Hi,
I propose that the next SingAstro Sidewalk Astronomy to be held on Saturday, 26 Sep 2009, so that more people might be able to join us. Any objection??

By the way, when checking the Moon phase on that day using my star chart program, I notice that there is an interesting event on that day… an occultation by the first quarter Moon. The first quarter Moon will first occult Sagittarius Lambda (top of teapot) then follow by the globular cluster NGC 6638.

The occultation of Sagittarius Lambda by the unilluminated side of the first quarter Moon start at around 18h 42m SGT and the star will reappear on the illuminated side of the Moon at around 20h 21m SGT. We might not see the start of the occultation as the sky might still be too bright, but should not have a problem observing the star coming out of occultation.

The occultation of the globular cluster NGC 6638 by the unilluminated side of the first quarter Moon start at around 20h 52m SGT and the globular cluster will reappear on the illuminated side of the Moon at around 22h 00m SGT. Not sure whether can we see this occultation as the globular cluster is quite small and dim… at magnitude 9.2 and beside such a bright Moon doesn’t look promising.

Anyway, can anyone else verified the above event… just in case my software or me make a mistake.

Thanks and have a nice day.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

Hi,
The next one will plan at the same above site on Friday, 28 Aug 2009. Time is the usual 7:30pm to 10pm.

Hope more people will join us.

Have a nice day.

- weixing (SingAstro)

Location: Tiong Bahru Park

Time: 7.30pm to 10pm

Date: Friday, 28 Aug 2009

For more information, please visit http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=7377

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

The activity code is A14273200.

If any of the participants enquire, you may ask them to sign up online by searching for the activity code.

Registration online will close on 2 Sep 2009.

Thanks!

Regards,

Kwan Jin Peng

Posted by Derek
Categories: Others, Stargazings & Observations

Pulau Ubin Stargazing Camp

Organised by MPASTRO

Dates: 19-20 December

Time: 11:00 am till late

Camping Venue: Pulau Ubin

Meet-up Venue: Changi Village Bus Interchange (beside ATM)

Age Group: 13-35

Fee: TBC

Contact Email: mpastrosociety@gmail.com

Itinerary wil be out in September. Registration will open in October. For more information, please contact the organisers at the email above.

Event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Camps & Trips, Stargazings & Observations

Dates: 12 Dec – 13 Dec 2009
Time: 8:00pm – 8:00am
Venue: Changi Beach Park (please click to see map)

Highlights:
Catch Geminids Meteor Shower a day before its peak!
View the Winter Deep Sky Objects via the Telescopes
Planets can be seen – Jupiter, Mars, Saturn.

MPASTRO is  giving away IYA-sponsored items and bottled water (while stocks last).

Getting there: Changi Beach Park is served by SBS Transit bus services 9, 19 and 89 at several bus stops along its length. These bus stops are among the closest to the coast you can find in Singapore. By taking these buses, visitors can alight along Nicoll Drive. Visitors can also take bus services 2, 29, 59 and 109 to Changi Village and 5 minutes of walk across the pedestrian footbridge to the park.

Activity Type: Suitable for age 12 and above.

In case of rain – MP ASTRO will inform the participants 3 hours in advance if there are any changes to the schedule.

The public star-gazing consists of a short tour with the aid of a laser to introduce the constellations you can see in the sky.

To register, please send mpastrosociety@gmail.com an email with your name, NRIC no. and contact number.

Game Activity
For students only!
There will be an on-spot briefing on instructions and rules.

Space Treasure Hunt
In pairs – be the fastest to solve all the clues!
Winning pair will receive a GV Movie Voucher each.

DSO Challenge
Individual Round and must have a telescope – be the fastest to locate the list of objects!
Winner will receive the book “Turn Left At Orion”.

Marshmallow Campfire Competition
In pairs – be the fastest to start a fire and roast 5 marshmallows
Winning pair will receive 2 free tickets each to Pulau Semakau on 19 December.

To register for the games, please send mpastrosociety@gmail.com an email with your name, NRIC no. and contact number.

