Tele Vue

Published monthly since 1985 by The Binocular and Telescope Shop 55 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 the best JULY 2004 * Volume 229 www.bintel.com.au OH,OH,OH, YES!YES!YES! OH,OH,OH, NO!NO!NO!

Last month’s transit of would have to be the most watched celestial event of the century so far. There are no doubt stories from here and there about what went on, what people saw and didn’t see, and how they enjoyed the rare event. One amateur astronomer won’t forget in a hurry. His car ended the day upside down on the side of Mount Canoblas near Orange NSW. He ended up in hospital for the night. ★ ★ ★ Some took it easy, like the nameless observer at King Street Wharf in K. Petersen T. Dobosz Sydney, who set up his telescope Above: The famous ‘teardrop effect’ photographed by Ken Petersen of the Above: An amateur astronomer was slightly injured when his car flipped on Mt. outside a handy outdoor restaurant Northern Sydney Astronomical Society. The effect lasted just a few seconds. Canoblas near Orange. Picture shows gear being retreived from vehicle. and scored complimentary caffe Left: The transit as seen by lattes as the transit progressed. many people through small ★ ★ ★ refractor telescopes. This Colonel Bembrick, well-known image was made with a simple digital camera country amateur astronomer noted attached to a 100mm that Darby’s Falls Observatory near refractor equipped with a Cowra had the same percentage of solar filter. local population turn up as did Right: A small section of the 450-strong crowd lucky Sydney Observatory, 0.01 percent. enough to get into the They were less crowded though; all grounds of Sydney four visitors got plenty of time at the Observatory to observe the transit. Numbers had to be telescope eyepiece! limited in order to avoid ★ ★ ★ overcrowding in the If you have a sweet tooth why not Observatory’s grounds. visit the Binocular and Telescope In December 1874 and 1882 Below: Mike Smith lines up a small refractor on the Shop in Sydney? Krispy Kreme at King Street wharf near the city centre in a 29cm refractor was used at Sydney. A nearby coffee shop provided refreshments the Sydney Observatory to Doughnuts have opened a store observe transits of Venus. as passersby paused to enjoy a look at the transit. opposite. The queue starts at 8am The same telescope was in use for the June 2004 transit and continues all day. What do they along with many smaller put in their doughnuts? portable scopes set up in the G. Wyatt ★ ★ ★ Observatory grounds. Last month our regular contributor Harry Roberts referred to the as “our sister ”. This elicited a most observers happy with results letter from Rob Black in Victoria. The big question was One of those who attempted Some of the best views were Now, as we haven’t really had much whether to take a chance the dash lost control on the steep achieved with the use of Hydrogen in the way of ‘letters to the editor’ on coastal cloud or inland descent from Mt. Canoblas and up- Alpha solar prominence filters fitted we thought we’d better do something cloud in the lead-up to the ended his car. The result was an to telescopes. Several observers were about it. See Page 2 for the result. on June overnight stay in the local hospital able to see the planet clearly as it ★ ★ ★ 8th. With the Blue and a deep and meaningful moved slowly towards the Sun. The Oh, dear! It happens to the best of Mountains forming a discussion with the car’s insurers. outline of Venus was detectable us sometime.... a keen new amateur ridge along the East coast That mishap aside most against the background solar astronomer we’ll call ‘Joe’ headed about fifty kilometres observers along the coast were . This allowed some off for the Blue Mountains with his inland the usual result is blessed with clear western skies for observers to mark the moment of first new ten inch Dobsonian telescope in

L.Smith coastal cloud banking up the duration of the event. In Sydney contact and second contact with great the car. Who had to drive home to late in the afternoon. the event was watched at Sydney precision. Many reports indicate that pick up the telescope base he’d left With this in mind a contingent of Observatory and at varoius other observers were able to detect the in the driveway! amateur astronomers left Sydney and places around the city and suburbs. atmosphere of the planet without too ★ ★ ★ NOW OPEN installed themselves atop Mt Many people took advice to much difficulty. It’s good to see the first ‘new’ issue Canoblas near Orange, in the Central observe the transit by projecting the Observing a transit of Venus of Sky & Space on the newsagents’ www.bintelshop.com.au West of the