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  • Meteors and FAQs!

    Meteoroids, Meteors and Meteorites – Frequently Asked Questions What is a meteor? A meteor is actually a phenomenon of light. It is the visible path of a meteoroid as it…

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  • Variable Stars: U Orionis

    U Orionis Observing Notes 2007-2009 The British Astronomical Association made U Orionis, a long-period variable or “Mira” star, its variable star of year for 2008. This star varies over a…

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  • Adding Comets to Stellarium

    Comets  are often in our skies and can be hard to spot unless they brighten. Stellarium is a very useful tool to find out where and when to look for…

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  • Update on an 11 year image!

    Back in September 2011 one of our former members Chris Thayer, caught an image of a super nova in M101. In November 2022 at a talk given by Mark Sullivan…

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  • Dark Adaptation

    We all know it takes time for the eyes to adapt to the dark, but have you ever wondered why?  It is all down to the chemical process that occur…

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  • Star charts

    Getting to grips with star charts: by a novice for novices Venus and Jupiter are unmissable and unforgettable sights in the night sky when they are in the right part…

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  • DSLR Camera set up

    Camera set up for Wide Field Astrophotography with DSLR Equipment· Film or digital camera with manual mode and long exposure, preferably a DSLR· Tripod (can be any size)· Remote control…

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  • Astro Hacks: Tripod and mount leveling

    It’s always a challenge to level the tripod for an equatorial and a few years go I started using a two-axis level with one leg at each of the three…

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  • Orion

    Dominating the night sky in the winter months, the constellation of Orion is a favourite constellation for many people. It is an easy one to spot – just look for…

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  • Summer Observing

    The long Summer evenings don’t necessarily mean that observing and imaging are out of the question. The Moon is still an easy and sometimes overlooked target and yet our natural satellite is…

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