Mars is currently at its closest point to the Earth and will not get closer for around 17 years, so now is the ideal time to observe it.  Technically it was at its closest point on the 6th October but it reaches its opposition – that is when the Sun, the Earth and the planet are all in a straight line, on the 13th October.  In the case of Mars the opposition does not exactly coincide with the closest point owing to its rather eccentric orbit.  It will be well positioned for observing for the next few months but will be getting smaller as time goes on.  Presently its diameter is just over 22 arc seconds but that will decrease by about 23% per month.  Realistically you will need a telescope to see any details on its surface but the rocky and sandy deserts are then quite easy to spot.  You may even be able to see the southern polar cap – although that is looking very small now as the Martian summer gets into full swing.  The picture shows the planet from Abergavenny on the 5th October when it was almost at its closest.  In this picture South is up and you can just see the little polar cap.  The light coloured areas near the edge of the planet are clouds.

summer get into full swing.

The next virtual meeting of the Society will be at 7pm on Thursday the 1st October.

Mars is presently at it very best for observing and will be like that for the coming weeks.  A combination of various factors mean that it will not be as easy to observe from our northern latitudes for many years to come.  In the meeting we will explore the best ways to observe the planet and what you might expect to see.

Winter is almost upon us and as a plus it brings the brilliant winter constellations in this meeting we will have a look at what there is to see in the November night skies.

Topic: Astronomical Society Meeting
Time: Oct 1, 2020 07:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83311230592?pwd=NUdYSFRsV1M1MFBVbUlsUmJrZHFtdz09

Meeting ID: 833 1123 0592
Passcode: 684277

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kddq8Ftj13

This Thursday we will have another virtual meeting of the Society along with members from Usk Astronomical Society.  This will be another in the back to basics type talks, this time on an absolute beginners guide to astrophotography. 

Astrophotography is a large and complex subject that can also be very costly in equipment, but like anything if taken gradually bit by bit it becomes much more accessible.  This talk looks at how with basic equipment – say a digital camera of some sort or even just a smart phone you can start to produce some amazing results.  You do not even really need a PC but it does help.  Basic instructions to get you started will be given plus some top tips to avoid common pitfalls.

The meeting will start at 7pm and it will be open from 6:50, please log on before 7 if possible so we are ready to start on time.

Topic: Astronomical Society Meeting
Time: Sep 17, 2020 07:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 846 7002 6528
Passcode: 884442

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcGvE078P

There will be a Zoom meeting of Abergavenny Astronomy Society, joined with Usk Astronomy Society this Thursday evening at 7 pm.  The details for joining the meeting are below, just click on the link.  David Thomas from Usk will lead a discussion on various hot topics/ recent news in astronomy.

If you have not joined a Zoom meeting before don’t be shy it could not be easier.  You can use whatever device you are reading this message on e.g. smart phone/ laptop/ tablet/ desktop.  Simply click on the link below.  If you have Zoom installed on the device it will ask you if you want to use it, otherwise it will just connect you through your standard browser.  That’s all there is to it, you can then just sit back and listen

Topic: Usk & Abergavenny Astro Societies meeting
Time: Sep 3, 2020 07:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 893 6091 6194
Passcode: 518423

Although the good weather seems to have taken a turn for the worst and the Perseid meteor show was pretty effectively clouded out, clear skies will surely return and you may want to try the following podcast that describes some simple things to look for in the August/ September skies.   The planets Jupiter and Saturn are very prominent in the south and for the night owls Mars rises after midnight in the east and will get easier to observe as we get into autumn.

Comet 2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is one of  the brightest naked eye comets we have seen from this part of the world for some years.  In the past couple of weeks it has been delighting amateur photographers as a pre-dawn object but for the night-owls (as opposed to the early birds) you will be pleased to know it is now easily observable in the evening sky (weather permitting of course).  Start to look in darkish twilight i.e. around 11 pm, just as the stars are emerging.  Look a little way above the horizon in a north-west to north direction (you need a reasonable north horizon) and you should be able to spot it quite easily.  It will be available for the next couple of weeks but it is getting dimmer now so will get harder to see, although binoculars show it even more easily.  Being quite bright it is also easy to photograph.  For good results make sure your camera is steady, for example on a tripod.  Use an ISO of around 800 to 1000 and an exposure of around 4 seconds with your lowest f number, you may need to experiment a bit.  The picture below was taken from my garden in Abergavenny on the 16th July with a compact camera.  Happy comet hunting and fingers crossed for some clear skies.