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Announcements & Features
1) AstroBash 43
Tis' the season for AstroBash 43! This year, participants of AstroBash will be heading to Port Dickson, Malaysia for a slew of activities ranging from stargazing to kite-flying! Heavenly sights like Geminids meteor shower and Orion Nebula await! AstroBash 43 is sure to be a fun yet relaxing trip so wait no more!
Date: 10 - 13 December 2018
Venue: Port Dickson, Malaysia
Register and/or find out more information at NUSAS' official website here. Do note that registration ends on 22 November 2018.
2) TASOS talk: Preparing for an Aurora trip
Want to learn how to photograph Auroras? Then be sure to join this talk by Mr Soh Kim Mun, secretary of TASOS to learn more about the tips and tricks in capturing pictures of the mesmerising Auroras!
Date: 16 October 2018, Friday
Time: 8pm - 9pm
Venue: Science Centre, Observatory
Find out more information here.
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Major Astronomical Events
1) Leonids Meteor Showers
The Leonids meteor showers would peak on the 18th of November, producing around 20 meteors per hour when viewed from a dark place. Leonids would emerge from the constellation Leo and would be best viewed around midnight. The meteor can be seen from any where with the naked eye however, the Leonids are unable to be observed from Singapore this year as the radiant point would be 21° below the north-eastern horizon at midnight. The almost full moon would also prove to be significant disturbance to meteor gazing.
2) Mercury at greatest western elongation
Fig 1: Mercury in the sky on the 7th of November in constellation Scorpius
Keep an eye out for Mercury in the evenings of November 7th , where the planet is at its greatest elongation furthest apart from the sun at its most visible. Mercury will rise at 08:19 and would be visible all the way before the it sinks below the horizon at 20:20. It would be a bit of a challenge to view Mercury this year as its ascension visible wouldn’t be higher than 15° above the south-western horizon. The naked eye would be enough for Mercury viewing.
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Overseas Stargazing Trips
1) 3D2N Mersing, Johor (7- 9 Dec)
Renowned local astrophotographer Remus leads monthly trips to Mersing for a 3D2N experience with dark skies and a chance to learn to take gorgeous astrophotographs. Join in for a relaxing yet educational getaway!
Fee: ~$210/pax for twin/triple-sharing (single-sharing is available upon request, additional charges apply)
Includes: Transport, accommodation, meals
For more details and registration, visit Remus' Expeditions Page.
2) Cosmocraft 2D2N Tanjong Leman, Malaysia (7- 9 Dec)
Looking for a weekend retreat from your busy schedule? Come join Cosmocraft's weekend Astronomy trip to Tanjong Leman for a short yet fulfilling getaway!
For more details and registration, visit Cosmocraft's official website here.
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Talks and Events
Regular Public Observatory Sessions
1) Galaxy Astronomy Club Observatory Sessions
The observatory known to northern SG residents, Galaxy hosts weekly Friday and Saturday observatory sessions.
Fee: $1 per entry per person / yearly membership ($10 - Passion card; $12 - non Passion card)
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm every Friday and Saturday
Venue: Woodlands Galaxy Community Club, near Admiralty MRT station.
7:30 - 8:15pm: Urban Astronomy Series (Basic Astronomy Class)* (Milkyway Room at Lvl 5)
8:30 - 9:00pm: Tonight Sky Updates - venue: Milkyway Room at Level 5
7:30 - 9:30pm: Observatory will be open (subject to weather)
2) Science Centre Observatory Sessions
Opened since 2006 to the public, it is the most well known public observatory in Singapore, located in the west of SG. Every Friday night the observatory will be opened to the public, unless it is heavily raining or if there is a risk of lightning involved.
Fee: Free
Time: 7.45pm-10pm
Venue: Singapore Science Centre, near Jurong East MRT station.
3) Live Planetarium Shows
The Live Show is a live presentation conducted by a Science Educator. Amazing visuals are projected on the dome screen using a computer and specialised software.Choose from a selection of four equally intriguing and educational shows - "Exploring The Planets", "Cosmic Surfing", "What’s Up There?" and "Back To The Moon For Good".
Time: Varying time slots
Venue: Science Centre Omni Theatre
Website: http://www.omnitheatre.com.sg/Singapore-IMAX-Movie.html
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What's up in the Sky?
Above the North this month, are the constellations of Pegasus, the winged horse, and Andromeda, daughter of Cassiopeia. Although both constellations are not especially bright, it can still be easily found through the quadrilateral asterism, the ‘Square’ of Pegasus, which is formed by four relatively bright stars, Markab (Alpha Pegasi), Scheat (Beta Pegasi), Algenib (Gamma Pegasi) and Alpheratz (Alpha Andromedae).
Moreover, the large ‘Square’ of Pegasus also provides a few opportunities to view deep sky objects. One is able to find M15, one of the densest globular clusters by extending a line through Markab from Algenib, and thereafter M2, one of the oldest and a highly elliptical and compact globular cluster by extending a line from Markab through Biham. Afterwards, one can find NGC 752 (Caldwell 28), one of the finest open clusters with over 70 stars spread over 1.25 degrees of apparent sky.
On the other hand, while being a small constellation, Andromeda is well-positioned, being right next to both of our galaxy’s large neighbours, Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the brightest spiral galaxy in the sky, and Triangulum Galaxy (M33) a bright spiral galaxy in its own right. One can find these galaxies by extending both ends of the line connecting Mirach and μ Andromedae, with Andromeda Galaxy being the one further west and closer to the horizon than its counterpart. Lastly, the end of the constellation, Almach, is a quadruple star system with a pleasant contrast between the orange bright giant, and its companions appearing as a singular, dimmer blue star.
Find out more about this month's night sky with the following handy resource:
www.SkyMaps.com
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Do you have an Astronomy event you'd like us to publish? Drop us an email at contact@astronomy.sg with your event details!
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