Astro Nerds Magazine issue 1 June 2014 by David Bood

EXTANT LIFE ONSOCIETY MARS? THE MARS

ICY SCIENCE PUBLICATION: WWW.ICYSCIENCE.COM: WINTER 2013/14

ASTRO NERDS JUNE 2014 Welcome to the new Astro Nerds mini e-magazine.

C O NT E NTS

ASTO NERDS

6. Mars

Beautifual and Majectic

13. Making Amateur Astronomy Accessible

»» p.6

Each month there will be a guide to the night sky. WE WILL LOOK AT EVENTS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO THEM

20. Look UP In Wonder »» p.13

AND MUCH MORE........

»» p.20

26. #ONESKY

40. KIDS CORNER-Fuzzballs

48. Astro Camp

ENJOY......

»» p.48

Astro Nerds June 2014

EDITOR:David Bood Front Cover: Malcolm Park Twitter: @Starfest2014 Articles: Henna Khan J L Kennedy Ralph Wilkins Nicole Willett Joolz Wright

Contact: E: dbood@icyscience.com TWITTER: @DavesAstronomy W: www.icyscience.com

JUNE 2014 ASTRO NERDS

Welcome to the new Astro Nerds mini e-magazine form Icy Science. Each month we will bring you a guide to the night sky. There will be articles and images from people around the world. And best of all it is FREE................ ENJOY..........

Observing Guide John Harper FRAS

Astro Nerds June 2014

EDITOR DAVE BOOD

By Andy Black (Scarborough)

Astro Nerds June 2014

Mars, Beautiful and Majestic by Nicole Willett www.marssociety.org Twitter: @TheMarsSociety There is a glowing red beacon in the sky, guiding us, no, calling us to her. Mars, beautiful and majestic Mars…..she lures us in. For those of us who are more Martian than Earthling, we understand. Mars has been the focus of myths and stories for millennia. From Edgar Rice Burroughs’, A Princess of Mars, to H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, Mars has been the setting for many science fiction adventures as well. However, at The Mars Society, our aim is geared toward science fact. Mars is a beautiful desert landscape with rolling hills and plains. The Red Planet is also home to the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons and an enormous 3,000 mile long canyon system named Valles

The thought of one day standing on Mars and looking out at the astonishing landscape, may be beyond the imagination of some, but not to the members of The Mars Society and all other people with a deep interest in the exploration and human settlement of Mars. Our goal is to reach out, educate the public, raise awareness, and send humans to Mars. One way we accomplish this is by hosting a convention once a year. This year’s 17th annual convention (http://www.marssociety.org/a/marssociety. org/www/conventions/2014 )will be held near Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. The convention will host many scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs. The convention will be held at the South Shore Harbour Resort in League City, TX (near Houston). Previous years highlights have included speeches by SpaceX founder Elon Musk

Marineris. One could easily imagine looking out over the rocky landscape at the coral sky as the two moons, Phobos and Deimos, quickly cross the celestial sphere. As the sun sets, the temperature plummets, dust devils traverse the landscape, and the sky turns from a pale coral color to light blue.

Astro Nerds June 2014

MSL Curiosity program leader Adam Steltzner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y3VK9dF5eo ), Mars Exploration Rover Principal Investigator Steve Sqyures (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKbr9CEjI6c ), and many more.

This station houses volunteer crews of six Marsonauts, who live and do research as if they were on the surface of Mars. An upcoming and unprecedented mission, called the Mars Arctic 365 (http://ma365.marssociety.org/ ), will be a one-year Mars surface simulation expedition in the Canadian High Arctic. We also dare college students to participate in the University Rover Challenge (URC) (http://urc.marssociety.org/ )

IMAGE: MRDS

If you have ever heard the saying, “It takes a village….,” well we at The Mars Society are utilizing that concept to

where they build robotic rovers and compete until a winner is crowned. In step with the URC we also sponsor the Youth

send humans to Mars. As an entirely volunteer organization, we have accomplished many great things since our

Rover Challenge (YRC) (http://youthrover.com/ ) where middle and high school students compete in a rover design

inception in 1998. Examples of our current projects are the following: The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS)

challenge as well, utilizing Lego Mindstorm software. We have also launched an Education Task force (http://educa-

(http://mdrs.marssociety.org/ ).

