Trinidad & Tobago Astronomical Society

A regular meeting of the Society will be held on Saturday 30 October at 6.45pm at the Sir Frank Stockdale Building, UWI, St Augustine.

COSMOLOGY GROUP

On Sunday 12 September the Cosmology Group met at the home of member Mark Mohamed. Member Leonard Baldwin spoke on Ancient Astronomy and occupation of earth by aliens, some of them regarded as gods. He gave details much to the interest of members present. As in past meetings hosted by the Mohameds, refreshments were served which included Sawine (courtesy Mrs Rahamut), in keeping with Eid ul Fitr celebrated just two days before.

MEETING OF AUGUST 28

At this meeting we continued observing the skies from the rooftop – naked eye, binocular and telescopic – which included Spica, planets Venus and Mars, Alberio (double), the tail of Scorpio (double and clusters), NGC6231 and other object of interest. Observations lasted about 1.5 hours.

REMINDER

Members are reminded that orders for 2011 Astronomical Calendar are now being accepted. The closing date for placing your order is 15 October 2010. The exact cost is not yet available but will be around the same price as 2010, i.e. ~TT$185.00.

Please place your orders by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or by phoning Rhetta Burgess 646-5120.

SKY PHENOMENA – October

1 Fri      (9UT)                Venus 6.5° of Mars (about 34° from Sun in evening sky)

            (15UT)              Mercury at greatest latitude north of ecliptic plane

8          Fri                    Draconid or Gracobinid meteors. Very favourable year for checking on

 this occasionally strong to storm shower on 8 and 9 Oct  

9 Sat     (19 UT)             Moon 3.4° NNE of Venus (28° from Sun in evening sky)

10 Sun  (0UT)                Moon 3.4° SSW of Mars (38° from Sun in evening sky)

30 Sat                           Moon at last quarter

31 Sun                          Halloween (eve of All Saints Day Nov 1 and All Souls Day Nov 2)

CONSTELLATIONS, STARS

Aquarius overlaps Capriconus in the north. Is overlapped in north by Pisces. His urn of water pouring feathery streams of water into Formalhaut, ‘the mouth of the (southern) fish’ as if the fish needs to drink. This is the watery region of the sky: two fishes, Dolphin, Whale, Water Carrier, River Eridanus, Fish-tailed goat, Southern Fish. Pegasus and Taurus are rising from the water, for neither has the back half of his body.

Clear skies!!

Mona Rahamut

                                                                                                Secretary

                                                                                                274 Gopaul Circular Drive

                                                                                                Marabella

                                                                                                Tel 658-2527

Visit us at www.tt-astrosociety.com

Note: Information in the above SKY PHENOMENA is taken from Astronomical Calendar 2010 by Guy Ottewell. Printed in USA.