BBC Sky at Night November_2020

Dubhe _ Me Alcor HERCULES
` M101
M92
Plough M51
Keystone
ba NORTH
Mizar Thuban
UMRASJAOR
_ ` LYRA M57 ` SZ
a
` Kochab a _ ORTHWEST

Vega N

MIUNROSRA DRACO RR Lyr

STriuamngmleer ¡ b

M82 b b CYGNUS b AF a
M81
Polaris Alderamin M56 Albireo `
Northern Cross _
_ ` _
VULPECULA
U T LACERTA _ _
a
a CEPHEUS Deneb `
M29
House M27 b

CAMELOPARDALIS M39 a
SAGITTAM71

_ _ M52 b
` _
RR b `
`
M38 aW
Mirphak b _
` M` S MC10A3SSIOPEIA _ Schedar
`
AURIGA a DColuubslteer DEaLPbHINU¡ S

Capella b_ M31M110 M32 M15 b EQUULEUS_ ` WEST
Kids a
Algol ` i
PERSEUS R Scheat `
M34 a
Dteoeupr-, spk5y3 + Alpheratz `

TAURUS NPoertahker1n2 NTaouvrids ` ANDROME`DA b_ Greoaf tPSegqauasures PEGASUS M2
Ra _
M33 a
R Steering Wheel
Pleiades TRIANGULUM_
Hamal a`
b a Hyades _ ARIES
ebaran _ ` Circlet
V
a AQUARIUS
1st Ecliptic

28th d PISCES b
b
Uranus
30th Mars
Celestial Equator Menkar _ 1st Neptune 22nd

a Mira 25th OUTHWEST
b

a k CETUS Deneb Kaitos S SCULPMT ORPEauOl aNndLINE

Zaurak _ FORNAX ` Pete’s night-sky
` highlights
ERIDANUS
SOUTH Southern
Hemisphere

sky guide

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 51

MOONWATCH November’s top lunar feature to observe

Rutherfurd E N South of Le Monnier lies a complex area around
31km Littrow, which consists of elevated highlands
Mare Serenitatis LQWHUVSHUVHG ZLWK ƆDW ORZODQG ODYD 7KH NP
Taurus-Littrow Valley is in the region south of
Type: Lunar Sea Littrow, marking the location of the last human
Size: 650km SUHVHQFH RQ WKH 0RRQ WKH $SROOR ODQGLQJ VLWH
Longitude/latitude: 18.4Ō ( Ō 1
Age: ELOOLRQ \HDUV Continuing south brings us to the border
Best time to see: Five days after new EHWZHHQ 0DUH 6HUHQLWDWLV DQG 0DUH 7UDQTXLOOLWDWLV
0RRQ Ś 1RYHPEHU DQG IRXU GD\V A strong contrast between the darker lava of
DIWHU IXOO 0RRQ Ś 1RYHPEHU 7UDQTXLOOLWDWLV DQG WKH OLJKWHU PDWHULDO RI 6HUHQLWDWLV
Minimum equipment: Naked eye is very apparent here, with the latter being the

\RXQJHU RI WKH WZR PDULD

7KH FUDWHUV Dawes (18km) and Plinius (43km) are

all that sit in the

Mare Serenitatis is one of the primary dark lava The Taurus-Littrow NP ZLGH UHJLRQ
VHDV RQ WKH (DUWK IDFLQJ VLGH RI WKH 0RRQ 7KH where Serenitatis

‘Sea of Serenity’ makes a good pair with neighbouring PHHWV 7UDQTXLOOLWDWLV
7KH ZHVWHUQ HQG
Valley marks the NP Mare Tranquillitatis WKH Ŝ6HD RI 7UDQTXLOOLW\ŝ

Serenitatis is roughly circular and sits between location of the of the gap is
0DUH ,PEULXP WR WKH ZHVW DQG 0DUH 7UDQTXLOOLWDWLV terminated by a

WR WKH VRXWKHDVW /HVV ZHOO GHƅQHG WR WKH VRXWKZHVW pointed feature
known as
Apollo 17 landing siteLV 0DUH 9DSRUXP 7R WKH QRUWKHDVW 6HUHQLWDWLV

overspills into an irregular region north of 96km Promontorium

Posidonius, a crater which appears to have an Archerusia, arcing toward 27km crater Menelaus

LQQHU ƆRRU WLOWHG XS LQ WKH HDVW 6RXWK RI 3RVLGRQLXV 5XQQLQJ DFURVV 6HUHQLWDWLVŝV VXUIDFH QRUWK QRUWKHDVW

is the dark, circular but broken form of 61km through 17km Bessel, is a bright ejecta ray from 86km

PETE LAWRENCE X 3 Le Monnier, resembling a less impressive version þ Mare Serenitatis, crater Tycho ORFDWHG NP VRXWK VRXWKZHVW
RI WKH NP [ NP 6LQXV ,ULGXP WKH Ŝ%D\ RI If we continue northwest around Serenitatis’s border
5DLQERZVŝ ORFDWHG RQ WKH QRUWKZHVW VKRUH RI NP the ‘Sea of
Mare Imbrium /H 0RQQLHU LV D FUDWHU LQƅOOHG ZLWK ODYD Serenity’, is smooth we come to 12km Sulpicius Gallus, a crater marking
IURP 0DUH 6HUHQLWDWLV and almost circular the start of an impressive set of rilles, or narrow
in appearance channels, expanding like the branches of a tree

QRUWKZHVW 7KH ULOOHV DUH NQRZQ DV

Alexander Rimae Sulpicius Gallus
Calippus Approaching the border with Mare

,PEULXP ZH ƅUVW SDVV WKH IRRWKLOOV RI

Linné G Posidonius WKH $SHQQLQH PRXQWDLQV WR WKH ZHVW
7KH VHDV MRLQ ZKHUH D NP JDS VLWV

Montes Linné H Le Monnier between Montes Apenninus to the
Caucasus Linné F south and Montes Caucasus to the
Linné B QRUWK 7KH &DXFDVXV UDQJH FRQWLQXHV
Linné A north, a round hilly area to the east of
the 33km crater Calippus marking

Linné 6HUHQLWDWLVŝV QRUWKHUQ ERUGHU
A curiosity is visible just south of where
MARE MARE SERENITATIS Littrow
IMBRIUM Taurus-Littrow Valley Montes Caucasus merges with the hilly
region, running south of the eroded 82km

Montes Bessel crater Alexander +HUH \RXŝOO ƅQG D NP
Apenninus OLQHDU DUUDQJHPHQW RI VPDOO FUDWHUV

Rimae Sulpicius Gallus Dawes 6WDUWLQJ DW NP Linné G to the north,
Sulpicius Gallus Promontorium Archerusia head south past 3km Linné H NP
Linné F NP Linné B and 4km Linné A
Menelaus Plinius
1H[W ZH WUDYHO NP ZHVW VRXWKZHVW

from Linné A to locate the 3km crater

MARE Maritus MARE Linné, which is surrounded by bright
VAPORUM TRANQUILLITATIS HMHFWD 2QFH WKRXJKW WR EH ERZO
shaped, the crater is now known to have
WKH VKDSH RI D ƆDWWHQHG LQYHUWHG FRQH

52 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

COMETS AND ASTEROIDS

Observe asteroid 8 Flora as it reaches At opposition on Uranus ARIES
opposition in the constellation of Cetus 1 November, 8 Flora
will be close to 1RY 1RY
the head of Cetus

7KH DVWHURLG )ORUD LV DW RSSRVLWLRQ RQ 1RYHPEHU ZKHQ LW ZLOO + j1 PISCES
DSSHDU DW PDJ LQ WKH FRQVWHOODWLRQ RI &HWXV WKH :KDOH $W
the start of the month it’s conveniently located just to the west of j TAURUS h j2
WKH PDJ VWDU .DIIDOLMLGKPD *DPPD a &HWL $W 87 RQ
1RYHPEHU WKH DVWHURLG LV MXVW DUFPLQXWHV ZHVW RI WKLV VWDU k Head of Cetus
.DIIDOLMLGKPD PDUNV WKH VRXWKHUQ SRLQW RI &HWXVŝV PLVVKDSHQ
SHQWDJRQDO KHDG 2YHU WKH UHPDLQGHU RI WKH PRQWK )ORUD WUDFNV i 8 Flora
ZHVW DUFLQJ VOLJKWO\ WR WKH ZHVW QRUWKZHVW WRZDUGV WKH HQG RI
1RYHPEHU ,W QHYHU VWUD\V WRR IDU IURP WKH KHDG DVWHULVP WKRXJK 1RY Alrescha _
1RY
)ORUD LV D ODUJH DQG EULJKW REMHFW ZLWK D PHDQ GLDPHWHU RI NP 1RY 1RY
EDVHG RQ WUL D[LDO HOOLSVRLGDO GLPHQVLRQV RI NP [ NP [ NP
,W KDV D UHODWLYHO\ KLJK DOEHGR RI D PHDVXUH RI KRZ PXFK Menkar a 1RY
LQFRPLQJ OLJKW LW UHƆHFWV $W IDYRXUDEOH RSSRVLWLRQV LW FDQ EULJKWHQ
WR PDJ DW LWV GLPPHVW LW LV PDJ DQG WKLV PRQWKŝV _ Kaffalijidhma 1RY
RSSRVLWLRQ ZLOO VHH LW JHW FORVH WR LWV SHDN RI DFKLHYDEOH EULJKWQHVV
CETUS b
)ORUD KDV VHYHUDO FODLPV WR IDPH LWŝV WKH OHDG PHPEHU RI WKH )ORUD
IDPLO\ RI 6 W\SH VLOLFHRXV DVWHURLGV WKRXJKW WR EH WKH VRXUFH RI k Mira
WKH REMHFW ZKLFK LPSDFWHG (DUWK DQG ZLSHG RXW WKH GLQRVDXUV
It is also the closest of the large asteroids to the Sun and has the )ORUD KDV FDXVHG FRQIXVLRQ LQ WKH SDVW ZKHQ DQ REVHUYDWLRQ LQ
second closest mean orbital distance of the main belt asteroids, at 0DUFK RI WKH WK PDJQLWXGH YDULDEOH VWDU 78 /HRQLV ZDV
$8 LWV RUELW WDNHV LW EHWZHHQ $8 DQG $8 RI WKH 6XQ XVXUSHG E\ )ORUD +DYLQJ EHHQ PLVWDNHQ IRU WKH VWDU LW ORRNHG DV
LI 78 KDG EULJKWHQHG FRQVLGHUDEO\ $V D FRQVHTXHQFH )ORUD ZDV
FODVVLƅHG LQFRUUHFWO\ DV D 8 *HPLQRUXP FDWDFO\VPLF YDULDEOH 7KLV
FODVVLƅFDWLRQ UHPDLQHG XQWLO WKH HUURU ZDV UHDOLVHG LQ

