Well I totally missed this month's supermoon but was delighted that Brian informed me via the newsletter that May's moon will be even more super!
I'm sure there was a post recently about star gazing but I can't find it.
There's a chap near Confolens who ran star gazing evenings type things. I guess that hasn't happened in the last year but has anyone ever been?
http://www.astrofarmfrance.com
(Sat-01-05-2021, 22:56 PM)Clubby Wrote: [ -> ]I'm sure there was a post recently about star gazing but I can't find it.
I think Brian mentioned it in last months newsletter asking if anyone was interest but didn't start a thread Clubby.
Hi Clubby,
The May supermoon will be pretty big!
I visited Astrofarm for 3 beginner sessions a couple of years ago and learned a great deal.
It's a very impressive setup, with a wide range of telescopes and all sorts of other gizmos that cater for everyone from absolute beginner to professional.
Andrew Davies was the man behind the scheme. He was quite well known in the world of amateur astronomy but sadly died a couple of years ago. Astrofarm continues, however, now run by Sue (Andrew's widow). It's closed at the moment because of Covid, but she hopes to reopen in June 2021.
It's available for residential stays but they also offer short non-residential courses based on a theme - beginners, astrophotography, supermoon, milky way etc. These courses are led by a professional astronomer so there is lots to learn. The courses usually run during the evenings (for obvious reasons...) and include excellent food and hospitality.
In fact, the only time I've ever been breathalysed was after leaving an Astrofarm event at 02:00 after a Saturday evening course. the police were visibly upset when I blew zero - they even made me repeat the test as they found it hard to believe that anyone would go for a Saturday night out and not drink any alcohol...
Just a reminder that the May Supermoon will be at its best on Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th May 2021.
The orbit of the moon around the earth is not completely circular, so there are times when it is closer to the earth than others. The closer it is, the bigger it looks, and the effect is always greater when the moon is full. These close, full moons are known as Supermoons. This month's will be the closest (and thus biggest) of the year at a mere 357462km from Earth!
The moon will rise in the east at:
25 May - 20:32
26 May - 21:57 (actual full moon)
27 May - 23:17
To see it at its best, try to view from high ground, as close as possible to the time of rising. This way it will be close to the horizon, and you'll be able to compare its size with trees, buildings etc. Because we are able to compare its size with known objects, this always makes the moon look bigger.
If we have a good evening with few clouds I'll try to get some photos and post them here.
As an aside, you may read that this month's full moon is known as the 'flower moon'. This is the name given by native Americans, who observed that Spring flowers were at their most numerous at this time of the year. The English name, dating from medieval times, is the hare moon.
Any comments or questions are most welcome!
Brian
Thick cloud cover over London - so disappointing!
Thanks for sharing your experience at AstroFarm. I was thinking about sending a few of the men folk as a special treat.
I love the moon names.
The police probably thought they were going to occupy themselves for the rest of the night booking you into the cells, was it your driving that made them stop you?!
(Wed-02-06-2021, 13:34 PM)Clubby Wrote: [ -> ]was it your driving that made them stop you?!
I'd done my best by performing spirited handbrake turns, doughnuts and driving with the lights off, but in fact they were flagging down everyone. They made us stop on the perimeter of a roundabout while they breathalysed, questioned etc. There were at least six other cars being examined...
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