state. As luck would have image through binoculars onto a and a transit of Mercury are not shelves. At one hundred pages it’s it the usual weather conditions were white sheet of paper, where the image vitally important for today’s quite a read. Bright and breezy, with secure on-line shopping reversed for the day. The sky was of the planet could be plainly seen astronomers. Transit observations in good depth in the articles and plenty for your astronomical needs. clear along the coast and cloudy as it inched its way across the Sun’s the eighteenth and ninteenth of colour ... we hope the crew at accessories binoculars books eyepieces filters inland! An hour before the transit was surface. centuries were of great importance Bondi Junction can keep up the finderscopes magazines to occur number of observers on Mt. Solar glasses, normally used in measuring the distances between standard. planispheres software Canoblas made a dash down the to observe solar eclipses were also the Sun, the and the , to ★ ★ ★ spottingscopes telescopes mountain to a clear area that could pressed into service. The planet was gain an idea of the size of the Solar Before you get the tripods be seen twenty kilometres away. easily seen using these devices too. System and nearby space. wrong idea, the ‘Mike’ on the front The Moon as a planet ...... 2 Receive your copy page and the Letters to thr Editor ...... 2 SUBSCRIBE TO THE every month for an ‘Mick’ on the back Star Map for July ...... 3 page are NOT the eyeful of sky news . Mick ‘n Don ...... 4 NIGHT SKY FOR $12 same person! The Binocular and Telescope Shop, 55 York Street, Sydney. Tel: 02 9262 1344 web: www.bintel.com.au July 2004 * Volume 229 * Page 2 USUS ROCKETROCKET PLANEPLANE SUCCESSFUL With 62 year-old civilian pilot Mike Melvill at the controls, SpaceShipOne reached an altitude of Write, fax or email on an 328,491 feet (approximately astronomy-related 100 km) above the Earth Scaled Comp. subject and we’ll print it here. early on the morning of June Above: Pilot Mike Melvill sits atop the spacecraft 21st. This feat made Melvill after its successful flight and landing at Mojave. the first civilian to fly a spaceship out of the Earth’s atmosphere. Dear Editor, Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and sponsor of the I read your latest issue of Night Sky and SpaceShipOne program said, “ Burt Rutan and his team at Scaled shuddered with horror when I read the Composites are ... ushering in the birth of a new industry of privately funded article “On the Moon”. In the opening manned space flight.” With no government sponsorship the private test statement made by Harry Roberts “Any and flight program shows that manned space flight does not necessarily well-made 6 inch or 8 inch ‘scope will require huge government expenditure. Burt Rutan said, “It can be done by show breathtaking detail on our ister a small company operating with limited resources and a few dozen dedicated planet, the Moon;” really took my breath employees.” away and I hoped that this was just a typo. Ten thousand supporters turned up at the airport in California to Since when has our Moon been classified watch the flight. Television crews beamed the mission to audiences around as a planet? To me it’s a the world. The flight progressed smoothly but was not without its drama. of our planet! I hope there is a correction The spaceship rolled suddenly when launched and a back-up system had noted in the next issue. to control the high-speed flight when pitch control was lost. A fairing around Regards Rob Black the rocket motor deformed at high altitude causing a scare. These incidents Victoria will be examined before an attempt will be made on the back-to-back flights NASA image with two passengers to win the ten million US dollar Ansari-X prize. Dear Night Sky Editor, Nothing warms the astro-journalist’s Above: Highly detailed image of Saturn’s moon Phoebe taken by Cassini spacecraft. Stunning images of This flyby is the first Thus, the next twelve heart so much as to find people are This month marks two the ringed planet have already been of many planned, but the only one months promise to bring something actually reading what he writes. Let me important anniversaries. The first is returned, along with a recent flyby of Phoebe. Cassini is set to complete special for anyone whose first therefore say how gratified I am to Rob perhaps one of history’s most famous of the irregular-shaped moon seventy four orbits of Saturn and glimpse of a small disk with rings in Black for his comments; and I agree the events – man walking on the Moon. Phoebe. Cassini reached forty-four close flybys of a number a simple telescope captured their concept of a “sister planet” is It’s thirty five years since Neil approximately 2,068 km from of Saturn’s thirty-one . imaginations and made them look to breathtaking. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set Phoebe. Twenty three years ago Later this year the the night sky in awe and wonder. In referring to the Moon as foot on another world and pictures Voyager 2, with its crude camera Huygens probe will leave the Cassini Stand by to be awed again and again Earth’s “sister planet” I intended to draw were beamed back to every corner flew to within two million kilometres spacecraft, arriving at Titan in as the images roll in! attention to the uniqueness of the Earth- of the globe. of Phoebe. January next year. This probe’s Moon system, which is, in effect, a July 2004 also marks Phoebe has a diameter journey and its findings are probably Binary planet system. ten years since Comet Shoemaker- of 220 kilometres and rotates on its the most eagerly awaited events of When I last counted there were Levy 9 impacted with Jupiter. It is axis once every 9 hours and 16 the mission. Titan is the only body 133 moons revolving around planets in probably one of the few events where minutes. It has a highly eccentric in the , other than Earth our solar system, the vast bulk of them every telescope in the world (both retrograde orbit and it take that has a nitrogen-based “natural satellites,” that formed in orbits amateur and professional) was approximately 18 months for Phoebe atmosphere. around their planets from the original observing the same object for about to complete one orbit of Saturn. It has been speculated proto-planetary discs of gas and dust, in two weeks. Phoebe resembles a dark , that Titan’s atmosphere may be the early days of the Solar System. A But July 2004 may based on data from the Voyager flyby similar to Earth’s primordial minority of them are, however, captured also be the start of a new anniversary. and it is a strong possibility that it atmosphere. We could learn a lot planetesimals, and not formed as by On the 1st July, the Cassini-Huygens may be a captured Kuiper Belt about our own planet’s early product of the natural process of planet spacecraft will lock into orbit around object. Its is hoped that data gathered beginnings as well as Titan’s. Once formation (e.g. Mars’ two “moons”.). In Saturn to begin four years of in the flyby will tell astronomers it enters Titan’s nitrogen based the case of Earth the process of planet observations of the planet, its rings, whether Phoebe’s composition has atmosphere, Huygens will land on formation did NOT produce “a natural magnetosphere and icy moons such remained unchanged since the the surface. The probe will be satellite”. Nor did it produce any satellites as Enceladus, Hyperion, Rhea, formation of the outer solar system collecting data on Titan’s atmosphere for Mercury, Venus or Mars. Perhaps the Dione, and Iapetus. Titan, Saturn’s and confirm if it is indeed a Kuiper and its composition on the way four inner planets were just too small for Belt object, giving the most detailed down. Instruments on board include largest moon and the second-largest NASA image any moons to form during the planet moon in the Solar System will be look yet at these interesting relics of a chromatograph, mass spectrometer, formation phase. visited by the Huygens probe. the formation solar system. aerosol collector and a pyrolyser. Above: Cassini/Huygens spacecraft It is now generally accepted that before its historic voyage to Saturn. there is nothing “natural” about the formation of Earth’s moon. Unlike any other satellite in the Solar System, Earth’s THUMP!THUMP! Last month I covered the southern end of the moon was created by a kind of “fission” Bailly multi-ring basin, located at 66ºS on the from the Earth itself, well after planet moon’s western limb; a basin needing favour- formation was completed. The cause of able libration for a good view. It was noted that Bailly has not undergone lava flooding, and so is unique among this fission was collision (fig. 1) between basins of the visible hemisphere. Earth and an iron rich impactor that left The other unique thing about a feature so close to the western limb is that it allows the observer to see the Earth with an unusually large iron core, lunar terrain from side on, instead of the usual “birds-eye” views of most other features. This creates an “astronauts- and ejected a chunk of Earth’s own crust eye view” of the landforms that stretch before our gaze. This Instalment 2 will complete the panoramic view of the into space. This impact left Earth with a southern half of basin Bailly. permanent tilt to the plane of the Ecliptic, The Apollo images taken by astronauts were dominated by stark white mountains that rose in graceful curves and the ejecta became the “sister planet” out of the lower lunar terrain. Apollo 15 images of the Appennines are an example. An so in Bailly we look across we today call Moon1 . 