STAR OF THE MONTH

Spot Alrescha, a naked-eye star in Pisces

Alrescha (Alpha (_ 3LVFLXP elements heavier than Hamal _ $1'520('$ b
is the primary star of the faint K\GURJHQ ,QGHHG WKH ŜPŝ LQ _
FRQVWHOODWLRQ RI 3LVFHV $W $OSKD 3LVFLXP %ŝV VSHFWUDO W\SH ARIES `
PDJ LWŝV HDV\ WR VSRW ZLWK indicates its spectrum shows a Alpheratz
the naked eye under reasonable HQKDQFHG PHWDOV
VNLHV ,W OLHV DW D GLVWDQFH RI Menkar d Great Square
OLJKW\HDUV IURP WKH 6XQ Alrescha is a true binary of Pegasus
and is a close binary star system, with the component _ PISCES
with an apparent separation VWDUV WDNLQJ \HDUV WR a k ¡ Algenib
between components of just complete an orbit around their b
DUFVHFRQGV $OSKD 3LVFLXP $ PXWXDO FHQWUH RI JUDYLW\ $V + a
is a white star with the spectral seen from Earth, the two stars
W\SH $ S DQG LV PDJ ZLOO DSSHDU FORVHVW DURXQG _ i b
$OSKD 3LVFLXP % LV DOVR ZKLWH 7KH FRPSRQHQWV DUH ORZ PDVV
being of spectral type A3m and REMHFWV ZHLJKLQJ LQ DW VRODU Alrescha j
PDJ 7KH ŜSŝ LQ $OSKD PDVVHV IRU $ DQG VRODU
3LVFLXP $ŝV VSHFWUDO W\SH PDVVHV IRU % %RWK FRPSRQHQWV k
LQGLFDWHV LW KDV DQ XQVSHFLƅHG outshine our own star by factors
peculiarity in its spectrum, RI DQG WLPHV UHVSHFWLYHO\ Alrescha, meaningc CETUS t
which often means it shows an ‘cord’, is the brightest e
unusual abundance of metals 3LVFHV LV VXSSRVHG WR fe
(where ‘metal’ refers to UHSUHVHQW WZR ƅVK WLHG WRJHWKHU star in dim Pisces
ZLWK D FRUG 7KH ƅVK WR WKH Circlet
west is represented by a faint
ha
g

but distinctive asterism known running close to the southern
DV WKH &LUFOHW ZKLOH WKH ƅVK WR and eastern sides of the
WKH QRUWK LV SUHWW\ REVFXUH *UHDW 6TXDUH RI 3HJDVXV
7KH FRUG LV EHWWHU GHƅQHG 7KH WZR VHFWLRQV PHHW DW
and appears in two sections $OUHVFKD ZKLFK PHDQV FRUG

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 53

BINOCULAR TOUR With Steve Tonkin

Take off with the Queen’s Aeroplane and Kite, and enjoy November’s wide-field sights

1*& e

PERSEUS Melotte 20

c

e f
_
m Schedar 1*& 4
d o
_ 1*&
a Mirfak
r
1*& b Double Trumpler 2 a
Cluster h d
l` Ruchbah
r 1*&
Caph
Stock 2
o
1*&

12 1*& ,&

M52 g CASSIOPEIA W ,&

Melotte 15 6WRFN CE
CS
V649 4 8 3 ¡ Segin 5 6

Queen’s 1
Aeroplane

CEPHEUS 5° S s f Kemble’s
W &ROOLQGHU Cascade
f CAMELOPARDALIS
k E
1

a

PETE LAWRENCE X 3 1. The Queen’s Aeroplane 3. 35 Cas 5. Melotte 15
10x The golden yellow 4 Cassiopeiae 10x If you imagine that Segin (Epsilon (¡)) 15x Melotte 15 makes the third apex of an
50 marks the starboard wingtip of a little 50 and Ruchbah (Delta (b)) and Gamma 70 equilateral triangle with Segin and
aeroplane-shaped asterism made of eight (a) Cassiopeiae are the apexes of a rhombus, Iota (f) Cas. You should be able to resolve
stars that shine at mag. +8.0 or brighter. you’ll see a triangle of 6th magnitude stars eight or so stars from this bright, large (20
The other wingtip, a degree to the west, is at the 4th apex. The one nearest to Segin is arcminute) glow. Even averted vision teases
the mag. +6.6 blue-white V649 Cas. The 35 Cassiopeiae. Its line-of-sight companion only a few more fainter stars into visibility.
curved ‘fuselage’ extends to a mag. +6.7 (mag. +8.4 ) is easy to see an arcminute to If you have good skies and a UHC filter to
orange-red star, nearly a degree to the the north. The brighter of the pair is very put over an eyepiece, see if you can detect
north. A dark transparent sky will enable white, but see if you can detect any colour the surrounding nebulosity (IC 1805) that
you to appreciate the variety of colours in in the companion. SEEN IT gave birth to the cluster. SEEN IT
this star party favourite. SEEN IT
4. The Queen’s Kite 6. Pazmino’s Cluster
2. M52 10x Go back to Ruchbah and locate Chi 10x Identify CS Camelopardalis and pan
15x We’ll swap to larger binoculars to get 50 (r) Cassiopeiae 1.5° to the southeast. 50 1.5° due west, where you will find an
70 the best of M52, which lies in the Continue another 0.75°, where you will find unremarkable little trapezium of 7th and
same field of view as our first target. You the mag. +7.3 star in the middle of a 8th magnitude stars; this is Stock 23, or
should see about 10 stars resolved against pentagon of stars of which Chi Cas is the Pazmino’s Cluster. With 50mm binoculars
a wedge-shaped grainy glow about 0.25° brightest. The kite’s 1.5°–long tail extends you can see that it’s more than a trapezium
long. This glow is the light of 1,000 stars southward from the most easterly star of and you may be able to resolve about half a
that are 4,600 lightyears away and extend this pentagon. Note the varied colours of dozen stars against an ethereal glow about
across 18 lightyears. Charles Messier the stars: the two brighter ‘wingtip’ stars 10 arcminutes in diameter. SEEN IT
discovered it by chance in 1774, when a are yellow, while all the fainter ones are
comet passed nearby. SEEN IT brilliant white. SEEN IT Tick the box when you’ve seen each one

54 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

THE SKY GUIDE CHALLENGE

Can you see one of our Solar System’s outermost planets, Uranus, with the naked eye?

It’s often stated that the planet Uranus Fortunately, ideal. Allow yourself 20 minutes in total
is visible to the naked eye. However, if Uranus is darkness to become dark adapted. Once
you ask someone whether they have this is achieved you can locate the three
actually seen it unaided, the answer currently the brighter stars in Aries, Hamal (Alpha (_)),
you’ll normally receive is no. The reason UK’s best-placed Sheratan (Beta (`)) and Mesarthim
for this is that this distant planet shines (Gamma (a) Arietis). Next, look for the
at the edge of naked-eye visibility planet pentagonal shape that represents the
and any direct views of it aren’t head of Cetus; its brightest star, Menkar
always conclusive. close to the quoted typical naked-eye limit (Alpha (_) Ceti), is the one you’re after.
of +6.0 from a dark-sky site.
Most of us live under less than perfect Uranus lies 60 per cent of the way along
skies. An average dark sky will have a Another thing that is in the planet’s a line from Menkar towards Sheratan at the
limiting magnitude – that’s the faintest favour is its location against the stars, start of the month and then slips slightly
star you can see – somewhere between placing it against a rather barren patch of southwest throughout November. Use our
mag. +5.0 and mag. +5.5. Country sky. A few stars of similar magnitude are chart (below) to locate the useful guide
locations may push this further, perhaps nearby, and these can be used productively stars that sit below the planet’s position.
down to mag. +6.0 or even mag. +6.5 to navigate towards the planet.
from really dark locations. The selected guide stars are useful
7KH ƅUVW WKLQJ WR GR LV SUHSDUH /RFDWH D because they present a range of
In addition, the limiting magnitude will dark spot where you will be able to avoid magnitudes, which allow you to ‘approach’
vary with altitude on the sky. Although you any contact with light sources for at least the brightness of Uranus. Start with Mu (+)
might be able to see a mag. +6.0 star at 40 minutes. Obviously, this also means then Xi2 (j2) and Xi1 (j1) Ceti, all shining at
WKH ]HQLWK GLUHFWO\ RYHUKHDG DW Ō DOWLWXGH timing your observation for a period when mag. +4.3. Now go dimmer by moving on
the story will be completely different. the Moon is out of the way. This month, the to 38 Arietis at mag. +5.2 , 31 Arietis at
Fortunately, Uranus is currently the UK’s period between 9–22 November should be PDJ DQG ƅQDOO\ PDJ ;L j) Arietis
best-placed planet, able to reach an altitude before heading north to Uranus. Hopefully
VOLJKWO\ RYHU Ō ZKHQ GXH VRXWK 7KLV you can then add Uranus to the list of
month it shines at mag. +5.7, tantalisingly naked-eye planets you’ve seen.

