Monthly Archives: May 2012

Transit of Venus

Posted on May 31, 2012 by

10th December 2117. It’s certain I will be long dead.  Bar a major medical breakthrough the chances are not good that a man in his mid thirties who has a deep and meaningful relationship with the bacon sarnie will live … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Baker Street Irregular Astronomers, History, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den, Transit of Venus, Venus, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Under a Devon Sky

Posted on May 20, 2012 by

My job has many perks. It also has it’s fair share of sweat, blood and tears. But last week it provided an opportunity. On the face of it being trapped in a boat on the Devon coast with 35 teenagers … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Galaxy, Globular Cluster, Light Pollution, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den, Venus | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Simple Device

Posted on May 10, 2012 by

It is a simple device really. Sitting in my Den, Waiting. It has few parts, certainly only a dozen major components. Anyone can use it. Which is probably what makes it such a dangerous object. Simple and dangerous. But it … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, History, Jupiter, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den, Venus | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Supermoon. Grrrr!

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

There is a lot of anger in astronomy. It’s there under the surface, bubbling away like a storm in the lower atmosphere of Jupiter. Much of it is weather related; the frustration of UK astronomers, of late, is deep and … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Moon, Supermoon, The Astronomer's Den, Weather | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

In search of a dark sky

Posted on May 3, 2012 by

The strong smell of European cigarettes once again fills the air around me. It’s a warning and I know that it’s time to pop into the kitchen and put the kettle on. The sky disappears. My neighbour has reached the … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Light Pollution, Orion, Sodium Lights, The Astronomer's Den, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A quick fix

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Sometimes you have to ignore conventional wisdom. Never use your scope out of a window. Leave your scope to cool. Sketch the moon when it’s dark for good contrast. Well that is all well and good but we have just … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Mars, Moon, Pencil, Saturn, Telescope, The Astronomer's Den, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments