News

13th December

Leonid meteor shower: Some 30 Friends and College employees joined CEB, JAG and GKWJ at the Dome. With falling temperatures and clearing skies and a setting waxing crescent Moon, the evening was only marred by astrolights till 10pm and light cloud. The meteor rate built slowly from 20 to 30 per hour. 43 were recorded, only a few brighter than 0. The 10 inch tracked 46P. As the night cleared the central coma was well distinguished with obvious assymetry, but the full coma was bigger than the field of view of the main eyepiece. Due to some local easy star patterns, it was possible to watch the comet move, roughly 0.25 degrees in the time of observing (a speed later calcualted as roughly 10 km/s across our line of sight). The comet was an easy target in small binoculars and the ETX. Once the astro lights had gone, the comet could be seen by eye with averted vision. A dull grey smudge about as big as the Full Moon, heading up and east through Taurus to pass between the Hyades and Pleiades

 

9th December

Extended Project: GKWJ and JAG were at the Dome to facilitate L6 astrophotography project work using the 8 inch and 10 inch. M33 and then Mars were targets. CEB also came up to locate 46P, which was very easy in 8×50 binoculars about 5 degrees south of Menkar in Cetus. In the 10 inch the coma was too large and diffuse to show well (some possible assymetry was seen, but no clear tail). In the binoculars it was a fuzzy patch and underwhelming

 

6th December

Swindon Academy visit: NMA and DGR again hosted a group of pupils from Swindon Academy in the Marlburian and at the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

House visit: 12 pupils from DA Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy Next House vist: Thursday 10th January 2019 (MM)

3rd December

Extended Project work: GKWJ and JAG supervised a sixth form pupil who was imaging M31. The 10 inch was used to locate 46P for the first time and the unintegrated naked-eye view was underwhelming, given its large coma diameter. The magnitude was estmated at +6 to 7. 12 meteors were seen, potentially early Geninids, including an exploding fireball

 

29th November

House visit: 10 CO Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was clearing but there was a light drizzle, so the main dome remained closed. M45 was viewed in Binos and M31 identified by eye

 

Next House visit: Thursday 6th December (DA

27th November

Blackett Science lecture: The 14th Blackett lecture as delivered by Professor Giovanna Tinetti from UCL. The talk ‘Brave New Worlds – planets in our galaxy’ was attended by a large audience of pupils and Friends of the Marlborough Telescope

 

29th November

House visit: 10 CO Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was clearing but there was a light drizzle, so the main dome remained closed. M45 was viewed in Binos and M31 identified by eye

 

Next House visit: Thursday 6th December (DA)

27th November

Blackett Science lecture: The 14th Blackett lecture as delivered by Professor Giovanna Tinetti from UCL. The talk ‘Brave New Worlds – planets in our galaxy’ was attended by a large audience of pupils and Friends of the Marlborough Telescope

 

22nd November

House visit: 12 pupils from C3 Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy and very bright due to the Full Moon

 

Next House visit: Thursday 29th November (CO)

21st November

GCSE observing and project work: JAG and GKWJ opened the Dome for 2 hours of Extended Project work. Images were taken of the Moon to make a mosaic and the of M42. The sky was very bright and there was some haze, with high humidity. DGR looked after 3 Remove pupils who came up to draw the Moon and Cygnus with rather dim limiting magnitude

 

20th November

House visit: 14 pupils from EL Shell came up to the Dome. Th sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 22nd November (C3)

17th November

Leonid watch: Some 2 dozen Friends and families came up to the Dome. Only 4 Leonids were seen over the evening but all were able to view the Terminator of the waxing Gibbous Moon through the 10 inch which showed clearly the double central mountains of Copernicus and the ejecta rays. The 8 inch Smith was used by GKWJ and an EPQ pupil, taking images of M31 and the Moon and the Perseus double cluster. The ETX viewed Mizar A abd B and M45 the Pleiades were viewed in the Binos

 

15th November

House visit: Shellpupils from C2 came upot the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 20th November (EL)

2nd-12th November

International Olympiad: CEB acted as Team leader for the UK team of five 17 year old pupils from different schools (2 stae and 3 independent) around the UK in the 12th International Olympiad (IOAA) held this year in Beijing. After gruelling 5 hour exams in theory, data-analysis and and hour of observation, the UK team came away with 2 silver medals and 2 honourable mentions. 39 countries competed. The top countries were Iran, Russia and China. The top scoring student was from Russia. Next IOAA will take place in Hungary in August. The selection process (British Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (BOAA) for the 2019 team has already begun

 

30th October

GCSE Observing: As temperatures dropped to freezing the sky cleared and, though the seeing was only fair due to the humidity, all bar 4 of the Hundred and Remove astronomers were able to gather for the best night this year. The ETXs were used for star counts in Cygnus and Uma. the Binos were used for drawing Pleiades and Hyades Open Clusters. The 10 inch tracked M57, the Ring nebula for drawing. The Remove all drew Cygnus and the Milky Way. The lack of Moon was a real advantage. Several meteors were also seen

 

28th October

Optical Doubles: Sadly only a couple of Friends joined CEB, JAG and GKWJ at the Dome on the best night this year. The Moon was absent for the first hour and the sky completely clear (though poor Seeing) as we toured Optical Doubles and Binary systems. The Binos and ETX were intially used to view Mars and M45 and M13. The 8 inch was aligned and motorised for the first time and tracked well, enabling many of the Doubles to be seen and also M15, M31 and M110. The 10 inch resolved the following: Alpha Her (just resolved at 4 arc seconds – Orange and Green), Albireo, Epsilon Lyr, Alpha Cap, Gamma Del, Epsilon Peg, Zeta Aql, 94 Aql and finally 8 Lac. An amazing evening, some easy and some hard and plenty of argument over colour

 

10th October

GCSE observing: 4 Hundred astronomers joined DGR at the Dome under clouding skies to draw M45 (Pleiades)

 

9th October

External visit: DGR looked after a group of 20 scouts and 3 leaders at the Dome under clear skies. All the small instruments were in use

 

GCSE observing: 7 of the Remove astronmers came up to the Dome with CEB under warm and humid but clear skies and drew their first constellation drawings including Cassiopeia and the Saucepan. The ETX was used to view Mars and the 10 inch showed the centre of M31 and then the disc of Uranus and some (much debated) colour

4th October

House visit: The second House visit of the year took place with 10 pupils and a Tutor from C1 Shell coming to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 15th November (C2)

1st October

Friends outer planets: A small group of Friends (including our youngest aged 4yrs) joined CEB, JAG and GKWJ at te Dome. The skies largely cleared and follwing an excellent ISS pass, we were able to observe between clouds Mizar and Alcor, Mars and M31 (described as ‘an eye’ by our young visitor) in the ETX. In 10 inch we first viewed Mars, which showed slight detail in the centre of the disc and a brighter (ice cap) edge. The 10 inch then viewed Uranus, described variously as a ‘huge green circle’, to grey, to turquoise to greeny. Neptune was then resolved but barely showed any colour, though more blue than anything else. The Central 0.5 degrees of M31 Andromeda galaxy was then viewed, followed by a very fiant outline of M110.

 

British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) training camp: The observatory again was the venue for the 2 day observational training section of the weeks Camp, based in Oxford, for the UK 5 student team (This year all year 12). 4 boys and one girl and the second team leader joined CEB for 2 days in the College running through the high level knowledge and understanding needed to compete in the Observational rounds of the International Competition (IOAA). CEB will lead the team for the 12th Olympiad, which will tale place in Beijing in November. Despite cloudy skies, we managed some hands on experience at the Dome and a short burst of Solar observing

23rd August

Mid-Atlantic observing: As part of a his 2018 lecture series for Cunard, CEB gathered a group of some 150 guests on Deck 13 of the Queen Mary 2 in balmy 23 degree temperature, 3 days out from New York. Tours of the sky were given using the laser pointer, including very bright Mars and major asterisms. Though M31 was viisble, the Milky Way was drowned out by the Waxing Gibbous Moon. Binoculars were used to observe Mars and M31

 

21st August

Astrophotography evening: JAG joined GKWJ in calm and 15 degrees C.A camera was set up to make a star trails image, running for two hours (roughly 30 degree arcs) Second, Mars was imaged, clearly showing dark detail and an icecap. Third, the 10 inch observed two globular clusters M2 and M15 and then NGC 7009, the Saturn Nebula, a small and relatively faint planetary nebula in Aquarius. In 50mm eyepiece, it appeared as a small mark on the lens but the 28mm eyepiece showed definite elongation and it became clear as to why it was so named. Finally, binoculars were used to find Brocchi’s Cluster, the Coathanger, in Vulpecula

 

10th August

Early Persieds: JAG and 2 College staff observed (and CEB seperately) under a very clear sky with no Moon and incredibly bright Milky Way. Disapointingly only 12 Persieds were seen (they seemed to be fainter) The number of satellites equalled the number of meteors

 

9th August

Early Perseids: JAG and 2 visitors observed for 90 minutes seeing 17 Persieds (including a -5 fireball) and 5 sporadics

 

5th August

1st August

Summer School week 4: For the first time since starting 15 years ago, all 4 Wednesday evenings of Summer School have been clear. Now noticeably darker, some 40 Summer School guests and staff, including 10 from the School of English and Culture, came up to the Dome joining CEB, JAG and GKWJ. Outside targets included Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, M13 and M31, Mizar A and B and Albireo. An excellent ISS pass was viewed by all at the start of the evening and an Iridium flare and a couple of meteors were also seen. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and 4 moons (Io just emerging from behind the planet at the start of the evening) then Saturn with Titan and 2 other inner moons and finally Mars. Mars to the naked eye was as bright as ever and the best since 2003 (though at low altitude). Shining at magnitude -2.8, it outshone Jupiter by nearly a magnitude and dominated the SE sky. Through the 10 inch it was incredibly bright and showed a brigher ice-cap and some darker markings. Many nationalities were represented in the group including, Ukraine, Spain, Syria, Poland, Syria, Italy, France, Germany and Eritrea

 

22nd September

External talk: CEB was invited to give a talk on raising awareness of the British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) and the need to widen our search for star students (under 19) across the UK, at the Federation of UK Astronomical Societies (FAS) in York

 

21st September

Friends’ Drinks: The 14th anniversary Friends’ drinks part was held at the Dome. The cold wind (and of course clear skies!) meant we were inside, but a good group of old and new supporters gathered to reflect on the year past and look forward to the year ahead

 

6th September

Comet 21P: GKWJ and JAG set off at 2.30am to attempt observing Comet 21P/Giocobini-Zinner in Auriga. At 10 degres centigrade and a waning Moon, conditions were excellent. The 10 inch slewed accurately to the Comet. Sketches were made and the first photographic run with a Canon EOS 1Dx started at 03.11. 45 frames of 16 seconds with a 20 second interval between frames. The run finished at 04.14. A time lapse of the 90 frames was then produced, see Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/288544707. The Comet moved 739 pixels in an hour at a resolution of 0.375 arcseconds per pixel. Later calculations gave a speed across the line of sight of 22km/s, in close agreement with other estimates. A great effort in the early hours

 

27th – 29th August

27th July

Total Lunar eclipse: A group of some 25 Friends, locals and Summer School guests gathered at the Dome in the hope of seeing the eclipsed Moon or Mars at Opposition. Sadly the cloud prevented even a single star being seen

 

25th July

Foreign and Commonwealth Office visit: 13 retired members of the FCO came down to Avebury with the FCO Association. After a very hot tour of the Henge, the group led by CEB drove to the Observatory and viewed the Sun in goggles, Solarscope, ETX and the 10 inch (with H alpha). The Photosphere was entirely blank, but 3 small prominences were visible in H alpha

 

 

Summer School week 3: 40 Summer School guests and staff attended the Dome on another clear, warm evening. After dividing into 3 groups led by CEB, JAG and GKWJ, the instruments were used to view all the usual targets (including the waxing Gibbous Moon) outside and Jupiter and 3 moons (Io was occulted) and then Saturn and 3 moons (unusually for such a bright night, Tethys and Rhea were both visible) in the 10 inch. Clouds had begun to gather before Mars could be viewed in the 10 inch. An excellent overhead ISS pass was also seen

 

24th July

Summer School Astronomy Course: GKWJ brought his course member up to the Dome for Solar viewing. The Sun was viewed between clouds with solar goggles, the Solarscope, an ETX with white light filter and the 10 inch in H alpha. No active regions were seen, but a faint filament and a small prominence were visible

 

23rd July

Summer School Astronomy Course: On the first night of the course GKWJ brought a group of 10 up to the Dome. Conditions were reasonable, very warm with some passing hazy cloud. A wide range of equipment was used outside including 15×80 binoculars, two small refractors and two small reflectors. We started by viewing the waxing Gibbous Moon, then the parade of planets; Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. Saturn, with Titan and a peppering of other moons clearly visible, followed by a hazy Mars were also viewed in the 10 inch. Two passes of the ISS were seen, first at 21:48 and then again at 23:24. The group also enjoyed a naked eye tour of the summer constellations

 

18th July

Summer School week 2: Some 30 Summer School guests joined CEB, JAG, DGR and GKWJ at the Dome under clearing skies. Venus was seen in the twilight and then Jupiter (first with 3 moons and then with IO appearing from its shadow) in the 10 inch, then Saturn with Titan and finally Mars, which showed more detail than last week and a discernable bright ice cap. The ETX and various binoculars were used outside to view the Moon, M13 and M31 and to split Mizar. A couple of metors were seen, but we missed the low ISS pass

 

14th July

 

Impromptu observing: GKWJ and JAG hosetd a small group of six visitors at the Dome under excellent clear moonless skies and good Seeing. The 10 inch viewed Jupiter and its four Galilean moons, Saturn and possibly five of its moons, a dusty featureless, but bright and very red Mars, double star Albireo, M57, the Ring Nebula, M56, a Globular Cluster in Vulpecula and M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. An OIII filter was used with M27 and it definitely improved definition of the shape (a sheaf of wheat). The summer constellations and the Milky Way were good with naked eye outside and M31 and the Double Cluster through binoculars. A large number of meteors were seen throughout the evening. Five meteor shower radiants are close together near the southern horizon around midnight; Southern Iota Aquariids, Southern Delta Aquariids, Piscis Austrinids, Alpha Capricornids and June Scutids. All have their maxima later this month

 

11th July

Summer School week 1: CEB was joined by JAG, DGR and GKWJ at the Dome under clearing skies for group of some 20 Summer School guests. Bright stars were spotted as they appered in cloud gaps and then in improving conditions Jupiter and 4 moons was viewed in ETX and Binos and in the 10 inch, which showed some colour on Io and 4 bands on the planet. The 10 inch then moved to Saturn and not only was the Casini Division well defined, but 4 moons were visible. After most visitors had gone the 10 inch moved to view the Double binary in Lyra. As we left the Dome bright red Mars was rising and was viewed as a bright disc in the ETX

 

27th June

External visit: A small group of friends from Oxford were followed by a Norwegina Reuters’ Fellow and colleague from Oxford University. Both groups had clear skies and super views of the Sun through goggles, in the SolarScope and ETX and in H alpha in the 10 inch. A huge triangular shaped prominenece was seen in good detail

 

24th June

External visit: A small group from London came to the Dome for an afternoon of solar observing. The Photosphere was viewed in goggles, projection box and ETX (where spot group 2715 was easily visible) and then the Chromosphere with several active regions in the 10 inch

 

21st June

Solstice observing: JAG and GKWJ joined CEB and a small group of Friends to see out the Solstice. The night was warm and clear and as the sky darkened, there were plenty of targets to observe, including a bright Iridium flare. The Moon was viewed in the ETX and the 8 inch Smith and Binos. Venus showed its 70% illuminated phase in ETX. Jupiter and 4 moons were seen in ETX then Smith then 10 inch, with Io and Ganymede overlapping. The 10 inch then moved to Saturn, very orange and low on the horizon, then Antares in search of Antares B. Some thought there was a little assymetry in the twinkling star. Vesta was then well veiwed as a steady disc. M10 was too faint to see detail but M57 was clear. Saturn was viewed again with both Titan and Rhea now visible. The evening ended just before midnight with a viedw of Albireo, such a beautiful bi-coloured double of the blue B8 and yellow K2 stars

 

19th June

Wetton Workshop and lecture: CEB attended the official opening of the Roswitha Wetton Telesope (RWT), a new 2 radio dish interferometer on the roof of the Denys Wilkinson Building. Following the unveiling a lecture on Exoplanet discoveries was delivered in the Martin Wood lecture theatre and then dinner in Christ Church

 

14th June

External visit: In the last Swindon Academy group visist, 11 year 10 girls and their teacher came up to the Dome. The Sun was viewed in goggles between clouds and in the projection box and then in the ETX. The 10 inch showed a couple of prominences on the southern limb in H alpha

 

13th June

External visit:12 year 7 girls and their teacher from Swindon Academy came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

12th June

External visit: 22 year 7 pupils and 2 teachers from Swindon Academy came up to the Dome as part of their stay at the College. They were accompanied by a postgrad from Imperial College and undergrad from Birkbeck. The sky was sadly cloudy

 

Observing evening: The two University visitors joined GKWJ and JAG at the Dome as the sky had cleared for a tour of the sky with the 10 inch. Jupiter and its moons, Vega, Albireo, M13 and Saturn, still rather low to the horizon, were viewed

17th May

Solar open day: Under sunny skies but sadly increasing high cloud, the Dome opened to public, Friends and College staff. The Sun was viewed in solar goggles, the projection box and the ETX in white light and a dedicated small solar refractor and the 10 inch in H alpha. Despite a totally blank disc, reflecting the minimum in the solar cycle, there was a decent quiescent loop prominence visible in H alpha when the sky was clear enough. JAG and GWJ helped CEB welcome families, Friends and staff from 3 yrs and up

 

30th April

Lunar imaging: GKWJ attempted a mosaic of the lunar surface at the Full Moon. Despite clear patches, the Seeing conditions were poor

 

21st April

GCSE Solar observing: Remove set 1 came up to the Dome under clear if hazy skies. The Sun was viewed in goggles then via projection and in the ETX, where the faint spot 2706 was seen. The H-alpha filter on the 10 inch showed no activity due to the poor clarity

 

19th April

GCSE Solar observing: Remove set 2 came up to the Dome in hot sunshine as part of Topic 11 and the Sun’s surface. The Sun was viewed in goggles, via projection and the ETX the blank photosphere in white-light and then the 10 inch showed a couple of Chromosphere prominences in H-alpha

 

18th April

GCSE Solar observing: The Hundred Astronomy set came up to the Dome in their afternoon lesson under clear skies. The Sun was viewed in goggles, projection box, ETX and white-light filter and then despite no sunspots, there was activity in the form of an erruptive prominance and quiescent prominance in H-alpha through the 10 inch

 

28th March

Lunar imaging evening: GWJ and JAG working into the early hours put the 10 inch through its paces in a firet attempt at some detailed Lunar imaging, including the building up of a photo mosaic

 

26th March

Friends outing: CEB led a group of 16 Friends to Oxford to visit the new radio telescopes on the roof of the Denys Wilkinson Building. After a lecture on Radioastronomy and Oxford’s projects by Professor Mike Jones, we has a tour and demonstration of the operating dish by Alex Pollak. After a pub lunch the gorup then had a tour of the Tower of the Winds (old Radcliffe Observatory) in Green Templeton College

 

21st March

Sun-Earth lecture: The 2018 talk ‘Victorian Phoenix – the story of the Marlborough telescope’ was delivered to an audience of Friends and colleagues by CEB

 

15th March

External visit: 17 year 12 pupils and 2 teachers from Lycee Jules Verne came up to the Dome before sunset

 

13th March

GCSE observing: 8 Remove pupils joined DGR and CEB for the last night of observing this term. The Spring sky was light due to high cloud and skyglow but the waning crescent Moon had not risen. Drawings of M45 and M44 were attempted and M31 was viewed in the 10 inch. Arcturus was also drawn rising in order to estimate the length of the sidereal day

 

9th March

RAS prize: Z.Place (CO, L6) was presented with his Winton Capital prize for winning the inaugural RAS poster competition by RAS President Professor John Zarneki at the March RAS Open meeting. This was followed by the 2018 Eddington lecture by Professor Karin Ohberg from Harvard on ‘Chemistry of planet formation and planet habitability’

 

24th February

External visit: JAG and GKWJ hosted a select group of three adult visitors in cold and clearing conditions. The evening started with a tour across the main constellations of the night sky, which was dominated by a 67% waxing gibbous Moon. The Pleiades were viewed through binoculars. Targets in the 10 inch started with M42, followed by a long session on the Moon, both wide and in close up, a most impressive sight. We then moved on to Castor, Pollux and HR2764 (a double star in Canis Major known as the Winter Albireo, an interesting white-blue and orange double. The session ended with views of the Pleiades and the Double Cluster h and chi Persei

 

22nd February

External visit: 13 year 8 pupils from Realschule Freising II in Germany and 4 teachers came up to the Dome before sunset as the sky cleared

 

House visit: 9 pupils for TU Shell came up to the Dome as temperatures fell. The waxing 6 day old Moon was viewed in the Zeiss Binos, Polaris and major stars were pointed out and then M42 viewed in the 10 inch

GCSE Observing: 13 Remove astronomers came up to the Dome to first drew the Moon by eye from behind the Dome and then draw the Moon using any of the available instruments. New sets of 10×50 Helios binos were in use as well as the older instruments. Pupils also viewed, and some drew M42 in 10 inch

14th February

External lecture: CEB delivered the 36th Astronomy for All talk ‘Victorian Phoenix’, the story of the Barclay Equatorial, at Green Templeton College, Oxford

 

8th February

House visit: 10 pupils from PR Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: The last visit of the year for Shell pupils will be on Thursday 22nd February (TU)

6th February

Art project: A sixth form pupil came up to the Dome to take copious images for his Moon themed project

 

4th February

External visit: JAG & GKWJ hosted a group of 3 adults and 2 children (ages 6 and 4). Thick cloud started to clear just in time to commence the evening with an ISS pass. Perfectly clear skies ensued for about an hour. Orion, The Plough and Polaris were identified outside. Variations in star colour were observed through the 10 inch, with Alpheratz (blue-white), Scheat (orange-red) and the double, Almach (orange and white). Next, The Double Cluster, then on to M31. Outside to see Pegasus, Andromeda, Perseus and Cassiopeia to place the objects viewed. Finally we observed Uranus in the 10 inch

 

1st February

House visit: 10 pupils and a House tutor from NC Shell came up to the Dome. The evening was cold and there were gaps in the cloud. The bright Moon appeared on occasions and by the end there was enough of a gap for most to view the Trapezium in M42

 

Next House visit: Thursday 8th February (PR)

GCSE observing: Perhaps the last chance this winter presented itself, though in the swamped light ‘pollution’ of the just post Full Moon. 1 hopeful Remove came up and all 4 Hundred. The sky then remained cloudy till after 10pm, at which point we were able to swing into action. Star counts were done and a drawing of both M42 and M31. For the first time images were taken via SLR through the 10 inch of M31, which showed the bright nucleus and central few minutes well. The evening finished at 11pm

30th January

External visit: 5 year 10 pupils and their teacher from in WLSA Fudan Academy, Shanghai came up to the Dome. The evening was cloudy

 

House visit: 14 Shell pupils and a House tutor from MO came up to the Dome under cloud and drizzling skies

Next House visit: Thursday 1st February (NC)

25th January

House visit: 14 Shell pupils from MM came up to the Dome. It was largely cloudy, though Sirius made an appearance

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 30th January (MO)

18th January

House visit: 10 pupils from LI Shell came up to the Dome on the first really clear night this term. M45 was viewed in Binos and M42 the Great Orion Nebula in the 10 inch. Several sporadic meteors were seen

 

Next House visit: Thursday 25th January (MM)

GCSE Observing: All 4 Hundred, and all bar 4 of the Remove, came up to the Dome. With no Moon and initially good Seeing the conditions were ideal for Star counts in and out of the MW plane and drawings of M45 and M42. Photographs of M42 were taken on tripod and via a new adaptor using the 10 inch with suprising success and great colour contrast in the nebula. Remove drawing and star counts in Orion were attempted. Several more sporadic meteors were seen. The Seeing declined during the evening.

11th January

House visit: 9 pupils from IH Shell and a Tutor came up to the dome. The evening was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 18th January (LI)

8th January 2018

Charity evening: JAG and GKWJ hosted ‘An evening with the Stars’ as a charity evening for 9 adults, who had won the auction prize in aid of SWIFT Medics (Wiltshire). The night was crystal clear with no Moon with a temperature of -1, feeling like -6 in the wind. Uranus was viewed in the 10 inch. M45 in Binos, M42 in the ETX and the the Perseus Double cluster in both. The 10 inch then viewed the Trapezium in M42 and then M1. The 10 inch was then used to split Castor and Alnitak (just). Finally Open clusters with Christmas tree and 15 Monocerotis, M35, M36, M37 and M38. A great start to 2018

16th December

Winter Sky tour: A small group of more experienced observer Friends risked poor condidtioons but were rewarded by clear skies and the best observing this winter. The evening turned into a tour of Open Clusters and many Messier objects were viewed for the first time with distance and magnitudes, shapes and colours being easilycompared. The 10 inch was calibrated on M42, which showed good detail. M45 was viewed in Binos. The 10 inch then moved to M78 in Orion and Alnitak was just resolved with averted vision. The Rosette nebula NGC2244 was seen for the first time by eye with the very orange star 12 Mon. Next M35 in Gemini was identified with NGC2158. Next M37 in Auriga then M36 (Pinwheel, though more of a spider-crab) and M38 Starfish (clearly identifiable with a central star and multiple arm structure). Castor was easily split (both CasA and B white, though one slightly warmer white) We ended with M1 (Crab). The sky clouded at 10pm.

 

7th December

External visit: DGR and NMA hosted another group of pupils from Swindon Academy at the Dome. The sky was patchy but strting to clear

 

House visit: 14 Shell pupils from EL came up to the Dome. The Pleiades were viewed in Binos and M57 Ring Nebula in 10 inch. M31 was seen by eye and the Milky Way identified

Next House visit: Thursday 11th January (IH)

GCSE Obesrving: 3 Hundred pupils and 3 Remove came up to the Dome under the first properly clear skies for months. The Seeing was poor however and the sky bright, despite the Moon being absent till just before 9pm. Star counts were done in ETXs and M45 drawn on Binos and M57 in 10 inch. Photographs were taken of M45, M31 and M42. Remove drawings were made of Cygnus, Umi and Orion. One early Geminid was seen

5th December

External visit: NMA hosted another group from Swindon Academy. The sky was cloudy

 

30th November

House visit: 11 Shell pupils and a tutor from DA came up to the Dome. It was cold and cloudy but frustratingly the sky cleared in patches as the group left

 

Next House visit: Thursday 7th December (EL)

28th November

Blackett Science Lecture: The 13th annual lecture was given by Professor Katherine Blundell FRAS, OBE of Oxford University Astrophysics Department. A large audience of astronomy, physics and interested pupils from all year groups, Friends of the Telescope and pupils from local Academies gathered to hear an excellent talk on ‘Black Holes and spin-offs’. Her amazing international ‘Global Jet Watch’ project in 5 girls’ schools on different continents, was also illustrated. It was fitting that the talk was on the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Pulsars by Jocelyn Bell (now Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell) who gave the inaugural Blackett Lecture in 2005

 

23rd November

External visit: A group of 27 yr5 pupils from Swindon Academy, accompanied by four members of staff, visited. The weather prevented them from the viewing the night sky

 

External visit: 16 members of Marlborough Scout pack visted with their leader and treasurer. The evening was wet and cloudy

House visit: 12 pupils from C3 Shell came up to the Dome. The evening was mild and wet

Next House visit: Thursday 30th November (DA)

25th November

External visit:25 year 5 pupils from the Swindon Academy, accompanied by two of their teaching assistants came up to the Dome. NMA and DGR were in charge. The weather, unfortunately, was cloudy

 

17th November

Leonids watch: 10 Friends including, 4 from Oxford came up to the Dome, optimistic about the weather. From clear skies and no Moon at 8.15pm the clouds closed in till nothing was visible by 9pm. 6 meteors were seen and M57 viewed by some in 10 inch. The evening was then abandonned

 

16th November

House visit: 11 pupils from C2 Shell and a Tutor coame up to the Dome in clearing skies. Major asterisms were pointed out and 2 early Leonids seen. M45 (Pleiades) was viewed in Binos and M57 (Ring Nebula) in 10 inch

 

Next House visit : Thursday 23rd November (C3)

GCSE Observing: The first full observing evening with a clear sky took pace with all 4 Hundred and 8 of the Remove attending. Despite the lack of Moon, the sky was very bright due to the scattered light of the sports pitches combined with the 64% humidity. Drawing projects of Umi and Cygnus were undertaken and Messier drawings of M45 and M57. Star counts in the MW were also attempted and some photography of M45 and M31 (Andromeda galaxy)

12th Novemeberr

GCSE Remove observing: DGR gathered Remove set 1 at the Dome under hazy clear skies (sadly a good deal of skyglow). Drawings of Cygnus were made and magnitude estimates practiced

 

7th NovemberHouse visit: 10 pupils from CO came up to the Dome. It was wet and mild

 

Next House visit: Thursday 16th November (C2)

4th November

Prep School lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to a packed theatre of yr 5 to 8 at Pinewood School

 

OM day: CEB hosted 2 groups of OMs for 45 minutes each at the Dome as part of the OM day. 32 leavers ranging from 1947 to 2010 attended. Sadly it was cloudy

2nd November

External visit: 10 members of the 1st Broughton Gifford Explorer Scouts aged from 14 to 18 yrs and 2 Leaders came up to the Dome. Sadly it was cloudy

 

House visit: 11 pupils from C1 Shell came up to the Dome for their visit

Next House visit: Tuesday 7th November (CO)

31st October

House visit: An unexpected Shell House visit took place as 11 pupils from SU (scheduled for March 2018) came up to the Dome. Sadly the light of the waxing Gibbous Moon combined with high levels of moisture made the sky very bright. Polaris and Cassiopeia could be identified and the Summer Triangle. The Moon was viewed in Binos

 

Next House visit: Thursday 2nd November (C1)

6th to 13th October

World Space Week: CEB represented the Royal Astronomical Society, lecturing alongside an ISS astronaut, NASA historian and the Commercial Director of Virgin Galactic. Planetarium shows and night-sky observing also attracted large audiences

 

3rd October

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from BH came up to the Dome. Sadly it was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 2nd November (C1)

28th September

House Shell visit: The first House visit of the academic year took place with 10 pupils from B1 coming up to the Dome. Some bright stars and the Summer Triangle were visible between extensive high cloud and the First Quarter Moon was viewed in the Binos and ETX

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 3rd October (BH)

22nd September

Friends 13th annual drinks: On the Autumnal Equinox, 30 or so of the outreach group Friends of the Marlborough Telescope gathered at the dome for the annual drinks party. It was good to see both new members and stalwarts there

 

13th September

External visit: The chairman of the Friends outreach group and his wife and 3 distiguished Radio astronomers for the Oxford Astrophysics sub-Department visited the Dome. Gaps in the cloud allowed views of mature sunspot 2680 throug h the 10 inch

 

28th to 29th August

UK Astronomy Olympiad Team training camp: The 6 finalists (aged 16-18) of the British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) competition, who will provide the 5 members of the UK team for the 11th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) to be held in Phuket, Thailand in November came with one of the Team Leaders to the Observatory for 2 days and nights of training with CEB (2015 and 2016 Team Leader). In the afternoon the sky was sunny and clear and we were able to view the Sun in solar goggles and then the ETX and the 10 inch with white light filters. The mature spot 2672 and a group of small spots were clearly seen. After afternoon training, at 9pm, the Observatory opened for 6 hours of solid observing and testing/training with naked-eye, binocular and telescope tasks. Many individual targets were viewed and M13 and M45 drawn. The 10 inch was in action for magnitude comparison questions and field of view/object size comparison. Targets included M29 (Cooling Tower) Open Cluster and M57 Ring Nebula. Uranus and Neptune were also viewed. The evening remained warm and clear though humidity was very high and the scattered light prevented a really dark sky. By 2am the Pleiades were high in the sky and the Milky Way very clear. Several bright meteors were seen including a few in the 10 inch. The second night was cloudy but hours were instead spent tackling problems and studying star maps and sky projections.

