March 2021

Havering Astronomical Society

www.havastro.co.uk Havering Astronomical Society Group Havering Astronomical Society

Forthcoming Online Presentations Things to do whilst on lockdown Please note that our meetings now commence at Members are reminded that there is plenty of 7.15pm for 7.30pm: followed by an open members’ information available on our own Society website discussion on all matters astronomical: your chance which includes such activities as Peter’s three to chat online. ‘Objects of the Month’ . Wednesday 17 March, 7.15 for 7.30pm This month they are: Alpha Leonis AKA: Regulus (Star of the Month) Messier 81 and Messier 82 AKA: Dr Greg Brown, Astronomy Education Officer, Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and Cigar Galaxy Royal Observatory Greenwich: (M82) ; (DSO of the Month ) and Iota Cancri AKA:

‘Black Holes: The Small, the Medium and the STF 1268. (Double Star of the Month).

XXL’ Also, there is ‘Martin’s Monthly Challenge : this Wednesday 31 March, 7.15 for 7.30pm month there is M41 Open cluster in Canis Major (Easy Object) and NGC2903 Galaxy in Leo (Difficult Prof Stephen Lowry, Professor of Astronomy and Object) . Planetary Science, School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent: There are also links to other websites and software as well as some spectacular images from our own 'Comet Interceptor – The European Space members. Agency’s New F-Class Mission' Members can also view our Society Facebook page Wednesday 21 April, 7.15 for 7.30pm where fellow members post various articles and items of interests and occasionally links to other pages and Konrad Malin -Smith: a founder member of the websites. HAS, and a regular speaker to our club

You can also now follow us on Twitter. ‘Clusters of stars and their evolution’ For those members who are particularly interested in

practical Astrophotography and imaging there is the

HAS Observing Group Chat on WhatsApp. If you Members who have provided an email address will would like to have access to this group, please be sent an invitation with joining instructions. If you contact Les Brand at [email protected] wish to be added to the list please contact Les Brand at les1.brand@virginmedia .com

If any member would like to give a short talk or presentation online can they please contact either Magda or Peter at [email protected] NIGHT SKY

International Space Station Observing Times

Date Visible Max Height* Appears Disappears

Sun Mar 21, 7:17 PM 5 min 34° 10° above SW 16° above E

Mon Mar 22, 8:06 PM 4 min 75° 10° above WSW 50° above E

Tue Mar 23, 7:18 PM 6 min 61° 10° above WSW 14° above E

Wed Mar 24, 8:08 PM 4 min 87° 10° above W 43° above E

Thu Mar 25, 7:20 PM 6 min 87° 10° above W 13° above E

Super Worm Moon: can best be seen on 28th March at 19:48 BST. This is the first Super Full Moon of the year. This occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to the Earth on the same night as its full Moon phase and as such it appears as much as 14 percent bigger and 30 per cent brighter in the sky. This one will be called a Super Worm Moon because the first or only full Moon in March is always known as a “Worm Moon”, named for the end of winter when worms and other creatures typically make their first appearance of the year.

The whirlpool galaxy (M51, NGC 5194): can best be seen on 15th April in the constellation Canes Venatici in the East. It will reach its highest point in the sky at around midnight and will be visible all night. It will become visible around 22:20 (BST) as the dusk sky fades, 55° above the eastern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 05:36 BST, 55° above the western horizon. It can be easily located as it is just 3 degrees northwest of Alkaid the star at the end of the Big Dipper’s handle (Ursa Major). Shining at mag. 8.4, M51 will be quite faint, and certainly not visible to the naked eye, but can be viewed through a pair of binoculars or small telescope.

YouTube Videos of Previous Online Talks Young Astronomers

Here is the link for the video of Dr Dafydd Wyn Our next online Young Astronomers meeting will take place th Evans’ presentation - “Gaia: what was delivered on Thursday 25 March at 6:45pm. If you know of any in EDR3 (Early Data Release 3) and what is to individual youngsters or youth groups aged 8 – 16 who come in DR3 (Data Release 3)” would be interested in joining for free, please let them know about the date and time and advise them to either register online at www.havastro.co.uk or email https://youtu.be/ic2EuAI9GHk [email protected].

And this is the link for Dr Rebekah Higgitt’s Also if any member would like to assist with giving a presentation - ‘Transits of Venus and 'precision presentation or talk to the youngsters online please contact exploration' in the 18th century’. Les Brand.

https://youtu.be/PkyEDx0ija8 Honorary Membership – John Sweeney

We are pleased to announce that the Committee has conferred an Honorary Membership on John Sweeney Annual Membership Fees in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the Society and its aims. Over the years he has given This is a reminder that, as in previous years, if any numerous talks and presentations at our meetings, at existing member has not renewed their many of our outreach activities and events and he also membership by 31st March, we will view this as an spoke regularly at our Young Astronomer’s group. This indication that the individual no longer wishes to award would normally have been announced at our continue to be a member. If any member has any AGM this month but as it has been deferred until queries or issues regarding renewal or Online October we thought it only fitting to bring it to your Registration, please contact [email protected] attention now. Congratulations John.