300 km to the western ring wall and see the same elegant mountains arising from the basin floor. Remember Bailly Anyone who observes the Moon was never flooded by lava, and the walls north of the “Pass’ referred to in instalment 1 rise to a great height. Steep regularly realizes how dramatically it white peaks glow brightest, and to the right side of the view, gently rising country shows more dimly, in graceful lurches about in our sky, swinging from In the last few decades we have curves, with steeper peaks behind. Through the eye-piece it looked like an inviting stroll for a “moon-walker.” I 27º N (dec.) to 27º S in 14 days! (Not to come to appreciate the amazing “fluke” know of no better example of such a view on the moon, though I’m happy to hear suggestions. Bailly provides a mention its complex librations.) These that sundered our planet and created a unique opportunity to view the landscape from an astronaut’s perspective. motions are artefacts of Moon’s dramatic place in which Life, in all its diversity, Although the central west walls look inviting, there is some very rough country to be negotiated before we get birthing from the Earth: a process unique could arise. The term “moon” used to be there. Indeed, the floor of Bailly northwards of crater F is much rougher than that around Bailly B, with numerous in this Solar System. suitable when humans were aware of only undulations and chains of hills. Crater Bailly T on the right hand side of the image would be an initial objective for There is no question that the one Moon. Now we are aware of 133 the “moon-walker” about 2/3 of the way (200km) to where the ascent of the walls could begin. Several sharp-backed collision rendered the new-formed Earth other moons it seem we should reappraise ridges lay between us and crater T. The deep N-S rift, referred to in instalment 1, probably lies between crater T and suitable for the emergence of Life. The the Moon and give it a more suitable the west wall ascent, and It looks pretty deep in Orbiter photos. Its western side glows dimly in the morning light. In protective magnetic field created by the name. “Sister planet” seems an apt Orbiter images we can see this valley is very irregular with both walls battered by cratering. At least two branch new iron core gave Earth a shield to acknowledgement of the gift of Life; but valleys leading eastwards are filled with shadow. protect it from solar ionising radiation. perhaps Rob Black would prefer Above the western walls of this valley is a plateau higher than the brightly lit basin floor. As there is evidence The seasons (resulting from the tilt), and “Daughter planet”, as a more accurate here of cracks and minor scarps catching the light, the whole plateau may be a collapse feature of the main wall. This large tides for Earth’s oceans of water reflection of our satellites origins. plateau lies in full shadow, though immediately behind crater F we can see the dimly lit lip of a crater that lies there. (caused by the nearby planet-sized body) Clear skies. Just north (right) of the “Pass” (or low point) in the basin wall, we can see two more distant ridges, which Orbiter all gave essential impetus to the Harry Roberts. photos show to lie about ten km west of the main scarp. emergence of Life on this planet. I point 22 June 2004 Bailly’s ancient and ruined terrain continues to stretch northwards (to the right), but was not recorded in this out that the Moon is a planet-sized object. 1: Wood, Charles, “The Modern Moon – observing session. Crater D, near T is shown dotted. Note that this view of Bailly occurs only when the moon is It is three quarters the size of Mercury, A Personal View” Sky Publishing, almost full; a time when there is not much deep-sky observing to be done. Keep Bailly in mind mid-month, and go and TWICE the size of “planet” Pluto! Cambridge, Mass., 2003. P189. “walking on the moon!” Clear Skies! Harry Roberts. The Binocular and Telescope Shop, 55 York Street, Sydney. Tel: 02 9262 1344 web: www.bintel.com.au July 2004 * Volume 229 * Page 3 you can now shop on-line at www.bintelshop.com.au for astronomical telescopes

Jupiter

Early evening mid July 2004

