Point to the Red Planet
Mars will come to closer approach to Earth at its perihelion every 2.2 years (26 months). From this narration, many would assume that the red planet will appear very large in telescopic view with lots of Martial features. And I really wish too.
Due to the high eccentricity of Mars' orbit, Mars does not approach the Earth in same distance. For instance, Mars opposition on 29 Jan 2010, distance from Mars to Earth is about 0.66398 AU or 99 million kilometers whereas the previous opposition on 24 Dec 2007 encountered at 0.58935 AU or 88 million kilometers. All this numbers play a big part for the visible size of Mars. Opposition 2010, Mars will be at 14 arc-second which is less than half of Jupiter for its angular size.
Mars is located in constellation of Cancer. It’s visible now as long as the weather is clear and you have a telescope with you. The viewing would be more interesting if your telescope has a better capability for higher magnification, for example, higher than 100-power (and with at least 80 mm in aperture). For a small telescope, you could probably view a bright reddish disk but hardly to see any features. As mentioned earlier, the angular size of Mars is rather small therefore a larger aperture with long focal length of telescope would ease for a better clarity.
Start viewing it tonight at the eastern sky, Friday 29 Jan 2010, when night falls. You won’t miss the Moon as it’s fully illuminated. Mars is positioned 10 degree beneath the Moon, 4 degree from Beehive Cluster (M44). Happy stargazing! Do not forget our Saturday Mars sighting session @ Bukit Jalil!
Venue of Mars Sighting @ Bukit Jalil Golf Club
Please be informed that the venue of "Mars Sighting" has been changed to the back of Taipan Kopitiam (at the main lobby) of Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort. Kindly get your car parked at the guest carpark, then proceed to the main lobby within walking distance.
You may also check with the receptionist of the actual place of "Taipan Kopitiam".
See you there this Saturday night!
Remark: Stargazing is subject to weather permitting.
Planet Mars Observing Activity
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has a diameter roughly half of the Earth. On the 29th Jan, Mars will come to Opposition. And Mars will come to the closest approach to the Earth 2 days before Opposition at about 99.33 million km (0.66399 AU). Mars Great Opposition took place in year 2003 with apparent size at 25 arc-sec (there was a hoax saying that Mars would be visible as large as the Moon!). This year, it is only visible at 14 arc-sec. In other words, Mars would appear a lot smaller in telescopic view if you had experienced the one in 2003.
The next Mars Opposition will come back in 2012 with 13.89 arc-sec. The subsequent oppositions do not have any increase in apparent size until July 2018 - 24.18 arc-sec that is similar to the one happened in 2003.
On the 30th Jan 2010 Saturday, planet Mars is about 8 degree apart from full Moon. And Beehive Cluster, residing in constellation of Cancer, is about 3.4 degree northward from Mars.
In order to generate awareness to public, we will be organising a Mars Sighting activity on Saturday night, 30-Jan 2010 at backyard of Taipan Kopitiam (at the main lobby) of Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort from 8pm - 11pm. Admission is free. Welcome to take part with your telescope, if any.
Should there be any queries, please drop mails to Red Planet Sighting or call 03-8996 3378.
Local live webcast
Partial Solar Eclipse Live Webcasting from Planetarium Negara
And good luck to all who are carrying task for the Annular Solar Eclipse this Friday, 15-Jan 2010, in India, Burma, Maldvies or China.
Partial Solar Eclipse Event at National Planetarium KL
Come and experience the Solar Eclipse with our setups and various of exciting programmes on the Friday, 15th Jan 2010 at National Planetarium, Kuala Lumpur.
In conjunction with the Partial Solar Eclipse, National Space Agency (ANGKASA) will organize a Partial Solar Eclipse Observation Program on 15 January 2010, 2:30 PM until 6:00 PM at the National Planetarium Kuala Lumpur.
Partial Solar Eclipse Observation Program:
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Visit to Exhibition Gallery
3:00 PM; 4:00 PM; 5:00 PM Solar Eclipse Talk & Quizzes
3:00 PM Dawn of the Space Age (Space Theatre)
4:00 PM SOS Planet (Space Theatre)
Partial Solar Eclipse Observation Schedule:
(Telescope with Solar Filter, Solar Eclipse Glasses, Solarscope, Pinhole Projector, Live Webcasting)
3:01:19 PM Start of Partial Solar Eclipse (Main Entrance of National Planetarium)
4:25:55 PM Mid Eclipse (Main Entrance of National Planetarium)
5:37:45 PM End of Partial Solar Eclipse (Main Entrance of National Planetarium)
6:00 PM Dismiss
The goal of the event
This program aims to raise public interest and awareness on astronomy field and providing widespread access to the universal knowledge of fundamental science through the excitement of astronomy and sky-observing experiences.
