{"id":32717,"date":"2022-06-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=32717"},"modified":"2022-07-12T14:56:24","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T14:56:24","slug":"interactive-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/2022\/06\/16\/interactive-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Interactive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Emails \u2013 Letters \u2013 Tweets \u2013 Facebook \u2013 Instagram \u2013 Kit questions<\/p>\n\n

Email us at inbox@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
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MESSAGE OF THE MONTH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 99 leaves Neil wanting Moore<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"This
The \u201899\u2019 shape is known as The Eyes of Clavius, and is caused by sunlight hitting smaller crater rims<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On 10 May I took out my Dobsonian reflector telescope and pointed it at the first quarter Moon. I don\u2019t use my telescope as much as I would like to but I was really interested in what I saw that night \u2013 what appeared to be the number \u201899\u2019 within a crater on the Moon. I attached my mobile phone adaptor and took these photographs, then I remembered that Sky <\/em>at <\/em>Night <\/em>Magazine <\/em>had recently published a reprint of Sir Patrick Moore\u2019s excellent Moon Map (issue 200, January 2022). I looked it out and compared my photos to it, and was able to distinguish that it was crater Clavius in the lunar southern region that I was looking at. This has fired my interest to take my telescope out more and to try taking more pictures of the night sky. I\u2019m especially keen now to try some astrophotography after reading the article in May\u2019s magazine on \u2018Learning About Layers\u2019. Looking forward to it, and thank you for publishing a great magazine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neil Bailie, via email <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a fascinating account Neil; it\u2019s great to hear that you put the poster that came with our 200th issue to such good use! The \u201899\u2019 you imaged in crater Clavius is what\u2019s known as a lunar \u2018clair obscur\u2019 effect called the \u2018Eyes of Clavius\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Ed. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

This month\u2019s top prize: two Philip\u2019s titles<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The \u2018Message of the Month\u2019 writer will receive a bundle of two top titles courtesy of astronomy publisher Philip\u2019s: Nigel Henbest\u2019s Stargazing 2022 <\/em>and Robin Scagell\u2019s Guide to the Northern Constellations<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Winner\u2019s details will be passed on to Octopus Publishing to fulfil the prize<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Phone success <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Mighty Orion hangs in the sky over Campsie Fells, Scotland <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

I was just reading Pete Lawrence\u2019s extremely interesting and helpful online article about taking photos of the night sky, sunsets, etc using your phone\u2019s camera (see https:\/\/bit.ly\/SANsmartphone<\/a>). <\/strong>I also enjoy Pete\u2019s section on the show. Astro imaging is an area I\u2019ve been looking to improve, and I will be trying out his ideas and suggestions. In the meantime, as per the suggestion at the end of the article, I\u2019d like to share this photo I took earlier this year which turned out quite well due to my phone camera\u2019s night mode – no manual adjustment necessary. My phone is Huawei P30 Pro. I took these pics at the Campsie Fells, north of Glasgow. The reflection is my car roof, and the glow on the horizon is from the city lights.<\/p>\n\n

Brian McMullan, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Clear skies <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Have you seen the same wobbly trails as Simon McRoyall? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Thank you to Ron Brecher for his excellent article on observing productivity in March\u2019s Sky <\/em>at <\/em>Night <\/em>Magazine <\/em>(\u2018Boost Your Observing and Imaging Productivity\u2019, March 2022 issue). I have to ask though, which planet is he on to have clear nights 60 per cent of the time?!<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Alastair McDougall, Wigan <\/p>\n\n

Wobbly trails <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I was interested to read the message from Robert Bowers in the May issue (\u2018Interactive\u2019, Trail finder, May 2022 issue) about a wobbly trail he captured on 26 February 2022.<\/span> I observed a similar wobbly trail passing M81 and M82 on the following night and managed to capture this photo of it. I too am extremely curious as to what it might have been.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Simon McRoyall, via email<\/p>\n\n