 

21st August USA Eclipse: CEB (accompanied by NJB) co-led an Alumni Tour from Oxford and Cambridge to view the Great 2017 US Eclipse. Having travelled 1700 miles from Arizona through Utah to Wyoming, the group of 40 watched from a private venue in Jackson Hole WY below the Teton mountains. We had 2 minutes and 19 seconds of Totality in a clear sky. The Moon’s shadow was filmed travelling at 2000 mph and also the shadow band ‘snake’ phenomenon. The Corona was Y shaped but not extensive and no Coronal shadow was seen. Animal disquiet and confusion was observed in both cows and geese and the temperature fell by some 12 degrees. Venus dominated the dark sky and Mars and Jupiter, Regulus and Sirius were seen

 

12th August

Perseid meteor shower: A perfect night until the waning gibbous Moon caused too much light pollution. A group of Friends gather at the Dome and recoreded exactly 100 Perseids in just over 2 hours. 6 Fireballs were seen and also the Iridium flare forecast at 23.33

 

Youngest Friend visit: The youngest member of the Friends of the Telescope (4 yrs old) and his father visited the Dome in the afternoon. In breaks in the cloud we were able to observe the Sun with solar goggles and then in the ETX with a white light filter. The fading large sunspot 2670 was clearly visible 1

2nd August

Summer School week 4: Despite rain and cloud a group of 20 guests aged 9 yrs and up came up to the Dome with CEB. Even with the poor conditions the evening lasted 1.5 hours

 

26th July

Summer School week 3: A group of seven Summer School students attended the Observatory Tour, hosted by GKWJ and JB. Unfortunately conditions were poor, with total cloud cover and an increasing wind. The visitors were shown the Cooke 10 inch. The gathering then enjoyed an illustrated cosmic journey from the Sun to M109, using photographs taken by GKWJ from his back garden observatory, Marlborough. Baby Campo also made an appearance

 

25th July

Summer School course: GKWJ and JAG accompanied a group of five to the Dome; three more students from the Back Garden Astronomy course along with two of their family members. The evening started with a look at Jupiter through the 10 inch, two small refractors and a 5 inch Celestron NexStar. Unsurprisingly the 10 inch offered the finest views. All four Galilean moons were on display. The ISS made a pass at 22:13 to 22:19 rising to 36º at mag -2.7. The next target in all telescopes was Saturn. Seeing was obviously poorer than the previous night with bands of cloud passing by, though the rings of Saturn were perfectly defined and a suggestion of the Cassini Division was noted. A tour of the constellations was enjoyed, finishing with especial interest in the Mizar / Alcor double star system. M13 in Hercules was then observed with the 5 inch, where it presented as an obvious concentrated swarm of stars in the eyepiece. The evening finished with an overhead pass of the ISS, at 23:49 to 23:56 at 89º and mag -3.1, having completed its full orbit in around an hour and a half, travelling at about 5 miles per second. The clearest skies were as the party departed

 

24th July

Summer School course: A group of five students from the Back Garden Astronomy course visited the Dome accompanied by GKWJ and JAG. Various small telescopes and binoculars were set up outside through which Jupiter and Saturn were observed. The two planets were also viewed in the 10 inch, where all four Galilean moons of Jupiter were seen and two moons of Saturn, Rhea and Titan, were unconfidently identified. The Cassini Division was quite clear to the trained eye. The sky was significantly clearer than it has been for the past few weeks and the New Moon gave great darkness. An ISS pass was enjoyed at 23:05 to 23:12, reaching mag -3.2 at 52º in the South. The students were given a tour around the main asterisms while the Milky Way became clearer as the night darkened. To finish, M31, The Andromeda Galaxy, was located with the binoculars, though it took some skill to discern the fuzzy patch as it was still low in the East

 

15th June

External visit: 13 year 7 pupils (all boys) and 2 members of staff came up to the Dome for some Solar viewing. The clear sky allowed the Sun to be seen first with Solar goggles then in the Solarscope and the in the ETX with a white-light filter and then in the 10″ with a white-light filter. Not only could the mature spot 2662 be seen with umbra and penumbra but a new active group 2663 was evident near the centre of the disc

 

13th June

External visit: 16 year 7 pupils (all girls) and their teacher from Swindon Academy grammar stream came up to the Dome for Solar observing. The Sun was viewed in solar goggles then the Solarscope and then ETX with white light filter. Finally in the 10 inch with the white light filter which showed the new Sunspot 2662 on the Eastern limb. The Master and his wife also made a suprise visit

 

26th May

Jupiter photography: JAG and Gavin James spent several hours attempting images of Jupiter

 

23rd May

International visit: 6 pupils and their teacher from Bishop Coton School in Shimla, Northern India came up to the Dome in the afternoon. The Sun was viewed in goggles and then in the SolarScope and ETX

 

12th May

External talk: JAG and Gavin James gave a talk in Alderney, at the Alderney Museum, on ‘Back Garden Astronomy. There was a good audince of 34 locals attending. The talk was given to encourage the Island’s Campaign for Dark Sky srtatus, recently gained by neighbouring Sark

 

Royal Astronomical Society AGM: At the meeting in the Geological Society lecture theatre CEB was elected Vice President(A) for a two year term. Professor Ian Crawford was elected Vice President(G)

27th April

Royal Society Presentations and Awards: CEB joined Sandor Kruk and other members of the BAAO committee for the Reception and Presentations at the Royal Society to the medal winning team from the 10th International Olympiad in India last December. The newly selected team of 5 and a reserve were also present as they start preparing for the 2017 IOAA in Phuket, Thailand in November. Professor Chris Lintott was there to give the prizes of certificates, books and binoculars and then delivered a talk to a large audience on the possibility of Alien life

 

7th April

RAS Open meeting: CEB delivered the last of 4 talks at the April open meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society in the Geologicl Society’s lecture room on Piccadilly. The talk, presented to a diverse audience of distiguished professonal astronomers, was titled The British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad – from inception to International success

 

6th April

BAAO Selection Camp: CEB joined the other UK Team Leader Sandor Kruk and other Tutors in Oxford on the 3rd day of the British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad selection Camp. 11 year 12 pupils had performed suficiently well in the BAAO papers to attend 4 days of lectures, tests and observing held in the Astrophysics Department in Oxford. CEB delivered a talk on Telescopes and Optics which followed an inspirational address by Professor Bob Williams who was visiting from STSci (ex-President of IAU and the inspiration behind the Hubble Deep Field image) After supper in Jesus, the group gathered on the 6th floor to observe by eye and then with binoculars and telescopes. Bright stars were identified and the Moon and Jupiter viewed in detail. A good ISS pass was also seen. The team of 5 and a reserve will be decided before the end of the week and they will then recieve further training before representing the UK at the 11th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrrophysics in Phuket, Thailand in November

 

3rd to 5th April

Friends trip to EGO: 17 Friends of the Telescope joined CEB for a 3 day trip to Pisa. The focus of the visit was a morning and lunch at the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) and the Virgo Interferometer facility. We were given a superb talk and tour and are now well briefed and excited about the next Gravitational Wave discovery. We felt very lucky to have seen the Observatory at this early phase of Advanced Virgo

 

1st April

External visit: JAG and Gavin James hosted members of JAG’s family. In gaps between the clouds Mars and Jupiter were seen by eye and the brighter stars as they appeared. The Moon was viewed in Binos and ETXand the M42 in the 10 inch followed by Eskimo Nebula

 

21st March

15th Sun-Earth lecture: The annual Vernal Equinox lecture was given by CEB. Titled ‘Dreamtime in Neolithic Britain’, the talk was given in Science Lecture Room 3 and attended by some 40 pupils and Friends of The telescope

 

20th March

External visit: A small group of businessmen from Sarsen Technology and Roke Manor came up to the Dome in a clear 2 hour slot. M45 was viwed in Binos and then, for the first time this year, Jupiter in ETX, though at very low altitude. The 10 inch tracked the Orion nebula

 

9th March

House visit: 10 pupils form PR Shell came up to the Dome for the last House visit of the academic year. The sky was cloudy though a faint lunar halo was seen on arival. A couple of breaks in the cloud gave glimpses of Orion and Sirius

 

Next House visit: September 2017

4th March

Charity Evening: The Observatory was the venue for a winning auction bid from the Sheriffs’ Ball in London last autumn, which raised money for Type 1 Diabetes. 14 visitors came to the Dome in apparently poor weather and only the Moon could be glimpsed at the start. As the evening went on the sky cleared so that the Moon and Pleiades could be viewed in Binos and the Orion nebula seen first in the ETX and then in the 10 inch. The 10 inch was also used to view the waxing Moon at low and then high magnification

 

2nd March

House visit: 10 Shell pupils from C2 and a House Tutor came up to the Dome. The clouds conveniently parted and allowed M45 (Pleiades) to be viewed in Binos and the crescent Venus in ETX. The 10 inch tracked the Eskimo Nebula

 

Next House visit: Thursday 9th March (PR)

GCSE Observing: One Hunded pupil came up to use the 8 inch Smith to take images of Lunar features at this early phase

23rd February

House visit: 10 Shell pupils from EL came up to the Dome. The temperature had fallen and the skies cleared. M45 was viewed in Binos and then Venus as a Crescent in the ETX. The 10 inch tracked the Eskimo Planetary Nebula

 

Next House visit: Thursday 2nd March (C2)

GCSE Observing: In a last ditch attempt to complete Controlled Assessment obsevations including star counts, Messier drawing and photography. Cygnus had set, so Cassiopeia had to suffice for the in-plane counts and M45 and Eskimo PN were drawn

15th February

Oxford Lecture: CEB gave the 34th Astronomy for All lecture in the annual series of public lectures at Green Templeton College, Oxford. 40 visitors from the University, local Astronomical Societies and students attended the talk titled ‘Dreamtime in Neolithic Britain’ – The importance of hengescapes in safeguarding knowledge

 

9th FebruaryHouse visit: 12 pupils from C3 Shell and a tutor came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 23rd February (EL)

2nd February

External visit: 21 Scouts from 2nd Marlborough pack and 5 adults came up to the Dome. The group included years 3 to 6 and even an 18 month old baby, perhaps the youngest visitor to the Dome for a very long time. Sadly the sky was cloudy

 

House visit: 13 pupils from MO Shell and their HM came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 9th February (C3)

1st February

China exchange visit: 6 pupils from China (Hohhot No.2 School in Inner Mongolia and Fudan WLSA Academy in Shanghai) came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy sadly

 

28th January

‘Stargazing Live’ open day Oxford: CEB again was on queue entertainment duty as around 1000 visitors attended the open day for the Astrophysics sub-Department in Oxford. Amazingly the skies were clear and both the PWT and Amateur Astronomical Society telescopes were in action

 

26th January

House visit: 8 pupils from CO coame up to the Dome. Though only 1 degree it felt much colder in the breeze. The sky was misty up to 40 degrees then clearish. Mars and Venus were located and then M45 in Binos and M42 in ETX. M31 was also located

 

Next House visit: Thursday 2nd February (MO)

GCSE Observing: 1 Hundred pupil and 3 Remove came up to continue Controlled Assessment. Star counts were done in ETX and Orion and Cassiopeia drawn. The ten inch tracked the Eskimo nebula, which showed a little detail in the nebuloscity

21st January

Open evening: Sadly, after a run of clear nights, the clouds closed in and the evening was cancelled. However, 14 visitors including Friends and College community and 3 young, came up to see the telescope

 

19th January

House visit: 9 Shell pupils from lI came up o the Dome. The night was very clear, though not great seeing. Mars and superbright Venus were identified and M31 seen with averted vision. M45 were viewed in Binos and M42 in ETX. The 10 inch tracked the Eskimo planetray nebula. Thus the pupils were introduced to both extremes of stellar evolution

 

Next House visit: Thursday 26th January (CO)

12th January

House visit: 14 Shell pupils from MM came up to the Dome. There was a light covering of snow on the ground but the sleet had stopped. Only the Full Moon and Venus could be seen through the cloud, though Orion was seen in the bright moonlight at the end. The sky was otherwise cloudy. A fine lunar halo was seen

 

Next House visit: Thursday 19th January (LI)

9th to 18th December

10th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA):Sandor Kruk (PhD student in Oxford Astrophsics Department and Merton College) and CEB led the UK team of 5 students (4 boys and 1 girl) in Bhubaneswar, India. All 5 team members gained awards; 1 Gold (10th overall out of 240 competitors), 1 Silver, 1 Bronze and 2 Honourable Mentions. This ranked the UK 6th out of the 42 countries competing, behind Russia, Iran, India ,China and USA. The effort required in the three 5 hour exams is considerable and we are delighted with the result

 

6th December

St John’s class: CEB taught a second class at St John’s Academy with 20 pupils from years 7, 8 and 9

 

House visit: 11 C1 Shell pupils came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

1st December

External visit: NMA hosted another group (yr 5) from the Swindon Academy primary school. The sky was clear with a very young crescent Moon

 

House visit: 12 TU Shell pupils came up to the Dome. The sky was clear and Andromeda M31 and the Milky Way was viewed by eye and notable asterisms identified. The Binos viewed M45 and the ETX Mars. The Dome had unfrozen and thus the 10 inch was used to look at Aldeberan a K Giant (given the Shell are covering HR diagram)

Mext House visit: Tuesday 6th December (C1)

GCSE Observing: 1 Hundred astronomer grabbed another opportunity for star counts. The clouds moved in by 9.30pm

30th November

External visit: Though not as cold or clear as last night, the sky was clear and seeing I/II. A large group of 21 Savernake Explorers, 16 students from yrs 10 to 13 (mainly from St John’s) and 5 adults, came up to the Dome. M45 Pleiades was viewed in Binos and setting Mars in ETX. Sadly the extreme cold had frozen the Dome, so the 10 inch could only view a random star

 

GCSE observing: 3 Hundreds pupils came up to the Dome to carry out onstellation photography, Messier Drawing (M45 in binos and M42 in ETX) and star counts

29th November

Blackett Science Lecture: The 2016 lecture was given by C. Barclay ‘Tungunska’s legacy – The threat of asteroid impact’ and was attended by local Friends, pupils and visitors

 

28th November

External visit: 19 pupils from yr 7 of Swindon Academy’s Grammar stream came up to the Dome. The sky was clear with no Moon

 

GCSE observing: Possibly the best evening so far with a New Moon, so dark and clear Milky Way. Seeing for once was II as the temperature fell. 4 Hundreds pupils came up to the Dome to carry out star counts parallel and perpendicular to the Galactic plane. The Binos showed M45 well and the 10 inch initially viewed M29 Open cluster, then M1 (Crab SNR) and finally for the first time this winter, M42 which, the low, showed good detail and a well resolved Trapezium

24th November

External visit: 16 year 6 pupils from Swindon Academy were hosted at the Dome and Marlburian by DGR and NMA. M31 was visible between clouds

 

House visit: For the very first time 12 DA Shell pupils and a tutor came up to the Dome. The sky was largely cloudy, though M45 was viewd in Binos just before departure

Next House visit: Thursday 30th November (TU)

GCSE Observing: 3 Hundreds and 4 Remove pupils came up to the Dome and were looked after by CEB and DGR respectively. Whilst Remove drew Constellations the Hundred drew Messier Objects (M45 (Pleiades) in Binos and M57 (Ring) and M27 (Dumbell) in 10 inch. The ETX was used for star counts

23rd November

External visit: 27 visitors from the St John’s Academy community crammed into the Dome, including one teacher, 7 parents and 19 pupils from years 6 to 12. Sadly the sky was cloudy

 

18th November

External visit: 7 sixth form girls from St John’s Academy came up to the Dome and were hosted by JAG

 

17th November

House visit: 11 Shell pupils and a House Tutor from NC came up to the Dome. Luckily the rain kept off, but the sky was cloudy with just the waning gibbous Moon being visible and Vega and Polaris in cloud gaps. No Leonids were seen

 

Next House visit: Thursday 24th November (DA)

External visit: 26 year 5 from the Woodpecker class at Swindon Academy Primary School came up to the Dome and were hosted by NMA and DGR. In spite of clouid and rain, half the group found some clear sky and managed to see some stars and Mars. As well as using the Observatory, the second group worked at the Malburian Social Centre, where a scale Solar System was displayed with a 3m disc for the Sun and 3cm picture of the Earth

16th November

External visit: 24 Cubs (girls and boys from years 4,5 and 6) from Aldbourne and 10 adults including leaders and parents attended the dome in 2 sessions. The rain had stopped but the sky was completely cloudy, though the waning gibbous Moon was just visible at the end through cloud

 

10th November

GCSE observing: 3 Hundred and 3 Remove pupils came up to the Dome. The sky was clear between cloud banks. The 8 inch initally viewed M13 and was then used to photograph the 81% waxing gibbous Moon. M45 Pleiades were drawn in Binos and M57 the Ring nebula was drawn in the 10 inch. The ETX was used for Stellar Density counts

 

8th November

House visit: 8 Shell pupils from IH came up to the Dome. It was wet and cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 17th (NC)

External visit: 26 year 5 children aged 9 and 10 years old and 4 teachers from the Swindon Academy visited the Observatory in two groups with NMA in charge to learn about the dome, the telescopes, observing the night sky and meteorites. Due to the poor weather, they also took part in activities in the main Pavillion

7th November

Public open evening: Some 25 visitors came up to the Dome, many for the first time. The evening was clear, though moisture scattered the moonlight. Mars was viewed in the Smith and ETX. The first Quarter Moon was viewd in Binos and the ETX. The 10 inch split gamma Delphinus and then delta Cephei. M42 was viewed in ETX when it rose and the Binos were used on M45. M13 was also viewed in the Smith 8 inch. 2 meteors were seen, possibly a bright Northern Taurid and an Andromedid

 

5th November

Friends Q&A: A small group of Friends braved the first real winter evening, with falling temperature and the best skies this term, to attend a Q&A session on ‘Citizen Science’. Current Zooniverse projects (inclugding Galaxy Zoo, Planet Hunters, Radio Meteors, Finding Comets, Disc Finders and Gravity Wave searcher) were introduced. Given the clear skies, the Binos were used for M45, M31 was easily viewed by eye and the 10 inch was used to split 3 Optical Doubles. First theta Serpens and lovely balanced pair of white stars with a 22 arc sec seperation. Next Albireo (beta Cygni), the famous bright double, seperated by 34 arc sec and clearly coloured (Blue and Yellow) and last gamma Delphinus, an aesthetically pleasing yellow and green Double with a 10 arc second seperation

 

1st November

House visit: 11 pupils from SU Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 8th November (IH)

24th October

Maintenance: The new Drive system returned from AWR Engineering repaired after the August electrical storm damage. CEB wired it up and then re-calibrated the drive speeds on both axes

 

22nd October

Orionids: a very small group gathered, with clear skies near the zenith and a good Milky Way, to catch some Orionid meteors. None were seen. Neither were any satellites and we suspected that the high misty cloud may have obliterated all but the brightest lower altitude meteors. One bright sporadic was seen and two possible Northern Taurids

 

10th October

GCSE Observing: One Hundred pupil ran up to get the chance of photographing the 8 day old Moon for his Lunar features project. Initially cloudy, the sky cleared. Seeing was poor but the Moon bright and well placed for observing in the 8 inch Smith

 

6th October

House vist: 9 pupils from BH Shell came up to the Dome, including the grandson of Basil Blackett, after whom the Observatory is named. The sky was largely cloudy but the Moon was viewed in Binos and the ETX

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 1st November (SU)

GCSE Observing: 1 pupil who is embarking on lunar feature photography cam up to catch the waxing Crescent Moon. The Moon was low by 8.30pm and the heavy 8 inch Smith had to be moved to the top corner of the parking space. Trial exposures were done and despite some tree branches interfering some decent first images obtained 5th October Drive Engineer visit: Following the lightning storms in August, a visit was needed to attempt to locate the cause of malfunction. After a couple of hours of rewiring and testing, it seems likley that the main processor chip needs replacing. It is hoped to get the 10 inch operational after half-term

4th October

GCSE Observing: 4 Hundred and all 10 Remove pupils came up to the Dome, joning CEB and DGR. In light wind and no moon some work was carried out and an introduction for some to the Dome. The binos focused on M31 Andromeda and M45 Pleiades at the end of the evening). The ETX was used for Star Counts (having viewed M82 for the first time before the pupils came up). The Binos were also used to locate and draw M13 in Hercules

 

30th September

Dr Payel Das visit: Dr Das from Oxford University Theoretical Physics Dept came to attend physics lessons in the morning, have lunch with a number of Astronomy pupils and attend Period 6 with all the Remove and Hundred Astronomers. After supper with invited Physicists, She then gave the lecture ‘Galactic Archaeology’ in L3 in the evening to Astronomers and 6th Form Physicists

 

29th September

House visit: The first Shell House visit of the year took place. The sky was largley clear and the temperatures were falling. The 10 inch was out of action following the August storms and so M31 Andromeda was viewed in the Binos, having been located by eye

 

Next House visit: Thursday 6th October (BH)

GCSE Observing: The first evening for observing saw 4 of the Hundred coming up to the Dome for a familiarisation session. M31 was viewed by eye and in binos and the Smith 8 inch was brought out to view Altair and to practice some star photography

23rd September

Friends drinks party: The 12th annual Friends drinks party took place at the Dome with long standing and new Friends having a chance to catch up and look ahead to the winter

 

23rd August

BAAO Training Camp: A second night of observing for the team. The sky was largely clear at 9.30pm. Past paper observing questions were tackled. Telescopes were used to locate Messier objects and positions and motions in the sky were estimated. The Dome closed at 2pm as tiredness set in. The team then headed next day to Oxford for 3 days of theoretical training

 

22nd August

BAAO Training Camp: CEB and Sandor Kruk (Oxford Astrophysics) led the first day of the 5 day summer training Camp for the 5 students selected for the UK Team (competionmg in the 10th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics in India in December). The Observatory swung into action at 10pm as the sky cleared. All instrumemnts were in use. Targets vairied from Double stars to Open Clusters, Globular Clusters, Mars and Saturn as they set and the waning Gibbous Moon. Drawings were completed of the Moon, Tycho and the Ptolemaeus triplet of craters, Mizar and Alcor and M31. The 10″ initially tracked Uranus then M57 (Ring) Planetary nebula. M13 the Great Globular in Hercules was drawn and then the Open Cluster (Phi Cassiopeia). Separations and distances and magnitudes were estimated. The Dome closed at 2.30am in bright moonlight

 

12th August

Perseids: A larger group of Frinds gathered with JAG at the dome but the weather prevented all but a couple of sightings

 

11th August

Perseids: JAG gathered a small group of Friends at the Dome for an early Perseid watch and was rewarded by 78 Perseids (couple of fireballs) and 5 Sporadics

 

29th June

National Astronomy Meeting: CEB was invited to speak at the Education and Outreach lunch in Nottingham at NAM 2016. The talk was on the new GCSE 2017 Astronomy Specification

 

18th June

Solstice observing: A small group of Friends gathered in the summer twilight to watch 3 planets appear. Despite the nearly Full Moon, Mars shone brightly in the South and Jupiter in the West. Saturn was rather close to the Moon and dimmer. Red Antares twinkled in the thick lower atmosphere with blue Spice in the South West. The Moon was observed in the ETX and then Jupiter. The 10 inch tracked Saturn as as the sky darkened first Titan then Tethys then Dione appeared. A good Summer Sky tour was also possible.