Please refer to the location map of National Planetarium as follows:
View Larger Map
You also can visit our solar eclipse website to get all the information regarding partial solar eclipse at Solar Eclipse.
Watch the live webcast Partial Solar Eclipse from 3:00 PM until 5:40 PM on the 15 January 2010.
Annular Solar Eclipse 15 Jan 2010
The annular solar eclipse of January 15 2010 will be visible across Africa, the Indian Ocean, India, Sri Lanka, and south-east Asia. The annular phase runs from 05:13:54 UT, when the eclipse begins in the Central African Republic, to the end of the eclipse on the Chinese Yellow Sea coast at 08:59:01 UT. The maximum eclipse is at 07:06:31 UT (15:06:31 MLT), with the annularity lasting over 11.07 minutes!
The partial eclipse will be visible over eastern Africa, south-east Europe, the Middle East, and south-east Asia between 04:05:26 UT and 10:07:33 UT (12:05:26 MLT and 18:07:33 MLT).
In Malaysia, only partial solar eclipse will be visible with eclipse magnitude around 0.409.
Map for Path of Annularity
Never attempt to look directly at the Sun except during a total eclipse; a partial or annular eclipse, even when the Sun is mostly covered, can still cause permanent eye damage, even though you might not feel any discomfort. Looking at the Sun through any kind of optical aid (binoculars, a telescope, or even a camera's viewfinder) is extremely dangerous, and may cause permanent blindness.
Sunglasses do not provide anything like adequate protection, as they do not block the wavelengths of light which are likely to damage your eyes, or reduce the intensity of the visible light sufficiently. Various other ad-hoc solar filters, such as welder's goggles or using fully exposed and developed black-and-white negatives, can be extremely dangerous. Be careful before you conduct any direct viewing to the Sun or any part of solar eclipse. Direct photography to the solar eclipse could be dangerous if without a proper aid or solar filter. Children need adult's supervision for sun viewing.
Viewing the Sun or eclipse safely, PROTECT YOUR EYE.
For more details, please see the following links:
Orthographic Projection Map of The Eclipse Path
Local Circumstances for South East Asia (Annular Solar Eclipse 15 Jan 2010)
Solar Eclipse Photography Guide
Local Circumstances on the Central Line
Average Cloudiness in January Along the Eclipse Path
Memories of Geminid Meteor Shower trip at Penang National Park
Thank you for staying with us!
Geminid Meteor Watch @ Penang National Park on 11-Dec 2009
Our group for Geminid Meteor Shower will depart on Friday 11 Dec 2009 to Penang National Park - Pantai Kerachut. Please note that our office will be closed from Friday 11/12/2009 to Saturday 12/12/2009. If you are keen on meteor viewing, we would suggest you selecting a darker site but safe. Remote areas are good for high chance for seeing more as the streak of lights would vary when the weather and observing would be the factors.
It's moonless nights in this weekend. Grab the opportunity to experience Geminids! Number of meteor is predicted up to 100 meteor per hour when the Gemini is high up to zenith.
You may also drop lines to Gradient Lok at gradientlok@yahoo.com (or contact him directly at 012-329 6007) if you wish have partners for the coming event. Photographing meteors is fun too!
Another sky show – Geminid Meteor Shower this weekend
We call it "Geminids" as the meteors radiate from the constellation of Gemini, the Twin. Gemini is a large and easy to identify constellation in northern sky, located at northeast of Orion. The radiant, is close to Castor. In order to see more meteors, viewers are not necessary to stare at Gemini. More meteors will be captured when Gemini rises up to the zenith.
Mark your calendar today onwards until 13 Dec 2009. Plan ahead for the meteor shower before your vacation. You may try at beach, or any park where with minimum light pollution. Keep yourself warm when you are out for meteor watch. Lying down on mat or with a reclining chair will get you a comfortable position for a night long activity. Bear eye will be your best optical instrument which gives you a wide field for meteors from different directions.