Varying orbit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I enjoyed Colin Stuart\u2019s article in the previous issue (\u2018Seeing the Solar System\u2019s Future\u2019, June 2022 issue).<\/span> However, in discussing Earth\u2019s distant future there is no discussion of, firstly, our planet\u2019s orbit moving outwards as the Sun\u2019s mass diminishes, so possibly escaping being engulfed; and, secondly, the unlikelihood of Earth and the other planets being in the same orbits as they are now, in five billion years time. Passing or impacting asteroids and comets, and other events, may change their orbits in the future, possibly very significantly, as happened in the distant past.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Derek Marsh, via email<\/p>\n\n

Most of the predictions about the Solar System in five billion years account for the change in orbit due to the Sun\u2019s mass loss. However exactly how the planets\u2019 orbits will change is highly uncertain, making Earth\u2019s future even more difficult to predict. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u2013 Ed.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
CORRECTIONS <\/h5>\n\n

In the June 2022 issue\u2019s \u2018Inside the Sky at Night\u2019, and the Looking Back section covering Voyager 2\u2019s encounter with Neptune, we mistakenly said the planet was barely visible to the naked eye and discovered in 1781 by William Herschel. These are the characteristics and discovery history of Uranus. Neptune is invisible to the naked eye and was discovered in 1846 by astronomers who had calculated its position by observing the effects of its gravitational pull.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Tweet <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

II+II Padawan @Zs3ml3 \u2022 May 21 <\/span><\/span>
#Boeing #Starliner on the docking process. Only 208m from the <\/span> #ISS. 14\u201d Dob with manual tracking, 3xBarlow, <\/span> @zwoasi 174MM with A.P 642 IR PASS filter. <\/span> @SkyAtNightMag #SpotTheStation @VirtualAstro <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

On Facebook <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

WE ASKED: What\u2019s your favourite astronomy song or album? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Carol Miller <\/strong>Major Tom (I\u2019m Coming Home), by Peter Schilling<\/p>\n\n

Paul <\/strong>Beach <\/strong>Fly Me To The Moon, by Frank Sinatra <\/p>\n\n

Keith <\/strong>Moseley <\/strong>Intergalactic Touring Band \u2013 a1970s concept album. <\/p>\n\n

Jimmy McPartland <\/strong>Between the Rings, by Stellardrone <\/p>\n\n

Cheryl <\/strong>Rowlands <\/strong>Urban Spaceman, by Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band <\/p>\n\n

Bryony-Mae <\/strong>Hopkinss <\/strong>Life Beyond soundtrack, by MelodySheep <\/p>\n\n

Tim <\/strong>Murphy <\/strong>Into the Void, by Black Sabbath <\/p>\n\n

Dewi <\/strong>Griffiths <\/strong>The Race for Space, by Public Service Broadcasting<\/p>\n\n

Philip <\/strong>Craig <\/strong>Exogenesis Symphony, by Muse <\/p>\n\n

Emma <\/strong>Hugo <\/strong>Starman, by David Bowie <\/p>\n\n

Jim <\/strong>Palmer <\/strong>Alone In The Universe, by Jeff Lynne\u2019s ELO<\/p>\n\n

Kris <\/strong>Derry <\/strong>Destination Moon, by Nat King Cole. <\/p>\n\n

Bob Inkster <\/strong>The Space Race Is Over, by Billy Bragg; Monochrome, by The Sundays<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Lewis <\/strong>The Intergalactic Laxative, by Donovan?! <\/p>\n\n