 

9th May

Transit of Mercury: The first of the pair of Transits this decade took place amid very poor weather forecasts. Just on the off chance of a glimpse, CEB and JAG went to open the Dome at noon and were joined by a small groupd of Friends and visitors. Extraordinarily around 12.05 BST the sky largely cleared by high cloud. The 10inch had sufficient light gathering to give a cler view of the photosphere. Seeing made the limb wobbly, but using a radio controlled clock the moment of First contact was seen about 10 seconds late. As the planet moved onto the disc there was a clear ‘dragging’ on the black of space behind it (like a pool with an outflow) giving an indisputable ‘black drop effect’ which lasted a while and was drawn by eye at 11.15.28 UT. Second contact was observed with a narrow arc of light between the planet and the limb at 11.15.31 UT (fractionally before the time predicted). The perfect black dot moved on across the disc and more Friends joined joined to see it between clouds. By 1pm the clouds and then rain ended the observations

 

5th April

BAAO training camp: CEB spent a day in Oxford on day 2 of the 4 day British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad training and UK team selection camp (12 yr12 and yr13 pupils being narrowed down to a team of 5 and a reserve for the 2016 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in India in December). CEB ran a planetraium session, gave a lecture on Telescopes and Optics followed by some questions and then in the evening oversaw an observing session on level 6 of the Denys Wilkinson Building. 2 ETX 105 Meades were available as well as a small Newtonian and a huge 12 inch Meade (brough by Alan Pickwick). The sky was largely clear and, though the view was restricted by the buildings, Jupiter and its moons were viewed (with Europa and Io in conjuction and visibly seperating over the 2 hours of observing) and Mizar and Alcor (with Mizar A and B resolved) and then h and k Persei, the Double Open Cluster. Individual stars were also identified and pointer patterns discussed

 

24th March

Sun-Earth Lecture: The 14th lecture focussed on the Vernal Equinox and tackling subjects within the basic field of Sun-Earth connections ‘Transits an Occultations – the importance of shadows’ was delivered to an audience of some 40 Friends and visitors by CEB

 

19th March

Friends outing: A group of 20 Friends headed to Oxford for visits in the Astrophysics sub-department. A talk on the E-ELT and Oxford contribution to major instruments by Dr Fraser Clarke and tours of the Instrumentation labs. After lunch the group were met by Proffessor Jeff Burley in Green Templeton College for tours of the Tower of the Winds and the old Radcliffe Observatoy

 

13th March

House visit: The last Shell House visit of the academic year took place with 7 pupils from PR coming up to the Dome. The temperature was falling and the sky very clear. There were also no Astro lights so the conditions were perhaps the best so far since January. The 4 day old Moon was viewed in the ETX and M45 in the Binos. Jupiter shone brightly in the ESE and was viewqed very well in the 10 inch with Europa and Ganymede very close and several storm bands on he planet seen

 

12th March

Spring Sky: A small group of Friends and visitors, including a family from Oxford and a yr 6 and yr 8 pupil, came up to the Dome. Depsite mist and hazy cloud the 3 day old Moon was viewed in the James ETX and the Pleiades in Binos. The ETX was used for M42 the Orion Nebula earlier. A tour of the sky was given including the Zoiac constellations. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and its 4 moons. 2 main bands and 2 subsidiary bands were visible on the main planet

 

8th March

House visit: 9 pupils from C1 Shell came up to the Dome. It was cloudy

 

Last House visit of the academic year: Sunday 13th March (PR)

6th March

House visit: 7 pupils from CO Shell came up to the Dome. One or two stars were visible in cloud gaps; only Sirius identifiable

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 8th March (C1)

28th February

House visit: An even better clear night greeted 14 MM Shell. The Pleiades ere viewed in Binos and Jupiter and 4 moons in ETX. The 10 inch showed good detail of M42, the Orion Nebula and the Trapezium

 

Next House visit: Sunday 6th March (CO)

23rd February

House visit: At last a clear night and LI Shell drew the lucky card. 8 pupils came up to the Dome. The sky was bright with the waning just off Full Moon beutifully in conjunction with Jupiter less than 2 degrees away. The Binos were used to view the pleiades and the ETX Jupiter and 3 moons (Io in Occcultation) The 10 inch tracked M42 (Orion nebula) and gave a super viw of the Trapezium and good detail in the nebula itslef. The bottom right star inthe Trapezium could just be resolved into two

 

Next House visit: Sunday 28th February (MM)

GCSE Observing: The last chance for Coursework to be completed by Hundreds. With CEB, NMA and DGR at the Dome, 6 pupils came up to complete stellar density and Messier drawings and photographs. All the instruments were used, Binos, 2 ETXs and the Smith Newtonian. Several Remove also came up to fisnish Constellation drawings , using Orion and Cassiopeia. Io was seen to appear from occultation and the Spring marker, Arcturus, rose in the East. A close call, we have never had to wait to so near March to complete observations

10th February

GCSE Obsertving: At last a clear night and an emergency observing session with 5 out of the 6 Hundred pupils joining NMA at the Dome to complete drawings

 

7th February

House visit: 14 Shell pupils form EL came up to the Dome in rain and high winds, having been out climbing during the day. One of the most miserable evenings but lots of good questions

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 23rd February (LI)

31st January

House visit: 10 pupils from TU Shell came up to the Dome in high winds but at least no rain

 

Next House visit: Sunday 7th February (EL)

21st January

External visit: Some 26 Friends of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery visited for a double evening combining a visit to ‘In the Marlborough Night Garden’ with Gavin James and then a trip to the Observatory. Sadly the sky had clouded and only the Moon occasionally got through the cloud. Before the groups came up the sky was clear and Comet Catalina had been located in the 10 inch and a drawing made showing it close to a 9th magnitude star in Draco, several degress away from its position on Tuesday

 

19th January

Comet spotting: A clear night at last and the chance to see Catalina. The 10 inch found it straight away with coordinates input. Finding it in the binos was harder and needed the old technique of finder charts, A small group of Friends and staff gathered in advance of the GCSE observing session. The 9-10 day old waxing Gibbous Moon really washed out the sky and the Comet was not much more than a faint blur. Some assymetry was visible suggesting tails. Seen against a couple of faint stars the motion was perceptable over 3 hours and was estimated to be 1-2 arc minutes. It was good to be visited by a couple of past GCSE astronomers too

 

GCSE Observing: 10 Remove astronomers came up, some not in very warm clothes as temperatures dropped to -5 degrees. Constellaon drawings were completed. Sadly the Moon was very close to Orion, Only one Hundred astronomer appeared and managed 3 Messier drawings though again the mMoon rendered M42 and M45 less than perfect

17th January

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from BH came up to the Dome. It was cloudy

 

Next house visit: Sunday 31st January (TU)

16th January

Stargazing Event: CEB assisted at Oxford Astrophysics Department’s annual Jnauary Stargazing event. Some 1300 visitors were entertained in the Department from 2pm till 10pm

 

14th January

GCSE Observing: NMA and DGR were at the observatory and a number of Remove came up to continue Constellation drawing. Sadly Hundred pupils had mocks the next day

 

Astrophotography exhibition: Some 60 Friends and visit0rs attended the private viewing of Gavin James’ ‘In the Marlborough Night Garden’. A stunning array of 17 images taken with modest equipment from his garden in central Marlborough

10th January

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from B1 came up to the Dome. The sky was clear until 30 mins before they arived and then clouded over

 

Next House visit: Sunday 17th January (BH)

7th January

GCSE Observing: DGR gathered a group of 5 Remove astronomers in a short cold clear break to continue Constellation drawing

 

3rd January

Quadrantids: A small number of optimistic Friend gathered for 40 minutes of clear sky in between clouds. One meteor was seen!

 

6th December

House visit: 11 pupils from SU Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit Sunday 10th January 2016 (BH)

29th November

House visit: 10 Shell pupils from IH came up to the Dome in wet and windy weather

 

Next House visit: Sunday 6th December (SU)

24th November

Blackett Science Lecture: Professor Donald Kurtz, University of Central Lancashire and Vice-President Royal Astronomical Sociaty delivered the 11th annual lecture ‘Planets and Pulsations – A new Keplerian revolution’

 

15th November

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from C3 came up to the Dome. It was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Sunday 29th November (IH)

8th November

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from MO came up to the Dome under cloudy skies and light rain. As they left the sky was clearing

 

Next House visit: Sunday 15th November (C3)

4th November

External visit: 12 Spanish sixth form students and their teacher from Colegio Peleteiro in Santiago de Compostela were accopanied to the Dome by AHDT. The sky was cloudy

 

31st October

Double Star obsrving: A small number of Friends gathered on a classic Halloween evening (misty and laterly moonlit) and unusually clear. The Pleiades (this night is the Feast of the Pleiades and perhaps the origin of the Feast of the Dead) were viewed in Binos. The calibrated 10 inch was then turned to a number of Double Star targets, all selected to be high in the sky away from the mist and to test both the observing power of the telescope and observers. First Epsilon Lyrae: A widely spaced Double of almost identically bright, white stars, easily split in binos. The telescope however weas just able to split each of these into close binaries. Beta Cyni (Albireo) was next: A beutiful easy Double, 2 magnitues difference and coloured. The brightest a bright gold (described as Topaz) and the dimmer a slight blue (sapphire!). Omicron (31) Cygni: The is a triple system (squashed triangle) in a very rich star field. The brighter stars are well separated. Each has a slight colour (officially red, white and blue). Gamma Delphinus: A beutiful close bright pair. A magnitude difference and showing a gold and ?green clour. We then pushed the telescope to nearly vertical to view Delta Cephei (the original Cepheid variable) A fine double of nearly 2 magnitudes difference and showing orange and blue. We estimated that the variable was towards the dimmer end of its cycle. Several Taurid meteors were seen in the telescope

 

22nd October

External visit: 8 children (mainly yr 10 and 11) and 10 adults from Albourne Youth Council came to the Dome. A lunar aureole was seen and the waxing gibbous Moon was viewed in Binos. Otherwise the sky was cloudy

 

18th October

GTC visit: 16 Staff, Fellows and family from Green Templeton College Oxford (the previous pre-1935 home of the 10 inch) came up to the Dome. The evening was cloudy

 

11th October

House visit: 11 pupils from NC Shell came up to the Dome with 2 Tutors. The evening was cloudy

 

Next House visit 8th November (MO)

9th October

GCSE Observing: 8 Remove astronomers joined DGR at the Dome and though hazy near the horizon, managed drawings of Casssiopeia and Cygnus. The Pleiades (M45) were viewed in Binos

 

7th October

Friends Q&A: A small group of Friends attanded the Dome for a Q&A on Dwarf Planets, particularly the status of Pluto and definitions of planets. As a bonus we were able to observe Vesta in the 10 inch and then Uranus; neither of which showed the colour we had seen at the week-end4th OctoberHouse visit: The first House Shell visit of the academic year saw 10 pupils from C2 and their HM’s wife and children visit the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Sunday 11th October (NC)

3rd October

Outer Planets: A small group of Friends gathered (possibly reduced in number by the England rugby match) on a clear evening for the first observing event of the new Diary. The ETX split Mizar A and B and then M13 and the Binos M31, which was easily seen by eye. The 10 inch was calibratedand then tracked Neptune, which showed a lovely pale blue colour and just discernable disc. Vesta was the next target and bright in comparision with a discernable warm brown/orange colour. The last target was Unranus showing a much bigger disc and a clear green-blue (or blue-green) hue

 

1st October

GCSE Observing: The first clear evenming of the academic year saw DGR and NMA at the Dome with 2 H and 18 R astronomers who had an introduction to the Dome, asterisms and constellations and the ETX was used to view some Messier objects

 

28th September

Total lunar eclipse: CEB decided to go to the Dome between 3am and 4am to watch the Total lunar eclipse (having seen the last in April in Australia) It was most impressive by eye, though the Binos showed it well against the background stars. In fact the most impressive sight was when it first rose early evening and appeared huge a pink against the horizon

 

25th September

Friend drinks: The 11th annual Friends drinks took place at the Dome under initially clear skies. A good number of Friends both old and new gathered in advance of the new Diary year

 

14th August

‘Family’ visit: 4 descendents of Joseph Gurney Barclay visited the Dome. A Gt-Grandaughter and, from the States, a Gt-Gt-Grandaughter and 2 Gt-Gt-Gt Grandaughters

 

13th August

Perseids meteor shower: A good group of Friends and past pupils gathered up at the Dome, joining JAG and CEB as the light faded. Setting Saturn was viewed in the ETX. Almost to order, at just before 10pm, we were treated to a super-bright -6 fireball, lighting up the sky like a flare and this was follwed shortly by another in the SW which left a long train in the sky which persisted for 20 seconds or so. In the first 20 minutes there were 6 fireballs giving green, pink, blue and yellow meteors. The display quietend down after that and encroaching high cloud probably stopped many meteor from bing seen. After 11.30pm the sky cleared again. In all 54 meteors were recorded

 

24th July to 4th August

9th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics: CEB and Sandor Kruk (Oxford Astrophysics) led a team of 3 year 13 students (from schools around the UK) in the first UK entry to this Olympiad, which took place in Magelang, Central Java in Indonesia. Over 200 students competed, from 41 countries. The competition consited of 3 tough rounds; Observation, Theory and Data Analysis. The opening ceremony was at Borobudur temple and the closing ceremony at Prambanan. Excitingly, the team won 2 silver medals, coming 22nd and 30th overall. The UK was thus 9th in the medal table. The top three countries were Iran, India and Indonesia. The UK Team managed to come second to India in the Team competition

 

22nd July

Summer School visit: 21 visitors came up to the Dome on a clear evening. Stars were identified as they appeared in the dimming twilight. The Moon was viewed in Binos and then Saturn in ETX. The 10 inch then tracked Saturn which was well viewed with 4 to 5 moons depending on eyesight

 

15th July

External lecture: CEB delivered the talk ‘The oldest GOTO telescope in the World’ to some 25 residents, the Warden, Steward and a Trustee of the Duchess of Somerset’s Alms House in Froxfield

 

Summer School visit: 14 visitors from Week 1, including a family from near Bilbao and from Hong Kong, joined JAG and CEB at the Dome. The sky was largely cloudy, however gaps appeared and enabled the Summer Triangle, Arcturus, Antares and Spica to be seen along with the Saucepan and Polaris and Cassiopeia. Sevral satellites were spotted. The ETX was used to view Mizar and Alcor and split the binary Mizar A and B

28th June

IOAA Training Camp: CEB and Sandor Kruk from Oxford Astrophysics spent the day in Oxford with the 3 pupils who are to compete at the IOAA in Indonesia at the end of the month (The first time a British Team has entered). The Pupils practiced questions and, using solar goggles and the ETX, were able to view the Sun, though there was only one pair of sunspots. In the warm evening, on Merton playing fields using the ETX, many objects were viewed and coordinates and angular seperations practiced, until the sky clouded over at midnight; including Venus’ crescent phase, Jupiter and 3 moons, the Gibbous Moon and its main ray craters. Mizar and Alcor among other Doubles were split and also Mizar A and B seen

 

18th June

External visit: 15 Pupils from Marlborough Malaysia and two teachers came up to the Dome with 2 ex-pupils from Waterford Kamhlabe United World College in Swaziland. A faint CZA was visible when we first reached the Dome (2nd in a week!) The Sun was then viewed in solar goggles and the with ETX and white light filter. The sky was too cloudy sadly for the H alpha filter

 

16th June

External visit: A large group of local group of Ladies Who Latte came up to the Dome late afternoon. Though no Latte was provided they were greeted at 6.30pm by a clear sky and for the first time that I have seen, 3 solar atmospheric phenomena. Either side of the Sun were clear Parhelia (sundogs)or rainbow clouds, 11 degrees from the Sun at 9 and 3 o’clock. Joining them was a faint Parhelic circle of diameter 22 degrees. Most beutiful however was a clear Cicumzenithal arc (CZA)an inverted rainbow arc directly above the Sun. These all lasted for 15 minutes or so. The Sun was then viewed in solar goggles, Solarscope and then the ETX, which showed clearly the group 2367. The 10 inch was then used with the H alpha filter to view spot 2365 and its Plage. Very faint prominences were seen, however the sky had already become hazy

 

15th June

External visit: 2 yr 12 pupils from Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham visited the Dome at the start of a work experience week, where they are to assist in the putting together an exhibiton of astronomical images which will hopefully run early in 2016. The sky had rather clouded over but in bright breaks the Sun was viewed in solar goggles, the ETX (which clearly showed the large sunspot group 2367 with umbra and penumbra and then the 10 inch and H-alpha filter which showed some clear prominences and granulation

 

External lecture: CEB gave the lectue ‘The oldest GOTO telescope in the World’ to a large gathering of Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group

13th May

Solar open day: 15 Friends and College staff gathered on a clear sunny afternoon. The Sun was veiwed in the Solarviewer which clearly showed the enormous sunspot group 2339 and 2345. The ETX showed excellent detail of the umbra and penumbra of the larger spots and clear striation in the penumbra. The main pair of spots were seen also to split into further pairs. Some 7 other spot groups were visible. The 10 inch viewed the Sun in H alpha and was focused on the lower limb where an enormous quiescent Hedge Prominence was seeen in the process of lifting of the surface. A great deal of detail was evident and the shape change perceptively over the 2 hours of observing

 

24th April

NASA lesson: The top Remove Physics sets had a lesson with Dr Abell and were able to ask plenty of questions

 

23rd April

NASA visit: Dr Paul Abell, lead scientist for small planetary bodies at Johnson Space Centre, Houston, came to the College for an outreach visit. He talked to Physicits and Astronomers about detecting, monitoring and intercepting asteroids and then gave an open talk on Asteroid Impact Threat and the Chelyabinsk Event in 2013

 

4th April

Total Lunar Eclipse: CEB and a family group in Gembrook, Victoria observed the eclipse until Totality (only 5 minutes or so) as the Moon became a dull red colour. It was the first time that the pair of eclipses 2 weeks apart had been seen by CEB

 

Good Friday 3rd April

Outreach lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘The oldest GOTO telescope in the World’ to a large and diverse audience at Mt Burnett observatory near Gembrook to the East of Melbourne. The talk was followed by Observing using the 18 inch Newtonian Relefctor (ex Monash University). Several new objects were seen, including the Omega Centaurus Globular and the Jewel Box Open cluster

 

1st April

Archaeoastronomy meeting: CEB met the Nura Gili Indigenous Astronomy Group at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. This was followed by an exciting visit to rare petroglyphs north of Sydney in the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

 

26th March

Sun-Earth lecture: The Rev. Dr Janneke Blokland gave the 12th annual lecture in the Ellis Theatre, ‘Particles in the Spotlight’, which was well attended by Friends and visitors

 

20th March

Partial Solar Eclipse: Astronomers past and present and Friends started gathering at 8am under cloudy skies. A glimpse of sunlight but nothing for First Contact. Then around 8.45am the Sun appeared and could be located in the 10 inch (with solar filter!). The ETX and filter was in use and all watchers had solar goggles. NMA created an amazing projection box and in this and the 10 inch the large sunspot was visible as well as the rugged edge of the Moon itself (mountains and valleys). Cheers went up as the skies cleared. Collinders were put to use and multiple images projected as planned. At 9am the pupils and CEB departed to join the whole College community on the XV Ruby pitch. 100s watched as the eclipse drew to a maximum, leaving a smiley face, aerial photographs were taken. The observatory continued to operate till Last contact at 10.38.59 UT. An experience to remember!

 

5th March

External vist: 20 pupils and 2 staff from the French exchange school near Versailles came up to the Dome. The afternoon sky was cloudy. All were briefed on the forthcoming eclipse and went away with solar goggles

 

26th February

House visit: The last Shell visit took place with 9 pupils from IH coming up to the Dome. This was one of the best evening s this year and as well as a tour of major asterisms, the Moon was viewed in ETX and Pleiades in Binos. The ten inch tracked Jupiter ad gave a good image of the planet and 3 moons, 2 of which closed perceptively during the evening

 

Next House visit: September 2015

24th February

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from C1 came up to the Dome. The sky was initially clear and enabled major asterisms to be pointed out. Jupiter was viewed in the 10 inch with 4 moons and clear equatorial bands. The sky then clouded over

 

Next House visit: Thursday 26th February (IH)

17th February

Extra GCSE Observing: In a frantic last ditch attempt to finish Coursework observations, 2 Hundreds girls came up to complete star counts. This was done amid patches of cloud. Mars and Venus were clear in the West and Jupiter bright in the South East. A good ISS pass was viewed before they came up and a bright meteor seen in UMi

 

12th February

House visit: 9 pupils (reduced by illness) from EL Shell came up to the Dome. There were some clear patches on arrival and Polaris, Jupitr and Orion were located. The clouds however closed in before any of the instruments could be used

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 24th February (C1)

3rd February

GCSE Observing: 3 Hundreds and 1 Remove pupil came up to the Dome to complete coursework. The sky was bright with the Full Moon (and Jupiter only 5 degrees away) star counts and a constelation drawing were done

 

External visit: 10 students and a an accompanying adult from 4 Schools in China came up to the Dome in the cold and remnants of the morning snow

22nd January

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from TU came up as temperatures dropped. The sky was clear though there was high cloud/mist. Pleiades were viewed in Binos and Jupiter and 3 moons seen in ETX and then in the 10 inch where some good detial on the planet’s surface was seen

 

GCSE Observing: The Hundreds all came up to continue their star count coursework. The Seeing was better and there was no Moon but the light fog was a problem and soon started to render dimmer stars invisible. Comet Lovejoy was found in Aries but has noticeably faded

Next House visit: Thursday 12th February (EL)

19th January

Extra GCSE observing: Period 6 was cancelled and an opportunity seized to get the Hundred astronomers to the Dome. Though Astronomical twilinght had not ended it was possible for each to get a pair of stellar density drawings done using the ETX and Carl Zeiss binos. At the end of the hour Comet Lovejoy was found in the Binos and for the first time its long Eastwards Ion tail was seen pointing towards the Pleiades

 

15th January

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from BH came up to the Dome in a very chilly (with wind chill) 1 degree clear night. The Seeing was very poor and the sky bright with skyglow. Nevertheless Comet Lovejoy was easily found just below M45 (Pleiades) and viewed in Binos and M42 tracked in the 10 inch

 

Next House visit: Thursday 22nd January (TU)

GCSE observing: With a clear sky, Hundred astronomers were summoned to catch up much needed coursework drawing. On arrival at the Dome it had clouded over. One Remove drawing of Orion was done as the stars faded behind cloud

13th January

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from LI came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 15th January (BH)

10th January

Comet Lovejoy: Given an unusal clear night (though a moisture laden sky) the Dome opened in an attempt to find Comet Lovejoy which had just passed Perigee and was around 0.79 AU distant and peaking in magnitude at around +4 (though this is integrated across a large (0.3 degree) spread out Coma. Initially it was hard to find. As the sky darkened it was picked up by sweeping to the right of Orion and below Aldeberan with wide field Binos. It was then discernable by eye (with averted vision) Coordinates for the 10 inch proved useless due to the rapid motion and the Comet had to be acquired by eye. The 10 inch gave a very fuzzy image, though showed a brighted nucleus. The traking was not able to prevent the Comet going out of view and we were able to calculate a motion of some 0.1 degrees per hour by watching the background stars. The best view was gained using the new 8 inch (Smith) Newtonian which was both clear and bright and showed the slight greeninsh tinge. Altogether 15 or so gathered, including Staff and Friends and 3 L6 pupils also were attempting digital photography of the winter constellations rising over the Dome

 

8th January

House visit: The first visit of 2015 took place with 12 Shell pupils from B1 coming up to the Dome. The sky, though clear in the late afternoon, had largely clouded over, though there were glimpses of the Pleiades cluster and then Orion at the end

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 13th (LI)

13th December

Geminid meteor watching: With temperatures falling to -4 and before the waning Gibbous Moon rose, groups of Staff, Friends, external visitors and families gathered from 8pm till 11.15pm under largely clear skies. Over 50 people took part and rates of Geminids climbed from 20 an hour to 30 then over 50. At the end there was a minute in which 8 were seen. In total over 159 were recorded and well over 160 seen. The meteors were fairly uniform with most at magnitude +1 but a few bright and unusual meteors were seen. The Binos allowed a good view of M42 (Pleiades) and the 10 inch tracked first M45 (Orion Nebula) and then Jupiter seen for the first time in the evening this autumn. Intially only 3 moons were visible but soon all four, unusually Io was the furthest out apparently. M31 was found by eye and Constellations identified

 

5th December

GCSE Observing: Period 6 was cancelled at the last minute as the sky cleared for the first time in months. 9 Remove and 3 Hundreds astronomers came up to the Dome with NMA and CEB. The Remove started their first mock List A Controlled Assessment drawings of Constellations and the 3 Hundreds started their List B observations doing star counts in (Sadr – gamma Cyg) and out (Megrez – delta UMa and Phad – gamma UMa)of the Galactic plane, using ETX, Zeiss binos and 10×50 Celestrons

 

4th December

House visit: 9 pupils from CO Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 8th January

27th November

House visit: 10 pupils from PR Shell came up to the Dome. the sky was cloudy

 

Next house visit: Thursday 4th December (CO)

25th November

House visit: 11 pupils from C2 Shell came up to the Dome on a miserable wet night

 

Next House visit: Thursday 27th November (PR)

20th November

House visit: 11 Shell pupils and a House Tutor from C3 came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 25th November (C2)

11th November

House visit: 13 Shell pupils from MO came up to the Dome in heavy rain. Luckily the walk back was drier. The Dome could not be opened

 

Next House visit: Thursday 20th (C3)

6th November

House visit: 15 MM Shell and their U6 Head of Shell came up to the Dome in light drizzle. The sky was totally cloudy and orange with skyglow

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 11th November (MO)

21st October

Orionids: A very small group of Friends and 2 of the Security team braved falling temperatures and were rewarded by superb clearing skies. Probabaly the best this year. The Milky Way was prominent and M31 visible at its true extent of 3 degrees on the sky. M45 Pleiades were viewed in the Binos. The 10 inch viewed Mizar A and B with discernable different colours. Around 10 Orionids were seen altogether during the evening and a couple of bright sporadics

 

7th October

Shell House visit: 12 pupils from NC came up to the Dome in falling temperatures and good clear, but very bright skies. The 99% Full Moon made all but the brightest objects invisible. The Moon and its Mare were viewed in Binos and ETX, with Tycho being particualrly prominent. The 10 inch was used to beutiofully resolve Mizar A and B the Binary system of 14 inch separation (some 400 AU). Most were able to see the different colours of Blue and Gold. A good meteor in UMa was also seen

 

GCSE Onbserving: Due to the timing and Full Moon only one Remove pupil came up to the Dome to join NMA and CEB. He was rewarded by the occurence (on time) of a very bright iridium flare. The Moon was again viewed and Mizar A and B in the 10 inch

Next House visit: Thursday 6th November (MM)

6th October

Friends Qand A: A select group of Friends gathered for a themed evening on the Rosetta mission. The aim was to be fully briefed in advance of the planned landing of Philae on 12th November

 

2nd October

Shell House visit: The first visit of the academic year saw 12 pupils from SU Shell came up to the Dome. The Moon was viewed in Binos and the 10 inch, which also followed M13, but very little more than a blur was seen

 

GCSE Observing: 3 Remove astronomers came up despite slight mist and scattered cloud. The First Quarter Moon was viewed in Binos and the ETX and M13 (Globular in Hercules) in the 10 inch though no detail could be made out. The 10 inch then slewed to Neptune and then Uranus. Both planets showed a steady light but little colour could be seen

30th September

GCSE observing: NMA took charge of the Dome and 5 Remove astronomers were able to see ‘first light’ through the new 8 inch Smith, which as expected showed M31 (Andromeda) very well

 

26th September

Friends drinks: A very enjoyable 10th anniversary drinks was held at the Dome (for the first time in many years) The warm evening allowed a good group of both new and founding Friends to chat outside and then head in as the evening cooled. Two particular items were celebrated: a) The successful production of a crop of space-tomatoes, which have been dispersed among the Friends groups and interested College staff. We look forward to some of the seeds producing the next generation and b) This summer we passed the 250th GCSE astronomy pupil in the 17 years it has run at the College. With stats of over 50% A* grades, over 90% A*/A and 100% pass rate. For those that lingered Neptune was viewed, though the evening was not dark enough to allow real colour to be claimed

 

22nd September

Friends Outer planets: As the Equinox approached a group of both new and retuning Friends gathered at the dome in the twilight. Autumn asterisms were identified and M31 viewed in Binos. Several satellites (including an Iridium flare at -3 magnitude) were seen and a couple of bright meteors. The ETX then viewed M31 and then M13 in Hercules. As the sky darkened, the 10 inch located Neptune and its steady light was readily identified. Colour estimates varied from grey-blue to lilac. Uranus was the final target and its disc showed colours estimated from turquoise to green-blue to grey-yellow. A successful start to the Friends events diary

 

18th September

External Lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Archaeoastronomy -The dawn of Science’ to Andover Astronomical Society

 

16th September

External visit: The observatory received an unexpected and very welcome donation from Mrs Vera Smith, who travelled from Kent with her husband to donate a fine brand new 8 inch Newtonian telescope. This motorised wide aperture instrument will be a super addition to the ‘arsenal’

 

GCSE Observing: The first observing night of the year was held, with clearish skies (though high cloud) and poor seeing and a high level of skyglow in the South. Asterisms were identified by eye. Binos were used to view Mizar and Alcor and then Andromeda galaxy M31. The ETX viewed and split Mizar A and B. The 10 inch tracked the Great globular in Hercules, though the twilight meant the object was not very clear. 6 Remove astronomers attended

6th September

Shell Form visit: 12 pupils from CAC’s Shell Form came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

11th August

Perseids meteor shower: A small group of Friends came up on a chillier night and clouds cleared to attempt to spot some Persieds. The Full super-Moon made all but the brightest and northern sky meteors visible. In an hour and a half 7 Perseids, a couple at magnitude -2 were seen and two bright sporadics. The 10 inch viewed the edge of the 98 percent Moon showing good detail in limb craters

 

29th July

Summer School week 3: Some 30 guests joined CEB and JAG at the Dome. The sky was sadly cloudy, though annoyingly t cleared once all had left at 11.30pm

 

24th July

Summer School week 2: Some 35 guests joined CEB and JAG at the Dome on perhaps the warmest night in memory, even at 11.30pm. Scattered cloud interupted viewing but Mars was seen in the 10 inch with the ice-cap making one hemisphere brighter and the Saturn was viewed with Titan and one other moon fairly easily seen. The viewing was not ideal given the twilight and the warmth and hence poor Seeing. Several satellites were seen and the Milky Way was faintly visible

 

21st June

Solstice observing: A small group of Friends and College staff gathered late on a superbly clear and warm evening. Though some whispy cloud closed in, the string of targets in the South afforded some firsts for those assembled. Mars was very bright and clearly showed it gibbous phase with 15 percent or so missing and clearly not spherical. A hint of dark features could also be believed in the top hemisphere. Saturn was very clear and showed some banding. The Cassini Division was clear and with Titan bright on one, side as the sky darkened, 4 more moons became visible. Rhea and Dione near the planet and harder to see Tethys and much further away from the planet Iapetus onthe opposire side to Titan. Vesta was viewed and, though only 1 second of arc, could be resolved as a disc. Ceres, though larger in actual diameter as the closest Dwarf Planets, is further and nearly 3 times dimmer and was barely resolved, though its image was steady and not starlike

 

15th May

Solar open day: A small group including an OM and family and some staff and family and Friends of the telescope attended the Dome and in, sunny pathces, were able to view the Sun through solar goggles, the solar scope (which showed 8 sunspot groups) and then in H-alpha using the 10 inch which showed a number of large quiescent prominences. The disc itself showed fine detail and large disturbed regions (light coloured plages) around spot 2060

 

6th May

Prep School evening: CEB held a Q and A evening ‘To infinity and Beyond’ for 60 scholarship form pupils at Windlesham House School in West Sussex

 