ARIES _ ` Sheratan
Hamal
a
Mesarthim

k PISCES
m
1st WK Use the brightness of our selected
guide stars to prepare your
Uranus eyes for the planet Uranus

TAURUS j
j

+ j
h

Head of
Cetus

Menkar a CETUS
_

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 55

DEEP-SK Y TOUR We explore the celestial highlights located
around the western foot of Perseus

MICHAEL DEGER/CCDGUIDE.COM, CHART BY PETE LAWRENCE 1 NGC 1499 Þ 2XU ƅQDO WDUJHW brings you close to IC 351. A 300mm scope shows
This month we look at objects a small stellar object at low powers, while
scattered around the pattern WKLV PRQWK LV LQFUHDVHG PDJQLƅFDWLRQ UHYHDOV D
,& D ZRQGHUIXO circular-looking disc with surface
of stars depicting Perseus’s western VWHOODU FOXVWHU brightness. High power views show
foot. Lodged in his shin is the ZLWK HPEHGGHG that the disc is not uniform in
emission nebula NGC 1499, QHEXORVLW\ brightness, with a number
also known as the California of bright spots around its
Nebula because it’s outline More periphery. SEEN IT.
resembles the US State.
NGC 1499 has an ONLINE 4 IC 2003
integrated magnitude of IC 2003 is
+5.0, but as it’s spread Print out this another
over a 145 x 40 arcminute chart and take an
area, its surface automated Go-To planetary nebula, this
brightness is quite low, tour. See page 5 time located at the
making it a challenge to for instructions. mid-point of the line
see visually. It’s located joining Xi to Zeta
between Menkib (Xi (j)) and Persei, which shines at
Zeta (c) Persei and has been mag. +11.5 and has apparent
seen in 7x50 binoculars. It GLPHQVLRQV RI [
best suits a low power view; arcseconds. Small scopes tend
K\GURJHQ EHWD ƅOWHUV FDQ EULQJ to deliver a view that hardly
out the nebula, revealing it as a differentiates the planetary from the
gentle glow elevated in brightness surrounding stars; while a larger aperture
against the background sky. SEEN IT. will reveal its disc and show that unlike
IC 351, this planetary nebula appears to show a
2 NGC 1342 brighter condensation at its centre. Its host star, located
Using the imaginary line between Epsilon (¡) DW QHEXODŝV FHQWUH LV IDLQW DW PDJ SEEN IT.
and Xi Persei, identify the mid-point and
5 IC 1514
KHDG Ō WR WKH ZHVW WR ORFDWH WKH PDJ RSHQ We cross into Taurus to round off a
cluster, NGC 1342. This is a rich but loose cluster; a planetary nebulae hat-trick. IC 1514 is found
small aperture shows a fair number of stars grouped
together in an approximately rectangular area 12 x 7 by extending a line from Atik (Omicron (k)) to Zeta
arcminutes in size. The rectangular shape is echoed in Persei, 1.5x times again. IC 1514’s central star is
WKH VWDU SDWWHUQV WKUHH GLVWLQFW VWDU VWULQJV GHƅQLQJ reasonably bright at mag. +9.4, while two slightly
two shorter sides and one long side of the shape. EULJKWHU VWDUV ƆDQN WKH QHEXOD RQH RI PDJ
$ PP VFRSH UHYHDOV DERXW VWDUV LQ WKH FOXVWHU arcminutes to the north, and one of mag. +8.1, 8.5
the brightest of which approach mag. +8.5, while larger arcminutes to the south. This is a larger object than our
apertures or photographic setups will reveal a mix of two previous targets; it presents a 1 arcminute disc with
oranges and blues in the cluster stars. NGC 1342 is a 150mm scope, increasing to 2 arcminutes with a
around 400 million years old. SEEN IT. 300mm. Larger apertures also show the nebula to
have a ‘texture’ of irregular brightness. SEEN IT.
3 IC 351
Next is planetary nebula IC 351, a 12th magnitude 6 IC 348
REMHFW [ DUFVHFRQGV LQ VL]H $OWKRXJK YLVLEOH 2XU ƅQDO WDUJHW LV EDFN LQ 3HUVHXV ,& VLWV
just to the south of Atik. It’s best described as
in a 150mm scope, it appears virtually star-like at
SRZHUV OHVV WKDQ [ 1DYLJDWH Ō HDVW RI 1*& a cluster with embedded nebulosity, also known as
WR ORFDWH +,3 1RZ ORRN Ō VRXWK VRXWKHDVW WR UHƆHFWLRQ QHEXOD 9G% 7KH PRVW SURPLQHQW SDWWHUQ
ƅQG +,3 $ OLQH GUDZQ IURP +,3 WKURXJK is a right-angled triangle formed from mag. +8.5, +9.9
+,3 H[WHQGHG IRU Ō ERWK VWDUV DUH Ō DSDUW and +10.8 stars, with the longest side of the triangle
EHLQJ DURXQG DUFPLQXWHV 0RVW RI WKH IDLQWHU FOXVWHU
This Deep-Sky Tour has been automated stars are seen around the two stars marking the
ASCOM-enabled Go-To mounts can now triangle’s eastern edge; a faint ring-like pattern may be
take you to this month’s targets at the seen. The nebula is tricky to see visually due to Atik’s
touch of a button, with our Deep-Sky Tour close proximity, but its brightest portion surrounds the
ƅOH IRU WKH (47285 DSS )LQG LW RQOLQH QRUWKZHVW VWDU LQ WKH WULDQJOH +,3 ZKLFK KDV D
mag. +9.7 companion next to it. SEEN IT.

56 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

¡

+35º +40º
04h30m 04h00m
03h30m
54 1

2º N NGC 1499 +40º
E 1º
c

Menkib

S W IC 2003 3 NGC 1342

+30º 5 4 IC 351 2

s NGC 1514 c 40
42
TAURUS +30º
IC 348 k PERSEUS

6 Atik +35º

04h00m 03h30m

AT A GL ANCE How the Sky Guide events will appear in November

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1
SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMT

The Moon Leonids 13 Nov: 5%-lit waning crescent
Mercury Moon near Venus and Mercury
Venus
Mars 19 Nov: 25%-lit waxing crescent
Jupiter Moon near Jupiter and Saturn
Saturn 26 Nov: 83%-lit waxing crescent Moon near Mars
Uranus
Neptune

Calendar
highlights

Moonwatch

Deep-Sky Tour

The Big Three November Moon events (p46)
Leonid meteor shower 2020 (p47)
A favourable southwest libration (p47)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1
SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMTWT F S SMT

KEY

Observability IC Inferior conjunction Full Moon
Best viewed (Mercury & Venus only)
CHART BY PETE LAWRENCE Optimal Poor First
Sky brightness Daytime SC Superior conjunction quarter
during lunar phases Morning Last
twilight Evening Night OP Planet at opposition quarter
twilight
Meteor radiant peak New Moon

'DUN ƅUVW Light (full Dark (last Total darkness Planets in conjunction
quarter) Moon) quarter) (new Moon)

58 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020





YEARS
OF THE

This month marks two decades of human occupation on the
International Space Station. Nisha Beerjeraz-Hoyle
looks at the ISS’s history and how it’s preparing a
new generation of space explorers

NASA/ROSCOSMOS Frontier in space: capable of running until
2028, the International Space Station (ISS)
is the largest structure ever built in space

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 61

Astronaut Steve Bowen working on the ISS’s
solar arrays in 2008. As of going to press,
there have been 231 spacewalks to construct,
upgrade and maintain the orbital outpost

W ith each sunrise we awake quarters, two Þ First visitors:
and go about our daily bathrooms, a
lives with little thought that gym and a 360° the crew of
400km above Earth, a group view bay window Expedition-1 on
of humans are living in an called the Cupola. the ISS in 2000:
orbiting laboratory. Travelling (from left) William
at 27,600km per hour, they see 16 sunrises a day and “When you look at the whole assembly, there Shepherd, Yuri
make one orbit around our planet in just 90 minutes. ZHUH DURXQG 6SDFH 6KXWWOH ƆLJKWV Š VD\V 1$6$ Gidzenko and
There are generations growing up today who have astronaut Jeff Williams, who saw four trips to the Sergei Krikalev
only known a time when the human race lived both ISS, including STS-101, the third mission devoted to
NASA/ROSCOSMOS, NASA X 3, SCOTT KELLY/TWITTER X 3 on and off planet Earth. LWV FRQVWUXFWLRQ ş$QG WKHUH ZHUH DOVR DERXW URXJKO\
40 Russian rocket launches that supported the
For the past 20 years there has been a continuous DVVHPEO\ RI WKH ,66 0RVW RI WKRVH ƆLJKWV WRRN XS D
human presence in space on the International major component; some were logistics missions that
Space Station (ISS). It began two decades ago this VXSSOLHG WKH ,66 Š
month when, on 2 November 2000, the crew of
Expedition-1 – US astronaut William ‘Bill’ Shepherd, Getting ready
and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri
Gidzenko – docked their Soyuz spacecraft with the Back in 2000 the ISS was a fraction of its current
ISS, climbed through the hatch and switched on size with just three modules providing the basics for
the lights. Since their arrival, a steady crew rotation SHUPDQHQW KDELWDWLRQ =DU\D ZDV WKH ƅUVW PRGXOH
means the ISS has never once gone unoccupied. launched into orbit in 1998 (funded by the US, and
built and launched by the Russian space agency
The ISS is an engineering marvel: the largest Roscosmos), shortly followed by the US-built and
structure ever built in space. It weighs around ODXQFKHG 8QLW\ PRGXOH $IWHU DQ PRQWK GHOD\
420,000kg (more than 320 cars) and at 109m is the Russian-built Zvezda, which would provide life
longer than a football pitch. Modular in design and support systems for the ISS, was connected to Zarya
constructed over 13 years, it has eight solar arrays, LQ 6HSWHPEHU LQ UHDGLQHVV IRU WKH ƅUVW FUHZ
a main truss ‘backbone’ and pressurised habitation
modules. The living quarters are altogether larger Williams explains: “It was not an easy road even to
than a six-bedroom house and include six sleeping get to that point: not only the political support but the
technical integration of all of these components that