tion.marssociety.org/ ), to reach out to educators, students, and the general public to help expand their knowledge

Astro Nerds June 2014

of Mars, astronomy, space news, and space exploration.

planetary candidates. With these discoveries it is more important than ever

If you are interested in a presentation by a member of

to explore and settle Mars. Some may say Mars is a frozen wasteland with

the Education Task Force (nicolew@marssociety.org) or a

robots slowly churning through a dusty and rocky landscape. However,

member of the Speakers Bureau, please contact us (info@

we like to think of Mars as the new frontier of raw desert. She is waiting,

marssociety.org ). To learn more about The Mars Society

wonting, patiently orbiting her parent star while we decide when to step

or for volunteer opportunities, please visit our main page

foot on her precious soil. The time is now.

(http://www.marssociety.org/ ) or contact us (info@marssociety.org ) for more information.

The character of the human race will be measured

by whether or not we have taken responsibility for our own future. We must build our character by responding to what is happening around us. What is happening is; we are outgrowing the Earth. It takes a worldwide community of “Martians” to collaborate and reach the goal set forth by Dr. Robert Zubrin in the late 1990’s. The goal is to send humans to Mars. We wish to accomplish this by pooling our resources as a worldwide community.

On April 17, 2014, NASA announced that the

Top Image: Mars Sunset- NASA Middle: Mars Landscape- NASA JPL Below: Youth Rover Bottom Right: URC2

Kepler Space Telescope (KST) has discovered the first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of its parent star. Although this planet is 500 light years away, it only begs the question, “When will we find an Earth-sized exoplanet within reach of a generation of explorers?” The answer is most likely within the next decade. The KST has confirmed 966 extrasolar planets with another 3,845 Astro Nerds June 2014

Astro Nerds June 2014

Making Amateur Astronomy Accessible The skies in London are awful. Probably worse than awful.

New York City and Las Vegas are the only places I’ve seen that stand any chance of taking London’s crown of being the most light polluted city in the world and less suited to astronomy.

Except astronomy is available and available to enjoy for anyone, wherever they live or work.

I hope this article inspires you to ignore the web-chatter and magazine articles that will tell you that you need to seek out light pollution-free skies, far from free roaming photons of artificial light that will wreak havoc with your ability to pick out faint galaxies, if you’re to enjoy real amateur astronomy. Firstly there is no such thing as real amateur astronomy; but there are pedants who think that you have to do things the way they learned, and want to keep it that way. Let me dispel a few myths. Recite after me: goto is good, star hopping is optional.

Secondly, amateur astronomy is a very wide spectrum from the naked eye International Space Station watchers at one end, to radio astronomy Astro Nerds June 2014

Astro Nerds June 2014

instrument builders at the other – with binoculared star hoppers, meteor watchers, sketchers and solar

Founder member, Simon Bennett of London’s astronomy showroom The Widescreen Centre, made the

observers in the middle. Each pursuit along this spectrum will have its purists and each will have its relaxed

crucial contribution (besides starting the group) of bringing telescopes to Regent’s Park – a venue made

enjoyer of the activity. This isn’t professional astronomy. There isn’t a right or wrong; just the way that eeks

possible by the other founding member, Royal Parks policeman, Carl Drake. A small range of telescopes

the most enjoyment out for your own personal experience.

means that people don’t spend too much time waiting for a view and they can also compare telescope types if they’re wishing to invest in one.

So when I joined the committee of the newly formed Baker Street Irregular Astronomers in the summer of 2010, I had no qualms about running an astronomical society situated under the light polluted dome of London - nor in August, when many astronomical societies make a sensible choice to take a summer break, awaiting darker skies in autumn and winter.

But perhaps the most valuable lesson I could offer is to make it accessible. I don’t just mean physically accessible to get to, but welcoming, an event that people won’t feel too intimidated to try out if they haven’t done so already. The Baker Street Irregulars grew from 20 people in 2010 to one and a half thousand ‘members’ in 2014, with the US Astronomy magazine editor, David Eicher, UK Astronomy Now editor, Steve Young and Tele Vue Optics owners, David & Sandy Nagler, among our guests at our free monthly events. We don’t do formal talks, have schedules or entrance times (not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that) but we have a turn up when you want and leave when you’ve had enough attitude that we feel comfortable with, and we regularly team up with our friends from the British Astronomical Association to give away telescopes in raffles.