3rd April

Sun-Earth Day lecture: CEB gave the 12th S-E day lecture ‘Close Encounters-Misunderstanding Comets’ to a small audience of Friends and visitors

 

20th March

TomatoSphere at Marlborough College: Following the launch (planting) of our 30 space tomato seeds, the first germination (two leaves) were recorded today. At the end of term a number of pairs of seeds (0ne control) will be placed with ‘guardians’ for the holidays. Read the story at http://www.marlboroughcollege.org/news/view-all/article/date/2014/03/canadian-space-agency-tomatosphere-project/

 

External visit: 17 L6 pupils and 2 teachers from Ecole Jules Verne (just south of Paris) came up to the Dome as part of their French Exchange visit. Sadly the evening was cloudy and wet

8th March

National Astronomy Week event: The evening was clear and mild. The NAW event was advertised widely on internet and radio and combined with the planned Friends ‘Spring Sky’ event brought visitors from a wide geographical area. Some 70 came up to the dome of all ages, some very little. Bright stars were identified. With RDMs help 2 ETX 105s were in operation, looking at Jupiter, the First Quarter Moon and Orion nebula. Binos looked at the Pleiades. The 10 inch initially viewed the Moon with a filter and showed super detail, especially near Cassini and Mt Piton being illuminated on the dark side of the Terminator. After Culmination, Jupiter was followed in the western sky and showed increasinglty more bands during the evening. Orange Io closed with the planet as we observed and went into Occultation at 10pm. Mars was seen to rise at 9.30pm and was viewed for the first time this year in the ETX

 

6th March

House visit: The last House visit of the academic year took place with 12 Shell pupils from SU coming up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy and lit by the skyglow of the sports pitches and Rugby Club training lights

 

Next House visit will be in September

5th March

Natioanl Astronomy Week event: CEB gave the last 2014 Astronomy for All lecture ‘Close encounters- misunderstanding comets’ to some 40 academics and visitors at Green Templeton College, Oxford

 

4th March

GCSE Observing: RDM ran a final observation session for a group of Hundreds prior to the start of the Controlled Assessment Analysis

 

1st March

External visit: 32 pupils accompanied by 3 teachers from St Francis School (years 5 to 7) came up to the Dome in two groups. The first, as the Sun set, watched first Jupiter then the stars come out in order of brightness. Despite the twilight, Jupiter was viewed well in the 10 inch and 4 moons and 4 cloud bands easily seen. The second group had a darker sky and saw a couple of satellites. Jupiter now showed 6 bands and orange Io was seen to close with Jupiter ready to pass behind the planet. The Pleiades were viewed in the Binos. By 8pm the sky had clouded over

 

Solar observing: The 10 inch viewed the Sun for the first time in a while and the plethora of sunspots was seen, including the active groups which have given rise to the recent flares

27th February

House visit: 12 pupils from MM came up to the Dome. The sky was patchy and seeing poor but gaps in the clouds allowed viewing of Pleiades through Binos and the Jupiter was well seen with several cloud bands in the 10 inch. A satellite and bright meteor were also seen. Sadly the sky had clouded by 9pm and no Aurorae were visible

 

Next house visit: Thursday 6th March (SU)

13th February

House visit: 11 pupils from C3 Shell accompanied by a House Tutor came up to the Dome. The temperature was falling and during the visit the sky briefly cleared. Though very bright, due to the Full Moon, they were able to observe Jupiter and its 4 moons in the ETX and M45 Pleiades in Binos. The 10 inch tracked M82 and SN2014J and though both galaxy and SN were very dim they could be made out reasonably well

 

Emergency GCSE Observing: 2 Hundreds pupils successfully finished List B observations before the cloud closed in again. One drawing SN2014J and the other doing stellar density counts

Next House visit: Thursday 27th (MM)

10th February

Emergency GCSE observing: 17 Hundreds pupils came up to attempt to complete List B observations. The 10 inch tracked M82 and the supernova (which had visibly dimmed since last Sunday). Other targets were M45, M42. The Moon made condidtions rather bright and there was more moisture in the air. The sky was clear from 6.30pm but had clouded by 8.15pm

 

9th February

Emergency GCSE observing: 16 Hundreds pupils seized the opportunity of a 90 minute break in the clouds with good clarity to finish coursework drawings. The Binos were used for M42 and the ETX for M45 and starcounts. Several pupils brought up their own cameras for Constellation photography. The waxing Gibbous Moon made the sky rather light and encroaching clouds increased the sense of urgency. A couple of bright meteors were seen including one in the 10 inch. The 10 inch tracked M82 and SN2014J, which was noticealby dimmer than 7 days ago. It still made a good target for the Messier drawers. By 7.45pm the sky was completely overcast

 

7th February

External visit: 6 pupils and their accompanying teacher from 2 schools in the Peoples’ Republic of China (Beijing No. 8 High School and WLSA: The High School attached to Fudan University) came up to the Dome on an unusually clear afternoon. The Sun was first viewed in solar goggles and then in the 10 inch with the white light filter. The huge sunspot group 1967 was easily seen

 

6th February

House visit: 10 pupils from PR Shell came up to the Dome in the rain

 

Next House visit: Thursday 13th February (C3)

4th February

House visit: 10 Shell pupils (IH) came up to the Dome in high winds and rain

 

Next House visit: Thursday 6th February (PR)

3rd February

Open evening: The weather forecast was right and by 7.30pm the clouds had closed in. Sadly the supernova and M82 were visible as the Dome was opened, but by the time a couple of College staff and children and a small group of new Friends had gathered it was totally cloudy and spitting with rain

 

2nd February

SN 2014J viewing: First NJB then a group of Friends came up to the Dome, given the very clear evening. M45 was viewed in Binos and Jupiter in ETX. The main focus however was to view the new supernova SN2014J in the 10 inch. M82 was clear and the supernova easy to identify. Its magnitude was estimated to be just brighter than +11

 

23rd January

House visit: 7 pupils form LI Shell came up to the Dome. Sadly it was cloudy. An attempt was also made earlier in the evening to view the 2 day old supernova in M82 but the clouds closed in just too soon

 

Next house visit Tuesday February 4th (IH)

15th January

House visit: 8 pupils from CO Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy, though frustratingly cleared in patches as they left

 

Next House visit: Thursday 23rd January (LI)

14th January

House visit: The second visit by new L6th pupils, this time from CO, LI and PR took place and 21 pupils came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy and indeed the night was miserable and damp but a profitable hour was spent learning about the Observatory

 

3rd January

Quadrantids: For once the weather prediction was accurate and a 2.5 hour window in the awful weather gave clear skies, though with poor Seeing and at times 30% cloud with lightning lighting up the northern and southern horizons. 35 Quadrantids were seen by a group of 12 visitors; Friends and College families, including 5 children, from 6 yrs up. The setting crescent Moon was first viewed in Binos then Pleiades (M45). The ETX was used to view M42 Orion Nebula and then Jupiter and its 4 moons, with Io very orange and close to the main planet. The Milky Way and the northern cross (Cygnus) was unusually clear and Andromeda M31 easily seen by eye

 

28th December

External visit: A small group gathered to make the most of a clear and cold evening. With temperatures dropping below zero and no Moon or astrolights, the sky was very dark, though humidity made for non-perfect Seeing. Jupiter was viewed well in the 10 inch and low and high maginification. M31 was spotted easily by eye. The ETX was used for M42 then to split Mizar A and B. The Binos viewed M45. The 10 inch then split Castor easily in two but the third brightest of the multiple system was not visible. 5 meteors were seen at least 2 late Geminids

 

21st December

Winter Solstice: Despite high wind and cloud, a one hour window gave clear skies. Jupiter was tracked in the 10 inch and gave superb detail. Though the seeing was not perfect, 7 bands were clearly seen on the surface at x172 magnification. Different colour filters were also tried. The Pleiades were viewed in the Binos and M42, the Orion Nebula in the ETX

 

5th December

House visit: In the last visit of the term 11 pupils from C2 Shell came up to the Dome. Although there were clouds over 40% of the sky, the high wind meant there were clear patches. The Pleiades were viewed in the Binos and Jupiter and its 4 moons seen in the 10 inch

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 14th January (New L6 from CO/LI/PR

GCSE Observing: With patches coming and going the sky was remarkably still and gave access to some good observations by 7 pupils (Remove and Hundred) who came up to the Dome. M45 was drawn in Binos and some star counts were done. Constellation drawings of UMa, Cassiopeia and Orion were also done and all saw Jupiter well in the 10 inch

28th November

House visit: 10 pupils form C1 Shell came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 5th December (C2)

21st November

House visit: 12 pupils from MO Shell came up to the Dome. The sky initially cloudy cleared, though the high moisture content made for a good deal of scattered moonlight as the Moon rose. M45, the Pleiades, were viewed in the Binos and the waning Moon in the ETX. The 10 inch viewed Jupiter and its 4 moons; IO visibly orange closest to the planet. The equatorial bands were clear

 

Next House visit: Thursday 28th November (C1)

19th November

GCSE Observing: A large number of remove and Hundred came up to the Dome. The cold tem,peratures had frozen out th moisture making for a good evening despite the near Full waning Moon. RDM , NMA and SDGR manned the observatory. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and later when risen high enough M42

 

16th November

External visit: 20 Marlborough 2nd Beavers aged 6 to 8 and 1 cub accompanied by 8 adults came up to the Dome. Sadly the evening was cloudy. Some excellent questions and knowledge however were displayed by a comparatively young group

 

12th November

GCSE Observing: One of the busiest observing evenings in 10 years took place with 4 members of staff CEB, RDM, NMA and DGR supervising some 40 Hundred and Remove pupils. 2 other CR visitors also came up to see the dome in action. Many coursework observations took place. The Remove sat north of the dome and focused on constellation drawing, whilst the Hundred completed Messier drawings of Pleiades and M57. The ETX and Binos were used for star counts centered on Uma and Cygnus and Cassiopeia. Some circumpolar star trail images were also obtained. Several meteors were seen. By the end of the evening Jupiter was high enough for a first view this autumn in the 10 inch which showed two equatorial bands on the planet and all 4 Gallilean moons strung out to one side in order. The poor Seeing of the evening was clear as the planet was very hazy

 

New L6th House visit: Groups of some 18 new L6 pupils from SU and IH came up to the Dome. The evening was clear but high humidity and the 8 day old Moon made for a decent rather than perfect evening. The Moon was viewed in the ETX and M45 Pleiades in the Zeiss Binos. M57 Ring Nebula was then viewed well as a grey-green slighty wavy ring in the 10 inch

Next House visit: Thursday 21st (MO)

5th November

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from TU came up to the Dome. The night was cloudy with sporadic fireworks

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 12th November (New L6 from IH and SU)

31st October

House visit: 13 Shell pupils from EL came up to the Dome. The night was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 5th November (TU)

15th October

Observing comet ISON: An attempt was made to catch a first glimpse of Comet ISON in the pre-dawn sky in Conjunction with Regulus and Mars. CEB opened the Dome at 4.30am after a night of clear sky, but by then the clouds had closed in

 

GCSE Observing: The first fully clear night for the Hundreds saw 9 pupils completing coursework. The 11 day old waxing gibbous Moon made the sky very bright and the level of humidity caused problems for all the small instruments. The evening opened with a superb pass of the ISS, directly overhead, though quickly disappearing into Earth’s shadow. The solar panels were visible in the WW2 binos. Targets for the evening were Polaris for star trail photography, Cassiopeia and Uma for stellar density measurements and the 10 inch tracked M57 (Ring Nebula) which, despite the moonlight, showed good detail

12th October

External visit: 2nd Marlborough Cubs came up to the Dome in a group of 4 Adults and 22 cubs aged 8 to 10.5 yrs. Sadly the evening was cloudy and raining by the time the left

 

8th October

House visit: 9 pupils from BH Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 31st October (EL)

7th October

Friends Q&A: A small group of Friends gathered for a Q&A session discussing SETI and the newly launched UK SETI centre and the set up of SETA (Search for Extra Terrestrial Artefacts) Clouds prevented any observing

 

3rd October

House visit: 12 pupils form NC Shell came up to the Dome. The evening was warm and largely clear at first. Autumn asterisms were identified by eye and then M13 the Great Globular in Hercules observed in the 10 inch. Several metoers and satellites were seen

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 8th October (BH)

GCSE Observing: 2 Hundred pupils started their List B Star Trails project; setting up cameras and tripods. The sky was rather cloudy with poor Seeing and much skyglow. The zenith and Milky Way were beutifully clear however. A bright flaring satelluites was seen in C assiopeia

26th September

House visit: The first House visit of the academic year took place with 12 Shell pupils form B1 coming up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy, though clearing later but not in time for the GCSE Group

 

Next House visit: Thursday 3rd October (NC)

20th September

Friends 9th annual drinks: Some 35 Friends gathered for the annual drinks and eats. A display of the 224 past MC GCSE Astronomers (86% A*-A), the Johnson Medal and the Space Tomatoes project was viewed

 

19th September

GCSE observing evening: The first GCSE evening of the academic year (Remove only) got off to an excellent start with a lovely clear, relatively warm, if moonlit, evening. Both Remove groups came up to the Dome and CEB with DGR and NMA introduced them to working at the Dome. All had a brief tour of the autumn sky and observed the Full Harvest Moon in Binos and ETX. The 10 inch followed M13 (Great Globular in Hercules) which showed well despite the light sky. All pupils then practised drawing Uma

 

9th September

Observing outer planets: The new observing year for the Friends group started well after cloud cleared and by 10pm left a superb clear sky. No astro lights interferred as the Sun set and the Summer Traingle and autumn marker Arcturus appeared. The 10 inch went straight to Neptune which appeared in the centre of the main eyepiece next to a very similar magnitude orange star. Neptune appeared bright and showed a slight light blue hue. The 10 inch was then pointed at Pluto, but the sky was too light. Uranus was the viewed low in the East and showed its slightly larger disc clearly along with a distinct blue-green colour. M31 and M13 were viewed by eye and M13 having been found in the ETX, many satellites were seen and 6 or so sporadic meteors

 

17th July

Summer School visit: Another large group of Summer Schools guests, with a family from Vienna and a guest from Hong Kong came up tot he Dome. The Moon was viewed in ETX and Binos and the stars spotted as they appeared from the twilight. 3 meteors were seen. Saturn was tracked in the 10 inch but only Titan was visible. The heat in the Dome and outside rendered the seeing poor

 

16th July

Summer School visit: A large number of Summer School guests from UK and overseas, young and old came up to the Dome. Inside the Dome was a sultry 28 degrees. Venus was spotted as the Sun set and stars as they cam out in order of brightness, Vega then Arcturus then Altair and Deneb. The ETX viewed the First Quarter Moon as did the Zeiss Binos. A satellite was seen and then when Saturn appeared the 10 inch viewed the planet and first Titan and then a second moon. The heat rendered the view less than perfect but a fine sight for the first time

 

19th June

External visit: CEB welcomed a group of PA’s to 7 College Council members to the Dome, accompanied by 2 College staff. The visit was brief but, with a moderately clear sunny sky, the 10 inch was used to view the Sun in H-alpha. Several sunspots and prominences were visible.

 

13th June

External visit: J G Barclay’s great-great grandson visited the Dome. The 10 inch was tracking the Sun in H alpha but sadly the sky was cloudy

 

5th June

External visit: A BBC programme director visited the Dome to investigate the possibility of it being used later in the summer for a location. The sky was clear and we were able to view several large prominences in H-alpha using the 10 inch

 

17th May

Outreach lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Living in the atmosphere of the Sun’ to a group from Swindon Stargazers in the Lawn Community Centre

 

15th May

Public solar viewing: The unpredictable cloud and rain meant that this event was effectively cancelled. However a brief gap in clouds allowed a couple of Friends to come up to the Dome. The 10 inch tracked the Sun and through the white-light filter the Photosphere was seen to be peppred with a large number and variety of mature spots and active regions, the largest spanning well over 10 Earth diameters

 

1st May

Remove GCSE Astronomy Solar observing: CEB accompanied by RDM and DGR brought up the whole Remove year group in their lesson to view the Sun. The sky was cloudless and the Sun peppered with sunspots. The Sun was viewed in solar goggles, solarscopes, the ETX and the 10 inch which was set up with the H-alpha filter. One of the spot groups was large enough to be made out in the goggles. In H-alpha two huge loop prominences were clearly visible

 

22nd April

Brain Tumour Trust charity evening: 5 visitors came to the Dome having bid for an evening at the observatory in aid of the Brain Tumour Trust

 

22nd April

Brain Tumour Trust charity evening: 5 visitors came to the Dome having bid for an evening at the observatory in aid of the Brain Tumour Trust

 

25th March

Friends outing to JET and MAST: A successful morning visit took place with JAG leading a bus load of 17 Friends to the new Fusion facility near Culham

 

21st March

Sun-Earth Day lecture: The 11th annual Lecture was given by Ian Ridpath entitled ‘The year of the Aurora’ and attended by an apprecisative audience of Friends and visitors

 

13th March

Marlborough Malaysia visit: 27 pupils from Malaysia on exchage visit came up to the Dome in 2 groups, 12 girls then 15 boys, each group accompanied by an Old Marlburian. The temperature was falling and a 2 day old Moon showed its slender crescent in a fine sunset. Though we tried to locate the naked-eye comet PanSTARRSs it was too close to the horizon, though a couple of younger eyes thought they saw it. A couple of meteors were seen and the Moon viewed in binos and then the Pleiades. M31 the Andromeda galaxy was found by eye. The ETX was used for the Moon and then Jupiter and 3 of the 4 Galillean moons. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and 4 or 5 storm bands could be made out on the disc

 

5th March

School Lecture: CEB delivered the lecture ‘No telescope required to a mixed audience of year 11 to 13 pupils at Alleyn’s School

 

4th March

Lecture: CEB delivered the 24th Green Templeton College Astronomy for All lecture ‘Martian Origins’ in the Oxford Astrophysics departemnt. A good audience of some 60 visitors attended

 

28th February

House visit: On the last visit this winter, 11 Shell pupils from C3 came up to the Dome. Though high cloud was drifting across the sky, Polaris was identified by eye and then the 10 inch used to view Jupiter looking ‘criket ball-like’ with its equatorial zones as the seams. The 4 Galilean moons were nicely grouped to one side of the planet

 

Next House visit in September

21st February

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from TU came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House vist: 28th February (C3)

15th February

Asteroid spotting: A group of some 25 Friends and visitors gathered on an initisally clear evening to try to spot Asteroid 2012 DA14. The clouds however rapidly closed in but not before the earlier arrivials had a chance to see M42 the Orion Nebula in the ETX and M45 Pleiades in Binos. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter throughout the evening and the positions of the 3 inner Gallilean moons were seen to change perceptively as Europa prepared to transit

 

7th February

External visit: The second group of 13 year 4 pupils from Preshute Primary School came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy, though Jupiter was just visible

 

6th February

GCSE Observing: A group of desperate GCSE Hundred astronomers joined RDM for an extraordinary Wednesday session at the Dome, as a last chance for clear data gathering presented itself before the analysis of Coursework begins after half-term. The ETX and Binos were used to get drawings of M42 and M45 and star counts were also completed as well as a circumpolar trail photograph

 

5th February

External visit: 12 pupils from year 4 at Preshute Primary School accompanied by their Head Mistress and 2 members of staff came up tot eh Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy

 

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from C1 and the Director of Co-Curriculum came up to the Dome and were lucky enough to have a clear patch of sky between fast moving clouds. A tour of some bight stars was followed by glimpses of Jupiter and its 4 moons in the ETX and then M45, the Pleiades, in the Binos

Next House vist: 21st February (TU)

4th February

Friends evening: The high winds meant clear patches came and went quickly. The sky was 95% cloudy and the temperatures felt low due to wind chill. 2 current Friends and another visitor and daughter (in year 6) came up to chance their luck. The pole star was found from the Pointers, Cassiopeia identified and then M45 viewed in Binos. The ETX viewed Jupiter and its moons. It was too cloudy for the 10inch

 

29th January

House visit: 12 pupils from C2 Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next house visit: Tuesday 5th February (C1)

24th January

House visit: 14 Shell from MO and a House Tutor came up to the dome on foot (snow still making the track unsuitable). The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 29th January (C2)

17th January

House visit: 14 Shell from EL were joined by 2 Shell from NC and came up to the dome as light snow started falling. Though very scenic, this was not conducive for astronomy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 24th January (MO)

15th January

House visit: 11 pupils from SU Shell accompanied by a House Tutor and his family atended the Dome on a cold and excellent night. The 4 day old waxing crescent Moon was viewed in Binos and M42 the Great nebula in orion in the ETX. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter, which at a high elevation/altitude, showed superb detail and colour, browns and greys in the storm bands

 

Next House visit: Thursday 17th (EL)

GCSE Observing: A small number of Hundred and larger cohort of Remove came up in cold (-3) clear conditions to complete Controlled Analysis observations. Cygnus and Casseopeia were drawn. the ETX viewed M42 and M31 and the Binos M45. The 10 inch gave a super view of M42 and was then turned to the Eskimo Nebila in Gemini. Andromeda (M31) was found by eye easily

14th January

Marlborough Stargazing – Friends bring your own Binos evening:The first Friends gathering of 2013 took place and the sky was clear! (at least for 90 minutes) In between clouds and light rain then snow fluries a small group of Friends gathered. The sky was very still and excellent Seeing. Several different pairs of binoculars were tested out on Jupiter and M42 in Orion. The ETX viewed the 3-day Moon, which a lovely sunlit peak on the Northern rim. Jupiter and 4 moons was then viewed in the ETX and also the 10 inch. The view in the main telescope was superb with between 4 to 6 of the bands being visible with noticeable different colours. Europa ‘closed’ with the planet as the evening progressed, preparing to make a transit (unfortunatley not till 10pm) M42 was then viewed in the ETX and then in the 10 inch, first at 80x and then 140x. The Trapezium was exellent and the nebulocity really 3D. 2 bright meteors were seen and all were happy that at last some observing had taken place

 

12th January

Stargazing Oxford: As part of the BBC Stargazing Live events CEB took part in an outreach day in Oxford running the mobile planetarium, which provided 3 shows an hour for 7 hours via a team of presenters. CEB also gave a flash talk on ‘No telescope required – naked eye astronomy’ and the final event of the day a head to head debate on Alien life exisitng in our galaxy. Some 1100 visitors of all ages attended the event run by Oxford Astrophysics Department

 

10th January

House visit: The first visit of 2013 saw 9 Shell pupils from PR come up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Tuesday 15th January (SU)

6th December

House visit: 13 members of MM Shell came up to the Dome for the last House visit of the term. Unfortunately it was cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 10th January (PR)

4th December

GCSE Observing: The first moonless clear nightof the term with falling temperatures brought another hoard to the Dome to join CEB, RDM and DGR. Unfortunately the seeing was poor and some cloud and high moisture made for less than perfect conditions. However, 50 pupils came up to draw constellations and Messier objects, do star counts and just look through the 10 inch. The ETX viewed M42 and then did star counts. The Zeiss Binos were used for M45. The 10 inch first viewed Jupiter then the brightest asteroid Vesta and then, making a very interesting comparison, the larger but dimmer Ceres, ex-asteroid and now the closest minor planet; visibly yellowish and just disc-like. The Eskimo nebula NGC 2392 was then drawn but was poor given the poor seeing, though the nebula surrounding the white dwarf was visible with averted vision. 2 meteors were seen in Uma

 

29th November

House visit: 11 pupils from NC Shell came up to the Dome in Full moonlight and falling temperatures. The Summer triangle, Plough and Casseiopeia were identified and the Jupiter viewed through first the ETX then the 10 inch. The equatorial storm bands were very clear and the 4 moons with Io noticeably orange

 

House visit 2: 11 pupils form B1 Shell came up to the Dome as the temperature fell to 4 degrees and repeated the earlier observations

GCSE Observing evening: The largest GCSE observing evening in the years the GCSE has been running here. 55 pupils from Hundred (dong List B) and Remove doing a Constellation drawing practice List A. Projects ranged from drawing Cygnus and Orion and Casseiopeia to circumpolar star trails, stellar density counts in and out of the Galactic plane with the ETX and Messier object drawings. The Pleiades were drawn in Binos and M42 in the 10 inch, which earlier viewed Jupiter. RDM, CEB and DGR who ran the evening were joined also by two other staff members. Somehow all got one if not two or even three drawings done despite the very bright waning Gibbous Moon (only one day off Full) and temperatures reaching -1 by 10pm

22nd November

House visit: 8 Shell pupils from LI came up to the Dome in driving wind and rain

 

Next House visit: 29th November (NC Studies then B1 in prep)

17th November

Leonids meteor shower: An inauspicious evening with a copious clouds and a few clear patches and temperature of 8 degrees turned by 9pm into the best clear night this autumn, with temperatures falling to 1 degree. 4 optimistic Friends and a colleague from the College came up to the dome. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and 4 moons. Orange Io was then seen to go into occultation behind the planet. M45 Pleiades, h and chi Persei and M31 Andromeda galaxy were identified by eye along with Fomalhaut. Phone aps also enabled the location of Neptune and Uranus to be found. Castor was split into 2 in the 10 inch after the asteroid Vesta had been seen as a yellowish disc in the 10 inch. In a period of 30 minutes 8 Leonid meteors were seen. 2 in Ursa Minor were bright at -2 magnitude

 

15th November

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from BH came up to the newly redecorated and re-roofed Dome. The sky was unfortunately cloudy

 

Next House visit: 22nd November (LI). NC had to be postponed due to the works be incomplete

26th October

Friends Double Stars: Despite a cold, clear forecast the clouds remained. Briefly showing a lunar aureole. 3 new Friends came up hopeful to the Dome and picked their way among stored instruments

 

22nd October on

Dome painting and internal repairs. External flat roof work: College work started on the Dome to repair damp and water damage and peeling paintwork

 

8th October

Friends Q&A: A small group of Friends gathered in the Dome for a Q&A session on Mars and its exploration, both past and future 4th October Shell House visit: 10 pupils from IH came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

 

Next House visit: 1st November (NC)

28th September

Sixth Form lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Archaeoastronomy – the Dawn of Science’ to 175 6th Form pupils at Berkhamsted School

 

27th September

Shell House visit: 10 pupils from CO Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was clear though still in twilight. Stars appeared as the sky darkened and Arcturus and Vega identified. Later the Summer Triangle and The Saucepan were seen and Polaris found and Mizar and Alcor viewed by eye. The 94% waxing gibbous Moon made for a very bright sky and was viewed in Binos and ETX. The 10 inch tracked M13 (the Great Globular in Hercules) but this was invisible given the bright sky. An Iridium flare satellite was also seen

 

Next House visit: 4th October (IH)

GCSE (Remove) Observing: The first GCSE evening of the season saw 35 Remove pupils at the Dome as the cloud cover roled in. All were inrtroduced to the observing details needed and many were able to make a drawing of the 2 degree diameter Lunar Aureole

 

21st September

Friends annual drinks: Some 35 Friends of the Telescope agathered as usual near the Autumn Equinox to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the group and the milestone of the 200th successful College GCSE Astronomy candidate

 

8th September

Shropshire Cambridge Society annual Lecture: CEB delivered the lecture ‘Archaeoastronomy – the dawn of Science’ to some 70 Oxbridge alumni and Darwin Society pupils at Shrewsbury School

 

12th August

Perseid viewing: The sky was basically cloudy. One Friend turned up hopefully. A super ISS pass was seen at magnitude -3.4, before the sky disappeared

 

25th July

Summer School week 1: 32 guests (!) met at the Porters Lodge and made their way at sunset to the Dome. This huge group consisted of all ages and a spread of nationalities. The near First Quarter Moon was viewed in Binos and the ETX and then stars identified as they appeared. The 10 inch viewed Saturn and all had a couple of chances to view the planet and Titan. Rhea was barely discernable. The Milky Way was clear by 11pm and M31 again located. Mizar A and B were seen by the last guest in the ETX

 

24th July

Summer School week 1: 9 Summer School guests came up to the Dome as the Sun set on a perfect warm, still, clear evening. The 4 day old Moon was excellent in the Binos and then ETX. Arturus then the Summer Triangle appeared and then Saturn. In the 10 inch Saturn showed its rings but no gaps or surface detail, the twilight was bright and indeed the Dome at 28 degrees caused its own seeing. However Titan and Rhea were visible. As the sky darken and attempt was made to see the Chinese Space Station Tiangong, but again the twilight and trees did not allow this. A polar satellite was however seen. The Milky Way was visible by 11pm and M31 (Andromeda) located as a very faint blur

 

25th June

Solar observing: A damp Dome was opened to air and the ETX used to view a rather blank Sun (just one sunspot group visible). The 10inch was used with the H-alpha filter to view some small prominences and some good detail of granulation and disturbance near the sunspot group

 

Past astronomer visit: It was good to welcome back one of the original GCSE class of 1998 to see the restored telescope and refurbished Dome. Sadly the sky had largely clouded over

French exchange visit: 19 pupils and 2 staff from the French Exchange came up to the Dome for a talk and tour. Sadly the sky remained totally cloudy

9th June

Teachers’ workshop: CEB gave the talk ‘Venus’ legacy’ and ran practical workshops for a group of some 15 teachers in conjunction with APPEAL-3 hosted by John Adams Institute, Oxford Physics and CERN

 

6th June

Venus transit: 14 absurdly optimistic Friends and visitors came up to the Dome for sunrise. Cloud covered the sky, but just before 5.30am the Sun popped out in a small gap in cloud, which coincided with a break in the tree-line and 5 of those present were able to see the ‘black dot’ nearing 3rd contact through the ETX. The NASA website was projected in the Dome for all to watch the transit live from Hawaii. After the transit the 10inch viewed the impressive array of sunspots will cloud closed the session at 6.30am

 

3rd June

Venus Tranit 2012 outreach activity: CEB ran an activity for families at Green Templeton College Oxford ‘GTC does longitude’ with participants 7yrs and up

28th May

Venus Transit 2012 outreach lecture: CEB gave to lecture ‘Just a black dot?’ in the Martin Wood lecture theatre at the Clarendon laboratory, Oxford University to an audience of some 160 visitors (aged 10 up)

 

11th April

External lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Archaeoastronomy – the dawn of Science’ to some 35 members of Cranbrook and District Science and Astronomy Society

 

26th March

Friends outing: 17 Friends joined CEB for an excellent visit to LOFAR, the new Radio telescope at Chilbolton. The Tour and talk was arrnged through Oxford Astrophysics and we were looked after by 2 Post Grads from the Department

 

23rd March

Outreach lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Archaeoastronomy – the dawn of science’ to some 60 members of Bristol Astronomical Society

 

22nd March

Sun-Earth day lecture: CEB gave the 10th Sun-Earth Day lecture ‘Finding other Earths – the success of exoplanets searches’ to some 35 Friends and visitors in the Ellis Theatre

 

20th March

Spring Sky observing: As the Sun set due west, Venus then Jupiter appeared in the only gap in cloud. The 10 inch viewed Venus for the first time in a while and showed its half-illuminated phase as it approaches Greatest Eastern Elongation (GEE). The clouds quickly closed in and the evening was abandonned

 

15th March

Lecture: CEB delivered the talk ‘The oldest GOTO telescope in the World’ to a group of some 30 members of Andover Astronomical Society

 

1st March

House visit: The last House visit of the academic year took place as 10 pupils form B1 Shell came up to the Dome. Though there was a good deal of moisture and the temprature was mild, the sky was clear and enabled Jupiter and 3 moons to be seen in the ETX and the First Quarter Moon in the binos, with good shadows on the Terminator. The 10 inch turned for the first time to Mars as it approaches Opposition. At 90x and 170x it showed the Northern ice-cap clearly and some darker markings were visible in the central disc

 

GCSE Observing: 4 Hundreds astronomers came up as the cloud closed in. Just a couple of gaps allowed 2 stellar density measurements and some poor drawings of M42 to take place

23rd February

House visit: 9 pupils from LI Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 1st March (B1)

17th February

Outreach lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Archaeoastronomy – the dawn of Science’ to some 25 members of Swindon Stargazers astronomical society

13th February

Astronomy for All lecture: CEB gave the first of the 2012 series ‘Finding other Earths’ to a diverse audience at Green Templeton College Oxford

7th February

GCSE Observing: Despite the bright light of the Full Snow Moon and slight high haze (giving poor seeing) 3 Remove and 11 Hundred pupils came up to the Dome to do final Controlled Assessemnt observations. The extremely low temperature (-4 outside the Dome) meant that drawings were done quickly and efficiently. Binos were used for M45 and Stellar Density counts and the ETX for M42. The 10 inch, for a change, tracked Jupiter and 4 moons. Mars was bright and viewed in the ETX.