62 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020





ISS IN
NUMBERS

Þ Going ape: ISS astronaut Tim Peake gets chased during a prank 27,600 spacecraft to arrive
after launch
Stranger things Orbital speed in
kilometres per hour 2,700
The ISS has played host to some oddities...
astronauts are only human, after all 420 Individual science
investigations
A gorilla Ok, there isn’t really a guitar, flute, piccolo, keyboard, alto Weight in tonnes
gorilla on the ISS, but there is a saxophone, koto and a didgeridoo. 350,000
gorilla suit sent up in 2016 by 4 billion
astronaut Mark Kelly, as a birthday An espresso machine In 2015, Number of sensors
present for his twin brother Scott. astronauts got a chance to brew a Maintenance cost in monitoring crew
He used it to prank Tim Peake (above). real cup of coffee from an espresso US dollars per year health and safety
machine dubbed the ‘ISSpresso’,
Pizza Hut In 2001, Pizza Hut sent designed by Italian companies 240 1,500,000
specially made pies to the ISS, Lavazza and Argotec.
after cosmonaut Yuri Usachov Number of /LQHV RI ƆLJKW
mentioned he had a craving. Christmas decorations The crew individuals who computer code
have a box of festive decorations, have visited
Bagpipes… In 2015, astronaut Kjell including a miniature Christmas 388
Lindgren played ‘Amazing Grace’ tree, stockings and Santa hats. 16
on a set of bagpipes in tribute to a Cubic metres of
colleague who had passed away. Tremor, Earthy, Miss Mouse and Buzz Frequency of Earth habitable space
These are soft toys that have orbits in 24 hours
…And other musical instruments earned their space wings. Tremor, a 73
Over the years there has been sequined dinosaur, arrived earlier 109
quite an ensemble, including a this year aboard SpaceX’s Dragon. Wingspan in metres
Length in metres, of the solar arrays
end-to-end
231
4
Spacewalks since
Minimum time launch, including
in hours for a during construction

ZLWK WKH &DQDGLDQ 6SDFH $JHQF\ (6$ DQG -DSDQŝV
-$;$ FROODERUDWLRQ EHWZHHQ QDWLRQV VDZ D WUXO\
International Space Station emerge.

Pulling together

The strength of this partnership was demonstrated

when the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy

cost the lives of all seven astronauts on board and

KDOWHG IXUWKHU ƆLJKWV RI WKH 6KXWWOH :LOOLDPV ORVW

close friends that day. “It’s a great testimony to the

strength of the partnership, particularly between the

The Soyuz capsule took US and Russia... just to
over from the Shuttle keep the ISS going while
as transport to the ISS we addressed the issues
that caused the Columbia

tragedy, which of course

grounded the Space

Shuttle for between

Þ A docked Space QHHGHG WR JR WRJHWKHU Š %\ QLQH \HDUV Š 7KLV OHG WR WKH

Shuttle was a years had passed since US President now familiar sight of the
familiar sight
on the ISS until Reagan’s missive to build a space Russian Soyuz capsule
the 2003 Columbia
disaster put Shuttle station within the decade. Space transporting Russian, US
ƆLJKWV RQ KROG
Station Freedom, as it was then called, had undergone and European astronauts to the ISS.

VHYHUDO UHGHVLJQV DV 1$6$ HQJLQHHUV VWUXJJOHG ZLWK WKH The ISS is not just a beautiful space habitat, but

challenges of building a large, stable structure in space. primarily a unique science laboratory, allowing for

But the fall of the Soviet Union made way for experiments that aren’t possible on Earth. These

former adversaries to forge new partnerships, and range from studying how both the human body

Roscosmos brought invaluable experience from and plants react to life in space, to understanding

its own space stations, Salyut and Mir. Together how materials behave in microgravity. The science >

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 63

31

13

11 25
27

Key: the countries 14 30
that built the ISS 16 29 32

US components 24
26
Russian components 12
Japanese components

European components 15
Canadian components 17

46 10 18 20 23 28 39
1 59 22
34
23 19 40
7 35
36

37 38

33 41
21

8 44 42
43

Assembled in orbit: a ship built in space

Construction of the ISS took 10 years and unprecedented international collaboration

1 Starboard Solar Arrays 10 AMS Experiment 18 S0 Truss 27 ELC 3 37 ESP 1
2 S6 Truss 11 Zvezda Service Module 19 Quest Airlock 28 ELC 1 38 PMA 3
3 S5 Truss 12 Docking 20 Z1 Truss 29 P3/P4 Truss 39 Japanese Logistics
4 Solar Arrays 21 ESP 2 30 P5 Truss
5 S3/S4 Truss Compartment (DC 1) 22 Unity (Node 1) 31 Port Solar Arrays Module
6 ExPRESS Logistics 13 Poisk Research Module 23 Bigelow Expandable 32 P6 Truss 40 Japanse Exposed
14 Zarya Control Module 33 Destiny Laboratory
Carrier (ELC) 2 15 Rassvet Research Activity 34 Tranquility (Node 3) Facility
7 External Stowage 24 Thermal Control 35 Permanent Multi- 41 Kibo (Japanese
Module
Platform (ESP) 3 16 Pressurised Mating Radiators Purpose Module Experiment Module)
8 ELC 4 25 Solar Arrays 36 Cupola 42 PMA 2
9 S1 Truss Adaptor (PMA 1) 26 P1 Truss 43 Harmony (Node 2)
17 Canadarm2 44 Columbus Laboratory

ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL WOOTTON, NASA X 3, NASA/SAMANTHA CRISTOFORETTI/TWITTER > LV QRW DOO JHDUHG WRZDUGV IXWXUH VSDFHƆLJKW HLWKHU FOHDQHUV SKRWRJUDSKHUV DQG HYHQ KDLUGUHVVHUV DQG
Recent experiments include growing protein crystals PXVW H[HUFLVH IRU DW OHDVW WZR KRXUV HYHU\GD\ WR SUHYHQW
WR LQYHVWLJDWH WKH FDXVHV RI 3DUNLQVRQŝV GLVHDVH ERQH DQG PXVFOH GHWHULRUDWLRQ
DQG FDQFHU ZKLOH XVLQJ QHZ VHQVRU WHFKQRORJLHV
WR PRQLWRU DVWURQDXWVŝ FRUH WHPSHUDWXUHV LQ VSDFH Time out Nisha Beerjeraz-
FDQ KHOS GHWHFW HDUO\ VLJQV RI KHDW H[KDXVWLRQ IRU Hoyle is a science
RFFXSDWLRQV VXFK DV ƅUHƅJKWLQJ ,Q WKHLU VSDUH SRFNHWV RI WLPH ,66 DVWURQDXWV LQGXOJH journalist and
RXU FXULRVLWLHV VKRZLQJ XV KRZ WKH\ XVH WKH WRLOHW space writer
$VWURQDXWV KDYH D FDQQ\ ZD\ RI PDNLQJ WKHLU RU KRZ WKH\ VOHHS DQG HDW DQG HYHQ KRZ WR SOD\ D
H[SHULPHQWV IXQ WRR ,Q ,WDOLDQ DVWURQDXW SUDQN LQ VSDFH Ś WKH DQVZHU LI \RXŝUH 86 DVWURQDXW
6DPDQWKD &ULVWRIRUHWWL SRVWHG D VHOƅH RI KHUVHOI 6FRWW .HOO\ LV WR GRQ D JRULOOD VXLW MXPS RXW RI D
GULQNLQJ WKH ƅUVW HVSUHVVR LQ VSDFH RXW RI D ]HUR J FDUJR ER[ DQG FKDVH D WHUULƅHG 7LP 3HDNH WKURXJK
FXS ([SHULPHQWV OLNH WKHVH DOORZ VFLHQWLVWV DQG WKH ,66 VHH ER[ RQ SDJH 7KRVH ZKR XVH VRFLDO
HQJLQHHUV WR XQGHUVWDQG KRZ ƆXLGV EHKDYH QRW MXVW PHGLD KDYH FDSWLYDWHG XV ZLWK EUHDWKWDNLQJ YLHZV RI
WR JLYH DVWURQDXWV D GHFHQW FXS RI FRIIHH DOWKRXJK (DUWK SKRWRJUDSKHG IURP WKH IDPRXV &XSROD
DV PDQ\ RI XV ZRXOG DJUHH WKLV ZRXOG EH WRWDOO\ Ś şWKH ZLQGRZ RQ WKH ZRUOGŠ DV :LOOLDPV GHVFULEHV LW
XQGHUVWDQGDEOH EXW WR PDNH VSDFH KDELWDWV VDIHU KLPVHOI DQ DYLG SKRWRJUDSKHU DQG SDUW RI WKH FUHZ
ZKR LQVWDOOHG LW RQ WKH ,66 LQ
$ ZRUNLQJ GD\ IRU DVWURQDXWV GRHV QRW MXVW HQWDLO
LQWHUHVWLQJ VFLHQFH H[SHULPHQWV RU HYHQ VSDFHZDONV ş7KH YDULHW\ RI ZKDW \RX FDQ VHH LV HQGOHVV LQ WHUPV
WKH\ DUH FDUHWDNHUV RI WKH ,66 WUDLQHG WR UHSDLU DQG RI VWXG\LQJ (DUWK , KDG WZR PRWLYDWLRQV WR FDSWXUH
LQVWDOO SDUWV FRQWULEXWLQJ WR WKH VSDFH VWDWLRQŝV WKH H[SHULHQFH RQH ZDV WR EH DEOH WR UHFDOO LW P\VHOI
ORQJHYLW\ 7KH\ DUH WKHLU RZQ PLQRU LQMXU\ PHGLFV EXW WKH ELJJHU PRWLYDWLRQ ZDV WR YLFDULRXVO\ EULQJ

64 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

A window on the world:
astronaut Tracy Caldwell
Dyson looks out from the ISS’s
Cupola observatory in 2010