People make a society and its people also define its character. A friendly and relaxed atmosphere will attract friendly and relaxed people and help dispel the perceived myth of the socially inept, middle-aged white guy, ‘amateur astronomer’. This is an exciting hobby (or career, if you’re lucky) where you get to watch galaxies merging, the sun erupting and stars exploding a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.

Whether you’re taking your scope to a town square to give passers by a view of the moon or starting up an astronomical society in a local park, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere will reap so Astro Nerds June 2014

Astro Nerds June 2014

It’s accessibility that led me to create many rewards in terms of how successful your gatherings are and in the type of feedback you’ll get back

the Awesome Astronomy podcast to

(and you want that too – that’s your reward for the hard work you put in). If people think they need to have

explore new ways to bring the uni-

their own scope to attend or have to have a good working knowledge of stellar evolution, they won’t come

verse to wider audiences in a friendly

and they’ll really be missing out.

and engaging manner. At least I hope it does! It also inspired me to start the AstroCamp stargazing weekend

Encouraging and accessible are the watchwords. Brian Cox is more popular than Saul Perlmutter. Perlmutter

in the International Dark Sky Reserve

discovered dark energy, that makes up 68% of the universe and you may not have heard of him. Brian Cox

of the Welsh Brecon Beacons in 2012

isn’t an astronomer by trade but you will all have heard of him and his great work to get the public inter-

to encourage learners and abso-

ested in astronomy.

lute beginners to feel comfortable in coming to an astronomy event for the IMAGE: ALEX SPEED

first time, or possibly alone. In the case of the AstroCamp, it then becomes the friendliness of the attendees that sustains its fun and welcoming atmosphere. And, whether it’s an event under pristine dark skies or passing city folk under soupy urban skies, a first view of the rings of Saturn or a peer into a large lunar crater will give them that same visceral reaction – that ‘wow!’ – that may be so long ago now that you’ve forgotten how awesome it felt for you.

With my Awesome Astronomy and AstroCamp partners, Paul Hill, Damien Phillips and John Wildridge, we’ve now begun taking scopes to busy thoroughfares in London as pop-up astronomy events. We show people walking by their first ever views of bright objects – like the moon or the cloud belts and moons of Jupiter. The moon and planets look just as good in city skies as they do in darker or clearer skies and astronomy truly is the gateway drug to science. We must have hooked hundreds, if not thousands, of people on astronomy

Astro Nerds June 2014

What Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to show is that the vast array of amateur astronomy targets and methods means that there really is no such thing as real amateur astronomy, but there is enjoyable amateur astronomy. And that attracts more interest

http://www.bakerstreetastro.org.uk/

from other people eager to promote the hobby, whether it be Sir Patrick Moore making a beeline to Regentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park to film a rare episode of The Sky at Night with him on location in March 2011 (so keen was he to promote city amateur astronomy) or the regular returns of the Sky at Night teams to our AstroCamp in Wales to show the sociable side of astronomy in 2012, 2013 and now 2014. It just takes a bit of passion, a bit of effort and a desire to show people the sky.

WORDS RALPH WILKINS TWITTER @BakerStAstro Astro Nerds June 2014

Astro Nerds June 2014

LOOK UP IN WONDER :A GUIDE TO THE NIGHT SKY -JUNE 2014

As the month proceeds, the Sun climbs through the stars of Taurus until around 19h on the 21st, when it crosses the border into Gemini, the solstice having occurred on the June 21st at 10h51, eight hours earlier.

The earth-

sun distance is 152, 028,935 km. The solstice marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern hemisphere, and the beginning of winter in the southern. Thus takes place the longest day and shortest night for us here in the UK, and thereafter night length increases once again. The season of summer lasts 93.65 days. In the northern UK,

New Moon occurs on the 27th, at 08h09, when the moon lies on the Orion/ Gemini border, and 5° south of the sun.

The Planets

there is no true night, and at astronomical midnight, the sky is not black but a beautiful velvet deep blue, merging

Mercury continues its favourable apparition in the evening sky during the first week of June, after which it is

to turquoise on the northern horizon. Don’t forget to look out for noctilucent clouds in the hour before and after

lost rapidly in the sun’s encroaching light. Indeed, the elusive little planet reaches inferior conjunction and lies

midnight as they catch the light of the sun, which is not very far below the northern horizon at this time of year.

between the sun and us during the late evening of the 19th. Use binoculars to look for Mercury in the strong

The Moon Moon is at apogee (furthest from the earth) on June 3rd at 04h, and again on the 30th at 19h11. Perigee (nearest to the earth) is on the 15th, at 03h35. First Quarter takes place on the 5th at 20h39, on the Leo/Sextans border.

