Mars has just passed opposition, that means when it is at its closest point to the Earth in its orbit, so it is presently very bright in the southern sky and very hard to miss on a clear night. At just before 4am tomorrow morning, Thursday December 8th, the Moon passes in front of the planet. This is called an “occultation”, a rare event particularly when Mars is as its brightest until 2033. It will be a great sight in binoculars and a super photo opportunity. The image below shows a screen shot of a simulation of the occulation from Stellarium. Mars will emerge about an hour later at 5:56 am. The forecast is clear, so set your alarm clock!

Interesting Dark Matter session on Monday.  Lots of questions but no conclusions of substance!
For those who may be interested I have loaded the presentation used up on to the “Downloads” page LINK
Next meeting will be on Monday the 23^rd January.

Have a Good Christmas and New Year

Nadolig Llawen  –  Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

The next meeting will be on Monday 28^th November, 7:30pm in the Hen & Chicks.
The topic, suggested by a member, will be Dark Matter.

Rough headings:- What’s the universe made of/Why do we need Dark Matter/What is it/Is it real/Are there alternatives?

No knowledge necessary we are all learning, but if you have any ideas, questions, thoughts or outlandish theories come along and share them.

November:-  The next meeting of AAS will be on the 28^th, the 4^th Monday of the month, at 7:30pm.
The proposed topic, from a suggestion at our September meeting, will be “Dark Matter”.
If you have any questions or answers or other thoughts on this elusive Matter do come along and share them with the rest of us.  We are all operating in the Dark so any and all contributions are welcomed!
Further details will be posted nearer the date.

December:-  As the 4^th Monday falls between Christmas and the New Year we have decided to miss out this month.

January:-  Our first 2023 meeting is scheduled for the 23^rd of January.  This session will continue with the “Astronomy Basics” theme.  The topic will be decided in the New Year.
If anyone has a specific subject they would like to be covered please let me or Nick know, email addresses below.

All sessions are upstairs in the Hen & Chicks, Flannel St, Abergavenny NP7 5EG, starting at 7:30pm

Everyone is welcome.

Kevin: webmaster@abergavennyas.org.uk         Nick: observing@abergavennyas.org.uk

Although the weather forecast is not very promising for tomorrow morning and the solar eclipse, a few of us will be in Bailey Park, Abergavenny with proper solar scopes from 9:30am should anyone want to view the eclipse but does not have suitable equipment. As it lasts for over an 1 hour and a half we may get a few gaps in the clouds with a bit of luck.

There will be a partial solar eclipse visble from Abergavenny, weather permitting, on the 25th of October from around 10:08 to 11:45. If you wish to observe it under no circumstances look at the Sun with unprotected eyes, only use equipment specifically designed for the purpose. You can also look at the reflection of the Sun in a bucket of water