6th February

School visit: 11 year 11 pupils (all doing GCSE Astronomy) and 2 staff from Wootton Bassett and a Primary School teacher came up to the Dome. Unfortunately the evening was milder and completely foggy

2nd February

GCSE Observing evening: Despite the Waxing Gibbous Moon, there were no Astro pitch lights and the extreme dry cold made for an excellent observing night. In below-zero temperatures outside the Dome and zero within, 41 pupils engaged in franetic activity. Binos were used for stellar density counts and Lunar feature drawings. M44 Beehive and M45 Pleiades and H and Chi Persei represented the Open Clusters. M42 was viewed and drawn in the 10 inch, though having crosssed the Meridian, the telescope had to be reversed for the latter part of the evening. Remove set up chairs behind the Dome and completed Constellation drawings

House visit: 11 pupils from SU Shell ran up to the Dome to keep warm. They were able to have a tour of the bright objects in the sky, identifying Venus and Jupiter and then viewed M44 cluster in Binos and Jupiter with its 4 moons in order strung out in a line to the side. The 10 inch gave a super view of the Orion nebula

Next House visit: Thursday 23rd February (LI)

30th January

School visit: 7 yr13 Physics pupils and 2 staff from Wootton Bassett School came to the Dome. High cloud increased during the visit as the temperature fell to 1 degree in the Dome. Jupiter was viewed in the ETX and showed Ganymede only, though Callisto emerged from behind the disc during the evening. Io and Europe were in Occultation. M45 was viewded in the Binos. The 10 inch tracked M42 and then moved to first split Castor and then view the centre of M44 Praesepe cluster

26th January

House visit: 11 pupils from C1 Shell came up to the Dome. Arriving in rain the sky then cleared to reveal the setting crescent Moon and Venus. Jupiter and 4 moons was viewed in the ETX and M45 Pleiades in Binos. The 10 inch showed a good view of the Trapezium in M42

Next House visit: Thursday 2nd February (SU)

GCSE Observing: A couple of Remove pupils and a handful of Hundred came up to the Dome as the skies cleared to complete coursework. Binos were used for M45 drawing and Algol observations. The ETX viewed M31 though the moisture levels were a problem. The 10 inch allowed good drawing of M42, though as it had crossded the Meridian time was limited. M44 the Beehive cluster was then drawn. Binos were also used for star counts parallel to and perpendicular to the MW plane. Several meteors were seen including a lovely -3 fireball passing straight through the Square of Pegasus

23rd January

House visit: Unusually for a Monday, 10 pupils from C2 Shell came up to the Dome. The night was clear though the cloud to the North prevented any possible sightings of the Aurora seen elsewhere in England. The ETX looked at Jupiter and the Binos at M45. The 10 which tracked M42 Orion nebula

Next House visit: Thursday 26th January (C1)

19th January

House visit: 8 pupils from PR Shell came up to the Dome. Arriving in rain, the sky cleared enough during the hour to see Pleiades through Binos, Jupiter and 3 moons in the ETX. Cloud and rain then descended again before the 10 inch could be used

Next House visit: Monday 23rd January (C2)

17th January

House visit: 12 Shell from MM came up to the Dome. Some stars were visible though the humidity was high and skyglow rendered limiting magnitude only around 1.5 and seeing was IV+, nevertheless, M45 Pleiades were viewed in Binos. The 10 inch briefly viewed Castor and split it into 2 only

Next House visit: Thursday 19th January (PR)

16th January

Stargazing Live event: The planned ‘Bring your own Binos’ evening for once hit perfect weather. The temperature had dropped, but de-icer stopped the problems of Dome freezing found last Saturday. The sky was clear, if affected by the astro lights in the South. A group of some 25 Friends and visitors, including staff from the College and several who had not been into the Dome, including several young. A reporter from BBC Wiltshire joined in from the start and as well as recording Dome sounds was able to interview many present. The ETX, 4 inch, and 4 sets of Binos on tripods were in action. Targets included Jupiter and its moons, Pleiades, M31 Andromeda, M44 Beehive Cluster and M42 Orion nebula. The 10 inch gave superb views of M42 with great detail of the gas cloud bright green-grey and the Trapezium then turned to the Eskimo Nebula. Though the seeing was not perfect, the white dwarf and the shell of expanding gas could readily be seen in this planetray nebula. Lastly the 10 inch turned to Castor and split the star into 3, possibly 4 components of the multiple system. Though many visitors had gone the last few were treated to the first sighting this winter of Mars rising bright red in the East. A very successful evening for all

14th January

GCSE Observing: A special visit was made to the Dome for a piece of GCSE Conrolled Assessment. The sky was clear for just long enough to catch Europa in transit (very hard to discern) and Ganymede emrging from Occultation in both ETX and 10 inch. The temperature had fallen quickly in the afternoon and the Dome had to be chipped free using a hammer and de-icer

12th January

House visit: 14 Shell from MO came up to the Dome. Though high cloud increased skyglow, there was plenty to see. Pleiades in Binos, Jupiter and 4 moons in ETX and M42 in the 10 inch

Next House visit: Tuesday 17th January (MM)

GCSE Observing: With Hundred doing mock revision it was a good evening for Remove to continue Constellation drawing. 12 pupils came up and many drawings were made, particularly of Orion and Casseopeia. 2 bright meteors were seen and the waning Gibbous Moon has a fine aureole as it rose at 9pm

3rd January

Quadrantid meteor shower: A small group of Friends and College staff gathered at the Dome on a cold clear but moonlit evening. The waxing gibbous Moon was viewed in Binos and Jupiter and its 4 moons in the ETX. The 10 inch gave a super view of the Orion Nebula M42. In the 90 minutes before clouds came in from the NW 5 metors were seen, one a sporadic. Not a great shower, but were were some 8 hours before the predicted peak. One however was a -5 magnitude bright green fireball io the NW which broke up as it descended, this made the evening

14th December

Geminid meteor shower: A small group of Friends and 3 visitors came up to the Dome. Prior to moonrise at 20.50 UT, the sky was largely clear and from 19.30 UT to 21.00 UT some 50 Geminid meteors were seen. Many slow and bright (to -3) and some with a blueish tinge. Jupiter and 4 moons was also viewed in the ETX, M45 in Binos and the 10 inch gave the best clear view of M42 in Orion this winter

14th December

Geminid meteor shower: A small group of Friends and 3 visitors came up to the Dome. Prior to moonrise at 20.50 UT, the sky was largely clear and from 19.30 UT to 21.00 UT some 50 Geminid meteors were seen. Many slow and bright (to -3) and some with a blueish tinge. Jupiter and 4 moons was also viewed in the ETX, M45 in Binos and the 10 inch gave the best clear view of M42 in Orion this winter

8th December

House visit: 11 pupils from TU came up to the Dome. Jupiter and the waxing Gibbous Moon were visible though the rest of the sky was obscured by high cloud. The Moon was viewed in Binos and the ETX, showing Tycho’s rays well. Later in the evening the first 30 degree diameter lunar halo of the winter was seen

Next House visit: Thursday 12th Januray (MO)

1st December

House visit: 11 pupils from New Court Shell accompanied by RDM came up to the Dome on a cloudy and wet evening

Next House visit: Thursday 8th December (TU)

29th November

7th Blackett science lecture: On a predicatbly clear night, Professor Mike Edmunds gave a wonderfully cross-curricula lecture ‘The Antikythera Mechanism’ to an audience of some 120 pupils and Friends of the Telescope

24th November

House visit: 14 members of EL Shell came up to the Dome. Bar a brief glimpse of Jupiter, the sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 1st December (NC)

22nd November

GCSE Observing: Despite high moisture levels and fog to South (illuminated by Astro lights) 24 pupils from both Hundred and Remove joined CEB and JAG at the Dome. Many Controlled Assessmemt obsevations were completed. Constellations were drawn from the darker area behind the Observatory with Cygnus well positioned in West and Cassiopeia directly overhead. The ETX was used for Stellar Density measurements. Binos were used for Algol magnitude and drawing Pleiades. The 10 inch intially watched as Io appeared from occultation by Jupiter springing from 23rd magnitude to 5th magnitude at 21.29UT and then brightening slowly as it exited the planet’s shadow. For those remaining at the Dome the Great Nebula in Orion M42 waa then viewed in detail for the first time this year

17th November

House visit: C2 Shell visit was postponed given the late return from rugby matches

Next House visit Thursday 24th November (EL)

Leonids meteor shower and GCSE Observing: Large numbers of Remove and Hundred astronomers came up to the Dome, seizing the opportunity iof a rare clear night. Dozens of observations were made. Clouds started to clear and by 22.00 UT the sky was clear. Binos were used for M45 Pleiades and star density counts and Algol magnitude assement. The ETX viewed M31 Andromeda and was used for stellar density counts. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter which showed super storm band detail and its 4 nicely aligned moons. The central 0.5 degrees of M31 was also viewed but its high altitude and due south position made this unfavourable. 7 Friends joined in a growing number of meteor watchers and in total 21 were seen in 1.5 hours. None very bright but enough to keep watchers happy. A large group of NC Shell also came up earlier in the evening

 

4th November

Friends Q and A: A small group of Friends gathered under cloudy skies for an evening discussing ‘Exoplanets’

 

3rd November

House visit: 9 pupils from CO Shell came up to the Dome accompanied by the Second Master. Sadly the sky was cloudy

18th October

GCSE Observing: After an inauspicious start with poor seeing, high cloud cover and orange skyglow, as the temperature fell to 8 degrees and below, the sky cleared and gave a good evening for Controlled Assessment observations. The ETX was used for stellar densities and Jupiter and 4 moons. Binos focussed on Algol in a continuing series of light curve estimations. Others viewed M31 and M45. The 10 inch was first moved to M92 (for the first time I can remember) a prety Globular Cluster in Hercules often overlooked due to its proximity to M13. We then viewed M57 the Ring Planetary Nebula and then M13 the Great Globular itself

17th October

External visit: 11 cubs from Great Bedwyn pack (years 4 to 6) came up to the Dome with 3 leaders. Though the evening had been clear in patches, the clouds rolled in and prevented any observing

6th October

House visit: 11 pupils from BH Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was initially clear and the Moon was viewed in Binos and Jupiter and 3 moons just rising in the ETX

GCSE Observing: 3 Hundreds and 6 Remove pupils came up the Dome, but the sky was already mainly cloudy and little could be done

Next House visit: Thursday 3rd November (CO)

3rd October

External visit: 11 cubs from Great Bedwyn pack (years 4 to 6) came up to the Dome with 3 leaders. Though the evening had been clear, the clouds rolled in and prevented any observing

29th September

House visit: The best night perhaps this year. A cloudless, moonless evening at a balmy 20 degrees saw the first Shell House visit of the year. 11 pupils from C3 came up to the Dome for a tour of the sky. They were able to view the brightest stars appear and then saw M13 the Great Globular in the 10 inch. Several meteors and satellites were also seen and bright yellow Jupiter rose quickly in the East as they left

Next House visit: 6th October (BH)

GCSE Observing: 40 pupils from Remove and Hundred siezed the opportunity to complete Controlled Assessment observations. Unlike Tuesday, the moisture levels were low and thus the ‘seeing’ much better. The Milky Way was clear and the lack of fogging on the outside instruments made an ideal night for stellar density measurments. All binos and telescopes were in use. M31 was drawn in binos and Jupiter and 3 moons viewed. The 10 inch allowed superb views of M13 and then switched to M57, the Ring Nebula in Lyra. Some colour could be seen in the ring and the white dwarf was visible in the centre. When all Messier drawings were complete, the 10 inch turned to Jupiter to view the Io transit. 6 bands were visible on the planets and Io though without shadow, due to the approaching opposition was clearly seen against the Southern main band

27th September

GCSE Observing: A cloudless, moonless, 17 degree warm night saw a milestone at the Dome as 42 pupils came up join CEB and NMA to Observe with 23 doing Controlled Assessment observations. The busiest night ever! Floodlight and high humidity made for poor skies to South but there was plenty of scope for drawings. The ETX was used for Stellar Density fields both in and perpendicular to the Milky Way plane. The Carl Zeiss Binos focussed on M31. Other Binos were used for Stellar Density. The 4 inch Meade viewed Jupiter, though the ETX gave a much better view at the end of the night. The 10 inch tracked M13 which became clearer as the night wore on. Several meteors were seen and an Iridium flare

23rd September

Friends 7th Anniversary: 45 Friends, including many founding Friends attended the annual drinks party in the Marlburian

22nd September

Remove GCSE observing: The first night iof the year was clear! with 32 pupils coming up to the Dome at the start of the Astronomy GCSE Course. With JAG and RDM, CEB gave them tours of major asterisms. Jupiter and 3 moons was viewed in the ETX and also Mizar A and B. The Binos were used on various targets. Andromeda M31 and the Milky Way were clear. Several satellites and meteors were seen. The 10 inch was calibrated and used first to view M101 (barely visible) and the supernova and then much more spectacularly M13 the Great Globular in Hercules

13th September

Form Lecture: CEB delivered the lecture ‘Archaeoastronomy our 7000 year heritage’ to the Shell year group and Form teachers

12th September

Maintenance session: The electricity was restored to the Dome and the telescope and electronics checked and found to be in working order

10th September

Observing evening: A small group of visitors gathered on a clear, warm and bright moonlit night, as the Dome was a opened after the summer light evenings to find there was no electricity. The 10 inch could not therefore be used. Binos and the ETX were used to attempt to see M101 and supernova 2011fe without success. However, Jupiter and 3 moons, M31 and the nearly full moon were well viewed in the ETX

27th July

,p> Summer School week 3: 25 visitors came up to the dome on the best evening this year. The temperature was falling but still warm. The seeing was excellent and cloud absent until midnight. Bright stars were watched as they appeared, Arcturus, Vega, Deneb and Altair then Antares in the South. Several meteors including a fireball (with exploding head) were seen mainly heading E to W in Ursa Major. Some possibly early Perseids. Several satellites were seen. The ten inch was calibrated and viewed M13 (the Great Globular in Hercules) which became more and more beutiful as the twilight ended. Many of the stars both in the main cluster and outer regions could be resolved

 

21st July

Summer School week 2: Cloud and earlier rain put off many who had signed down for the visit. 12 who braved the cool evening were however rewarded with clearing skies. The Summer Triangle appeared as the Sun set and Arcturus was viewed in Binos and the ETX and the 10 inch. Sadly Saturn was too low for the bank of cloud. Antares and Scorpio were viewed above the tree tops. For those still at the Dome after 23.30 BST the rising Waning Gibbous Moon was a beutiful orange and its Eastern Mare well viewed with the Appennines near the Terminator seen well in the ETX

13th July

Summer School week 1: 25 visitors came up to the Dome in the twilight. Bar a couple of sightings of bright stars Vega and Arcturus, the clouds prevented further viewing

27th June

School visit: For the first time a group of 8 pupils (who had commenced the GCSE) from John Bentley School in Calne, came to the Dome with 3 staff for a talk and tour. Solar observing was planned, but clouds meant that only a very brief glimpse of the Sun through solar goggles was possible right at the end of the visit.

24th May

School lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to 100 pupils in year 10 at St Helen’s and St Katherine’s girls’ school in Abingdon

11th May

Public Solar viewing: Though the afternoon event was cancelled due to cloud, 4 visitors turned up and were rewarded by a 45 minute break in clouds. The Sun was viewed in solar goggles, the solarscope and ETX where 3 spots were clearly visible. Tje 10 inch was used with the H alpha filter, but the cloud cover was too great to allow any more than a fuzzy view of the limb

10th May

Shell Physics solar observing: 18 pupils from Shell set 6 came up to the Dome and were able to opbserve the photosphere through solar goggles, in the Solarscope and the ETX. The chromosphere was viewed in the 10 inch in H-alpha and a large erruptive prominence was visible

5th May

GCSE Astronomy Solar Observing: 20 Remove astronomers and NMA came up to the Dome to observe the Sun through solar goggles, in the solarscope, through the ETX in white light and in H-alpha through the 10 inch. Two sunspot groups were clearly visible and in H-alpha a large prominence was seen, though high cloud meant the details were somewhat obscured

4th May

Friends Solar afternoon: Some 25 Friends of the Telescope from age 8yrs up visited the Dome under a perfectly clear sky (between light cloud. The 2 sunspot groups were easily seen in the ETX. The 10 inch was set up with the H-alpha filter and was able to see excellent detail of a huge Hedge Prominence lifting off the limb. Over the period of observation, the magnetic loops’ shape changed noticeably

28th March

Secondary School visit: For the first time since the Dome has been refubished, a small group of 6 pupils (years 7 to 9) from St John’s Community College came up to the Dome with the group organiser, a teacher and a technician. Earlier in the afternoon, despite high cloud, the Sun had been viewed in the ETX in white light and the sunspots groups in the Solar viewre. The 10 inch was used with the H alpha filter to observe 2 eruptive prominences on the eastern limb. The cloud unfortunatley thickened and by the time of the visit no Solar observaing was possible

20th March

Sun-Earth day lecture: The talk ‘Ancient Astronomies – The importance of the prehistoric sky’ was delivered by CEB, appropriately on the Vernal Equinox itself, to an audience of 40 Friends and visitors in the Ellis Theatre at Marlborough College

17th March

House visit: The last Shell House visit of the academic year took place as 12 pupils from C3 came up to the Dome. Though the sky had clear patches before they came, it clouded over

Next House visit: September

News – 15th March

Tour of Spring Sky: The clouds had closed in by 7pm, 2 Friends however came to visit the Dome for the first time and a CR member also called in

10th March

House visit: C3 Shell House visit was postponed till Thursday 17th

GCSE Observing: 2 Remove pupils and 2 Hundreds pupils came up to the Dome and observed M45 Pleiades and M44 Beehive in Binoculars and for the first evening sighting this year Saturn, Titan and one inner moon in the 10 inch. The rings are more favourable as expected and a shadow could be seen on the main planet

3rd March

House visit: 12 pupils form BH Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit (last of the academic year): Thursday 16th February (C3)

2nd March

Emergency GCSE observing: 6 Hundreds pupils joined RDM at the Dome in an effort to rescue their GCSE Coursework

GCSE Observing: 7 Hundreds came up to finish coursework. The Full Moon and high moisture levels made for a very bright sky. The Binos were used for M45 and the 15×70 for M42 and the Sword. Star fields were done in the ETX and also details of M42. For the first time in a long time, the 10 inch tracked M81 (Bode’s Nebula) a fine face-on spiral just NE of the Pointers in the Plough. Given the high light levels, once fully dark adapted, the central nucleus and outer spiral region were apparent, at least in peripheral vision

14th February

Emergency GCSE observing: 15 Hundred astronomers joined RDM and CEB at the Dome for an hour’s break in the weather fronts to catch clear patches hoping to complete List B coursework. All 5 binos were in action and the ETX, looking at M45 and M42 and star fields in Orion, Cassiopeia and Ursa Major. The 10 inch tracked M44 Praesaepe or the Beehive open cluster. The cloud closed in before completion leaving more drawings to be done

10th February

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from EL came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 3rd March (BH)

6th February

MC Family event: With RDM, CEB hosted 80 visitors of whom 42 were children aged 2 to 14 yrs at the Dome in 3 groups from 5.30pm till 9.15pm. The Dome lecture room capacity was pushed to 31, with children on laps. Though the day had been cloudy, some breaks allowed each group to see something. All 5 sets of Binos were in use to view the 11% Moon and then Jupiter and Pleiades. The ETX was also used on Jupiter. Some of the middle group did manage to see M42 the Great Nebula in Orion through the 10 inch.

3rd February

House visit: 10 Shell pupils from CO came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 10th February (EL)

1st February

GCSE observing: Despite thick fog in Town, the Dome had a clear sky above 15 degrees altitude. 12 Hundred pupils and 1 Remove came up to do some frantic coursework drawings. Binoculars were used for M45 and Orion’s sword with M42. The ETX was used for star density fields. M31 was attempted in Binos but the scattered light was really too much. The 10 inch observed M42 and the Trapezium in good detail until Orion was passed the Meridien. Though not a coursework target, the 10 inch then moved to the Eskimo Planetary Nebula in Gemini

27th January

House visit: 11 pupils from B1 Shell came upto the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit: 3rd February (CO)

20th January

 

House visit: 11 pupils from C2 Shell came up to the Dome under clear skies. By the time we observed, the sky was largely cloudy and only Jupiter and 3 moons were visible in the ETX

 

Next House visit: 27th January (B1)

18th January

Academy visit: The first astronomy visit by pupils from Swindon Academy took place on a clear moonlit night. As temperatues fell, 15 pupils and 3 staff from the Academy came up to the Dome to join CEB and then also NMA. The 99% Moon dominated the sky, but cloudless skies allowed M45 Pleiades to be viewed in Binos and the Moon in low power Binos. The ETX was used for Jupiter which had 2 moons easily visible. The 10 inch tracked M42 (Orion Nebula) and the Trapezium in the midst of grey-green nebulosity was a easy target

GCSE observing: 6 Remove and 1 Hundred pupil came up to complete unaided coureswork, with drawings of Orion, Uma and Cassiopeia. A stellar density comparison was also made in the ETX beteen a 1 degree field in Cassiopeia and similar in Uma. 2 adults from the College art department came up at the end of the evening

13th January

House visit: The first visit of the Term saw 11 Shell pupils from NC come up to the Dome. It was cloudy and wet

Next House visit: 20th January (C2)

4th January 2011

Partial Solar eclipse: Having chipped the Dome free of ice, 5 Friends joined CEB as the Sun rose into a cloudy sky. Using Solar goggles and the ETX and 10 inch with solar filters, a minute or so of observation was possible at 0830 UT. The top part of the crescent rose above the cloud and in the 10 inch, the rough edge of the Moon was apparent

13th December

 

Geminid watch: 11 Remove and 1 Hundreds pupils joined CEB at the Dome. 34 Geminids were seen in 1 hour before the fog closed in. The First Quarter Moon and the Astro light pollution restricted viewing

10th December

GCSE Observing: 13 Remove and 1 Hundreds pupil joined NMA and RDM at the Dome is ‘warmer’ temperatures. Coursework drawings were done and the ETX used to view M31 and M42. Several Geminids were seen

9th December

Remove GCSE Astronomy lesson: For the first time, the whole yeargroup of 38 pupils came up to the Dome with NMA and RDM in fiercely low temperatures. The Dome showed -4 degrees and with windchill, drawings were hard to complete. Tripods of the Binos stuck to the ground and the Dome was frozen. Neverthelass many pieces of Constellation drawing were completed by eye. A bright fireball (early Geminid) made for a fine sight. The sky was not perfect Seeing but the lack of Moon or astropitch light pollution made for the best Milky Way viewing of the term

8th December

GCSE evening: In preparation for GCSE observing the 10 inch was tetsed and the moisture problem in the lenses has been resolved. At -1 in the Dome, Castor was spilt in two, but further splitting was not possible due to high cloud. The Eskimo nebula was barely visible. The Binos viewed a very clear M45 early in the evening and the ETX Jupiter with unusually Callisto nearest to the planet and Io and Europa in conjunction and visibly separating over 20 minutes. By 8.30pm the sky had largely clouded over. Luckily a gap occurred around 9pm which allowed 6 Hundreds pupils to come up and complete some coursework between clouds and severe skyglow. M45 was drawn in Binos and M42 in 10 inch. A stellar density field was also drawn centered on zeta Tau

5th December

Solar Observing: The large spot 1131 (type Hhx) was seen clearly with its penumbra

2nd December

 

House visit: the last House visit of the term took place will 14 Shell pupils from MO coming up to the Dome. No minibus access was possible due to ice and snow and the temperatures were well below freezing. Despite a light fog and high sky glow, it was possible to view M45 Pleiades in Binos and Jupiter and 4 moons (Io just on the planets limb) with the ETX

 

Next house visit in January

30th November

2010 Blackett Science Lecture: A large audience fo some 140 gathered to hear Professor Mike Lockwood FRS give the talk ‘The lowest solar minimum for a century: what does it mean for future space weather and for Earth’s climate?’

25th November

External visit: 17 cubs from 4th newbury pack, accompanied by leaders and also 2 leaders from 3rd newbury pack came to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from TU came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy but clearing in patches. The sky cleared but too late for GCSE observing

Next House visit: Thursday 2nd December (MO)

23rd November

External visit: 18 cubs from yrs 1 to 5 from the 2nd Marlborough pack came up to the Dome accompanied by leaders and parents. The evening was clear at first though very damp and the cloud soon covered the sky. Te waning 95% Moon was viewed in the new Helios 10×50 Binos. Pleiades M42 were viewed well in the Zeiss Binos ands Jupiter and 4 moons in the ETX.

