Posts Tagged ‘Danny Thomas’

Satellite crossings and occultations

The CalSky website provides information that helps astronomers plan observing sessions by providing ephemeris data for the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, satellites and deep sky objects. Like Heavens Above registering allows you to see data specific to your location and time zone. Both provide a fantastic...
July 25th, 2010 | Danny Thomas, Featured Articles, Observing | Read More

FAS at Fleet Carnival

The Carnival took place at The Views in Fleet town centre on Saturday 10th july and Sunday 11th july. Saturday 10th July Farnham Astronomical Society was well represented at Fleet carnival on this blisteringly hot Saturday afternoon. We had several scopes on show and plenty of members images on our...
July 10th, 2010 | Events, Featured Articles, Past events | Read More

Twilight observing and a mid-Summer fireball

Many amateur Astronomers welcome the summer solstice because afterwards the days get shorter and darkness comes earlier. Let me clarify that for the purpose of this post, amateur Astronomer means those of us who don’t get paid to stay up all night observing and have to go to work in the day!   In...
June 28th, 2010 | Danny Thomas, Featured Articles, Observing | Read More

First light for our PST

The Society’s Coronado Personal Solar Telescope arrived from Scopes’n'Skies on Friday.  Scopes’n'Skies were kind enough to donate some accessories to support our outreach events and help the Society get the most from our new solar scope. The instructions were straightforward...
June 13th, 2010 | Danny Thomas, Featured Articles, Observing | Read More

National Astronomy Day at the Alexander Telescope

Members of Farnham Astronomical Society marked National Astronomy Day (on 24 April 2010) at Aldershot Observatory with the Patrick Alexander telescope.Society member Eric Grieve opened up the dome to the afternoon sunshine and talked through the operation of the telescope with members and their...
April 25th, 2010 | Danny Thomas, Eric Grieve, Featured Articles, Kevin Pretorius, Observing, Past events | Read More

Volcanic Eruption in Iceland

The news today forecast a spectacular sunset from the UK due to the cloud of volcanic ash passing over the UK following the eruption in Iceland. The sunset from Lightwater country park was not that spectacular, but the view from Curley Hill did yield a surprise view of Venus and the New Moon emerging...
April 15th, 2010 | Danny Thomas, Observing | Read More

Local news on light pollution

Interesting news on the BBC website regarding the installation of new lighting in Surrey. It’s good news for Astronomers in that the new lights are directional and will be dimmed. Bad news is that the illumination cannot be blocked by filters. But it’s good to see a council balancing the...
March 3rd, 2010 | Observing | Read More

Flights to sunny spots

Astronomers face a number of factors that can influence our view or image of the stars and planets even in a “clear” sky. Some of them are natural effects, like clouds or the light from a bright Moon. Moisture in the atmosphere can also play a big part and is the reason why the stars “twinkle”...
December 28th, 2009 | Observing | Read More

Blue Moon in December 2009 by Danny Thomas

Most years have twelve full moons, which occur once in each month, but the cycle doesn’t take a complete year and there is about eleven days left over.   The extra days accumulate, so that every two or three years there is a thirteenth extra full moon which is known as a “blue moon.” As...
December 1st, 2009 | Resources, Sky Diary | Read More

Widefield Image of Aquarius by Danny Thomas

 Widefield Image of Aquarius – click to enlarge  Image taken at an observing evening FAS put on for Beaver Scouts at Garners Field Scout Camp Site, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, 24 October at 21:34.  Unguided 20 second exposure at ISO1600 using 18mm lens on a Canon EOS350 digital SLR. ...
November 5th, 2009 | Danny Thomas | Read More