You can click HERE for a review of the November meeting.
A SUPERNOVA MAY BE COMING TO OUR SKIES
A double star known as V Sagittae in the constellation Sagitta has been identified as a candidate to trigger a Type Ia supernova that could be as bright as the moon.
- The system’s setup: V Sagittae is a binary system where a white dwarf is pulling mass from a larger companion star.
- The process: This “cannibalistic” act of mass transfer creates an accretion disk and causes the white dwarf to heat up and grow in mass.
- The impending explosion: The white dwarf is approaching the Chandrasekhar limit (of 1.4 solar masses), the point at which its internal pressure can no longer support its own weight against gravity. Once this limit is reached, it will trigger a Type Ia supernova.
- The timeline: While the exact date is uncertain, a major event is expected to occur around the end of the 21st century, possibly around 2083. However, recent studies suggest it could happen sooner, with a potential nova outburst in the coming years.
- The visibility: The supernova is expected to be extremely bright, potentially shining as brightly as the full moon and visible even in the daytime from Earth.
- The significance: This event would provide a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the violent death of a binary star system directly.
This constellation is situated between the constellations Cygnus and Aquila.
For a deeper explanation of what is happening, see this video from SPACE.com
Tom Kimber – News
HOW IS JEREMY HANSEN DOING WITH HIS MOON MISSION?
Sixteen years back, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen joined the elite company of astronauts training for a Moon mission. Find out what it has been like to train for this once-in-a-life-time Moon mission by reading this story by science journalist Nicole Mortillaro published in CBC News.
Tom Kimber – News
NEW SEESTAR S50 IMAGES
Paul Bartlett took some photos of celestial objects with his S50 SEESTAR. He then processed the photos with Siril, GraXpert, GIMP and StarNet++ (all free programs).
And for members interested in the other equipment that you might check out for borrowing, see this list HERE. If you are a member and interested in a loan of any equipment in the above list, reach Paul Bartlett at this email address: 1948paul.bartlett@gmail.com
Tom Kimber – News
Keep looking up!
NEW VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE FROM A NEW OBSERVATORY
Perched on a high, flat-topped mountain in Chile, the Vera Rubin Observatory has released its first images. See this link to the Vera C Rubin website.
Tom Kimber – News
A STAR IS BORN, AND THEN….
Do you know the ” Curse of Iron” with respect to a star?
Club member Patrick Hayes delivered a fascinating presentation on the life cycle of a star. His was the first presentation of the night at the SAG Star Party held at the Stratford Museum Friday, March 21. This was followed by Paul Bartlett’s presentation on the 15 Guide Stars of the Night Sky throughout the Seasons. Dr. Michael Burn’s wrapped up with a talk where he answered questions about the Universe.
(15 GUIDE STARS OF THE NIGHT SKY THROUGH THE SEASONS AND THE WINTER HEXEGON AND SUMMER TRIANGLE)
Fusing atoms is what generates energy for a star. With each fusion process beginning with hydrogen fusing into helium, energy is released.
This process continues in a star with each new fusion producing a new atom reflected in the periodic table. This fusion continues until two silicon atoms fuse together into an iron atom.
As Patrick explains, “Iron doesn’t produce energy when it fuses, it absorbs energy”.
Do you know what comes next? Click HERE to view the presentation (A Star is Born and Then…)
Following the talks, attendees went outside the museum where two SeeStar S50 telescopes were operated to view the night sky.
Many thanks to Patrick and to presenters Paul Bartlett and Michael Burns as well. And to Patrick and to Ken Roberts for operating the telescopes.
Megan Patterson of the Stratford Museum was very pleased with the night. The museum donated $150 to the Stratford Astronomy Group.
Tom Kimber – News
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
The night sky in the Stratford area was crystal clear last night and early Friday morning and all eyes were turned toward the eclipsing Moon.
Ken Roberts took this photo as the Moon was exiting its total phase in the early hours Friday, March 14. He used the Seestar Z50 astrophotography Smart scope (for background on this scope and another ZWO smart telescope, click HERE).
As Ken points out, locating the Moon is not always as easy to”zero in on” as one might think. He says, “Upon starting, the S50 could not “goto” the Moon.
I asked it to goto another object (M100).
Then it knew its orientation and could goto moon”.
We will have some Z50 smart telescopes on display at the Friday, March 21 Star Viewing Party. Come. out and see for yourself.
Tom Kimber – News
CANADIAN COMPANIES INVOLVED IN FIREFLY MOON LANDING MISSION
Two Canadian companies play important roles in the recent Firefly Aerospace moon lander mission. One, Integrity Testing Laboratory Inc., a manufacturer of moon dust repellent and the other, NGC Aerospace based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, involved in the lander’s moon making system. Click on the above links to read their stories.
Tom Kimber – News
BIG BANG TALKS SUMMARY
Over the past two years, at Club Meetings, when time permitted, Dr. Michael Burns has delivered on-going talks of the Big Bang based on the physical theory of the universe expanding from an initial high density and temperature state. Members in attendance at any of these talks have been mesmerized by the presentations.
He plans to continue. For those needing a refresher (me for sure), here is a link to the Big Bang Talks Summary to-date.
Updated December 7, 2024
And for those curious about Space-time and how best to understand it and relativity, see this article by Sean Caroll appearing in Quanta Magazine. To read. the story, click HERE
Tom Kimber – News
Another Budget Friendly Entry into Astrophotography from ZWO
Following in the path of the SeeStar S50 Smart Telescope is an even smaller ZWO product, the SeeStar S30 Smart Telescope.
This “little brother” telescope comes equipment with similar high quality optics, GoTo functionality and internal technology within a highly affordable, miniature build.
For a comparison of the two smart telescopes, you can view this video by clicking HERE
You can view the discussion published in March about the SeeStar S50 by clicking HERE.
Tom Kimber – News