June twilight of evening around 21h, when its altitude is 8° above the NW horizon, between 300° and 310° in azimuth. (Azimuth is a coordinate system marking the position on the horizon where an object might be seen, measured from North 0°, through East, 45°, South 180°, West 270°, and back to North) Throughout June, Venus rises between one and two hours before the sun, and may be seen low in the eastern sky as

Full Moon is at 04h12 on the 13th, in the constellation of Ophiuchus, and is the second lowest Full Moon

morning twilight increases at around 03h. On the morning of the 24th, shortly after 02h you will see the thin waning

of this year.

crescent moon and Venus, rising together; the two are 5° apart, the moon lying to the right of the bright ‘Morning

Last Quarter Moon is on the 19th at 18h39 near the circlet in western Pisces. Astro Nerds June 2014

Star’. At this time the pair lie beneath the Pleiades, that beautiful open cluster of stars, commonly known as the ‘Seven Sisters’ in the constellation of Taurus the Bull. You can use the moon later on, after the sun rises, to see Venus in full Astro Nerds June 2014

daylight. Simply find the moon and then look towards where Venus was, and you will see as the textbooks state, that Venus is visble in a blue sky, if you know where to look! As the short night begins to fall at 22h on the 7th, Mars and the gibbous waxing moon are in conjunction 25° in altitude in the SW sky. At this time Mars will be seen just less than 3° above the moon. During June Mars is visible from sunset until 02h in the morning when it sets. However by the end of the month, the planet is setting a few minutes before astronomical midnight. (01h BST). Mars is now fading as earth leaves it behind, and appears to move slowly eastwards through midsummer in Virgo as it approaches the constellation’s brightest star Spica for the second time this year. On the last day of the month, Spica is some 5° to the left of the brighter planet Mars, which by the month’s end, the latter’s magnitude is slightly less than Arcturus, (alpha Boötis), which lies 30° above the pair Jupiter continues to be visible in the evening sky, although the days of the evening apparition of this giant planet are numbered. Conjunction with the sun takes place next month. Look for the planet in the NW sky at around 21h. Jupiter is moving slowly eastwards in Gemini and by the end of the month is in line with the constellation’s two chief stars Castor and Pollux, which seem to point towards Jupiter in the evening twilight. Saturn continues to dominate Libra, the zodiacal constellation in which it lies, and may be seen crossing the meridian in the south shortly after sunset at an altitude of some 20° in that direction. If you look another 20° to its lower left, you may see the giant red star Antares twinkling low in the SE, in the neighbouring constellation of Scorpius, the same angular distance to the right of Saturn is Spica, and a further 10° on in the same direction is Mars. (20° in the sky is a little over the distance of a span with the hand held out at arm’s length.) Just after sunset on the 10th, the gibbous waxing moon is close to Saturn, the angular distance being some 2° at that time, with Saturn above the moon in the sky. Both Uranus in Pisces, and Neptune in Aquarius are difficult to observe because of twilight this month, and also because there are no bright stars in their vicinities to help you locate these remote worlds. During this month the International Space Station is passing through a period of full illumination. This offers multiple opportunities for viewing the ISS for observers in the UK. Constellations visible in the south around midnight, mid-month, are as follows: Ophiuchus, Serpens Cauda, Hercules, and the head of Draco the dragon, which is near the zenith. All times are GMT

1° is one finger width at arm’s length.

WORDS: JOHN HARPER (FRAS) FOUNDER SCARBOROUGH & RYDALE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Astro Nerds June 2014

A couple and their 10 year old son On 9th May 2014, astronomers all around the world set up their

The event was organized as part of an International effort to remind people that in spite of the borders

stopped by and had a look at Mars. telescopes free of cost at various locations for anyone passing

and differences we have built between ourselves, we are still all connected by our One Sky. Click the

The little guy was blown away by by to take a look through them. Hundreds of people all around

image below to play

Mars; he could see the top part the globe saw the Moon, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter for the first was “covered with snow” – Russell time in awe and wonder. Bateman, Nova Scotia.