Þ Taking a break: QRZ 1RZ WKDW IXWXUH DQG WKH IDWH RI WKH
,66 LV DW D FULWLFDO WXUQLQJ SRLQW
Samantha
Cristoforetti (above, :LWK ORIW\ JRDOV RI D 0RRQVKRW E\
OHIW HQMR\V WKH ƅUVW 1$6$ KDV EHHQ ZRUNLQJ WR HVWDEOLVK D
espresso in space ORZ (DUWK RUELW HFRQRP\ ZLWK WKH ,66 DV D
on the ISS in 2015; FRPPHUFLDO KXE 3ULYDWH HQWHUSULVH RQ WKH
Paolo Nespoli ,66 LVQŝW QHZ Ś $GLGDV XVHG ,66 DVWURQDXWV WR
(above, right) WHVW LWV Ŝ%RRVWŝ WUDLQHUV LQ PLFURJUDYLW\ ZKLOH
settles down in SULYDWH FRPSDQLHV KDYH VXSSOLHG PRGXOHV
his sleeping VXFK DV %RHLQJŝV LQƆDWDEOH DLUORFN %($0
bag in 2007
0RUH WKDQ MXVW SURYLGLQJ DQ LQQRYDWLRQ ODE
IRU ELJ EUDQGV WKRXJK WKHUH DUH QRZ ZLGHU
SODQV IRU SULYDWLVLQJ ,66 RSHUDWLRQV DW OHDVW LQ SDUW WR
PHHW WKH d Ś ELOOLRQ D \HDU PDLQWHQDQFH FRVWV Ś WKDWŝV
DURXQG KDOI RI 1$6$ŝV \HDUO\ VSDFHƆLJKW EXGJHW
,I D QHZ VKDUHG RZQHUVKLS PRGHO FDQŝW EH
HVWDEOLVKHG WKHQ WKH ,66 PD\ EHFRPH DQ DEDQGRQHG
VKLS D VSDUH SDUWV IDFWRU\ IRU RWKHU VSDFH VWDWLRQV
RU SXUSRVHO\ GHRUELWHG WR EXUQ XS LQ WKH DWPRVSKHUH
:LOOLDPV VD\V DOO RSWLRQV DUH VWLOO XS IRU JUDEV ş$OO
RI WKHVH WKLQJV DUH LPSRUWDQW WR ORRN DW DQG WR
WU\ DQG GHYHORS DQG VRPH ZLOO SUREDEO\ FRPH WR
IUXLWLRQ Š +RZHYHU KH DOVR H[SUHVVHG D ƅUP EHOLHI WKDW
PDLQWDLQLQJ DQ RUELWDO SUHVHQFH şZLOO EH QHFHVVDU\ WR
GHYHORS DQ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH DW DQG DURXQG WKH 0RRQ Š

> Clean and press: WKDW XQLTXH H[SHULHQFH WR SHRSOH EDFN KRPH RQ (DUWK Š Future prospects
$V WKH ,66 UHVLGHQWV JD]H GRZQ RQ XV ZH KDYH ORRNHG
Dan Burbank &DSDEOH RI UXQQLQJ XQWLO DW OHDVW WKHUH LV VWLOO
exercises on the EDFN XS DW WKHP WUDYHUVLQJ WKH VN\ NP RYHUKHDG SOHQW\ RI RSSRUWXQLW\ WR VSRW WKH ,66 DQG PDUYHO WKDW
ISS in 2011 using the 7KH ,66 KDV EHHQ RXU PHWDSKRULFDO 1RUWK 6WDU LQ WKH KRVWLOH HQYLURQPHQW RI VSDFH ZH KDYH EHFRPH
Advanced Resistive UHPLQGLQJ XV WKDW WKH IXWXUH RI VSDFH H[SORUDWLRQ LV KHUH SHUPDQHQW FLWL]HQV :KLOH DWWHQWLRQ WXUQV WR WKH 0RRQ
Exercise Device DQG 0DUV LWŝV ZRUWK UHPHPEHULQJ WKDW ZHUH LW QRW IRU
(ARED), a machine WKH ,66 ZH FRXOG QRW HYHQ FRQVLGHU JRLQJ IXUWKHU LQWR
designed to deliver WKH 6RODU 6\VWHP $V GLVFXVVLRQV DURXQG D QHZ HUD
a full-body workout IRU WKH ,66 FRQWLQXH WKHUH FRXOG EH QR EHWWHU WLPH WR
FHOHEUDWH WKH SDVW \HDUV ZKLFK KDYH IRXQGHG WKH
EHJLQQLQJ RI D QHZ IURQWLHU IRU KXPDQV LQ VSDFH

> Turn to page 98 to read about astronaut
Samantha Cristoforetti’s experiences on the ISS

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 65

Mars in focus: the Red Planet
taken on 3 September 2020
by astrophotographer
Damian Peach, using a
50cm Cassegrain telescope
in La Palma and an
ASI290MM camera

The Red Planet
An ember glowing bright

Mars is now past opposition, but as Paul G Abel explains,
the planet will remain with us in evening skies for
many more months of useful observations

66 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

Southern summer

Key Ls values and how solstice
they relate to
20 Oct 2020 Northern winter
the Martian orbit
solstice

270° Perihelion
(Ls=251°)

12 Dec 2020 300° 240°

Summer in the south 330° 210° Spring in the south
Winter in the north Autumn in the north

0° 7 Feb 2021 Dust storm 150° 180°
season
Southern autumn Southern spring
30° equinox
equinox
Northern autumn
Northern spring equinox

equinox

12 Apr 2021 16 Jun 2021 120°

Autumn in the south 60° Winter in the south
Spring in the north Summer in the north

Aphelion 90°
(Ls=71°)
Southern winter

solstice

Northern summer

solstice

Þ The Martian seasons: the values of solar longitude (Ls) as Mars goes around the Sun – with equivalent Earth dates in blue

T his October, the planet Mars came WR PHGLXP WHOHVFRSHV ZLOO ƅQG WKDW WKH 5HG 3ODQHWŝV
to opposition and was the best it respectable diameter will be more than enough to
has been in UK skies for many years. follow the seasonal changes that are coming up,
Looking like a brilliant glowing coal, while owners of large telescopes will be able to
it was quite unmistakable high up in follow for considerably longer as Mars remains
the dark evening skies. As planet above 6 arcseconds in diameter until the end of
Earth is now moving away from Mars, it continues 0DUFK +HUH ZHŝOO KLJKOLJKW VRPH RI WKH VHDVRQDO
changes you can expect to see with a telescope,
to get smaller and fainter, and you might think that and how best to go about observing them.

there is little left to A Martian year

“Mars is a dynamic explore. However, Mars has an axial tilt of some 25° and so it E. ENZMANN/DAMIAN PEACH, CHART BY PETE LAWRENCE
world, and over the next nothing could be H[SHULHQFHV ZHOO GHƅQHG VHDVRQV RI ZLQWHU VSULQJ
further from the summer and autumn as it moves in its orbit around
few months there will truth – it will remain the Sun. Just like Earth, opposite hemispheres
be some fascinating high and bright experience opposite seasons: summer in the northern
in the evening hemisphere means winter in the south. Since many
changes occurring on skies for months of the changes on Mars are due to the changes
to come; for many in seasons, it is important that we keep track of
its appearance at exactly where we are in the Martian calendar at
any particular time. Astronomers have devised a
the Red Planet” a more convenient VLPSOH ZD\ RI GRLQJ WKDW Ś LWŝV FDOOHG VRODU ORQJLWXGH
time in dark evening or Ls for short.

skies will be the In the diagram above you can see that the Martian
orbit is divided up into 12 intervals; Ls can be thought
time when it really grabs the attention. of as the angle made by Mars as it moves around
the Sun. Astronomers take the autumn equinox in the
Mars is a dynamic world, and over the next few southern hemisphere to be the value Ls=0° and our >

months there will be some fascinating changes

occurring on the Red Planet. By the end of the

year Mars will have an apparent diameter of

11 arcseconds – still big enough to be noticeable to

naked-eye and binocular observers. Users of small

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 67

< Summer in the Martian southern hemisphere

causes the southern polar cap (the white area
at the top of this south-up view) to shrink,
while large clouds form in the atmosphere

“Watch out for
brilliant white
clouds that
collect around
the Tharsis
volcanoes”

> ƅUVW 0DUWLDQ PRQWK VHHV WKH YDOXH RI /V JR IURP þ Below top: the location of Olympus Mons is revealed to
p WR p ZKLOH WKH VHFRQG PRQWK VHHV WKH /V UDQJH
JR IURP p WR p DQG FRUUHVSRQGV WR ODWHU VXPPHU Earthbound observers by the clouds around its summit
LQ WKH VRXWK PHDQZKLOH WKH QRUWKHUQ KHPLVSKHUH Bottom: clouds are also known to gather in the huge
KDV SDVVHG LQWR VSULQJ :H FRQWLQXH LQ WKLV ZD\ XQWLO Hellas Basin to the south of the triangular Syrtis Major
ZH KDYH EURNHQ WKH 0DUWLDQ \HDU XS LQWR PRQWKV
HDFK VSDQQLQJ p RI WKH 5HG 3ODQHWŝV RUELW Olympus Mons