Please note the following if you are attending the Geminids Star Party:

1. Come Prepared
2. Remember to bring a red light if you plan on wandering around the site and arrive before dark so you can familiarise yourself with the site. A simple way to create one is to wrap red cellophane over the bulb/LED of the flashlight.
3. Children are more than welcome to attend but need to be supervised at all times, as there are a lot of potential trip hazards, and expensive equipment set up in the area.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Camps & Trips, Celestial Events, Stargazings & Observations

The Science Centre Singapore and TASOS are celebrating the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009 with a big bang. The stars of the show are forecasted to be a meteor storm that will happen between 3am to 5am.

Astronomers have predicted that the annual Leonids might put up the most dramatic light show not seen in recent years as the earth passes close to the centre of the comet’s debris trail laid down in 1466. The ideal locations for viewing are in Asia and North America.

On stage, there will be performances by Kenji Williams, an audio visual art performer, while offstage, visitors will be entertained by the Science Buskers. For astronomy buffs, an accompanying meteorite exhibition, a talk by TASOS, on-site telescope viewing of the planet Jupiter and inflatable planetarium tours for children will also be held.

Time: 8pm – 5am (*8pm – 2am: activities / 2am – 5am: free & easy)

Start Time:     Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 8:00pm
End Time:     Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:00am
Location:     Japanese Gardens

Posted by Derek
Categories: Celestial Events, Stargazings & Observations, Talks & Lectures

Note: There have been changes to the details of the event. Please take note of the new information.

Camp Leonids
(For Students in Secondary Schools and Junior Colleges)

Organised by AGASTRO

Dates: 14 to 15 November

Time: 8:30pm – 8:00am

Venue: Woodlands CC, Reading Room @ Level 3

Camping Venue: East Coast Park

Age Group: 12+

Fee: $2

To register, please send an email to admiralgarden.astro@gmail.com.

admiralgarden.astro@gmail.com

NOTE: This activity is for age 12 and above.

2. Things to bring – For individual, please bring your ground sheet. There will be nearby 7-eleven and McDonald open 24 hours. A bottle of mineral water and colour star chart will be provided.

3. Transportation – FREE. 2-way shuttle service will be provided from Woodlands CC to East Coast Park Area D and back to Woodlands CC the next morning.

4. Registration – To register, send us an email (admiralgarden.astro@gmail.com) with your NAME, NRIC, ADDRESS. As this is a overnight activity, participants who are below 18 need to get their parents to sign the indemnity form. You can request the form via email.

5. Goodies – There will be free goodies (book marks, light sticks, etc) given to registered participants only.

6. Weather Permitting – The stargazing activity is weather permitting. In case of bad weather, we will seek shelter at McDonald.

Do not worry if you are a beginner in stargazing, our astronomers will be happy to answer all your question(s).

We look forward for your participation.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

Orionids Star Party 2009

Organised by MPASTRO

The Orionids are fast meteors, perhaps a bit faint on average but capable of producing fireballs.

Dates: 24-25 October

Time: 6:00 PM till late

Camping Venue: Changi Beach

Meet-up Venue: Marine Parade Community Centre

Age Group: Open to all ages

Fee: TBC

Contact Email: mpastrosociety@gmail.com

Two-way transportation will be provided. For more information, please contact the organisers at the email above.

Please refer to the Galilean Nights 2009 post instead for the Orionids meteor shower watch.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

Get-Together Star Party @ECP Area D1

Organised by MPASTRO

An opportunity to interact and network with local amateur astronomers!

Dates: 29-30 August

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM

Camping Venue: East Coast Park Area D1 (Tuas Jetty)

Meet-up Venue: Marine Parade Community Centre

Activity: Telescope Viewing, Night Cycling

Age Group: Open to all age groups

Contact Email: mpastrosociety@gmail.com

Two-way transportation will be provided. For more information, please contact the organisers at the email above.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations

Stargazing at Pulau Semakau

Organised by MPASTRO

View the Darkest Southern Skies in Singapore and catch the Milky Way!

Dates: 22-23 August

Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 AM

Camping Venue: Pulau Semakau

Meet-up Venue: Marine Parade Community Centre

Age Group: 13-35

Contact Email: mpastrosociety@gmail.com

One-way transportation will be provided. Two-way ferry ride provided. For more information, please contact the organisers at the email above.

Posted by Derek
Categories: Stargazings & Observations