Astro Nerds June 2014

Image Below: Credit: Scott Lewis (Space Fan News), USA

Astro Nerds June 2014

“Almost all of them had seen the planets FOR THE FIRST TIME!”

Knowledge Observatory; Credit: Andrew Davies, UK Credit: Syed Roshan, Pakistan It was a fun night with my neighbors and friends. We agreed we should repeat this again soon – Shirley Vuille, USA Adorable children observing the Sun in Romania. Credit: Valentin Grigore

Astro Nerds June 2014

Celebrations from Iraq. Credit: Hassan Sabbar

Astro Nerds June 2014

Celebrations in Japan. Credit: Takahiro Nakao

Astro Nerds June 2014

Celebrations in Spain. Credit: ASTER-Agrupaci贸 Astron貌mica de Barcelona

Celebrations in Malaysia. Credit: Amirul Hazim Kamarulzaman

Astro Nerds June 2014

Celebrations in El Salvador. Credit: Ramon Centeno Credit: Michael Cook, Canada (BELOW)

Credit: Teale Britstra

Astro Nerds June 2014

Credit: Muchammad Thoyib, Indonesia

Credit: Siva Subramanyam

ARTICLE : Henna Khan Twitter: @henna_khan

Astro Nerds June 2014

www.onlineastronomycourses.co.uk

Email OASAcademy@gmail.com

Astro Nerds June 2014

S D I K

R E N R O C

FUZZBALLS & THE SQUEAKY SQUIRT by J L Kennedy “No thanks… I’m not hungry –“ “You’re always hungry, Twinkle! You haven’t caught Fuzzball Flu, have you?”

Twinkle, the youngest Fuzzball in the Space Base, was reading an email in the Control Room.

“I’m OK but Squeak has a problem,” replied Twinkle.

His mother, Priscilla, came in carrying a plate of his favourite cupcakes.

Squeak was the smallest robot on planet, Quadro.

“I’ve just made these, Twinkle. Would you like one?”

“Poor Squeak, what’s wrong?” asked Priscilla. “He’s lost his voice – that’s why we have to email each other. It’s Squeak’s birthday next week – he just wants his voice back – no other presents.” “I’m sure he’ll be fine by then –“ “Don’t think so, Mum. Squeak hasn’t managed even a small squeak for more than two weeks. Yesterday he was reprogrammed and rewired but that failed.” “Speak to Drew - he’s the best space engineer - he might be able to help. I think Drew’s having a shower though now – he’s just finished work on my Comet Rocket.” Twinkle fled down the Fuzz Flume and found Drew in the Star Spa. “Drew!” squealed Twinkle. “Can you make a robot talk? Squeak’s lost his voice –“

Astro Nerds June 2014

“But we must fix Squeak before his birthday. I’ll ask Drew if we can fly to you but we won’t have room for all the tools and equipment…” “OK, Twinkle.” After lunch, Drew and Twinkle landed on Quadro in their Comet Rocket; the Squirts lined up to welcome them. “Thank you for coming so quickly,” said the Senior Squirt. “We can manage without the space ship for a week, but Squeak is desperate to get his voice back –” “No problem – shall we get started?”

Twinkle felt so much better after telling Drew about Squeak’s problem, that he ate two cupcakes! His mother says sharing problems always helps. “Well,” said Drew. “Radio the Squirts now – ask them to bring Squeak here.” Twinkle zoomed back to the Control Room. “Space Base to Quadro. Twinkle calling.” “Quadro to Space Base. Senior Squirt here. Go ahead, Twinkle.” “Drew might be able to help Squeak – when can you come to the Space Base?” “I’m afraid we have another problem. Our space ship won’t lift off – we have to wait a week for a new part.”

Astro Nerds June 2014

“Don’t worry, Squeak,” said Drew, “I’m going to switch you off then carefully dismantle you. You won’t feel a thing.” Squeaked nodded but he was trembling nervously. Twinkle passed a large screwdriver to Drew. Minutes later Drew unscrewed Squeak’s head and put it gently on the workbench.

Twinkle shone a torch inside Squeak’s head, and Drew removed several small parts to examine. “Nothing wrong here,” said Drew. “We’ll have to open up his back panel. Pass me screwdriver ‘number seven’ please, Twinkle.”