The Moon’s motions for the month Mercury is in the early Saturn is closest to the Meteor activity this month is fairly This is the time of year of June are shown thusly: evening sky. Look for it Sun on the 9th, so we limited to the Southern Delta that Northern Hemisphere observers at 6pm in the West. Kisses Mars on can’t see it in the glare. Aquarids especially towards the end curse their luck and wish they were Expect to see it in August in the of the month. Best viewing times here in the South. Where we see 2nd Moon at perigee (what?) the 10th, bites Regulus on the 30th. eastern sky at dawn. would be after midnight when there’s Scorpius and Sagittarius high overhead late in the evening the poor nd no Moon, so the end of the month 2 Full Moon Venus at 6am is the Uranus rises in Aquarius should be suitable. Rug up, beanie unfortunates of north America and brightest object in the early in the evening in the and Ugg boots and stand (or sit) on Europe see the pair skulking low on 9th Last Quarter north-eastern sky. Right in the eastern sky. some insulation. Expect about one their southern horizon. To add insult middle of the Hyades V shaped star decent meteor about every five to ten to injury their skies are not 15th Moon at apogee cluster. Sparkling! Neptune rises around minutes. particularly dark (especially in 6.30pm and spends the latitudes above 50 degrees). 17th New Moon Mars is very low in the next ten hours sliding Similarly the Sigma Capricornids Take the star map outside and West at sunset. Mercury joins it early across the sky in and the Tau Capricornids put in an look for Antares high in the East. Trace the curved tail of the scorpion 25th First Quarter in the month. Last views please! Capricorn. appearance during the middle of the month. Look to the Eastern sky in the to the South. Now move somewhat Pluto can’t make up his late evening especially when there’s eastwards and you’ll come to 30th Moon at perigee Jupiter is in Leo in the mind who he’ll vote for no Moon. Sagittarius, often referred to as the Western evening sky. in the up-coming election. Retired ‘teapot’. This area of the sky is where What is a perigee? The Moon Sets around 9pm, so rock’n rollers, cricket tragics, honest Comet LINEAR T7 is in Sextans but binoculars earn their keep! More wobbles in its orbit around the Earth. early evening viewing please! bastards or be-boobed pollies? The has faded and LINEAR K4 is stars, more densely packed, more It wobbles a bit closer at apogee and Watch for its four tiny moons as they options are endless! Maybe he’ll just similarly faint in Bootes to the north. clusters and knots of stars and more a bit further away at perigee. Simple! dance a stately minuette around it . vote for the Drovers Dog Party. Nothing else on the horizon. dark lanes than you can handle! The Binocular and Telescope Shop, 55 York Street, Sydney. Tel: 02 9262 1344 web: www.bintel.com.au July 2004 * Volume 228 * Page 4 CWAS ASTROFEST WHERE?WHERE? DEPTHS OF WINTER QUIZ The Central West Astronomical Society annual AstroFest and Conference will be held at the Parkes Radio MACQUARIE Macarthur Astronomical Society Inc: NSW Telescope Observatory's Visitors Centre from 17 to 18 July. UNIVERSITY ☎ (02) 4627 1424 Ian Cook. Guest speakers will provide insights into various aspects OBSERVATORY [email protected]. Sutherland Astronomical Society Inc: NSW of modem astronomy. "Science in the Pub" will be held on on campus Macquarie Park ☎ (02)9832 4082 Brett McMillan. Friday night, 16 July, at the Coachman Hotel in Parkes. On OPEN FRIDAY NIGHTS Professor, His Eminence, Dr. Nervo www.sasi.net.au Saturday night a dark sky observing night with a starbecue Shatterini BGB, observer omnipotent Northern Sydney Astronomical Society Inc: 0427 433 388 ☎ David (02) 9876 6750 or Kel 9476 1559 is open to all registrants. The Conference will be compered of the optical orb and scientifically www.nsas.ozau.net by Dr. Fred Watson with panelists Dr. David Malin, Dr. John superior scrutineer of Saturn British Astronomical Association (NSW) Reynolds and Professsor Brian Boyle. In the opening lecture SCIENCE CENTRE commands his adoring acolytes draw ☎ 9398 9705 Elizabeth Cocking on Saturday Dr. Fred Watson will go “RAVEing Mad! near and answer the following www.baansw.asn.au PLANETARIUM Dissecting Our Universe.” questions in the hope of winning The Astronomical Society of NSW. Squires Way, Fairey Meadow NSW ☎ (02) 9337 3371.Max Gardner. An astrophotography competition is open to all and fame and a small fortune: www.asnsw.com the best photographs will be on display at the Parkes planetarium, observatory, science, (1) What thing did Penzias and The Western Sydney Amateur Astro Group Inc dinosaurs, displays, souvenirs ☎ Dave Gault (02) 4754 4351 Observatory Visitors Centre. Dr David Malin, the world- Wilson inadvertently find? www4.tpgi.com.au/users/wsaag renowned astrophotographer, will judge the entries. 