Newcastle Astronomical Society January Sky Notes
Comet 2013 Catalina US10 1st February 2016. Passes reasonably close to Polaris. The estimated magnitude of 6.1 means that the comet may have dropped below naked eye visibility. So we have now probably seen the best the comet is likely to bring us. 8th February 2016. - New Moon. 15th February 2016. Now in Camelopardalis the comet's magnitude will have dropped over a magnitude to about 7.3. 21st/22nd 22/23rd 23rd/24th February. Comes close to the open cluster NGC1502 in Camelopardis. A photo opportunity for the comet including the asterism Kembles Cascade and NGC 1502 is available on these dates (apparent straight line of more than 20 colourful 5th to 10th magnitude stars over a distance of approximately five moon diameters) 22nd February 2016. - Full Moon.
Comet Catalina US10 Observations Sheila Stranger Comet Catalina taken from back garden in Newbrough at about 11PM 14th Jan.
Comet Catalina US10 Observations Tom Moran. Whitley Bay. 10x90s stacked. Evostar80ED Canon 350D
What's up in February The winter constellations of Orion, Taurus and Gemini are well placed. Try and get a glimpse of M1 the Crab Nebula, the great Nebula in Orion (M42) and the Pleiades M45. Perseus is riding high in February. The Double Cluster is a sight to behold through a pair of binoculars. Auriga's Chariot flies above Orion and offers three great star clusters M36 M37 and M38. Visible through binoculars and small telescopes. The spring constellations are beginning to show later on in the evenings. By mid February Cancer is beginning to cross the meridian around 10.30UT. Look for the magnificent cluster M44 (Beehive). Best viewed through binoculars. This is followed by Leo and Virgo at around 01.30UT. The realm of galaxies in Leo and Virgo are now on offer if you want to stay up late! At the same time Jupiter is just below Leo at an altitude of about 39 degrees due south. On the 29th February a double moon shadow transit will occur on Jupiter's disk. This means the moons Europa and Io along with their shadows will be visible bteween 22:46 to 23.20UT. Start observing at 22.30UT to be safe. Mars is best viewed at the end of the month. An early alarm call for 05.30UT and you should see Mars at an altitude of around 18 degrees due south in Libra.
Latest Observations. Aurorae Michelle Williams New Year's Eve at St Mary's Lighthouse. 21:25UT Canon EOS 700dISO 1600, 8 sec, 28mm
Latest Observations. Aurorae Sheila Stranger New Years Eve Aurora from Newbrough back garden just before midnight
Latest observations Deep Sky objects Graham Fraser M35 cluster in Gemini with the much smaller NGC 2158 The small condensation of stars top right is NGC 2158. Its apparent diameter is said to be about 5
Latest observations Deep Sky objects Tom Moran 80ED refractor Canon 350D CLS filter 10x90s Whitley Bay Some favourite winter objects The Great Nebula in Orion M42 and NGC1973/5/7 the Running Man nebula
Latest observations Deep Sky objects Tom Moran 80ED refractor Canon 350D Ha filter 10x300s Whitley Bay Some favourite winter objects. Horsehead and Flame nebulae
Latest observations Deep Sky objects Tom Moran 80ED refractor Canon 350D Ha Oiii and CLS filters 10x300s Whitley Bay Some favourite winter objects. M1 the Crab Nebula.
Latest observations Deep Sky objects Tom Moran 80ED refractor Canon 350D Ha and Oiii filters 10x300s Whitley Bay Some favourite winter objects. The Rosette Nebula in Monoceros. Caldwell 49 and the open cluster NGC 2244