2I FRXUVH 0DUWLDQ PRQWKV DUH ORQJHU WKDQ (DUWKŝV Hellas Basin S
VLQFH D 0DUWLDQ \HDU LV DERXW WZLFH WKDW RI RXU RZQ S
PETE LAWRENCE X 4, PAUL ABEL X 2 %\ ORRNLQJ XS WKH YDOXH RI /V ZH FDQ WHOO H[DFWO\
ZKHUH 0DUV LV LQ LWV RUELW DQG ZRUN RXW ZKDW WKH Syrtis Major
VHDVRQV VKRXOG EH LQ HLWKHU WKH QRUWKHUQ RU VRXWKHUQ
KHPLVSKHUH :H FDQ DOVR PDUN RXW RWKHU LPSRUWDQW
HYHQWV SHULKHOLRQ ZKHQ 0DUV LV FORVHVW WR WKH 6XQ
RFFXUV DW /V p 6R ZKHQ RSSRVLWLRQ RFFXUV FORVH
WR WKLV YDOXH RI /V ZH NQRZ LW ZLOO EH D ŜSHULKHOLFŝ
RSSRVLWLRQ Ś DV ZDV WKH FDVH LQ 2FWREHU <RX FDQ ƅQG
WKH YDOXH RI /V E\ XVLQJ WKH IUHH VRIWZDUH :,1-8326
ZKLFK FDQ EH GRZQORDGHG DW http://jupos.org/gh/
download.htm LWŝV WKH YDOXH FDOOHG ŜORQJLWXGH RI WKH
6XQŝ LQ WKH Ŝ(SKHPHULGHVŝ WDE The Handbook of the
British Astronomical Association DOVR JLYHV WKH YDOXHV
LQ LWV Ŝ0DUV 6HFWLRQŝ



Seasonal changes

$W WKH VWDUW RI 1RYHPEHU /V KDV D YDOXH RI DURXQG p
DQG VR LWŝV ODWH VXPPHU LQ WKH VRXWKHUQ KHPLVSKHUH
$ QXPEHU RI FKDQJHV KDYH VWDUWHG WR RFFXU Ś WKH
VRXWKHUQ SRODU FDS 63& KDV QRZ VKUXQN DQG WKLV
KDV UHWXUQHG YRODWLOHV VXFK DV GXVW DQG ZDWHU YDSRXU
EDFN LQWR WKH 0DUWLDQ DWPRVSKHUH :DWFK RXW IRU
EULOOLDQW ZKLWH FORXGV WKDW FROOHFW DURXQG WKH 7KDUVLV

68 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

< &RORXUIXO YLHZV :UDWWHQ ƅOWHUV

make Martian dust clouds easier
WR VHH WKDQ LQ DQ XQƅOWHUHG YLHZ
(top left). Use light blue (W80A),
\HOORZ : RU YLROHW : ƅOWHUV
WR HQKDQFH FORXG GHƅQLWLRQ

8QƅOWHUHG YLHZ W80A

+HOODV WR EHFRPH ƅOOHG ZLWK

ZKLWH FORXGV ZKHQ LWŝV QHDU

WKH PRUQLQJ RU HYHQLQJ OLPE

DQG DV D UHVXOW LW FDQ EHFRPH

YHU\ EULJKW (ULGDQLD (OHFWULV

DQG &KU\VH DUH UHJLRQV DOVR

SURQH WR DWWUDFWLQJ FORXGV



Filter familiarity

s 9LVXDO ƅOWHUV DUH D JUHDW
KHOS ZKHQ REVHUYLQJ 0DUV

Ś PRVW WHOHVFRSHV FRPH
W15 W47 ZLWK D VHW DQG WKH\ DUH YHU\

HDV\ WR XVH <RX VLPSO\

YROFDQRHV 2O\PSXV 0RQV LQ SDUWLFXODU FDQ DWWUDFW VFUHZ WKHP LQWR WKH WKUHDG DW WKH EDVH RI \RXU

EULJKW FORXGV WKHVH LQGLFDWH LWV SRVLWLRQ LQ VPDOO H\HSLHFH (DFK ƅOWHU LV XQLTXH DQG \RX FDQ LGHQWLI\

WR PHGLXP WHOHVFRSHV Ś WKH 6RODU 6\VWHPŝV ODUJHVW HDFK RQH E\ ORRNLQJ DW WKH : QXPEHU RQ WKH VLGH

YROFDQR LV RWKHUZLVH LQYLVLEOH WR VXFK DSHUWXUHV WKLV JLYHV WKH ƅOWHUŝV Ŝ:UDWWHQ QXPEHUŝ ,I \RX KDYH

%ULJKW FORXGV DQG IRJV DOVR FROOHFW LQ WKH GHHS D VPDOO WR PHGLXP VL]HG WHOHVFRSH WU\ XVLQJ D OLJKW

EDVLQV LQ -DQXDU\ NHHS DQ H\H RQ WKH +HOODV %DVLQ EOXH ƅOWHU : RU : $ WR LQFUHDVH WKH GHƅQLWLRQ

WR WKH VRXWK RI 6\UWLV 0DMRU ,W LV QRW XQFRPPRQ IRU RI ZKLWH FORXGV >

Keeping a Mars log book Record your observations, they could
be useful for scientists in the future

Your log book is a great way of keeping Þ Drawings from the author’s log book, done from 21–22 September 2020, show
track of all the seasonal changes you’ve
observed on Mars. It should be a bound observations of Mars with a 12-inch Newtonian telescope. They show the rotation
notebook, and for each observation you of Mars and the dispersion of various fogs and mists in the valleys
need to record the date, the time (in UT),
the telescope and magnifications used, looking at Mars to see what features are polar cap, or bright clouds – and note
alongside any drawings you make of Mars. present. Then, when you are ready, use a down the time and magnification used.
3B pencil to draw in the terminator on your
The process of making a Mars drawing is ‘Mars blank’ along with the main dark Make sure you don’t take longer than
straightforward. To begin, make a ‘Mars features. Next, draw in the finer features 15 minutes to make a drawing: Mars’s
blank’ – this is a circle, 50mm in diameter, that may be present – like the southern rotation will have moved the features
drawn on a sheet of paper you can take out from where you’ve originally placed them.
to the telescope to start your drawing.

At the telescope, first spend some time

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 69

Close-up view: the author uses the
24-inch Clark Refractor at Arizona’s
Lowell Observatory to observe Mars…

Catching dust storms Þ …and make a south-up sketch of

Fierce winds can whip Mars’s Regional: these dust storms may the Red Planet’s features while it was
fine dry soil into large clouds cover an entire region like Syrtis Major, undergoing a dramatic dust storm
or indeed a whole hemisphere.
Although the Martian atmosphere is There are a number of sites on Mars that
tenuous, it is quite capable of producing Global: the largest, these dust storms are well known for producing storms,
powerful dust storms. Winds of half cover the entire planet. During this including the Hellas Basin, Solis Lacus,
the speed of sound have been recorded. time the entire globe can become Noachis and Chryse, and you should survey
Typically, the dust storm season starts featureless even to large telescopes. these regions whenever you can. Storms
at about Ls =240° and it continues to always start off as bright yellow or orange
Ls=0°. This means that we can expect to Local and regional dust storms tend clouds. Local ones will require a 150mm
see them from now until early February. to be the most frequent. During the telescope or larger to be seen, but regional
previous opposition in 2018, I was ones can be visible in smaller instruments.
The Martian dust storm season has able to observe a regional dust storm at You’ll find a red (W25), orange (W21) or
been studied in great detail, and there the Lowell Observatory, in Flagstaff, yellow (W15) filter will also help enhance
are three types of dust storm which occur: Arizona (see picture, above). dust clouds and make them easier to see.

Local: these dust storms are confined Truly global dust storms are quite rare If a large storm does erupt, it is a good
to very small regions like a corner of – two prominent ones occurred in 1975 idea to record its progress; you can do
the Hellas Basin. and 1977, around the time that the Viking this by sketching the region and plotting
missions were approaching Mars. the size and location of the dust storm as
it changes over time.

PAUL ABEL X 2, PETE LAWRENCE X 2 > If you do see fogs and white clouds, it is worth polar cap slightly easier to see, as it is now quite small
spending some time observing them as they can and a challenge in small telescopes.
be quite dynamic, often forming and evaporating
over the course of an hour or two. It is particularly By January it is spring in the northern hemisphere
satisfying to watch bright clouds which have and the vast north polar hood is extending quite a way
collected in the early morning chill of the Hellas south. You should be able to glimpse it as a bluish-
Basin, slowly disperse during the course of an white haze on the northern limb, and it will become
observing session. more prominent towards the year’s end. Mars’s tilt
will also start to change – from January onwards, the
When bright clouds occur on the limb of the planet, northern hemisphere will gradually be better placed
they can be really quite brilliant. If you have a larger IRU YLHZV RI ZHOO NQRZQ DOEHGR IHDWXUHV OLNH $FLGDOLXP
WHOHVFRSH D : YLROHW ƅOWHU ZLOO KHOS EULQJ ƅQH GHWDLOV and Elysium. By March, observers using larger scopes
RXW IXUWKHU $ : \HOORZ ƅOWHU ZLOO PDNH WKH VRXWKHUQ might be able to catch sight of the northern polar cap.