• GCSE observing: 6 Remove and 3 Hundreds pupils came up to the dome but there were few gaps in the clouds. Some constellation drawing of UMa and Cassiopeia nevertheless took place. The ETX was used to attempt a stellar density measurment but only 2 stars were visible 
  

  18th November

  Leonid watch and GCSE observing: A patch in cloud allowed 4 Friends and 18 pupils to join CEB and RDM at the Dome for some decent 2 hours of viewing. 4 Hundreds completed pieces of List B coursework, drawing M45 in Binos and doing star density counts in fields centered on Deneb and Dubhe in ETX. Jupiter and 4 moons and then Uranus were viewed in Binos and ETX. The waxing Moon was viewed in Binos. 14 Remove pupils did List A drawings of constellations including Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, Cygnus, Perseus and Lyra. 2 Leonids were seen

   

  15th November

  Open evening: A small group of visitors gathered to observe Jupiter and the First Quarter Moon in the ETX and Binos and then Mizar A and B. 6 meteors were seen, including 2 early Leonids. The moisture level was very high and encroaching fog made for poor viewing

  11th November

  House visit: 15 Shell pupils fom MM came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

  Next House visit: 25th November (TU)

  8th November

  Friends Q&A: 9 Friends attended the Dome for a discussion of the setting up of a Distance Scale. Before the session the sky was clear and Jupiter was viewd in ETX and new 17×50 Binos. The 10 inch moved to Eta Cassiopeia and showed the binary pair superbly (The brighter is a yellow dwarf (G class) similar to the Sun and the two are seperated by 71 AU). The bright orange of the dimmer orange (K class) dwarf companion was clear

  4th November

  House visit: 11 Shell pupils from PR came up to the Dome and luckily clouds parted to give good views of Jupiter in Binos and ETX and then an excellent view in good seeing of the planet and 4 moons in the 10 inch

  Next House visit: 11th November (MM)

   

  24th October

  Private visit: A group of 4 including 2 young chidren visited th Dome. 3 pieces of GCSE coursework (constellation drawings) were also completed) The sky was largely cloudy by mid evening though the waning Full Moon was visible in Binos and ETX and Jupiter and 4 moons in the 10 inch

  23rd October

  Public open evening: 20 visitors aged 5 yrs up visited the Dome, many for the first time. The sky was largely cloudy but the bright Hunter’s Moon shone through the gaps as did Jupiter. The Moon and its bright ray craters was viewed in Binos and Jupiter and 4 moons in the ETX and 10 inch. The seeing was very good and at x140 several storm bands were seen on the planet’s disc

  20th October

  External visit: 23 cubs aged 7 to 10 yrs from 1st Aldbourne Scout pack accompanied by 5 pack leaders and 3 parents came to the Dome as the temperatures fell and skies cleared after heavy rain. The binos were used to view the waxing Gibbous Moon and the ETX Jupiter and 3 moons. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and, though the seeing was poor and the image too bubbly to see the storm bands, Io was visibly orange as it emerged from behind the planet

  GCSE Observing night: Sadly only a small number of pupils came up to the Dome (perhaps put off by the rain earlier) 5 Remove pupils continued Constellation coursework drawing and one Hundred pupil drew a Stellar Density field centerd on an M-type giant perpendicular to the Milky Way. With NMA and an IB student we were able to view 3 Messier Objects in the opposite sky to the Moon; first M13 (the Great Globular in Hercules) which was well resolved and then M57 the Ring Nebula, which again showed good detail for such a bright night and then M27 the Dumbell Nebula, which was barely discernable. Attempts to locate 103P Hartely 2, which should have been lined up with ‘the kids’ of Capella failed

  14th October

  House visit: 11 Shell pupils form C1 came up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

  Next House visit 4th November (PR)

  12th October

  GCSE Observing: The first clear GCSE night saw a maelstrom of coursework activity at the Dome, supervised by CEB and NMA. 29 members of the new Remove came up to draw Constellations and 4 members of the Hundred to attempt List B observations in the instruments. The Moon had set and only the Astros and high cloud to the south spoilt a night of good (II) seeing. The 10 inch tracked Jupiter and 4 moons. The ETX was used for M31 the Andromeda galaxy and earlier 103P Comet Hartley 2. The Binos viewed M45 Pleiades. The 4 inch Cooke split Mizar A and B. Even at 11 degrees, some of the pupils were too cold to stay long, others settled in chairs and drew up to 3 Constellations. 6 meteors were seen, two brighter than Jupiter

  11th October

  Friends Q&A: 8 Friends met for a non-weather dependent Q&A session on ‘Astrology friend or foe’, of course this meant the sky was clear. Advantage was taken of the fine evening and first Jupiter with 3 moons visible and with its single main storm band, then Uranus (whose colour was rather pale in the skyglow to the south) were viewed. With coordinates off the internet Comet Hartley 2 was located and centred in the 10 inch. The nucleus was clearly brighter but the Coma was very pale grey and only obvious to keen sight with averted vision. Apparantly at magnitude 4.9, this is integrated brightness so you would be pushd to see it unaided, but the brightening bods well for closest approach. The comet was then found about 1 degree to the south-west of eta Persei and was perhaps clearer in the wider field

  7th October

  House visit: 11 Shell pupils from SU walked up to the Dome. The sky was cloudy

  Next House visit: 14th October (C1)

  1st October

  Friends 6th Anniversary: 50 Friends and partners gathered at the Marlburian for the annual drinks but on this occsassion to also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the building in 1860 of the Barclay Equatorial. It was particualrly good to welcome both the great-grandson and great-great grandson of Joseph Barclay, the original owner. Peter Hingley the Royal Astronomical Society Librarian also attended

  30th September

  House visit: The first Shell House visit of the year saw 10 pupils from LI at the Dome. The sky was cloudy

  Next House visit: 7th October (SU)

  28th September

  Prep School lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to some 50 yr 8 pupils, parents and staff at the Hall School

  25th September

  Lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Astronomy at the Radcliffe Observatory’ in Green-Templeton College Oxford to some 50 Alumni as part of the University’s Alumni week-end

  20th September

  External visit: 12 members of Abingdon Astronomical Society came to the Dome. High cloud made for poor detail, but the Moon and Jupiter and its moons were viewed in the Binos and ETX. Jupiter was then viewed in the 10 inch and bright orange Io was seen at first contact as it then proceeded to transit across the disc. The single main cloud band of Jupiter was clear but cloud closed in before the shadow was visible. Uranus was then seen as a clear disc and showed its light blue-green colour in clearer patches of sky. Neptune was viewed last but its dark blue was only visible very briefly

  12th August

  Perseid observing: 21 visitors aged 10 and up (including a couple from the Netherlands) joined CEB, JAG and RDM at the Dome. At first with 80% cloud cover, which prevented Venus or any of the bright stars from being seen, there seemed little hope. But just after 10pm the sky cleared to give a superb, in fact ideal observing panarama. Rates rose from one every few minutes to 3 or 4 a minute around 11pm. In total 155 Persieds were seen in 2 hours and 11 sporadics. Certainly with no Moon or interference from the Astro pitch lights, this proved the most prolific shower observed for many years

  11th August

  Meteor observing: CEB joined JAG and 3 friends for 2 hours of observing. 15 meteors were seen (13 Perseids, several of -1). The 10 inch observed Eta Cassiopeia and the ETX Jupiter

  10th August

  Meteor observing: JAG and NMA saw 5 early Perseids (one of -5). Also 5 satellites and observed Jupiter in the ETX

  3rd August

  Summer School week 3: 13 residents joined JAG and CEB at the Dome. Apart from glimpses of Arcturus and Vega the sky remained cloudy

  2nd August

  Summer School week 3: 15 residents joined JAG and CEB at the Dome on a clear summer night. Low cloud in the West prevented all but Venus among the planets on show. Stars were identified as they appeared and then the ETX was used to split Mizar A and B. The 10 inch viewed Eta Cassiopeia a lovely close binary system just oiver 19 light years away. The brighter star is a yellow dwarf similar to the Sun and its companion a much cooler orang dwarf. Several satellites and 3 early Perseids were seen, the brightest perhaps mag. -1

  27th July

  Summer School week 2: 2 Tutors and 10 residents camde up to the Dome. Sadly the cloud prevented all but a few stars (Arcturus and the Summer Triangle) from being seen

  26th July

  Summer School week 2: 18 residents joinded CEB and JAG at the Dome on a sultry evening. The Thunder Moon rose Full and yellow among the clouds and showed a nice straw coloured Aureole. Otherwise clouds prevented viewing, though Arcturus and the 3 main stars of the Summer Triangle did find gaps

  21st July

  Summer School week 1: 20 residents joined CEB and JAG at the Dome on a perfect still summer evening. Some cloud affected observing but many objects were seen. Bright stars were identified as they appeared including red Antares in Scorpio (though rather lost in the Moon’s glare) Arcturus and Spica, Vega and the Summer Triangle and later Capella in the North. The ETX viewed the waxing Gibbous Moon and the Binos the non-spherical Venus. Sadly Saturn and Mars had set before the twilight allowed them to appear. The 10 inch was used as it got dark to view a very close Double (HIP81319) in Hercules. A polar satellite and a lovely orange sporadic meteor, perhaps mag. -4 in Cassiopeia, made the evening

  19th July

  Summer School week 1: 18 residents of Summer School came up to the Dome for a talk and tour. Sadly the sky was overcast

  19th June

  Summer Sky: 20 Friends of all ages gathered on a perfect midsummer night. As the Sun set Venus’ phase was viewed in the ETX and the Moon in the 10 inch. The Alpine Valley and Mont Blanc were particularly clear with the mountain cast a 100km long clear shadow. As the sky darkened stars and Constellations were identified and with Saturn, Mars and Venus the arc of the ecliptic (plane of the Solar System) was obvious. The curved handle of the ‘saucepan’ led down to orange Arturus and then blue Spica in Virgo. Antares and Scorpio was bright red and twinkling in the South. Several satellites were seen as they disappeared in to the Earth’s shadow. The 10 inch then viewed Saturn and Titan with clear rings and a shadow and one band on the surface. Titan was visible clearly from the start and Dione and Rhea appeared later. Mars showed no detail in the 10 inch. Lastly we viewed yellow Vesta as a obvious disk. Attempts to view comet McNaught were thwarted by cloud and twilight to North. No Notilucent Clouds appeared and we packed up after midnight as temperatures fell

  16th June

  GCSE revision: A mamouth 4.5 hour revision session took place all afternoon with 18 of the 20 pupils and JAG, prior to the exam on 18th

  22nd May

  External visit: A family from Oxfordshire came down on a sunny Summer evening. As the Sun went down the Moon was viewed in Binos and ETX and then the 10 inch showing superb detail on the Terminator and detail in the steep wall of Copernicus. Before it was visible by eye, Saturn was viewed in the 10 inch and the ring shadow and surface bands were clear. Titan and then another moon appeared as the sky darkened. Venus was first out by eye then was viewed in its gibbous phase. The 10 inch then viewed Mars, which showed a slighly brighter edge where the ice cap should be

  15th May

  Solar Observing: 19 pupils from Shell set 6 and their teacher came up to the Dome. Sadly, bar fleeting glimpses, the Sun stayed behind cloud

  12th May

  Public Solar viewing: After a cloudy midday the sky slowly cleared and eventually gave excellent views of the Sun. The Photosphere was viewed in solar goggles, solarscope via projection and via a white light filter on the ETX. The 10 inch and h-alpha filter showed a series of prominences on the NW limb with quite good detail and unusual shapesM

  6th May

  Solar Observing: 18 pupils and their teacher from Shell set 3 came up to the Dome. Sadly it was overcast. A demonstration of the solar instruments was given and a talk on ‘The Sun -our star’

  28th April

  Friends Solar viewing: Despite some high cloud, 12 Friends came to the Dome to view the blank photosphere in goggles and then the ETX. The H alpha filter was used on the 10 inch and showed superb detail in a large quiescent prominence on the Eastern limb. The magnetic field line patterns changed over the hour of observation

  22nd April

  Solar Observing: 20 pupils and their teacher from Shell set 1 came up to the Dome and as yesterday, viewed the Sun through all the available filters. In the 10 inch, the prominence seen yesterday had lifted off the surface as a ‘hedge’ prominence

  Shell observatory visit: 10 pupils form PR Shell came up to the Dome (the last visit of the year, postponed from March) as the Sun set. The Moon was viewed in the ETX and Venus in Binos. Mars and Saturn were identified by eye and then Saturn seen in the 10 inch. The rings still basically edge on allowed easy identification of 4 moons

  21st April

  Solar Observing: 12 pupils and their teacher from Shell (yr 9) set 9 came up to the Dome. In a clear blue sky the Sun was viewed through goggles, then projected and then in the white light filtered ETX. No spots were visible, though limb darkening was very evident in the telescope. The 10 inch with H alpha filter showed one clear large prominence on the NE limb, which changed perceptably in shape over 2 hours

  27th March

  Diamond Light Source (DLS) visit: A group of 18 Friends, including 4 pupils (yrs 9 to 11), visited the UK’s new synchrotron facility at Rutherford laboratory and were given an excellent talk, tour and lunch

  20th March

  Sun-Earth lecture: The 8th annual NASA sponsored lecture ‘Impact Earth – The threat of asteroid collision’ was given to an audience of Friends and visitors in the Ellis Theatre

  16th March

  External School visit: 9 pupils from Year 8 and their teacher from Wootton Bassett School came up to the Dome. The high cloud and skyglow prevented extensive observing but Mars was viewed in the ETX and then (showing some shading and hint of the ice-cap) in the 10 inch

  11th March

  House visit: The last Shell visit of the term took place in a lucky short clear spell as the temperature fell. 10 pupils from LI cme up to the Dome and assisted by JAG we had naked-eye tours of the Spring Sky, Arcturus and Saturn rising in the East. the Pleiades were viewed in Binos and Mizar A and B in the ETX. The 10 inch tracked Mars and though the disc was rather even in colour, the ice cap showed up as a brighter dot

  Next House visit: Thursday April 22nd (PR)

  4th March

  External visit: 21 cubs aged 8 to 10yrs from Marlborough 2nd Scouts and 5 adults came up to the Dome on the clearest evening since the New Year. After a tour of the sky by eye, identifying Mars, Sirius, Polaris, Aldeberan, Pleiades etc, we looked at Pleiades in the Binos and the Orion nebula, showing super nebula shapes in the ETX. The 10inch looked at Mars at x172 and though very bright, some surface detail could be seen and the ice cap was seen by many

  GCSE observing: The last coursework drawings were done of Pleiades in binos and Mizar A and B in ETX and Mars in 10inch. Once these were complete we were joined by 2 of the security staff and the 10inch turned to the asteroid Vesta; at magnitude nearly +6, not visible by eye, but easily located in the centre of the sickle of Leo. In the 40mm eyepiece is was clearly not twinkling and showed a hint of yellow/orange. Saturn was also viewed with its rings now slightly tilted for the first time this year with Titan to the West. Artcturus, the Spring marker, was also seen rising in the East for the first time

  25th February

  House visit: 11 pupils from SU Shell walked up to the Dome. It was cloudy, wet and thoroughly unpleasant

  Next House visit: Thursday 11th March (LI)

  22nd February

  External visit: 18 cubs (yrs 3 to 5) from 1st Ramsbury pack visited the dome with 6 adults. Sadly the sky was cloudy

  4th February

  House visit: 11 Shell pupils from C1 came up to the Dome. Sadly it was cloudy

  Next House visit: Thursday 26th February (SU)

  1st February

  French Exchange visit: 15 students from Lysee Jaques Monod and 3 teachers visited the Dome in the afternoon. The Sun was visible in solar goggles and behind cloud in the 10 inch. In the clear gaps the new Cycle 24 sunspot group 1043 was seen

  Public lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Impact Earth – The threat of asteroid collisions’ at Green Templeton College in Oxford to a full house of visitors and academics as part of the annual lecture series ‘Astronomy for All’

  21st January

  House visit: For the first time this year minibus access was possible and allowed 10 pupils (depleted by illness) from MM Shell to attend the Dome. The sky was clouded over, but the Dome was free from ice

  Next House visit: Thursday 4th February (C1)

  14th January

  House visit: 10 Shell pupils from TU again came up on foot through the snow. The temperature was above freezing and the Dome had un-iced but not only was no sky visible but the Dome itself was hard enough to locate in thick fog

  Next House visit: Thursday 21st (MM)

  12th January

  House visit: The first House visit of 2010 saw 13 pupils from MO Shell (and JAG) come up to the Dome on foot through compacted snow. Low cloud gave a bright orange glow to the sky and the Dome itself was firmly iced up with several inches around the rim

  Next House visit: Thursday 14th January (TU)

  3rd January

  Quadrantid viewing: The Dome was opened at sunset having been chipped free of ice. A group of 16 Friends of all ages gathered in falling temperatures to spot meteors. As feet froze and temepratures dropped below -4, even without windchill, 29 Quadrantids were seen, mainly to the SW as the radiant was very low in N. Only 4 were seen before 18.00UT and only 4 after 19.00UT giving a well defined vieiwing time. Most were of magnitude +2 to -1 at brightest. Viweing ended after 3 hours as the Moon rose following Mars in the NE

13th December

Geminid watching: A large group of some 30 visitors came up to the Dome to view Geminids. Sadly the only clear patch occurred from 19.30 till 20.15 UT, during which some 8 Geminids and 2 sporadics were seen. After that the cloud closed in. 2 more Geminids were seen, one behind quite thick cloud. The watch ended at 22.30UT and all departed to listen to the ‘Spaceweather radio’ radar ‘pings’ instead

10th December

House visit: 12 Shell pupils fom NC came up to the Dome. The sky was largely clear but the high moisture content made for poor seeing. The Pleiades were viewed in the Binos and Betelgeuse in the ETX. The 10 inch split Castor into 2 of its main components. 4 early Geminids were seen in the evening, the brigtest 0 magnitude

Next House visit: Tuesday 12th January 2010(MO)

GCSE Observing evening: Despite the largely clear sky, only 2 Remove came up to draw constellations. Castor was also seen in the 10 inch and then M42 the Orion nebula. Mars was seen for the first time this winter as a clear red disc in the ETX

8th December

Junior School visit: 12 pupils from years 3 and 4 from St Peter’s Junior School and 2 pupils from Preshute Primary came up to the Dome with 4 parents and a teacher on a foul night for a talk and tour. Sadly no telescope viewing was possible

7th December

Prep School visit: 12 year 8 pupils and their teacher from Cheam School came up to the Dome. Sadly there was too much cloud to observe all but Jupiter, Gemini and the Summer triangle by eye

News – 3rd December

Night of the great fireball!. House visit: 12 pupils from C2 Shell came up to the Dome on the coldest night of the term with temperatures in the Dome at 2 degrees. The 96% waning gibbous Moon made for a light sky but it was otherwise clear. After dark adaption, the group were having a tour of the sky when all were able to witness a superb fireball passing from Pisces into Aquarius in SSW at around 30 degrees altitude. Estimates varied up to -10 magnitude and the head appeared to be perhaps 0.2 degrees across, bright white and green with a tail which broke up into some 8 or so bright orange pieces. In total it lasted some 4 seconds and spanned 30 degrees on the sky. 3 other meteors of around 0 to +1 magnitude were seen in the ensuing 15 minutes all in the same genral direction, perhaps associated. It is not impossible to trace them back to Gemini, though they would make very early Geminids. The Pleiades were viewed in Binos and the Moon in the ETX. Jupiter and 3 moons (Callisto in transit) was viewed at low altitude until it disappeared in cloud

Next house vsit: Thursday December 10th (NC)

GCSE Observing evening: Some 8 pupils Remove and Hundred joined RDM and CEB at the Dome. 3 more meteors were seen again in the SW travelling away from the Moon and Gemini. Remove drew constellations and Hundred drew M45 in Binos and Tycho in the ETX and attempted M57(Ring nebuial in Lyra) in the 10 inch, though it proved too dim in moonlight

1st December

5th Blackett science lecture: Some 120 Friends and pupils and College staff gathered to hear Dr Roberto Trotta of Imperial College, London give an excellent lecture on ‘The anthropic principle and the origin of the Universe’

26th November

GCSE observing evening: 6 Hundred and 3 Remove joined CEB and RDM at the Dome. The sky was covering over with high cloud during the evening but a nice Lunar halo and aureole was drawn and also Cassiopeia and Orion. The Pleiades were also drawn in the Binos and the 10inch viewed first Jupiter and then the waxig gibbous Moon. Copernicus was well illuminated and also particularly Bullialdus which showed its clear central peaks

24th November

Primary School visit: 24 visitors, both parents and children (from years 3 to 7) from Bedwyn School came up to the Dome for a tour and talk. Sadly the sky was cloudy

19th November

Prep School visit: 5 scholars and a teacher from Cothill School visited the Dome for a tour and solar viewing. The Sun’s blank disc was viewed in white light in the ETX and then in H alpha in the 10 inch. Sadly the low altitude and encroaching cloud meant that neither the small cycle 24 sunspots nor any chromosphere activity was seen

17th November

Leonid watch: Some 20 pupils (some coming up for the first time) joined JAG at the Dome to watch for the predicted Leonid peak. Cloud hampered observing. No peak was witnessed but 7 Leonids were seen. Constellation coursework drawing also took place

16th November

Early Leonid watch: 6 Friends and some 9 Remove astronomers came up to the dowm to look out for early Leonids and do some constellation drawing respectvely. No Leonids were seen and the high cloud made observing hard

12th November

House visit: 11 pupils from B1 Shell visited the Dome. The sky was totally cloudy

 

Next House visit: Thursday 3rd December (C2)

6th November

Q and A evening: 12 Friends attended a Q and A evening with the theme Human Space Exploration. The sky was cloudy throughout but cleared at the end allowing a view of Jupiter and 4 moons in the ETX

 

5th November

House visit: 10 Shell form CO came up to the Dome sadly it was cloudy bar a brief view of the Moon at the end

Next House visit:Thursday 12th November (B1)

3rd November

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Primary School visit: 15 (years 3 to 5) from St Peters primary school attanded the Dome with teachers and a couple of parents. The temperature dropped to the coldest this autumn and the sky was beutifully clear exactly for the duration of the visit. The just off Full Moon meant the sky was very bright and made the likelyhood of any meteors remote; however one very bright ‘Earth-grazing’ Taurid was seen at the start of the visit. The Moon was viewed in Binos and then Jupiter and 4 moons in the ETX. The 10 inch was then used to see Jupiter in detail until cloud started to close in. Several Polar orbit satellites ere seen

24th October

IYA Moonwatch evening: A group of Friends gathered at the Dome as a gap in clouds allowed 2.5 hours of good observing. The Milky Way was particularly clear. The ETX was used to view Jupiter and its moons, the waxing crescent Moon (showing the Ptolemy string of craters very well) then for the first time M13 (Great Globular in Hercules) and h and chi Persei double Open cluster. The Binos veiwed the Moon and then Pleiades. The 10 inch was used to watch Jupiter at 95x and 173x magnification and 5 or 6 bands were visible. Io’s movement was just perceptable. The group watched for the appearance of Europa from behind the planet to no avail but at 21.05 UT the moon ‘materialised’ some distance from the planet having emerged from the shadow, evidence in itself of a moon shining by reflected light

19th October

External visit: 22 members of Aldbourne Ladies Group visited first the FETTU exhibition in the Mount House and then the Dome. The sky was cloudy, but a full tour of both facitilies occupied the evening

18th October

FETTU exhibition launch: A group of Friends and some members of the College Common Room attended the private launch of the local From Earth to the Universe image exhibition in the Mount House gallery

16th October

Friends Q and A: 16 Friends attended the Q and A session on ‘Cycle 24’. Jupiter and 4 moons was viewed at the end in the ETX

15th October

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from EL came up to the Dome. The sky was totally cloudy and brighly lit by skyglow from the Astros and the Town

Next House visit: Thursday 5th November (CO)

13th October

GCSE Observing: A small group of Hundred and Remove pupils joined JAG and RDK at the Dome. Glimpses of Jupiter were had between the clouds using the ETX and the 10 inch

8th October

House visit: 12 pupils form BH Shell came up to the Dome. The night was clear and Moonless initially. Jupiter and 4 moons were viewed in the ETX and 10 inch. Ganymede passing Io to head for a transit exactly a week after the last and Europa appearing from behnd the planet

Next house visit: Thursday 15th October (EL)

GCSE Observing session: 8 Hundreds pupils and 4 Remove came up to continue coursework with drawings of Jupiter and its moons and the Algol field. Algol noticeably brighter. The centre of M31 was viewed in the 10 inch and the Eta Cassiopeia. The coloured Double at 9.6 arc second separation was easily split and the red colour of the dimmer companion clear

2nd October

Friends anniversary drinks: The 5th anniversary drinks of the founding of the Friends of the Marlborough Telescope group took place in the Marlburian and was attended by some 50 Friends and families. A review of IYA was given and we looked forward to another year of events

1st October

House visit: The first Shell House visit of the year took place with 11 pupils from C3 visiting the Dome. The sky was clear, if bright from the waxing Gibbous Moon and, after dark adaption, they had tours of the Autumn sky and viewed the Moon with Binos and ETX and the Jupiter and 3 moons in the 10 inch

Next House visit: Thursday 8th October (BH)

GCSE observing evening: The second evening in the week proved clear and though some high cloud and bright Moon gave non-perfect conditions it was ideal for the small number of Hundred pupils to continue coursework. Drawing Jupiter and 3 obvious moons in the 10 inch and witnessing an unusal shadow transit (the dark black tiny shadow being more visible than the moon) of Ganymede from start to the half-way point. The transit commenced at 18.35 UT and we saw it dead centre on Jupiter’s disc just after 20.00 UT. The Perseus field and Algol were drawn for comparison and the Pleiades at the end of the evening. We also viewed Uranus at x 95 and x 172 and argued over the hint of green-blue colour

29th September

GCSE Observing: The first observing night of the academic year was clear and though the waxing Gibbous Moon scattered a good deal of light, the seeing was good and detail visible of high quality. Some 14 pupils came up to the Dome and whilst JAG took the new Remove on guided sky tours, the ETX was used to complete Mizar A and B coursework. The Binos looked at the Moon and later at the rising Pleiades. The 10 inch initially centered on Neptune which had its disc just resolved and showed a hint of blue. Then Jupiter was viewed with first 3 moons till Europa disappeared at 18.45UT to be replaced by Io appearing later. Several storm bands were visible on the disc. At the end of the evening Uranus was located and its much larger disc easily resolved. The pale green/blue colour being easy to see. Several meteors were seen during the evening and one Iridium flare. A good start to the observational course

20th September

Autumnal Equinox Lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Archaeoastronomy and Avebury’ to an audience fo some 26 visitors in the National Trust Study Centre at Avebury. The lecture was followed by a tour of the Circle. With the only light pollution from the Red Lion pub, the stars were magical as viewed from the Cove. Autumn asterisms were viewed and bright Jupiter in the South. The Milky Way and the dust lanes near Deneb in Cygnus were particularly impressive

19th September

ISS pass: A small group gathered to watch a superb 88 degrees altitude, 5.5 minute E to W ISS pass. The station was very bright in the twilight sky at 4 minutes to 8pm. Narowly missing both Vega and Deneb as is traversed the Summer Triangle. Even by eye the elongated shape was visible and the segments and solar panels easy in good binos

14th September

Outer Planet observing evening: A dozen Friends gathered despite high cloud and varying cloud cover. The night was however still and good seeing and Jupiter was excellent in the ETX showing 2 Equatorial bands and 4 moons aligned , with innermost IO slighlty red in colour. The ETX then viewed Mizar and Alcor and easily split Mizar A and B, showing a good contrast in clour. Cloud prevented any further planet viewing but Autumn asterismas, a late Perseid meteor and an excellent almost directly overhead ISS pass made up for this

13th September

Heritage Open Day (Oxford): Some 300 members of the public visited Green Templeton College and the Old Radcliffe Observatory. CEB lectured throughout the afternoon on ‘Astronomy and the Observatory’

11th September

External visit: 25 members of the 12th Swindon Air Scouts (astronomy badge) aged 10 to 14 and including adults and leaders visited the Dome. The evening was clear, though with increasing high cloud. Summer asterisms were seen as the Sun set and then Jupiter and 2 moons were viewed in the ETX and Binos. The 10 inch was used to observe M13, the Great globular cluster in Hercules. Given the light levels, the cluster detail was only just visble. A good high ISS pass was seen as the group departed

11th August

Perseid meteor shower: A small group gathered to view several bright ‘Earthgrazers’ in the late evening, whilst the Moon was low in the sky. The waning gibbous Moon and some early high cloud meant only really bright meteors were seen. The rate was around 5 to 10 per hour. Jupiter was viewed in the ETX and the 10 inch, its low altitude and the warm night did not allow more than basic detail to be seen

30th July to 5th August

Cunard Lectures: CEB travelled as Royal Astronomical Society Lecturer on the Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton. Lectures ‘Archaeoastronomy’, ‘De-mystifying the night sky’ and ‘Living in the Atmosphere of the Sun’ were given to audiences of 200+ passengers. Though the 2 arranged observing nights were cloudy, a 3rd night enabled a small group to gather on Deck 13 to view between clouds. The shapes of the Mare on the nearly Full Moon were seen by eye along with a Lunar aureole and several of the prominent Summer asterisms. Jupiter was viewed through binos

23rd July

Summer School lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘The Dutch trunke – 400 years from Galileo to Kepler’ to an audience of some 180 in the Ellis theatre

26th June

School lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to some 80 pupils in years 5 to 8 at Lambrook Haileybury School

25th June

School lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to a gathering of year 7 and 8 pupils at Ashfold School

24th June

Shell Solar Observing: 19 pupils in the Shell came up to the Dome for a double lesson of solar observing. The Solar goggles, ETX and Solarscope projection box showed unsuprisingly a blank disc. The 10 inch with its H alpha filter showed some prominence activity at the NW limb

22nd June

Astronomy Teachers Conference: A free one-day conference was run at St John’s School, Marlborough, organised jointly with Marlborough College, St Mary’s Calne and John Bentley’s Calne. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell opened the day talking about the ‘Pluto kerfuffle’ and then CEB gave a talk on Astronomy in Schools covering mainly the new GCSE Astronomy Specification and the Extended project for astronomy in the sixth form. Workshops included Galaxy Zoo and Starlearner and a representative of Edexcel was on hand