And Drew was right!

Drew worked in silence, testing every part.

“Yippee!” called Squeak in his usual squeaky voice.

“Yes!” he shouted finally. “Look at this green sensor, Twinkle.

“Can’t thank you both enough,” said the Senior Squirt.

It’s overheated. Squeak probably squeaked too loudly for too long!” “Can you fix it?” “No, I can’t … but I can replace it.” Drew took another small sensor out of his tool box. “Squeak should be talking again in minutes…” Astro Nerds June 2014

“We’ve got a spare sensor in case Squeak needs it,” said Twinkle. “Might be useful,” replied the Senior Squirt. “Squeak will be making a lot of noise at his party! You will both be coming, won’t you?” “Definitely!” said Twinkle. “And I could help you fix your space ship if the new part has arrived,” added Drew. Astro Nerds June 2014

“What’s the problem?” “It won’t lift off… just makes a little squeaking noise that we can’t stop –”

Twinkle giggled. “You had a robot called Squeak who couldn’t squeak, and a space ship that shouldn’t squeak but won’t stop squeaking!” Everyone was laughing, but Squeak was laughing the loudest. “Having my voice back is the best-ever early birthday present!”

Astro Nerds June 2014

Astrocamp Spring 2014 I would never have thought that Astrocamp would become part of my regular yearly trips list….but here we were with four events under our belts! This was the first time I arrived a couple of days early, as the Astrocamp dates actually fell on the weekend preceded by the school holidays. So my son and I decided to extend our camp by a couple of

I was really happy to be able to get a great capture of

The social events were soon underway with a full

days and so glad we did...for many reasons! Suffice to say we were

Mars with my DSLR, 127 Mak and 2x Barlow through

itinerary of fabulous activities…kicking off with a

not alone and were greeted by old friends that we had made at pre-

a gap in the cloud!

DSLR Astrophotography and wide field imaging

vious camps. We arrived to glorious sunshine and clear skies in the hope that they would continue into the night. We were not disappointed and the minute Jupiter appeared dazzling in the dusk…the scopes were already out and poised ready! The weather forecast leading up to the weekend had been a little bleak and social media frenzy had led to much specu-

“ Mars with my DSLR, 127 Mak and 2x Barlow through a gap in the cloud!

”

lation as to how much we would be able to observe over the weekend so we were grateful when the following evening meant we had views of the stars and planets yet again. Just in case, we set up a gazebo nearby and used it for shelter and social retreat and as more early arrivals appeared it was beginning to feel more like Astrocamp was really approaching!

Astro Nerds June 2014

The next morning saw the arrival of the organisers and Astrocamp was officially underway! Unfortunately many arrivals on the Saturday were greeted by rain and howling gales and that soon meant that any hopes of clear skies were being drowned out…literally. Many astrocampers were out helping new arrivals pitch tents in dreadful conditions but the camaraderie kept spirits high and the anticipation of a great weekend, despite the weather, was evident in the excited buzz around the camp.

demonstration from Pat ( @physicist13 ) huddled under the gazebo during intermittent rain! An unfortunate turn in the weather meant that as the wind got stronger and the rain heavier… any hopes of setting up the marquees on the common (the central hub of the camp) were dashed. Many campers retreated to the local pub, whilst others sheltered in their tents or gazebos. A few made the most of the gazebo placed from the night before in a temporary position next to our pitch. This meant that the curry we had planned between a few of us from the previous

Astro Nerds June 2014

Autumn Astrocamp (knowing the pub is always busy on the first night!) soon expanded and grew. Many arrived to huddle from the wind and rain bringing anything from snacks, to drinks, their own tea to shareâ&#x20AC;Śand of course fantastic companyâ&#x20AC;Ś I think around thirty managed to huddle underneath two gazebos strapped together â&#x20AC;Ś having to occasionally grab the corners to stop it from taking off!

