Out & About Spring 2018

Star gazing Every now and then a major celestial phenomenon captures the wider public imagination as the media latch on to such rare events as the blood moon combining with the blue moon earlier this year. But the sky is a fascinating place on any given night and NIC FLEET, of Newbury Astronomical Society, has highlighted significant events during the spring

C ultures throughout time have observed celestial events in order to gain a better understanding of the universe. With advances in technology and space travel, our grasp of the planets and stars and their significance has become even greater. The Newbury Astronomical Society was founded in 1981 to provide a focal point for all those interested in astronomy, regardless of age, experience or expertise. The society is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies and a registered charity. Today, it has a membership of around 80 and holds regular speaker and beginners meetings from September, but non-members are also welcome for a nominal fee. The Beginners Section provides an entry level introduction to astronomy. Monthly observing meetings are held at St Mary’s Church Hall, Greenham, from September through to June. At these meetings, members of the Newbury Astronomical Society are available to provide advice and give simple

talks on a wide range of astronomically-related topics. There are no age limits so anyone of any age is invited to come along to join in the meetings and use the society telescopes. In 1991, the first Junior Section meeting was held at the Bistro Restaurant on Newbury Racecourse, which had a room that could be used for talks and there was space outside for observing. However, gradually the number of lights around the venue increased making observing difficult. It also became apparent that many parents and grandparents were coming along with the children, until eventually the numbers of adults equalled the children. In 1998, it was decided to re-launch the group as the Beginners Section and open it more widely to the local community. The new venue was the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham, which offers a great view of the night sky across the lake. When the Nature Discovery Centre was refurbished in 2005, the Beginners Section moved to St Mary’s Church Hall, Greenham, where it still meets today.

Spring highlights include

thought to be the oldest known meteor shower and are named after constellation Lyra. The best time to see shooting stars from the Lyrids is after nightfall and before dawn, weather permitting, of course. A first quarter moon may make viewing conditions difficult. The radiant point of the shower, the point in the sky where the meteors seem to emerge from, lies near the star Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky during this time of the year.

Throughout spring The planet Venus will be easily visible in the west just after sunset throughout spring and early summer. Venus, also known as the evening or morning star, is the third brightest natural object in the sky after the sun and moon and is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. A slim crescent moon will be close to Venus on the evenings of April 17 and May 17. March 31: Blue Moon

The moon and Venus Picture: Steve Knight

May 6: Eta Aquarid meteors The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which occurs from roughly late April to mid-May, offers a long stretch of spectacular ‘shooting stars’ that even a casual observer can spot in the night sky. It is one of two meteor showers created by debris from comet Halley. The best time to see shooting stars from the Eta Aquarid meteor shower is in the early morning, just before dawn, on May 6. To find out more about Newbury Astronomical Society visit newburyastro.org.uk

2018 will see a rare event—two Blue Moons in a single year. The second full moon in the month of March will be the second Blue Moon of 2018. April 22/23: Lyrid meteor shower The Lyrid meteor shower is usually active between April 16 and 25 every year, peaking around April 22 or 23. The Lyrids are created by debris from comet Thatcher, which takes about 415 years to orbit around the Sun. They are

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