02 4286 5000 (2) What did James Christy The Hawkesbury Astronomical Society: NSW Sydney Observatory guides will be touring the region discover in 1978? ☎ (02) 4572 1568 Adrian Saw . The Wollongong Astronomy Club. NSW bringing fun astronomy activities to the kids of the Central SkyWatch (3) What is Himalia? ☎ (02) 4261 9369 Paul Brown West, including solar viewings and daytime observing of (4) Who is the only person to The Illawarra Astronomical Society: NSW stars. On the final day of the conference a "Family day at observatory have discovered moons of three ☎ (02) 4276 3199 Peter McKinnon Coonabarabran Shoalhaven Astronomers: South Coast NSW The Dish " will be held at the Parkes Observatory in the planets? ☎ (02) 4423 2255 Jack Apfelbaum paddock adjacent to the world famous Parkes Telescope. (near Siding Spring Observatory) (5) Name Eros’s sole occupant? www.shoal.net.au~astronomy/index.html CWAS AstroFest information http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/events/astrofest/ OPEN DAILY & NIGHTLY (6) Name the three most common The Astronomical Society of the Hunter: NSW ☎ (02) 4937 4664 Col Maybury 02 6842 3303 types of nebula. [email protected] (7) What has been named after Newcastle Astronomical Society: NSW Angeline Stickney? ☎ CANBERRA (02) 4950 0725 Allan Meehan PRO-AMPRO-AM REGISTRYREGISTRY (8) What is a radius vector? www.nas.org.au Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran, NSW PLANETARIUM (9) Where will you find taenite ☎ The past decade has seen an explosion in the number of backyard Hawdon Place, Dickson ACT (02) 6842 2994 Paul Cass. observers using high-end equipment and sophisticated software to record and kamacite? Port Macquarie Astronomical Association NSW planetarium, observatory (10) After whom is B Cassiopeia ☎ (02) 6583 1933 Jim Daniels. faint , discover supernovae, and even detect extrasolar planets. So displays, souvenirs Grafton Astronomical Society, NSW it's not surprising that many accomplished amateurs yearn to contribute named? ☎ (02) 6642 4130 Jeff Ashended directly to scientific research. Over the years many of them have sent 02 6248 5333 (11) Who coined the phrase the Ballaarat Astronomical Society: Vic "Big Bang"? ☎ (03) 5332 7526 John Hastie observations to organizations like the American Association for Variable Star http://observatory.ballarat.net Observers. But for those who wanted to work with professional astronomers, KINGS TABLELAND (12) What is the second brightest Bendigo District Astronomical Society the opportunities were few and far between. and second biggest globular cluster PO Box 164 Bendigo Vic 3552 . Barry McPhee observatory in the Astronomical Society of Victoria Inc At June's meeting of the American Astronomical Society members of Wentworth Falls, ☎ sky? (03) 9888 7130. Linda Mockridge the AAS's Working Group for Professional/Amateur Collaboration announced Blue Mountains www.asv.org.au the inauguration of an online "registry" service. The registry is a searchable (13) What is the new name of the Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society Vic ...where the skies are darker... constellation Vulpecula cum Anser? ☎ database that allows amateur astronomers to detail abilities and professionals (03) 5174 6453 home.vicnet.net.au/~lvas 02 4757 2954 (14) Which watery constellation is Astronomical Society of Geelong, Vic to make known their observational needs. The registry will provide an ☎ 0407 345 070 Frank Baker for details. important link in collaboration between professionals and amateurs. to be found on the banks of the river http://members.optushome.com.au/asog At the AAS meeting details were presented about how the registry but not in the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society, river? ☎ 0419 253 252 Richard Pollard for details. will work. An interested observer can create an entry in the "amateur" section OBSERVATORY Astronomical Society of Melbourne, Vic. with name, e-mail address, telescope specifications, and observing experience. (15) Where would you find Fra ☎ Lake Bathurst 0412 - 318 125 Chris Ellis Astrophysicists can post details about their research projects and what kinds Mauro if not in a monastery? [email protected] near Goulburn (16) Where would you find a Canberra Astronomical Society: ACT of observations are needed in the "professional/project" section. Both sets of ☎ (02) 6288 7394 Diane Purcell. listings can be searched for particular interests or needs. Details are below. .... farmstay observing .... lithosphere? Brisbane Astronomical Society: Qld www.aas.org/wgpac/registry/ 02 4849 4489 (17) Of what is the Magellanic ☎ (07) 3847 2206 Darryl Mitchell Stream made? www.bas.asn.au