Image Paul Hill Astro Nerds June 2014

Astro Nerds June 2014

A wonderful surprise was also a fantastic Astrocamp Cake which was greeted by gasps and ahs by everyone! The creator, Helen Knight, was very keen to have it cut as soon as possible due to the adverse weather and lack of somewhere to keep it so it only made it to the planned High Tea event on the Monday in slices! But it was certainly the star attraction both visually and gastronomically! As darkness fell the cloud remained persistent so it was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones over a glass of wine or two! Amazingly at around 9.30 the rain stopped and the clouds managed to part

equipment…and yes, there was intermittent sunshine! Never dull moments at Astrocamp -there were astro imaging workshops from Damien (@Dephelis) ongoing throughout the weekend and a comet making session with Paul Hill (@SiriusAstro) using some easy accessible household items (including HP sauce!) and dry ice! This was great fun as many got to handle the ‘comet’ using gloves, of course! No one misses out at Astrocamp! (Image HowardCooper)

revealing the most glorious sky! It was one of the most magical moments as it was totally unexpected and the excitement was treasure to behold! As no one was set up observing or imaging it was great fun watching lasers pointing out various celestial delights…and I took the opportunity to take some fun wide field shots to capture the moment! The following day more brilliant events were kicked off with Eric’s (@EmmsStarGaze) SUN-day solar observing on the common with many astros with specialist scopes and modified observing

Astro Nerds June 2014

There was also a chance to view the Cloud Chamber which was painstakingly constructed by John (@northern1979) and proved to be another star attraction at Astrocamp! This again was a chance to watch some real science in action – using alcohol and dry ice it was possible to follow the trails formed by cosmic rays passing through the forming vapour inside the sealed tank. After the excitement of the morning events most of the campsite then migrated to the local pub where the afternoon

opportunities for observing and imaging in between the cloud but an unexpected visit from the Sky at Night

events were to be held.

team, interested in wide field imaging, resulted in three of us being whisked away into the bottom field to

After a fabulous Sunday carvery the tables were cleared

film with Pete Lawrence to discuss our techniques! After an hour of watching various parts of the show in

and many were crammed into a room to hear a fabulous

action we were filmed from various angles and then released back to our camp, by which time the sky had

talk by Chris Lintott (BBC Sky at Night). This was then fol-

completely clouded over and it was well into the early hours of Monday!...but hey…we were TV stars!

lowed by the infamous Astrocamp Pub Quiz with some

Top: Comets!

amazing prizes! Everyone was given a chance to win as

Below: Viewing the Cloud Chamber (Image David Woodford)

random numbers were used as “winning score positions” so very good and not so good answers were all in with a chance! During the weekend another great fun

The final full day of Astrocamp was ever so quick to arrive and the obligatory full English breakfast at the local café was a great start to the day! Astro High tea in the afternoon, which was a last minute get together last camp, was now on the event schedule! Lots of cakes, snacks, treats and beverages made an impressive banquet for this social gathering! (Yes, the clouds meant there was lots of eating and drinking over the weekend!)

activity was a Solar System themed Limerick competition ran by Jeni and John Millard and the results of these were read out in the pub too! After retreating back to the camp site, we eagerly set up ready for the evening to arrive…hoping desperately for clear skies! Meanwhile the BBC Sky at Night team was filming around the campsite and intermittent cloud and sunshine kept the solar Image P.55 Top: A very packed pub! (Image Lillian Kwok) observers happy! When darkness fell there were some Astro Nerds June 2014

Image P.55 Bottom Left: Paul HIll

Astro Nerds June 2014

The social aspect of Astrocamp is what makes it really special and the sharing of tips and just general astro

After a good hour under a gorgeous clear sky I felt like it had all come to a fantastic end. I always enjoy

chit chat is always a great pleasure…and great moments when a camper brings out his guitar and sings in

Astrocamp for many reasons…the location, the space, being able to just geek out with my scope and camera

front of newly made friends and then shares it around for others (who can!) to play a tune…are just fabu-

24/7 with no other distractions, the company, the laughs…but it all really boils down to one thing. That sky…

lous memories.

and our passion for it that brings us all together twice a year…and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Monday evening was pretty much clouded over, with a great rainstorm thrown in for good measure and at 11pm I decided to call it a night. Around 1am I was woken by knocking on the caravan window with a friend so excited that the clouds had dispersed leaving the best view yet of the sky of the whole weekend! After togging up again, I went outside to be greeted by that glorious Cwmdu sky we have all grown to know and love. The views of the Milky Way were breathtaking…both naked eye and on imaging!

What a finale!

Home Sweet Cwmdu Home

Article: Joolz Wright Twitter: @farmerswifee

Astro Nerds June 2014

ASTRO NERDS www.icyscience.com

Astro Nerds June 2014