70 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

2005 2020

Sinus Meridiani

Sinus Meridiani

Acidalium

Acidalium

S

Þ Two views showing changes in Acidalium over 15 years; the shape of the dark albedo feature has been altered by dust-storm activity

“Dust storms can produce quite on opposite page). These storms usually begin life
pronounced changes to the dark as small orange clouds and they are easier to see if
albedo features, as vast amounts of \RX XVH D UHG ƅOWHU : ZKHQ REVHUYLQJ 0DUV 'XVW
storms can evolve quite rapidly and it is important
dust tend to be moved and WR WUDFN WKHP DQG DQ\ VXUIDFH FKDQJHV
deposited into new locations”
Long-term changes
Sinus Gomer
All of these seasonal effects result in long-term
Syrtis Major FKDQJHV WR WKH SODQHWŝV VXUIDFH 'XVW VWRUPV LQ
particular can produce quite pronounced changes
S WR WKH GDUN DOEHGR IHDWXUHV DV YDVW DPRXQWV RI GXVW
tend to be moved and deposited into new locations.
Þ A wispy band $W /V p D SKHQRPHQRQ NQRZQ DV WKH ŜHTXDWRULDO 2QH RQO\ KDV WR ORRN EDFN DW D PDS RI 0DUV GUDZQ
FORXG EDQGŝ (&% VKRXOG VWDUW WR PDNH DQ DSSHDUDQFH LQ WKH V WR VHH KRZ D QXPEHU RI IHDWXUHV OLNH
of cloud encircles 7KH (&% WDNHV WKH IRUP RI D WKLQ ZKLWH FORXG DORQJ Syrtis Major and Solis Lacus have changed over
Mars, visible north WKH HTXDWRU ZKHQ LW SDVVHV RYHU GDUNHU UHJLRQV OLNH time. In the last few years the northern hemisphere
of Sinus Gomer 6\UWLV 0DMRU LW FDQ PDNH WKH IHDWXUHV DSSHDU EOXLVK DOEHGR IHDWXUH NQRZQ DV $FLGDOLXP KDV FKDQJHG
(left) and extending Watch out for this from early February onwards. FRQVLGHUDEO\ DQG LW ZLOO EH LPSRUWDQW WR WUDFN DQ\
over southern new changes which result in future dust storms.
Syrtis Major (right) 7KH ZHOO NQRZQ GXVW VWRUP VHDVRQ VWDUV IURP
DERXW /V p VR NHHS DQ H\H RXW IRU WKHP VHH ER[ It is well worth recording your observations in a log
ERRN VHH ER[ SDJH DV WKLV ZLOO DOORZ \RX WR NHHS
WUDFN RI DOO RI WKH FKDQJHV DQG VHDVRQDO ZHDWKHU
patterns that you have observed. It’s also a great way
to become familiar with Martian geography, especially
if you have several drawings of the same feature.

It is going to be some time before we have another
VSOHQGLG 0DUV DSSDULWLRQ OLNH WKH RQH ZH KDYH DW WKH
PRPHQW 7DNH WKH FKDQFH WR IROORZ WKH 5HG 3ODQHW
IRU DV ORQJ DV SRVVLEOH DQG NHHS WUDFN RI DOO RI WKH
interesting developments occurring on it.

Paul G Abel is director of
the British Astronomical
Society’s Mercury and
Venus section. He is a
theoretical physicist at
the University of Leicester

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 71

The fundamentals of astronomy for beginners

EXPLAINER

Want to get to space? Here’s how...

Ordinary people can leave Earth’s atmosphere today, but are the prices sky high?

Transport for the future: Though both companies built the spacecraft to
SpaceX is leading the way ferry astronauts to and from the ISS, they also plan
in developing space tourism RQ VHOOLQJ ƆLJKWV WR ZKRHYHU FDQ DIIRUG LW EH WKH\
academic institutions hoping to conduct research
with its Crew Dragon in orbit or deep-pocketed individuals wanting to
take the ultimate trip.

G o back 60 years and the idea ofKONSTANTIN SHAKLEIN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, UPI/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, AXIOM SPACE, Next stop, the ISS
anyone going into space was littleAFLO CO.LTD/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, THE NASA LIBRARY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
more than a dream. Today, more 1$6$ LV DOUHDG\ DQWLFLSDWLQJ WKH FRPLQJ ERRP
than 550 people have achieved this ILLUSTRATION of private passengers, announcing back in March
ambition, journeying beyond our that the American space manufacturer Axiom
planet and into low Earth orbit. For would be building an ISS module to accommodate
decades, it’s been governments footing the bill for WKHP $[LRP LV DOVR KHOSLQJ WR IDFLOLWDWH ƆLJKWV WR WKH
WUDLQLQJ DQG Ɔ\LQJ DVWURQDXWV EXW WKDW FRXOG DOO VWDWLRQ WKHLU ƅUVW ZKLFK ZLOO WDNH WKUHH SULYDWH
be about to change. After years of development, DVWURQDXWV WR WKH ,66 LV SODQQHG IRU PLG 7KHUHŝV
SULYDWH VSDFHƆLJKW LV RQ WKH YHUJH RI EHLQJ DEOH WR still a seat going spare but you’ll have to pay the $55
regularly carry private passengers, allowing anyone million price tag on the ticket.
who wants to travel to the stars to do so – provided
they have the money, that is. If your budget can stretch to the billions rather
than the millions, however, you can always approach
The company closest to sending people into space private space exploration companies direct for
is SpaceX. In fact, it has already done so, having something a little more bespoke than an off-the-
FRPSOHWHG WKH ƅUVW VXFFHVVIXO KXPDQ WHVW ƆLJKW ZLWK VKHOI ƆLJKW 6SDFH ; LV FXUUHQWO\ ZRUNLQJ ZLWK
its Crew Dragon modules in August. Rival Boeing Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa (pictured right)
isn’t far behind and hopes to have its own Starliner
VSDFHFUDIW FHUWLƅHG IRU KXPDQV E\ WKH HQG RI In May, NASA
Both companies are remaining tight-lipped about their astronauts (from
IHHV EXW D 1$6$ HVWLPDWH SXW WKH FRVW RI D URXQG left) Doug Hurley
trip ticket to the International Space Station (ISS) on a and Bob Behnken
Crew Dragon or Starliner module at around $58 million. ƆHZ WR WKH ,66
with SpaceX

72 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

Safe transit: Axiom will create ILLUSTRATION At the other end of the fee scale, relatively
and supply modules to take speaking, is the option of taking a sub-orbital
space passengers to the ISS < Moon safari: ƆLJKW ZLWK 9LUJLQ *DODFWLF 7KH FRPSDQ\ SURPLVHV
passengers three things: to cross the boundary
on such a mission, called #dearmoon, which will Japanese billionaire LQWR RXWHU VSDFH NP DERYH (DUWKŝV VXUIDFH
VHQG VL[ WR HLJKW SDVVHQJHUV RQ D ƆLJKW DURXQG Yusaku Maezawa to let them see the curvature of Earth; and at
the Moon. Maezawa is even giving away his seats, is working with OHDVW ƅYH PLQXWHV RI IUHH ƆRDWLQJ ZHLJKWOHVVQHVV
but you’ll have to be a world-class artist to stand SpaceX on a
a chance of getting one; his plan is for all the project to send Ticket to ride
passengers to create works of art attempting world-class artists
to convey the experience of being in space to around the Moon After years of postponements, founder Richard
the world. Branson has announced that he hopes to take his
Dr Ezzy Pearson RZQ ƅUVW ƆLJKW LQ HDUO\ EHIRUH ZRUNLQJ GRZQ
is BBC Sky at the list of 600 people who have purchased a ticket
Night Magazine’s DW WKH HDUO\ ELUG SULFH RI Ś DERXW WKH FRVW
news editor. She RI WKH DYHUDJH ƆDW
gained her PhD
in extragalactic While it’s nice to daydream, the reality is that
astronomy at PRVW RI XV FRXOG QHYHU DIIRUG HYHQ WKH VL[ ƅJXUH
Cardiff University option. There is one more possibility, however
– become a professional astronaut. All you need
is: excellent physical health; a masters in a physical
science, engineering or medicine; several years of
work experience; a decorated military history; or
RYHU KRXUV RI ƆLJKW H[SHULHQFH

,I \RXŝUH DSSO\LQJ WR 1$6$ ZKR VHOHFW DURXQG D
dozen candidates every few years, then you’ll need to
have US citizenship. For Europeans there might be a
ELW PRUH RI D ƅJKW DV WKH (XURSHDQ 6SDFH $JHQF\
(ESA) hasn’t selected a new class of astronauts
VLQFH ZKHQ SHRSOH DSSOLHG IRU MXVW VL[
places. Rumour has it that the agency will be
VHQGLQJ RXW D FDOO IRU QHZ DVWURQDXWV LQ VR
LW PLJKW EH WLPH WR VWDUW ZRUNLQJ RQ WKH &9

Þ Charles D Walker (back row, left) was Previous private passengers

sponsored by his employer to go to space Virigin Galactic trips won’t be the first time people have paid to go into space

In 1984, American citizen Charles D Walker became the first non-government
sponsored person to reach space. His employer, aerospace company McDonnell
Douglas, paid for him to fly on three Shuttle missions. NASA charged just $40,000 per
flight, though the company spent around $20 million of its own money training him.

Most private spaceflights, however, were not flown on NASA Space Shuttles but
on the Russian Soyuz. In the 1990s, the Soviet Union’s wider financial problems
left its space agency with a shortfall in its ledger, making it more than willing to
accommodate paying customers. In 1990, a Japanese broadcasting company paid for
reporter Toyohiro Akiyama to fly to the Mir space station, and a few years later Helen
Sharman had her flight paid for by various sponsors, becoming the UK’s first astronaut.

In 1998, Space Adventures began working with the Russian space agency to
broker future flights to the International Space Station (ISS). Since then, the
company has trained and flown seven individuals, including the second person
to wear the British flag in space, gaming entrepreneur Richard Garriott.

In all these flights, the individuals did more than just float around, looking at
the view. Instead, they helped to conduct research and experiments, or put on
outreach events to educate those back on Earth.

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 73

Practical astronomy projects for every level of expertise

DIY ASTRONOMY

Turn an unused camera lens into a guidescope

Improve the accuracy of your mount by repurposing an old lens from a camera

Ready The aim of this project, therefore, is to make an
to go: the adaptor that will allow you to attach a guide camera to
completed any lens that you think is suitable for guiding your setup,
camera lens plus a bracket to attach the lens securely to your scope,
guidescope without it being too expensive or complicated to
and camera achieve. Lots of people have old lenses that date from
setup the pre-digital camera era and there are many for sale
on online auction sites at relatively low prices. If you
have a modern lens that’s going spare you can also use
that. This project won’t damage your lens; it will actually
make it more versatile and you’ll be able to easily put it
back to use on a regular camera.