Alan Davidson <\/strong>Space Oddity, by David Bowie <\/p>\n\n

Derek <\/strong>Lightfoot <\/strong>\u201939, by Queen <\/p>\n\n

Steven <\/strong>Douglas <\/strong>Cygnus X-1 and Countdown, by Rush <\/p>\n\n

David <\/strong>Knight <\/strong>Master of the Universe, by Hawkwind <\/p>\n\n

Steve <\/strong>Green <\/strong>The Sky at Night theme tune! <\/p>\n\n

Instagram <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

explorer200p \u2022 23 May 2022 <\/p>\n\n

The waxing gibbous Moon from the 13th of May 2022. Some nice and steady seeing on the 13th for a nice lunar session. Copernicus crater stands out so well in this phase as well as the Aristarchus Crater, both on the western lunar landscape. Also an inverted view of this phase. It really makes the smaller details pop out. <\/span>#moon #moonphotography #moonphases #moonpics #photography #spacephotography<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

SOCIETY IN FOCUS <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Bob Mizon of the Commission for Dark Skies explains how dark skies benefit us all <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

On Sunday 24 April, as part of International Dark Sky Week 2022, the Somerset Levels Stargazers (SLS) celebrated its 10th anniversary by joining forces with the Commission for Dark Skies to present a day-long seminar entitled Dark Skies, Saving the Stars. <\/p>\n\n

The event was held in Othery Village hall on the Somerset Levels, and attendees were also able to join us via Zoom. It was a free community event to raise awareness of the issue of light pollution. Speakers included Bob Mizon, the UK co-ordinator of the Commission for Dark Skies, who emphasised that all living creatures – not just humans – are affected by strong artificial light at night. <\/p>\n\n

Becky Collier of CPRE, the Countryside Charity, spoke about its yearly Star Count, and other speakers included Jo Richardson, resident astronomer and dark skies adviser for Exmoor National Park \u2013 the UK\u2019s first Dark Sky Reserve \u2013 Jim Patterson of Moffat Community Observatory in Scotland and Steve Tonkin, who gave a tour of easy-to-see deep-sky wonders.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

The Somerset Levels Stargazers was founded in 2012 by friends Paul Adamson and John Martin, and holds monthly meetings at Othery Village Hall both in person and on Zoom. It has held many public events and astronomy outreach days for local schools and children\u2019s clubs. <\/p>\n\n

Paul Adamson, Chairman, SLS > www.somersetlevelsstargazers.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

SCOPE DOCTOR<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Our equipment specialist, Steve Richards, cures your optical ailments and technical maladies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Email your queries to scopedoctor@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to circulate air through my Celestron C11<\/strong><\/em>Edge, which has two vents, to help it reach equilibrium. Is there a DIY option?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JASPAL CHADHA <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Adding motor drives to an EQ5 mount still allows manual control <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Celestron C11 Edge is a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) which has a closed optical tube, so it can take a very long time to reach temperature equilibrium with the outside air. Failure to reach equilibrium results in air currents in the tube, which produce a poor quality view. <\/span>Anything that you can do to accelerate the cooling down process is welcome and pumping air into the tube can be very effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is quite easy to build a device to do this using an 80mm 12V DC fan, a fine fan filter, a plastic funnel, a length of 22mm overflow water pipe, a 22mm end cap and some duct tape. You should arrange for the telescope to point downwards and for the fan to blow air into the telescope via the visual back port, making sure that the pipe isn\u2019t long enough to touch the secondary mirror.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commercial solutions are also available, such as the Starizona Cool Edge or the Asterion Cooler Cat for SCT and Maksutov Telescopes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Steve\u2019s top tip <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Can I use my glasses when observing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suffer from astigmatism, wearing glasses while observing can generally be beneficial. Using high magnifications, however, which results in a small diameter exit pupil (aperture divided by magnification), might allow you to observe well without your glasses. There is no advantage to wearing glasses if you are simply long- or short-sighted, as adjusting the telescope\u2019s focus will correct for this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because wearing glasses increases the distance you can place your eye to the eyepiece you may not be able to observe the full field of view with some oculars, so it would make sense to buy long eye-relief eyepieces to alleviate this problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Richards is a keen astro imager and an astronomy equipment expert <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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