20th June

Solstice Sky Tour: Some 12 Friends gathered at the dome late in the twilight evening to watch the Summer stars appear. Antares red and low in the South and bright orange Arturus high in SW. The far northerly setting point of the Sun was also noted. The Summer triangle appeared one at a time, but Northerly asterims of Cassiopeia and Plough were barely visible in the bright sky. No Notilucent clouds appeared

8th June

School lecture: CEB gave the talk ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to some 180 pupils in the top 3 years at Cothill House School

Good Schools Guide GCSE Awards 2009: Marlborough College has won an award from The Good Schools Guide ‘for the best results at GCSE achieved by girls taking Astronomy at an English School’

2nd June

Solar observing: A small group gathered under a clear sky and at 25 degrees centigrade in the Dome to view the Solar disc in white light and the new sunspot group 1019. Two Earth sized umbra were seen, one with penumbra and a dozen or so smaller spots in the NW quadrant at high latitude. Another small pore was visible high in the central disc. The magnetic polarity identifies the group as new Cycle 24

20th May

External visit: 2 new Friends visited the Dome for the first time and were luckly to get a glimpse of the totally blank Solar disc in white light, definitely no sign of the latest small cycle 24 spot

19th May

Engineering visit: The RA drive belt was replaced following some stretching earlier in the year

18th May

External visit: 2 Old Marlburians visited the Dome. Both had been involved in Radcliffe Society in 1940s and 70s respectively

13th May

Public solar viewing: Despite cloud and light drizzle a small number of visitors, including 2 senior members of Newbury Astronomical Society attended the Dome

11th May

GCSE Revision: A five hour session took place at the Dome with CEB and RDK and the majority of the yeargroup in advance of Friday’s exam

10th May

Lunar Observation: The setting Full Flower Moon was observed sunrise and was an incredible deep pink colour

1st May

Shell Physics: 14 members of Shell set 8 and teacher came up to the Dome to observe the Sun in H alpha. Cloud prevented all but brief glances through Solar viewing goggles

28th April

Friends Solar viewing: A small group of Friends came up tot he Dome to view the Sun in H alpha. Though the sky was hazy, the Sun was viewed totally balnk in white light in the ETX, but showed a good tent shaped prominence in the 10 inch, which changed noticeably over an hour

27th April

External visit: 16 members of Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomical Society were lucky enough to visit the Dome on a clear evening with good seeing. From sunset till 10.45pm the Binos, ETX and 10inch were used to view Mercury, close to greatest elongation; the crescent Moon, at up to 240x magnification and then Saturn. Though edge on, there was some shadow visible in the rings and 6 moons were seen

30th March to 6th April

La Palma Expedition: 2 Lower Sixth and 2 Hundreds pupils from Marlborough College and a Lower Sixth girl from St Mary’s Calne, accompanied by CEB and a St Mary’s teacher, spent a week on La Palma. The Group were hosted by the Isaac Newton Group at the Jacobus Kapteyn (JKT) dome, where they took part in the UK Moonwatch week (organised in UK by the Society for Popular Astronomy) using the 6 inch finder to view the First Quarter Moon, Saturn, M42 (Orion Nebula) and M93 an Open Cluster in Canis Major. A pupil and CEB then took part in the IYA cornerstone project 100 hours of observing webcast from observatories around the World and had a 2 minute slot form the William Herschel telescope (WHT). The group then joined an Iranian researcher and colleague from Liverpool John Moores at the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT), observing the infall region of the Coma galaxy cluster. The second night was spent at the INT with a Spanish researcher from the IAC looking at Fossil galaxy groups. Tours of MAGIC, Liverpool Telescope and GranTeCan were also part of the stay at 2400+m

23rd to 24th March

13 Friends of the Telescope accompanied CEB to CERN, privately visiting 2 of the main detectors, LHCb and ATLAS in the LHC ring

21st March

Public Lecture (IYA event): The 6th Sun-Earth Day lecture ‘ Galileo – first light on the universe 400 years on’ was given by CEB to some 30 Friends and visitors

20th March

Sixth Form lecture: CEB delivered the lecture ‘The spectrum of telescopes – the future of observing’ to some 60 6th formers in the Martin wood Lecture theatre at the Clarendon Building in oxofrd as part of a sixth form study day ‘Astrophysics and Einstein’

19th March

Spring Sky Tours (Friends observing evening): At last a clear evening for a Friends event saw 24 Friends gather at the Dome. Watching the stars appear after sunset being guided around the ‘Winter Wreath’ and waiting for Arcturus to rise in the East as the Spring marker. A good high ISS pass was seen by all. The Binos viewed the Pleiades and the ETX crescent Venus, until it set, then Saturn, Orion nebula and Mizar A and B. the 10 inch tracked Saturn and 2 moons were easily visible with young eyes making out a 3rd. The high moisture caused intrusive skyglow by 9pm

18th March

External visit: 19 members of Ogbourne St Andrew History Group came up to the Dome. The evening was clear, though some high moisture meant a degree of skyglow, enough to prevent a good view of the Milky Way. The visit started with a good 39 degree altitude ISS pass (The Shuttle having docked). A tour of the sky followed and then M45 (Pleiades) was viewed in the Binos and M42 Orion nebula) in the ETX. The 10 inch was used yo view Saturn with its edge on rings, showing a couple of bands on the main disc and 5 moons all off to the same W side

12th March

House visit: The last yr 9 (Shell) House visit of the academic year took place with 12 pupils from C3 visiting the Dome. The sky was cloudy. Next House visit will be in the Autumn term

5th March

GCSE Observing: 10 Remove pupils and 2 Hundreds came up for 3.5 hours of clear, if rather moonlit observing. The Binos were usd for M45 Pleiades and ETX for Mizar A and B, M42 (Orion nebula) and then Saturn. The 10 inch followed Lulin, now in Cancer just South of M44 (Beehive) now much dimmer at roughly 6.9t, magnitude and further away at 0.55 AU. The Comet could be seen to move some 6′ in an hour when referred to a nearby 10.9 magnitude star in Cancer. The 10 inch then turned to Saturn, which showed a little marking on the disc. Titan was very obvious to the East and Dione, Tethys and Rhea grouped in a close triangle to the West. Over 25 pieces of coursework were completed

2nd March

School visit: 9 year 9 pupils and 2 staff from Wootton Basset School visited the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy

1st March

Extra GCSE Observing evening: Given the lack of clear nights an ’emergency’ observing evening saw one of the most intense sessions since the Dome was re-opened. 11 GCSE Hundreds pupils came up to the Dome and in 4 hours of hectic drawing completed over 30 pieces of coursework. Binos were used to draw M45 (Pleiades) and M44 Beehive as well as to view Comet Lulin early in the evening. The ETX viewed M42 (Orion Nebula) and Mizar a and B and at the start of the evening Saturn with its edge on rings making it look (as Gallileo dew) like 3 stars in a row. the 10 inch was used to view Comet Lulin and over 2 hours, the movement was over half the field of view, some 15′; this was drawn against a background field of 7th to 11th magnitude stars in Leo. The 10 inch finally viewed Saturn and Titan, the other moons being hidden in the glare of the rings

26th February

Prep School lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Stars, planets and wormholes’ to around 100 pupils from years 6,7 and 8 and several parents and staff in Elstree school

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from BH came up to the Dome. Venus was seen briefly in cloud at the start of the evening

Next House visit: Thursday 12th March (C3)

21st February

Comet viewing: Despite high cloud and skyglow the 10 inch was turned to Saturn in the late evening for the first time this year. It was amazing to see the rings edge-on making Saturn look like a circle with a bar through it. 3 moons were easily visible in the plane of the rings. Though only at 10 degrees altitude, comet Lulin (at magnitude 6) was easy to find close to a couple of 7th and 8th magnitude stars in Virgo. Though no detail was visible, what was increadible was to see how fast it moved. Estimated movement was 2′ in 15 minutes ie 8′ an hour or just over 3 degrees a day

16th February

Public lecture: CEB gave the lecture ‘Galileo – first light on the Universe 400 years on’ at Green Templeton College in Oxford to a mixed audience of visitors and academics as part of the annual lecture series ‘Astronomy for All’

10th February

House visit: 13 pupils from EL Shell and 2 from MM came up to the Dome in snow and slush. The near Full Moon rose behind clouds and trhough Orion and the Pleiades were visible briefly, the cloud closed in

Next House visit: Thursday 26th February(BH)

5th February

House visit: 10 pupils from CO Shell and a Tutor came up to the Dome. For the first time the Dome was cut off by road and all had to walk through up to 6 inches of snow. The sky was totally cloudy and orange

Next House visit: Tuesday 10th February (EL)

29th January

House visit: 11 pupils from B1 Shell came up to the Dome. Though bright Venus and the crescent Moon could be seen initially through cloud, it soon clouded over completely

Next House visit: Thursday 5th (CO)

26th January

Friends evening: 9 Friends including 3 young came to the Dome for the ‘bring your own binos/telescope’ evening. Initially the sky was largely clear and enabled Venus and its phase to be viewed in various binos and the ETX. The 10 inch viewed M42 well until high cloud closed in. Earlier in the evning a couple were lucky enough to see the zenith pass of the ISS

19th January

IAU Symposium: CEB took part in Symposium 260 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, ‘The role of Astronomy in Culture and Society’. Contributing a talk ‘Avebury – the Dawn of culture’

16th January

School visit: 13 GCSE Astronomy yr10 pupils and 3 staff from Wootton Bassett School attended the Dome for a tour and introduction to observational astronomy. Sadly the sky was cloudy.

15th January

Shell Chapel: CEB gave a talk to the combined Shell on possible Astronomical/Astrological interpretations of the Star of Bethlehem

Launch of International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009): The official launch took place in Paris with lectures from eminent Astronmomers. CEB answered questions on IYA on local BBC Radio Wiltshire

Shell House visit: 11 pupils form C2 Shell attended the Dome. The sky was cloudy

Next House visit: Thursday 29th (B1)

13th January

GCSE Observing: A clear sunset and western horizon gave the first view this year of Mercury at a low 4 degrees altitude in the twilight in Binos. Dim and pink compared to Venus, 100 times brighter. By 20.00 UT high cloud had started to close in. Nevertheless, 3 Remove astronomers came up to the Dome. Drawings were made of M45 (Pleiades) in Binos, Mizar A and B in ETX and M42, Orion Nebula in the 10 inch. As the waning Gibbous Moon rose, the scattered light combined with high moisture levels curtailed the evening

8th January

ASE Conference: CEB spoke in Reading on behalf of Edexcel ‘Reaching the stars’ introducing GCSE Astronomy 2009+ and Astronomy Extended Project at KS5

House visit: 12 pupils from NC came up to the Dome. Though clear earlier, a damp cold fog closed in and only the Moon could be viewed in Binos and the ETX. There was too much moisture for the 10 inch.

Next House visit: Thursday 15th (C2)

3rd January

Observing evening: A small group of 6 Friends met at the Dome as temperatures plumetted to -6 degrees (with the risk of the Dome freezing). The Moon was viewed in the ETX and M45 Pleiades well in Binos. The ETX also showed 3 of the Trapezium in M42. The 10 inch showed superb detail in M42, extensive gas clouds at low magnification and at x240 split a couple of the Trapezium stars. The 10 inch then split Castor into 2 easily and possibly 3. Despite the low temperatures there was a good deal of moisture and skyglow from the Town and with the Moonlight we were unable to see the Eskimo nebula or indeed any late Quadrantids (bar one possible unusual red meteor to the South at the end of the evening)

28th December

Private visit: 2 visitors from Australia visited the Dome. Sadly though the early evening had given a superb sunset and beautiful Venus with a very slender crescent Moon, by 8pm the sky had clouded over

 

26th December

Observing evening: After a superb sunset and viewing Venus at around 60% phase in Binos, 3 Friends and a current GCSE pupil made the most of a very cold winter sky. Though 2 degrees in the Dome, with windchill, the outside temperature was -5 degrees or below. The Binos were used to view M45 (Pleiades) and the ETX to view (for the first time) M1, the Crab nebula (dim though clearly visible) and then M42 the Orion nebula. The 10 inch once calibrated was used at high magnification to view and split Castor. The main Binary elements some 2.9 arcsecs apart were easy and showed some hint of colour (blue and gold). The Eskimo planetary nebula was then viewed and finally M42. There was sadly growing moisture and hence more sky glow, nevertheless, the nebula showed superb detail and the Trapezium was split into several pairs of stars

4th December

House visit: 12 pupils from MO Shell came up to the Dome. The crescent Moon was out but soon clouded over. All were able to get a brief glance at M45 (Pleiades) in Binos

Next House visit: January 8th (NC)

1st December

Planet observing: Between breaks in the cloud the crescent Moon and Jupiter were imaged as the Sun set. Venus was already hidden behind the Moon. The Moon was viewed first in Binos and then in the 10 inch with the lit limb being observed for the re-appearence of Venus. At 17.14.45 UT Venus appeared, sadly the clouds closed in and prevented a picture being taken

External visit: 19 Cubs and 4 adults from 1st Ramsbury Cub pack attended the Dome. 2 Oxford Astrophysics Graduates assisted , but sadly the sky was overcast

28th November

Planet observing: Jupiter and Venus were imaged some 4 degees apart, bright and dominating the early evening night sky in SW, even through severe skygow and encroaching fog

27th November

House visit: 10 pupils from TU Shell came up to the Dome. The sky was too cloudy to observe

Next House visit: Thursday 4th December (MO)

25th November

4th Blackett Science lecture: 150 pupils and Friends attended the lecture ‘Discovering planets around other stars – will we find another Earth?’ by Don Pollacco of Queens Uni Belfast in the Ellis theatre

Observing sesssion: Prior to the lecture Dr Pollacco and CEb used the 10 inch to view a couple a beutiful mixed colour Doubles. Eta Andromedae, Gamma Cassiopeia and then Globular M15

22nd November

Public lecture: CEB gave an Archeoastronomy lecture at Avebury for the National Trust season ‘Avebury in starlight’ attended by some 40 visitors

20th November

House visit: 12 pupils from MM Shell came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was clouded over, though it did allow a brief glimpse of Vega and Deneb

Next House visit: Thursday 27th November (TU)

15th November

Private visit: 10 visitors spanning a wide age range came up to the Dome for an evening bid for on behlaf of ‘Wiltshire Blind’. Sadly the sky was cloudy but a Tour and Lecture took the place of observing

13th November

External visit: 16 Scouts from the Hungerford pack and 5 adults attended the Dome. Sadly the sky was totally fogged out

11th November

GCSE Observing evening: After a totally clear, cold promising start, cloud closed in from South. The near Full Moon washed out all but the brightest stars and as the sky clouded we were treated to a lovley Lunar Aureole. One bright meteor was seen and several pieces of coursework attempted. the 10 inch looked at the bright ray cratrs and their ejecta. The illumination was perfect for seeing detail around the Schroeter valley and both Aristarchus and Heroditus were super. The ETX viewed Mizar A and B and the Binos were used to draw M45 the Pleiades

7th November

Friends Q and A session: 10 Friends attended the question and answer session on the ‘dark side’ of the Universe. Venus was superb after sunset and the 10 inch viewed the First Quarter Moon in the early evening but the sky then clouded up. By 9.30pm however the sky cleared and the ETX was used to view M31. Unfortunately M31 was too near the Zenith for the 10 inch to locate accurately. M1 (Crab supernova remnant) was then attempted but the moonlight and slight haze prevented observation. Orion was viewed for the first time in the evening sky

6th November

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from PR came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was totally overcast and orange

Next House visit: November 20th (MM)

22nd October

Shell class visit: 19 pupils from Shell set 3 came up to the Dome and were able to view the Sun through solar goggles and then in the 10 inch. The disc was completely blank, though granulation was visible

21st October

Solar Observing: The white light filter was used to view the Solar Disc in the afternoon, to calibrate the telescope and to check for portes. Granulation was evident but the disc was blank

GCSE Observing: 4 Remove and 2 Hundred pupils came up to the Dome on the best night this winter. With near perfect seeing, the Milky Way was well structured. Jupiter was watched until it set with Europa in transit, though sadly not visible. The ETX was used to view M31 Andromeda galaxy and then M13 in Hercules for the first time, though invdivdual stars could not be resolved. The Bino looked at M45, the Pleiades. The 10 inch was then turned on M13 and subsequently on M57 the Ring Nebula in Lyra with a barely discernable central star. Some 15 pieces of coursework were completed. One late Orionid was seen, very quick, crossing the Square of Pegasus

17th October

Private visit: 7 members of Marlborough Brandt Group came up to the Dome for an extended evening. Sadly the cloudy sky prevented all but the Summer Triangle being seen

16th October

House visit: 11 pupils from C1 Shell came up to the Dome. Sadly high cloud prevented good viewing but the Summer Traingle was seen by eye then Jupiter and 4 moons in the 10 inch showing some surface detail and lastly the waning Gibbous Moon in the Binos. A nice Lunar aureole was present

Next House visit: November 6th (PR)

14th October

Lower Sixth visit: 3 New Lower Sixth pupils from SU came up to the Dome for a tour. Sadly the sky was cloud

Next Lower Sixth visit: Tuesday 2nd December

10th October

RAS Lecture: CEB lectured (Kielder – A new platform for dark sky outreach) to some 80 Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society

9th October

House visit: 11 Shell pupils from SU came up to the Dome. The increasing high cloud made for poor viewing, and a small Lunar aureole. Jupiter and 4 moons was however seen in the ETX and 10 inch with Io closing in and then passing behind the main planet. The waxing Gibbous moon was viewed in Binos

Next House visit: 16th Ocotber (C1)

7th October

Scouts visit: 14 Scouts from Hungerford and 4 adults came up to the Dome as the clouds cleared after a foul afternoon. The Moon and Jupiter were observed in Binos and then Jupiter and 4 moons in the ETX. The First Quarter Moon was viewed in the 10 inch concentrating on the Alpine Valley area. A tour of the sky was also possible

GCSE Observing: Some 3 Remove and 6 Hundred astronomers came up on the first really good night this term. 12 or so coursework drawings were completed. The ETX looked at Mizar A and B, the Binos viewed the newly risen Pleiades and the 10 inch the Moon’s terminator. Good detail was possible around the Lunar Alps, despite the Moon’s low altitude

3rd October

Friends Q and A evening: 13 Friends gathered for a Q and A evening on Near Earth Objects. As well as considering the threat posed to the Earth, the skies were clear and the temperature falling so the best observing of the Autumn so far resulted. Jupiter and its moons were viewed in the Binos and ETX and in the 10 inch. Though at low altitude, good detail was seen on the planets surface. The Milky Way was clear and M31 was viewed by eye. A good ISS pass was a bonus. Following the evening theme the 10 inch was turned to asteroid Juno. Though low in the sky and at magnitude 10.34 a dim object, it was dicernable to keener eyes below a trapezium of magnitude 10 stars. This was a first for the 10 inch. M13 was then viewed well before cloud closd in. A good bright meteor was also seen heading NE through Cassiopeia

2nd October

House visit: The first House visit of the academic year saw 9 Shell pupils from LI come up to the Dome. Between gaps in the cloud we viewed Jupiter in Binos and in ETX with 3 moons visible. The 10 inch was then used to view Vega. One satellite was seen passing Vega

GCSE Observing: As the temperature dropped a brief clear spell allowed a tour of the sky and views of Jupiter in the Binos and ETX and then the 10inch was used to view M13 (Great Globular in Hercules)

Next House visit: 9th October SU

27th September

Friends 4th anniversary drinks: Some 60 Friends attended a drinks party in the Marlburian to celebrate 4 years of the Friends group

23rd September

Observatory visit: 15 ‘students’ from the local University of the 3rd Age (U3A) came up to the Dome and were lucky with a clear evening. Jupiter and its moons were viewed in Binos, ETX and then the 10 inch at low magnification. Io was noticeably orange and only the large telescope could resolve it from Europa in their orbits. Good cloud detail was seen on the Planet despite the low altitude

21st September

Observing evening: At last a clear evening gave an opportunity to view Jupiter. Though in the South in the evening it is not at high altitude, so viewed through thick atmosphere. Excellent surface features with 4 to 6 individual bands were seen briefly and the 4 moons all lined up to one side. Sadly cloud moving in from the West interupted observations

20th September

Oxford University Alumni week-end: CEB lectured at Green College on the 160 years of Astronomy at the Radcliffe Observatory

11th-12th September

JENAM 2008: Funded by the RAS and Marlborough College, CEB participated in the Joint European National Astronomy Meeting in Vienna as part of Symposium 2 – Communicating Astronomy and preparation for International Year of Astronomy 2009. Presenting a talk on ‘Outreach with large telescopes and a new era in UK school astronomy’

4th September

Observatory visit: A group of 17 from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust including past Churchill Fellows and their partners attended the Dome for a Tour and talk on the restoration of the 10 inch. Sadly the weather did not allow any observing

12th August

Perseids meteor shower: Though the early evening cleared, later clouds prevented meteor viewing. A small group were able to observe the waxing Moon in the 10 inch and Jupiter with its moons (all on one side) in the ETX

2nd August

Society for the History of Astronmy annual picnic: Some 30 members of the SHA (including 3 council members) visited the College for a picnic lunch at the Ellis theatre and then a tour of the Dome and telescope. The clouds parted just in time for the Sun to be viewed (blank) in the white light filter. There followed a short lecture on the refurbishment of the Barclay telescope

1st August

Partial Solar eclipse: Some 45 from the Friends and Summer School came up to the Dome to witness the eclipse. The sky cleared for first contact at 8.31.42 UT and between clouds all phases of the eclipse were seen to maximum at 10.20am. The Moons edge was seen through Solar viewers, by projection in the ETX and in the 10 inch at x80 and x140. The surface features and mountain groups were easily seen in profile against the Sun’s disc. The last contact was seen at 10.01.51 UT

31st July

Summer School lecture: The Bradleian theatre was full for the lecture ‘Tunguska’s legacy 100 years on’

30th July

Summer School visit: Another 20 guests came up to the Dome and despite some high cloud which didnt help the skyglow we were able to do plenty of observing. Jupiter and main moons were viewed in Binos and ETX and the 10 inch again focussed on M13. Several more Delta Auarids were seen as well as a good number of bright sporadics. The ISS again made a good pass and it was good to glimpse Antares very low in the south-west. The Milky Way was prominent, especailly in Sagittarius

29th July

Summer School visit: 20 guests from Summer School came up to the Dome. The evening commenced with watching the stars appear as the Sun set and then viewing am excellent pass of the ISS. Jupiter and the Gallilean moons were viewed in the binos and the ETX (which also showed the two main equatorial bands and the Great Red Spot. The 10 inch was aimed at M13 (Great globular cluster) in Hercules, which was supoerb at low magnification. 2 Delta Aquarid meteors were seen and many satellites

28th July

Summer School visits: Some 16 Summer School attendees came up to the Dome for a guided tour. Sadly the weather prevented any viewing save of the thunder storm on the eastern horizon

10th July

Probus Lecture: Some 40 members of Marlborough Probus listened to a lecture ‘The great Marlborough Observatory’ in the Marlborough Golf Club

23rd June

Shell class visit: 20 pupils from Shell set 1y came up to the Dome and were able to view the Sun between cloud

17th June

Shell class visit: 16 pupils from Shell set 3x came up to the Dome to view the Sun and were lucky to see some H alpha prominences

7th June

Astronomy GCSE revision: A further 7 pupils attended the Dome for 3 hours of reviewing the Specification

6th June

Astronomy GCSE revsion: 12 pupils and RDK came up to the Dome for a concentrated 3.5 hours of revision prior to Monday’s exam

28th May

Dome closure: Due to the work being carried out on the next door field and the potential for dust and dirt, the Observatory is closed to visits until further notice

23rd May

Private visit: 2 Friends and a couple of visitors came up to the Dome for a quick tour

22nd May

External visit: A brief tour was given to a member of the Physics Staff from Wells Cathedral school

21st May

Tutee visit: 4 U6th tutees from MM visited the Dome as the first stars appeared

14th May

Public open afternoon: Several small groups including Friends came up to the Dome. The sky, though cloudy in patches, allowed some amazing views of the Sun, first by eye and in the ETX using white light filters where no activity (spots) were evident. However, through the 10 inch using ther H-alpha filter 2 enormous prominance groups were seen at the E limb. One eruptive and straight the other like a huge sickle or ‘plume of smoke’ trailing down some 15 degrees of the Eastern limb; this was viewed at x95 and x173

7th May

Astronomy talk: 10 members of Shalborne lunch club were given an astronomy talk on the origins of the Blackett observatory

Mercury observing: The Planet Mercury was easily visible in the NW twilight near to a youind crescent Moon from 9.45pm

6th May

Solar observing: 14 pupils from Shell set 3x came up to the Dome and viewed the blank Sun through Solar viewers and then the ETX. The 10 inch was then used with the H alpha filter to see two large loop prominences on the North East limb

23rd April

Friends Solar observing: A small group of 5 Friends came up to th Dome on an unexpectedly clear sunny afternoon. The Sun was viewed in the ETX and the small pair of spots 992 from the old cycle 23 were just visible. The leading spot being more prominent. The 10 inch was used with the H alpha filter and at magnifications of x72 to x172 showed some very fine prominences on the NW limb . One very last minute piece of GCSE coursework was also completed

16th April

Observatory visit: 4 visitors from Kent (including 2 children 5 and 9yrs) came to the Dome on an excellent clear evening. The Moon was bright at 88% but major stars were identified and the Moon viewed through Binos. Saturn though close to the Moon gave an excellent image in the 10 inch with 5 moons visible at x95 and x170. The Moon’s Terminator was also viewed in the 10 inch and an excellent resolution of detail in Gassendi’s central peak obtained

11th April

Observatory visit: 8 members of Basingstoke Astronomical Society visited the Dome. Sadly the evening clouded up. The waxing Moon was seen through Binos and briefly through the 10 inch. The ETX has now been fitted with a Telrad finder which should be a considerable improvement on the Meade ‘red dot’

8th April

Engineering visit: Norman Walker fitted the second long awaited zero-backlash gear box to the RA drive and the 10 inch refurbishment is now complete

30th March

Observation: The very bright ISS was viewed on an excellent pass, followed by 2 minutes later, the ATV Jules Verne ESA module which is due to dock in April

28th March

Special Interest Weekend: CEB gave the lecture ‘Archaeoastronomy – The Dawn of Science’ to some 80 guests at Christ Church, Oxford. Other lectures were by Roger Davies, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Bob Lambourne, Chris Lintott, Katherine Blundell and Michael Rowan-Robinson. An observing session aided by 3 amateur astronomers from Abingdon Astronomical Society was held in the evening in Tom Quad, where Saturn, Mars and the Pleiades were viewed in small telescopes and guided tours of some of the brighter stars given by eye

20th March

Public Lecture: The 6th Sun-Earth day lecture ‘Space Weather around the World’ was attended by some 35 Friends and visitors in the Ellis Theatre

13th March

House visit: 9 Shell pupils from LI came up to the Dome completing the Shell House visits for the year with 4 out of 14 coinciding with clear skies. The cloud prevented any observing

10th March

Astronomical Society Lecture: Some 30 members of Abingdon Astronomical Society attended a talk ‘The World’s oldest GoTo telescope’

29th February

Sixth Form Girls visit: 10 Sixth Form girls from SU came up to the Dome accompanied by HM’s wife and daughter. The weather was filthy and so sadly none of the instruments could be used

28th February

House visit: 10 pupils from SU came up to the Dome. Just a few stars were seen though clouds and a couple saw the Pleiades (just) through the Binos

Next House visit: 13th March (LI)

26th February

GCSE Observing evening: 3 Hundred and 1 Remove Astronomers managed to complete 10 pieces of coursework in just over an hour before the sky clouded from the west. M45 in Binos, Mizar A and B in ETX and Saturn with 4 moons in the 10 inch

21st February

Lunar Eclipse: As predicted, the clouds closed in at 2.15am, having allowed tempting glimpses of the Moon 1/3 obscured by the penumbra. 1 very dedicatd Friend attended the dome but by 3.15am it was obvious that no Total Eclipse would be seen

14th February

House visit: 10 pupils from C1 Shell and 3 from PR attended the Dome. The sky was totally cloudy

Next House visit: 28th February (SU)

13th February

Observing evening: A light fog had settled in by 8.30pm which gave scattered light pollution over a large percentage of the sky. The 10 inch was however able to view Saturn clearly, though only 4 of the moons were visble and faint

 

12th February

GCSE Observing evening: 2 Remove and 1 Hundred astronomers came up to the Dome, completing 8 pieces of coursework. More moisture in the air meant for higher light levels added to by the 5 day old Moon. The ETX was used to view Mizar A and B and the Binos to view the Moon and then M45 (Pleiades). The 10 inch viewed Saturn and gave excellent views of 6 of the moons, including Rhea, though Dione was very hard being very close to the Planet itself

11th February

GCSE Observing evening: The clear weather continued though with poor seeing faint haze adding to the light scattering. 10 GCSE pupils came up to complete coursework and over 25 individual drawings were made. The Binos were used for the crescent Moon, M45 (Pleiades), M44 (Beehive). The ETX for Mizar A and B, M42 Orion nebula. The 10 inch looked first at M42 and then at Saturn, again 5 moons were clearly visible. A bright fireball ? was seen at 20.59 in East breaking up into 3 fragments