www.ozemail.com.au/~nwilliams/bas (18) Who really proposed the Southern Astronomical Society:Qld existence of the Oort Cloud? ☎ (07)5537 3852 Kevin Dixon. SYDNEYSYDNEY OBSERVATORYOBSERVATORY (19) In what year did the Peekskill www.sas.org.au Astronomical Association of Queensland, Qld meteorite land on Earth? ☎ Peter Hall (07) 3378 1173 www.aaq.org.au (20) What is the difference South East Queensland Astronomical Society, HOLIDAYHOLIDAY ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES between Jupiter’s equatorial ☎ (07) 3844 7904 Dave Larkin. www.powerup.com.au/~mcerlean/index.html diameter? Bundaberg Astronomical Soc. Qld Sydney Observatory’s Winter Astro Explorer Workshop: Fri His Flamboyant Fabulousness will ☎ (07) 4159 7232 www.interwox.com.au School Holiday Activities get under 9th. Make a planisphere that examine with great care and attention Redlands Astronomical Society Qld way on July 3 and extend till July 18. shows star positions in the sky. all entries received during the months ☎ (07) 3822 5545 Ross Spence The Observatory is open every day Bundy Skywatchers (South-Central Qld) Lear to navigate the night skies. of July and August and will award ☎ (07) 4159 9674 Karlene Galway between 10am and 5pm and For 8-12 years. Certificates of Distinction, (and for Astronomical Society of South Australia, SA admission is free. An exhibition on Bookings are essential for these Greek Legends of the Sky: Tue 6th. a few dollars extra a Doctorate) to ☎ (08) 8338 1231 Tony Beresford. the Transit of Venus contains material workshops. 02 9217 0485 www.assa.org.au 8.15pm. Find Scorpius, Ophiuchus, those who manage to get a few Astronomical Society of Tasmania, Tas from Cook’s 1769 voyage on loan Night Sky Viewing: Every night and other legendary sky figures. answers correct without the ☎ (03) 6244 3476 Laurie Priest. from the London Science Museum. viewing sessions 6.15pm and Learn some of these legends and assistance of Mr. Google. All entrants www.ast.n3.net The timetable of special 8.15pm bookings essential! Astronomical Society of Alice Springs N.T. view the sky. Cost $22-$16-$65 using the aforesaid gentleman’s ☎ (08) 8952 9817 Annette Green events for the Holidays is as follows: Remember Apollo - Special Open Bookings essential. assistance will attach a note from Darwin Astronomy Group NT Space Exploration Workshop: Night. Saturday 3rd July 6pm to Legends of the Centaurs: Thursday their mothers explaining why they ☎ (08) 8945 9450 Phillip Smith Mon 12th. Make a water rocket, 10pm. View the Moon and remember 5th and Aug 12th. Learn about Gove Amateur Astronomers, NT needed the help and His Grace will ☎ 0417 601 490 Ian Maclean for information. construct a solar system model. the first landing 35 years ago! No fascinating Centaurus and deduct ten percent of their marks. Astronomical Society of Western Australia, WA Suitable for young children 5 - 10 booking required but normal charges Sagittarius. Then view these Hop to it, me hearties! But yah gotta (now incorporating Murdoch Astronomical with parent or carer in attendance. will apply. interesting constellations. be innut to winnut! Society) http://aswa.info ☎ (08) 9299 6347 Val Semmler. Astronomical Society of The South-West, W.A. SCIENCE CENTRE WOLLONGONG Tel: 02 4286 5000 LIGHT POLLUTION ☎ (08) 9721 1586 Phil Smith. CHILDRENS HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS LIGHT POLLUTION If you’d like your Society included, please MON 5: FORENSIC SCIENCE LIGHT POLLUTION contact Mike Smith at (02) 9262 1344 or TUE 6: WIZARD SCIENCE LIGHT POLLUTION [email protected] with information. We’ll WED 7: DINOSAURS & FOSSILS LIGHT POLLUTION put your details in the above list. THUR 8: RAINBOWS & HOLOGRAMS FRI 9: SLIME CHEMISTRY we don’t need it ! $12 post $2.50

Well, Venus is just Mate, Mars is so far away In what way Mick? a bit smaller than the Earth would look even the Earth, but it smaller. Hey Don, looked so tiny! The Martians that transit of Imagine standin’ probably Night Sky is published monthly by Venus was really on Mars and The Binocular and Telescope Shop Pty Ltd wouldn’t notice 55 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000. weird, wasn’t it? seein’ the Earth Tel: (02) 9262 1344 Fax: (02) 9262 1884 even with a Mike Smith Editor. doin’ a transit. Contributions are welcome. telescope! Printed by Omega Creative Communications What would it look 4 Campbell Street, Artarmon NSW 2064. Makes you This newsletter is available at The Binocular and like? Telescope Shop and at many astronomical society think, dunnit? meetings and astronomy centres around Australia. Night Sky is delivered monthly to any address in Australia for $12.00 per year.