what are your favorite three astronomical experiences? Not just the ones we all have probably had (first view of the Moon, or Jupiter or Saturn), but the ones that really had you going WOW! Or ones you just remember well even years later. I consider myself qui...

Found the dates of oppositions of Mars on this site... http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/MARS/APPENDS.HTM Here's the important figures for this years and the next three... 2014 Apr 8, RA 13h 14m, Dec -05dg 08m, Disc 15.1" 2016 May 22, RA 15h 58m, Dec -21dg 39m, Disc 18.4" 2018 Jul 2...

I managed a good look at Mars myself tonight (Friday). Started at 20:50 GMT, using my Celestron C8. Eyepieces 40mm (x50), 25mm (x80) and 9mm (x222). First view was at x80, and had a nice crisp view of Syrtis Major, and at first what I thought was a polar cap, but this turned out to be the Hellas reg...

Got hold of a copy this afternoon (13th) at one of my local WH Smith's. Yep, an interesting article. Been considering either getting a spotting scope, or perhaps a Skywatcher Heritage 100P or Heritage 130P Newtonian for the kind of simple stargazing the article describes. Considering how bad the wea...

A couple of forum members over on the SGL forum have purchased a set as backup or keeping in their car. Looks like these test out as being 43mm effective diameter.

Mark

I see that Lidl has a set of Bresser 10x50 binoculars advertised again from Monday 7th April for £16.99. http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-237614D2-2D81AC2A/www_lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=11445&ar=11 Can anyone say if they may be the same model that Lidl has offe...