9th February

Observing evening: The best evening so far this year, with no Moon, still air and no sports lights allowed 2 Friends to get superb views through a variety of instruments. M44 (Beehive cluster) in Cancer was viewed in Binos. The ETX viewed Mizar and B and M42 the Orion nebula. The Trapezium and Mizar A and B were even better viewed in a TAL 6 inch Matsukov reflector brought up to be put through its paces. The 10 inch first viewed M42 and gave superb detail of the Trapezium, spliting 2 of the 4 main stars and nebulocity, especially through a new OIII filter. The the 10 inch turned to Saturn giving unparalled clear and still views through a new Meade wide-angle 40mm (x95) eyepiece. the Planet showed clear bands and 5 moons were easily visible, Titan, Iapetus, Dione, Tethys and Enceladus

7th February

House visit: 7 Shell PR pupils attended the Dome. The sky was totally cloudy

Next House visit: 14th February (C1)

6th February

Extra GCSE Observing evening: The sky cleared unexpectedly and 2 GCSE astronomers were able to get a couple of drawings done before the expected cloud closed in. Mizar A and B were viewed through the ETX and then Saturn and Titan through the 10 inch

5th February

French Exchange visit: 14 students from Lysee Jaques Monod and 2 teachers visited the Dome. Sadly the weather prevented any instruments being used

1st February

Secondary School visit: 8 year 13 Physics pupils from Wooten Basset School and 4 teachers were lucky enough to catch a clear and cold evening. M31 was located by eye and a faint Milky Way in Cassiopeia. M45 was viewed in Binos and Mizar A and B seperated nicely and showing colour in ETX. The 10 inch was used to view Mars at x173 and then better (in terms of surface detail) at x90. From Mars at 60 degrees altitude we slewed to Saturn at 15 degrees in the East. This was the first sighting of Saturn in 2008 and the difference to 2007 was marked. The Rings are now much more edge on and appear more as a thick band across the planet’s disc. The Cassini division was just discernable at one location around the Disc. Titan was very bright and 2 further orange Moons were seen on the other side of the Planet

31st January

House visit: 12 Shell pupils from MO came up to the Dome, sadly though stars were visible at beginning and the end (enough to identify Mars and Saturn by eye) a violent storm in the middle meant no instruments could be used

Next House visit: 7th February (PR)

30th January

Prep School lecture: The lecture ‘The Sun our Star’ was given to some 70 members of Godstowe School years 5 and 6 followed by’ Living in the atmosphere of the Sun’ to 70 members of years 7 and 8

24th January

Prep School lecture: Some 60 pupils from the Sixth Form Society at The Hall School and several members of staff attended the lecture ‘Living in the atmosphere of the Sun’

Observing evening: RDK opened the observatory on the first clear Thursday for weeks to some 16 GCSE Astronomers. Coursework drawings of M45 (Pleiades) and the waning Gibbous Moon were completed

18th January

External visit: 13 children from 2nd Marlborough Scouts and 2 adults attended the Dome for a tour and talk. The weather was mild, wet and windy, so no instruments could be used

 

17th January

House visit: 13 pupils from MM came up to the Dome in high winds and fast moving cloud. Sadly only a couple were able to glimpse the Moon through the Binos. Breaks in the cloud did give naked-eye glimpses of Mars, Sirius, Orion and Polaris

Next House visit: 31st January (MO)

16th January

Prep School visit: 19 pupils aged 11 and 12 and 2 teachers from Abingdon School attended the Dome on a rare clear break in the otherwise wet and windy weather. The First Quarter Moon was observed in the ETX and the Pleiades in the Binos. The best known asterisms were shown and then the 10inch was used to view Mars at 80x but also at 240x where clear dark green marbelling was seen against the butterscotch disc

10th January

House observatory visit: 13 members of NC Shell came up to the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy

Next House visit: 17th January (MM)

19th December

Private observing visit: A small group came up to the Dome to view M31. The waxing Gibbous Moon was first viewed in the 10 inch and then the core of M31. M31 was also located by eye, though the Moon made this difficult. The high altitude made observing with the Binos impossible

13th December

Geminid meteor shower: Some 14 Friends and College staff came up to the Dome for the predicted clear evening. Some slight high cloud cleared and for 3 hours gave good observing till cloud ended the evening at 11.30pm. Before the meteors started the Binos viewed M45 Pleiades and the ETX M42 the Orion nebula. The 10 inch tracked Mars throughout the evening. At higher magnification it was too bright without filtering. Surface details showed up best in a red filter. Tours of the winter skies were given and the Milky Way and nearby Comet Holmes were very clear. Geminids started to be recorded around 9pm and at best reached several a minute. Overall some 120 were seen over 3 hours. Many were bright at -1 or less and a couple at -4 were seen. Most were white or creamy but a good number showed shades of green

10th December

Extended project observing: The Sun was observed in the ETX with broadband filter (being too low for the 10 inch) and the large new sunspot group 978 drawn

GCSE Observing evening: A couple of Hundred astronomers and 2 Friends came up to the Dome for an extra observing seesison on the best night of the Winter so far. The exploding Comet Holmes was visble again given the clarity of the sky, obviously huge above and right of Mirfak. M45 the Pleiades were viewed in Binos and then for the first time M35 the faint open Cluster in Gemini. The ETX was used first to view M42 the Great Nebula in Orion and all 4 of the Trapezium could be picked out. The ETX was then used to view Mizar and And B binary system. The 10 inch was turned to Mars and the planet was viewed at magnifications of x90, x173 and then x238. Some good dark green detail was seen on the surface. M42 was then viewed at each magnification, though the evening did not allow more than one of the Trapezium stars to be split. To end, the 10 inch was turned to M1 the Crab supernova remnant which had not been seen for some time. Though faint its characteristic S shape could be seen. During the evening several meteors were spotted including a couple of early Geminids

6th December

House visit: 9 pupils from TU Shell came up to the Dome in high winds and driving light rain for the last House visit this term.

Next House visit: 10th January (NC)

30th November

‘School visit’: 14 children from 2nd Marlborough Scouts and 3 leaders came up to the Dome in driving rain and wind for a talk and tour of the Dome.

29th November

House visit: 9 pupils from C2 came up to the Dome on a rare clear evening. Comet Holmes, though dim was viewed in Binos and looked like a fuzzy grey golf ball at over 2 times the diameter of the Sun. It was visble by eye with averted vision. The 10 inch was used to view Mars at low magnifiaction and though low in the sky, some detail (Syrtis Major) could be seen dark green on the bright orange disc. 3 brightmeteors were also seen

Next House visit: 6th December (TU)

GCSE Observing evening: Sadly by 8.45pm the clouds had closed in,some 12 pupils came up to the Dome but appart from glimpses of Mars, little could be done

27th November

Blackett Science Lecture: The 2007 lecture ‘ A Universe of galaxies’ was given by Professor Roger Davies, Chair of Physics at Oxford University and Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics. An audience of some 140 attended with large numbers of pupils studying Astronomy and Physics and also many Friends of the telescope

22nd November

House visit: 10 pupils from B1 Shell visited the Dome. Sadly the sky was cloudy though a very large 30 degree wide Lunar Halo was visible at the start of the evening

 

Next House visit: November 29th (C2)

16th November

Public open evening: Despite total cloud and then light rain, the Dome was filled to capacity in 3 one hour sessions. Some 55 visitors attended talks and tours. Places booked up fast at the Town Libary and some 35 people had to be turned away before the event.

15th November

Outreach lecture: Some 30 people attended a meeting of the Farmers’ club in Oare Village Hall for a lecture on ‘Observing the Wiltshire night sky’

12th November

Extended Project AS observing: A sunny afternoon allowd a lower sixth pupil to make H-alpha observations using the 10 inch. Some high cloud and the low altitude of the Sun made resolution less than perfect, but a good hedge prominence was seen beginning to lift off the North Western limb. Though disturbed in places, as expected there were no Sunspots on the visible disc

11th November

Extended Project AS observing: At last a cold clear night allowed a lower sixth pupil to view the eclipsing Binary star Algol (beta Persei) by eye and in the 10 inch and magnitude estimates made at a point 3 hours before minimum

8th November

House visit: 10 CO Shell pupils were able to observe comet Holmes in binos, by eye and in the 10 inch

Next House visit: 22nd November (B1)

GCSE observing evening: 8 pupils from Remove and Hundred were able to complete coursework drawings of comet Holmesby eye, in Binos, ETX and in the 10 inch. A couple of late Taurids were seen including a fireball which must have been incredibly bright as it was seen behind the ever encroaching cloud

7th November

Friends Q and A evening: 14 Friends attended the evening with the theme ‘Life elsewhere’ considering the possibilities for life in the Solar System and SETI. Some gaps in the cloud allowed early arrivals to see the comet in the Binos

6th November

GCSE Observing evening: A clear patch for one hour allowed 3Hundreds and 1 Remove GCSE pupils to do coursework drawings of comet Holmes by eye, in the Binos, ETX and in the 10inch

3rd November

Taurid meteor shower: For about an hour the clouds held off. Long enough for a couple of visitors to observe the ever expanding comet Holmes and to catch 2 Taurids

2nd November

Comet Holmes observing: 16 Remove astronomy pupils observed 17/P Holmes by eye from the Water Meadows. The Dome opened at 7.30pm and Holmes was observed in Binos and in the 10 inch. By 8pm the fog had set in and the Dome closed

1st November

House visit: 14 Shell pupils from EL came up to the Dome as the clear sky was fogging over. Luckily they were able to view Comet 17/P Holmes in the Binos and then in the 10 inch, the coma again showed some internal structure

Next House visit: 8th November (CO)

31st October

Comet watch: A couple of members of staff joined CEB at the Dome to observe 17P/Holmes for the first time in the 10 inch. As expected it was spectacular showing a spherical outer coma of some 15 degrees and plenty of internal structure. A tiny bright point off centre and an inner brighter coma. The overall magnitude was estimated at 2.7

30th October

External Lecture: Some 45 scholars from Windlesham School in Sussex attended a Question and Answer evening ‘To infinity and Beyond’

30th October

Observing evening (Sussex): The new exploding comet 17/P Holmes was easily identified by eye and drawn in the apparent triangle in Perseus. In Binos the disc was symmetrical and showed a slight golden colour

27th October

Observing evening: Another attempt to view Comet LONEOS proved unsuccessful due to low cloud in the West

24th October

Observatory visit: A private visit was unfortunatley hampered by cloud

20th October

Orionids evening: After an abortive attempt to see comet 2007 F1 LONEOS before it set, due to cloud, 8 Friends gathered till late to watch out for Orionids. The Moon was rather bright until midnight and the moisture in the air led to scattered light. Altogether 7 Orionids were seen and an equal number of sporadics. Meanwhile the Moon was viewed in the ETX. M45 was seen and drawn in Binos, then Mars was seen in both Binos and ETX. The 10 inch was used to look first at M57 (Ring nebula) and then for the first time this year at Mars rising bright in the East. At 173x magnification some dark markings were already clear

11th October

House visit: 11 pupils from BH Shell came up to the Dome. It was too cloudy to observe

Next House Shell visit: 1st November (EL)

9th October

GCSE Observing evening: Having started clear, high cloud meant the evening was called off early. However, 3 Remove astronomres who had come were rewarded as the sky cleared. M31 was viewed by eye and then M13, Mizar A and B were viewed in the ETX. M45 (Pleiades) rising in the East in the Binos. The 10 inch was used to view first M13 (Globular in Hercules) then M57 (Ring nebula) in Lyra and lastly, for the first time M56 (Globular in Lyra). A couple of sporadic meteors were also seen

4th October

Shell House visit: The first Shell visit of the year got underway with 11 pupils from C3 picking a clear night (some high cloud gathering later). M31 was viewed in the Binos and by eye and then M13 in the 10 inch. Tours of the common asterisms were also given

Next house visit: 11th October (BH)

GCSE Observing evening: 4 Hundreds and 6 Remove astronomers joined CEB and RDK to view M31 and M45 in Binos, Mizar A and B in the ETX and M13 in the 10 inch. Several pieces of coursework were completed. 6 sporadic meteors were seen and many satellites

3rd October

Friends Q and A evening: 6 Friends gathered for an evening centered on a discussion of galactic evolution. The sky was clear enough at the end to view M31 (Andromeda) by eye and in Binos, also M13 the Globular in Hercules. The 10 inch gave a good view of the central bulge of M31 with the orientation of the disc but little structure being visible

29th September

Private evening: 11 visitors, 4 adults and 7 children (6 to 13 yrs) attended the Dome. Despite early gaps in the clouds, only a few got to see Mizar A and B through the 10 inch as clouds closed in

28th September

Friends 3rd Anniversary drinks: Some 60 Friends attended the drinks party in the Marlburian to celebrate 3 years of the organisation. We were honoured to be joined by the Director (Honorary Friend) of the Southern Africa Large Telescope (SALT), currently the largest operational optical telescope in the world

23rd September

Prep School Lecture: CEB lectured to some 140 pupils from years 6,7 and 8 at Windlesham House School on ‘Living in the atmosphere of the Sun’

20th September

Observing evening: The ETX was set up to view the First Quarter Moon and the Binos viewed Jupiter and 3 Moons. The 10 inch was calibrated and briefly turned to Uranus, however cloud quickly came in and rendered further observation impossible

11th September

Lecture: CEB lectured to the entire Shell year group (some 165 pupils) and their Form teachers as part of the new Form programme. The lecture was on ‘Archaeoastronomy – our 7000 year heritage’

GCSE Observing evening: 5 Hundreds and 4 Remove pupils came up to the Dome and despite a light sky saw Jupiter and 4 moons in Binos and ETX and then Neptune and Uranus in the 10 inch. M2 the globular cluster in Aquarius was also seen well. We attempted M30 the globular in Capricorn but it was at too low an altitude

10th September

Lecture: CEB gave a short lecture on Sir Edmond Halley to the whole Upper 6th year group as part of thre Enlightenment seminar

Observing evening: 10 Friends gathered to observe the outer planets on the first clear night of the new programme. As the sky darkened, Jupiter was seen in Binos and then the ETX with 4 moons initially before Europa disappeared behind the main planet. The 10 inch was then calibrated on Markab in Pegasus after the Summer break and then found Neptune easily. The planet was bright and showed a hint of blue with the disc being just resolved. Uranus was the next target with a much easier disc and good green-blue hint at low magnification. M31 and M13 were also viewed in Binos and several bright meteors seen

31st August

Teacher visit: After the Summer closure, the Dome opened with an afternoon visit by 6 Physics staff from Wellington College, hosted by 4 Marlborough College staff

12th August

Perseid observing evening: A small group gathered at 9.30pm to view Jupiter and its moons in the ETX (Io moving perceptively into occultation) and the ISS making another super pass with the T-shape and noticeable elongation in the direction of motion being vible to the naked eye. The 10 inch was again following M13 and gave superb resolution as the sky darkened. A band of cloud prevented any meteors being seen till 22.40. Over the next 2 hours 106 meteors were seen (including 12 sporadics). Most around 0 to +1 in magnitude but with an increasing number of -1 and -2 some greeny or creamy in colour. At 23.44 2 meteors travelled an identical track one chasing the other. At 23.48 a -4 with exploding head and 23.53 2 on parallel tracks. Observation ceased at 00.40 with our rate of 60 per hour indicating a ZHR of nearer 80 and an expectation of around 100 per hour in the early morning.

11th August

Observing evening: A group of 19 visitors gathered to spot early Perseids. 11 were seen in one hour, several very bright and many showing a green colour. The ISS (with Endeavour attached) was viewed in the Binos and Jupiter and its moons in the ETX. The 10 inch was used for a spectacular view of the Great Globular Cluster (M13) in Hercules

3rd August

Summer School course: The clouds cleared just enough during the afternoon for brief glimpses of the eastern limb, where spot 966 was emerging and causing slight activity in the Chromosphere

2nd August

Archaeoastronomy: The course had a tour of Avebury in light rain

Solar Weather: The course attended the Dome but the weather did not allow observation, rather a discussion of the possible causes of Global Warming

Summer School Lecture: 100 visitors attended the lecture ‘Life and the Multiverse’ given by Dr Roberto Trotta from Oxford University

1st August

Lughnasadh: 15 of the Archaeoastronomy course walked from Avebury to Silbury Hill to watch the start of the ceremony

Solar viewing: Too much cloud was present to allow use of the H alpha filter

Evening visit: 15 visitors came up to the Dome as the sky cleared. Several early Perseid meteors were seen and a tour of the Sunmer Sky given. Jupiter and its 4 main moons were viewed in Binos and the ETX. M31 was also ssen in the Binos. The sky was too cloudy for the 10 inch

31st July

Summer School course: 8 members of the Solar Weather course viewed the Sun in H alpha (given the lack of sunspots) and were treated to a rapidly changing erruptive prominence of some 80000km height and also some smaller quiescent prominences, one lifting off the surface. The changes seen over the short timescale indicate explosive speeds of up to 1000km/s

Evening visit: 8 visitors came up to the Dome after sunset to view the Summer Triangle, Antares and the rising 1 day waning Moon. Jupiter was viewed in Binos and the ETX and the 10 inch showing up to 4 cloud bands and a closing gap as Europa prepared to transit. The Milky Way was just visible and M31’s core was viewed in Binos and the ETX

30th July

Summer School courses: 15 members of course 170, Archaeoastronomy, had a tour of the Dome in the morning and the 8 members of 171, Solar Weather, spent a couple of hours viewing the Sun in eclipse shades, projection box , ETX and the 10 inch with broadband filter trying to see the tiny groups of spots on an otherwise blank disc. 4 people managed to see spot 966!

Evening visits: 20 visitors attened the Dome to watch the stars appear follwong sunset. The Full (Thunder) Moon was seen large and orange on the horizon and then viewed in the Binos. Jupiter and its 4 Galillean Moons was seen well in the ETX and then at x80 and x160 in the 10 inch. The low altitude and moonlight meant that only a couple of bands were visible on the disc. The coure of M31 (Andromeda) galaxy was viewed in the Binos. In addition a tour of the Summer triangle, Antares, Arcturus and the Summer sky was made

12th June

Dome visit: A lecturer in Cognitive Science from Birmingham University had a brief tour of the Dome

11th June

GCSE revision: 15 GCSE pupils attended the Dome for 6 hours of revision prior to the exam on 12th

8th June

GCSE revision and Solar observing: 12 GCSE pupils gathered at the Dome for 4 hours of revision. The Sun was also viewed in the ETX showing the still large spot group 960

5th June

Solar observing: The ETX was used with 40mm and 12mm (Halpha sensitized) eyepieces to view the active and growing large group of spots near sunspot 960

Observing evening: A dozen Friends gathered to attempt a sighting of Mercury. Sadly the haze and cloud on the North Western horizon prevented this, but Venus was viewed in the ETX and 10 inch, clearly showing its near 50% phase. As the sky darkened, more cloud closed in from the East but the ISS pass was visible in small clear patches. The 10 inch was then aimed at 4 Vesta (the brightest asteroid and second most massive, discovered in 1807 by Olbers) and luckily the cloud parted enough for those remaining to see clearly the disc of the asteroid at its close distance of 1.1 AU

1st June

Solar observing: 2 visitors from London were able to view the nealy blank Sun in the ETX and then using the 10 inch and H alpha filter the prominences associated with a newly emerging active area on the eastern limb

17th May

Observing evening: The slender New Moon was found at 9.15pm and about half an hour later Mercury appeared within a few degrees to the South

16th May

Public Open afternoon: The weather was not conducive to viewing the Sun. Nevertheless a handfull of local people attended the Dome for a presentation of recent images and data on the Sun

4th May

Solar observing: 2 students from Imperial College in London visited the Dome to view sunspot 953 in ETX and at 80x and 160x in the 10 inch, The penumbral filament detail was superb as were the complex patterns of the umbra within the main spot

3rd May

Prep School lecture: 80 pupils from years 7 and 8 and a number of staff and parents attended the lecture ‘The Sun – our star’ at Thomas’s prep School in Battersea

2nd May

Public Lecture: Some 30 visitors attended the lecture ‘Living in the atmosphere of the Sun’ given at Green College, Oxford

 

30 April

Solar observing: 2 members of the College science staff from the early 80’s who had taken groups at the observatory and a friend attended the Dome. Though the sky was beginning to cloud, the Sun was viewed in the projection box with the huge spot clearly visible. Good detail was seen in the ETX and, in the 10 inch it was clear that the umbra had split and the large penumbra encompassed the group showed clear penumbral filaments at x160

29th April

Solar observing: 2 prep school pupils came to view the new large spot 953 in the 10 inch. At 80x the detailed shape of the single umbra was very good

26th April

Question and Answer evening: 14 Friends attended the Dome for an evening of discussion focussing on stellar evolution. The waxing Moon was also viewed in the 10 inch in the twighlight before the cloud closed in and good detail was visble on the walls of Copernicus

19th April

Archaeoastronomy Lecture: Some 20 members of Andover astronomical Society attended the lecture at their Village Hall just outside Andover on a clear night with the crescent Moon beutifully situated a few degrees from bright Venus

27th March to 3rd April

La Palma Expedition: 3 Hundreds pupils accompanied by CEB, JAG and RDK from Marlborough and a teacher from St Mary’s Calne spent a week on La Palma. The group joined researchers from the Netherlands and Warwick Universiry on the 4.2m William Herschel and the 2.5m Isaac Newton telescopes for 20 hours of observing, working on close Binary systems and progenitors of Type 1a supernovae

21st March

Spring Sky Tour: A small group of Friends gathered on the evening of the Vernal Equinox to view a beutiful twighlight sight of the 3 day old Moon showing clear Earthshine and a very bright Venus within 5 degrees. M45 the Pleiades was viewed in Binos and M44 Beehive and h and chi Perseii. The ETX was used to see the nearly Full phase of Venus. The 10 inch showed Saturn very well at low magnification with Titan and Iapetus close together and Rhea, Tethys and Dione visible near to the Planet. M44 was also viewed and then the Binary Mizar A and B. A couple of bright meteors were see, including a fireball in Virgo at the end of the evening.

18th March

2007 Sun-Earth day Lecture: Some 30 Friends and visitors attended the 5th S-E day lecture ‘Living in the atmosphere of the Sun’ in the Ellis theatre

14th March

Lycee visit: 6 sixth form pupils from Lycee Jaques Monod, Orleans, came up to the Dome in the afternoon. The Sun was viewed in Solar specs, a projection box and the ETX with broadband filter. No details were seen, the disc being devoid of sunspots. The 10 inch was then used with the H alpha filter and some fine prominences were seen on the Eastern limb

13th March

Observing evening: Though initially clear allowing some viewing of Coma Berenices galaxy clusters, mist swiftly built up curtailing observations

8th March

House observatory visit: The last Shell House group (C3) of the year came up to the Dome, unfortunately the sky was completely cloudy

Next House visit: October 2007

7th March

Shell Physics visits: 20 pupils from Shell set 3 came up to the Dome to view the Sun, through solar specs, projection box and filtered 10inch as part of the Ast b course. The Sun was devoid of any spots but did show some granulation to keen eyes

3rd March

Total Lunar Eclipse: Some 30 visitors including 3 Remove astronomers watched this spectacularly well situated eclipse. A perfect evening saw timing of the penumbral and umbral phases and a subtle gradiation of constanly changing colour to butterscotch orange at mid eclipse with a blue grey band at the top lunar edge. Certainly one of the best of its kind for a long while.

1st March

Observing evening: An unexpected clear evening gave 7 Remove GCSE Astronomers and 2 U6th visitors a chance to get going with coursework. Saturn and 4 moons was good in the 10 inch, though only 2 degrees from the nearly Full Moon. The closing gap between the two was apparent over the evening as Saturn neared Occultation. M42 was drawn in the ETX and M45 in Binos

Occultation of Saturn: From here the grazing conjunction was watched in detail and rather than ‘rolling’ along the edge of the Moon, Saturn appeared to ‘bounce’ off the edge !. Contact with the outer edge of the rings was made at 02.47.40 UT. The Cassini Division was touched at 02.49.47 UT at closest approach. At no time did the Planet’s disc itself touch the edge of the Moon. Appreciable separation was seen at 02.50.20 UT and the outer ring edge had again detatched by 02.51.30 UT.

22nd February

House observing evening: 9 pupils from BH and 1 from B1 came up to the Dome. Sadly, though Saturn had been clear in the early evening, only the 6 day old Moon could be viewed between the clouds in the Binos

Next House visit: 8th March (C3)

15th February

Observing evening: 2 visitors from London braved the clouds and were rewarded with glimpses of Orion’s ‘belt’ (Alnitak, Almilam and Mintaka)and M45 (Pleiades) in Binos and then Saturn and Titan in the 10 inch. Castor was also resolved into one of its binary components in the 10 inch.

14th February

Observing evening: Despite a fine sunset and bright Venus, by 20.30 UT high cloud and poor seeing rendered Saturn and its moons in too romantic a haze for serious observing

8th February

House observing evening: 10 Shell pupils and the HM from B1 attended the Dome and through gaps in the cloud viewed M45 Pleiades and M42 Orion Nebula through Binos and Saturn at low magnification in the 10 inch. Even so Titan and 3 inner moons were easily visible

Next House visit: Thursday 22nd February (BH)

Observing session: 1 Remove astronomer was able to complete a piece of course work by observing Saturn and 6 moons in tiny patches between the clouds

6th February

GCSE observing evening: High cloud and mist combined with the Astro lights made for a less than perfect sky, however as the temperature dropped a group of 10 Hundreds astronomers managed to complete 1 or 2 observations. Saturn in the 10 inch at x173 showed 6 moons to good eyes including Iapetus out beyond Titan. M42 was viewed in the ETX and M45 in Binos. Mizar A and B were also a target in the ETX. The evening finished with the bright orange waning gibbous Moon rising in the East

3rd February

Observing evening: The Dome was opened for a couple of Friends and despite the considerable moonlight, the evening was superb. M31 and M44 were viewed in the Binos and the Moon in the ETX. The 10 inch was then turned to Saturn which was viewed at increasing magnification until several surface bands and 5 moons were visible at x475 magnification. M42 was viewed at x238 and then x475 and showed the Trapezium and surrounding clouds in incredible detail with several more faint stars in the Trapezium itself. The Eskimo planetary nebula in Gemini was then viewed at x475 and x633 and showed superb detail of the two layers within the bubble of the explosion.

1st February

House observing evening: 13 Shell pupils from EL attended the Dome and sadly cloud prevented all but brief glimpses of the nearly full Snow Moon in Binos

Next House visit: 8th February (B1)

27th January

Art project visit: A former artist-in-residence at the College visited to film projections of the Gibbous Moon. Though clear at first the cloud rolled in a though the Moon was visible the light levels were greatly reduced

25th January

House observatory visit: 11 Shell from NC and 3 from MO were able to catch another clear evening, though with increasing high cloud. The First Quarter Moon was viewed in the ETX, M45 (Pleiades) in Binos and M42 and the Trapezium in the 10 inch

Next House visit: February 1st (EL)

GCSE Observing evening: 4 Remove pupils spent 2 hours doing coursework drawings. M42 and Trapezium, was well resolved in the ETX and Saturn super at higer magnification in the 10 inch. 5 Moons were visible. The high cloud gave both a lunar aureole and lunar halo and the evening finished with a -4 fireball meteor through Orion

23rd January

GCSE observing evening: A superb clear, still, cold evening allowed 6 Hundreds pupils to continue coursework. The 4 day old Moon then M45 and M44 (Beehive) were viewed in Binos. Mizar A and B and M42 in ETX and Saturn in the 10 inch. Saturn was superb and 5 moons visible. Titan bright and far out and Rhea on the opposite side. The best view of the evening was a beutiful triangle of 3 of the Moons on the Titan side with Tethys and Dione close together and Enceladus (the hardest at mag. 11.5) almost lost in the planets glare

18th January

House observing evening: 11 Shell pupils from C1 came up to the Dome in very high winds. No chance of observing

Next House visit: 25th January (NC)

16th January

GCSE observing evening: 4 Hundreds pupils came up to the Dome but the cloud had closed in by the time they had arrived. M42 was viewed well in the 10 inch for 15 minutes in a brief clear patch earlier in the evening.

11th January

Shell Chapel Lecture: CEB gave a short talk ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ outlining some of the possible astronomical evidence for a real event

House observing evening: 9 Shell pupils from CO visited the Dome and though the sky was orange with light pollution due to high cloud, it was possible to have an asterism tour and for all to see the Pleiades through the Binos

Next House visit: January 18th (C1)

10th January

Comet observation: After so much cloudy weather, at last a clear sunset provided the opportunity for 4 of the Physics Department to observe the critical 30 minutes of twighlight when comet 2006 P1 McNaught was beutifully bright and clear just above the southwestern horizon, before setting at 5.30pm, its tail several degrees long. Picture in images to follow.

27th December

Tour of the Winter Sky: Following in a long line of cloudy nights, the sky was totally overcast and it was lightly raining. Nevertheless one Friend did turn up to discuss Summer School courses on offer next July

7th December

House observing evening: The last Shell House visit of the term took place in high winds and almost total cloud, though the Moon was hazily visible. 11 pupils from TU attended

Next House visit: January 11th 2007 (CO)