A guidescope is an important item Mark Whalebone is A question of size
that helps with autoguiding in a former builder, and
astrophotography; it’s needed to is a keen amateur You may already be wondering about the best size
correct the small errors that can astronomer and of lens to use; as a low focal ratio is better for picking up
occur when you are tracking with a tinkerer who lives stars for your guide camera to track, we wouldn’t
motorised mount that has mechanical in Hertfordshire recommend using a lens less than 50mm. For our
gears. An example is the unwanted image trailing SURMHFW ZH RSWHG IRU DQ ROG PP 0 ƅW OHQV ZLWK D
that can occur – even though your mount has a good focal ratio of f/3.5. Your lens also needs to be fairly
alignment – when you are taking very long exposures FRPSDFW PDNLQJ LW HDVLHU WR FRQVWUXFW D EUDFNHW WR ƅW LW
of an object on your main camera. The guidescope WR D VWDQGDUG ƅQGHUVFRSH VKRH 7KH ',< EUDFNHW FRXOG
and guide camera, along with suitable software, also be used in other areas of astronomy; maybe with a
will help to counter this by checking the position OHQV DV D WHOHVFRSH RU DV D ƅQGHUVFRSH E\ LQVHUWLQJ DQ
of selected stars and communicating with the eyepiece instead of a guide camera). Another bonus
mount. Importantly, the guidescope makes small about our project is that it uses nearly all plastic parts,
FRUUHFWLRQV WR NHHS \RXU VFRSH VWDEOH DQG ƅ[HG RQ D such as rear lens caps and PVC pipe connectors.
target object.
As solvents are used in the guidescope’s
There are many purpose-built guidescopes that are construction, we recommend that you work in a
commercially available for astrophotography, but it’s well-ventilated area. Also, be careful to ensure you
also possible to make your own – at a reasonably have got suitable personal protection when you are
low cost – with the help of some simple DIY skills. using hazardous tools and materials.
The repurposing, or upcycling, of equipment is
ALL PICTURES: MARK WHALEBONE always a good idea and if it will help you improve What you’ll need
your astronomy so much the better. We are going
to look at how a guidescope can be made by X An old camera lens, 50mm or above (we used a 135mm, M42-fit lens)
repurposing an old camera lens. A guidescope itself is X A plastic M42-fit rear lens cap (or other suitable plastic rear
EDVLFDOO\ MXVW D OHQV RQ WKH HQG RI D WXEH ZLWK D ƅWWLQJ
for a camera at the other end. This description may lens cap); a PVC pipe coupler with an internal diameter of 32mm
sound a bit simplistic, but it got us thinking about how
easy it might be to come up with a DIY solution. X Nine M4 x 16mm nylon bolts to hold the guide camera and lens in
place; solvent glue and superglue, files and sandpaper

X Tools include a 36mm hole cutter, a 3mm drill bit, an M4 tap
attachment, a hand saw, a drill and an electric screwdriver

X A plastic chopping board and a section of 68mm drainpipe

74 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

Step by step

Step 1 Step 2

To make the lens-to-camera adaptor, clamp and saw the PVC For the adaptor’s lens collar, first take the lens cap and drill a
pipe coupler to the required length; ours was 20mm long to 3mm hole in its centre. Then remove most of the flat face with the
get the correct focal point for the guide camera. Use some fine 36mm hole cutter. We used a compass to draw a circle on a sticky
sandpaper to clean up any rough-cut edges. label to accurately mark the centre of the lens cap.

Step 3 Step 4

After sanding any roughness, carefully apply the plastic solvent Now drill three
glue to the cut edges of the lens cap, making sure not to get any 3mm holes, 10mm
solvent on any threads, then insert the PVC pipe by a couple of from the edge of
millimetres ensuring a nice fit. Allow 24 hours for the glue to set. the PVC pipe and
120° apart. Next,
create threads on
the insides of
drilled holes,
by slowly using
the electric
screwdriver
with the M4 tap
attachment, before
screwing in the
M4 nylon bolts.
The adaptor is now
ready and we can
move onto making
the bracket.

Step 5 Step 6

Measure your For the lens ring
telescope’s part of the bracket
findescope shoe we used a 35mm
and then saw strips section of 68mm
from the plastic plastic drain pipe.
chopping board Make three double
and file them for sets of M4 locking
a smooth finish, bolt holes to hold
making sure the the lens in place
strip for the base (using the method
fits the findershoe. set out in Step 4).
To build the Finally, the lens
pedestal part ring is both glued
of the bracket, and screwed to
glue two strips the pedestal to
together for the finish the bracket.
stem and then The bracket and
glue the base adaptor are now
and top to it as ready to use with
shown here. your lens.

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 75

Take the perfect astrophoto with our step-by-step guide

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY

CAPTURE

Catch Neptune and its largest moon, Triton

A careful balance of settings is required to capture the Solar System’s outermost planet

1HSWXQHŝV GLPQHVV IRUFHV \RXU KDQG +HUH ORQJHU
H[SRVXUHV DUH D QHFHVVLW\ DQG WKLV PHDQV ORZHU IUDPH
rates. To stand any chance of obtaining detail from
the planet you’ll need steady seeing and, as you’ll
EH XVLQJ KLJK PDJQLƅFDWLRQ D GHJUHH RI DFFXUDF\ LQ
your mount’s polar alignment is desirable too.

ALL PICTURES: PETE LAWRENCENeptune is a tricky target for Þ Distant wonders: Triton on the side
astrophotography: being such a distant
planet it appears small and dim from the ice giant 2QH VXUSULVLQJ H[WUD LV 1HSWXQHŝV ODUJHVW PRRQ 7ULWRQ
Earth. To be fair, as it typically hovers at Neptune and its At mag. +13.5 this is straightforward to image with a
mag. +7.8 it’s only dim compared to its moon Triton are planetary camera; that’s as long as you don’t mind
Solar System neighbours. 30 AU from the RYHU H[SRVLQJ 1HSWXQH ,Q RUGHU WR FDWFK LW \RXŝOO QHHG D
For imaging the brighter planets, it’s normal to use a Sun (where 1 AU or setup that can show Neptune as a disc, albeit a rather
KLJK IUDPH UDWH FDPHUD FRQƅJXUHG IRU VKRUW H[SRVXUHV astronomical unit small one. The orbit of Triton appears as an ellipse,
By capturing frames at a rate of tens (or sometimes is the distance from ZKLFK LV VHSDUDWHG IURP 1HSWXQHŝV FHQWUH E\ [ WKH
hundreds) every second, it’s possible to take advantage the Sun to Earth) SODQHWŝV DSSDUHQW GLVF VL]H DW LWV FORVHVW SRLQW DQG [
of the short periods when distortions caused by our at its furthest point. The orbital ellipse has a minor
atmosphere are at a minimum. These frames are then Pete Lawrence is an VHPL D[LV RI DUFVHFRQGV DQG D PDMRU VHPL D[LV RI
H[WUDFWHG DOLJQHG DQG DYHUDJHG IRU D GHFHQW UHVXOW expert astro imager arcseconds. This means it’s possible to catch Triton
The lower brightness of Neptune means a bit of and a presenter on PRUH RU OHVV DW DQ\ SRLQW LQ LWV RUELW LWŝV MXVW D ELW HDVLHU
EDODQFLQJ LV UHTXLUHG EHWZHHQ JDLQ DPSOLƅFDWLRQ The Sky at Night when closer to an elongation. Through an eyepiece,
ZKLFK LQWHQVLƅHV DQ LPDJH DQG PDNHV LW EULJKWHU EXW Neptune has an apparent diameter of 2 arcseconds.
which can also, if set too high, boost frame noise) and Triton, meanwhile, has a diameter of 2,707km and orbits
H[SRVXUH +LJK JDLQ DOORZV D IDVWHU IUDPH UDWH EXW WKH Neptune in the opposite direction to the planet’s
additional noise (unwanted artefacts) means you’ll rotation. Through amateur kit, Triton appears like a
need more frames; lower gain may give cleaner frames, blurred star, a consequence of seeing distorting its
EXW \RXŝOO QHHG ORQJHU H[SRVXUHV 7KH ODWWHU UHVXOWV LQ D LPDJH KLJK PDJQLƅFDWLRQV DQG ORQJHU H[SRVXUHV
lower frame rate that will be less able to overcome
seeing distortions. Getting the right balance of settings 7KHUH DUH SURJUDPV DQG DSSV WR KHOS ƅQG ZKHUH
UHTXLUHV WLPH H[SHULHQFH DQG SDWLHQFH Triton is relative to Neptune such as WinJupos
(jupos.org). Once you’ve located Neptune, that odd
SURFHGXUH ZKLFK UHTXLUHV \RX WR H[WHQG WKH H[SRVXUH
time of a planetary camera beyond what you might
be used to, is easy to deal with and will allow you to
image the remotest large moon in the Solar System.

Recommended equipment: 200mm or larger
telescope, high frame rate planetary camera,
RSWLFDO DPSOLƅHU DQ $'& DQG D UHG RU OXPLQDQFH ƅOWHU


Send your images to:
[email protected]

76 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

Step by step

STEP 1 STEP 2

We’d recommend a 200mm scope as the minimum size for this It’s up to you whether you image using a colour or a mono camera.
task. Ideally, it needs to be working with a focal ratio of 3–5x Good results on Neptune’s disc can often be achieved using a mono
the pixel size in microns of your camera. This can be achieved camera and a 610nm (red) filter. However, for Triton, finesse isn’t
with a Barlow lens or a Powermate. To find your camera’s pixel necessary as it’s light you’re after; a luminance filter (IR+UV
size, look up its specifications on the manufactuer’s website. blocker) combined with a colour camera will give a bright image.

STEP 3 STEP 4

If you image using Using a colour
a colour camera, camera, over-
an atmospheric expose Neptune
dispersion to reveal colour
corrector (ADC) fringing; then adjust
is useful to remove the ADC’s levers
colour fringing until it goes.
caused by the Obviously, mono
atmosphere. An cameras can’t
ADC has two levers show the fringe
which adjust two colours and here a
internal prisms red-pass filter is
used to recombine recommended to
atmospherically give a view least
dispersed light. affected by seeing.
Aligned together, Once set up,
the levers should adjust the gain
point level with the to 50–70 per cent
ground and then and the exposure
be moved apart accordingly, to get
symmetrically to a correctly exposed
correct for fringing. view of Neptune.

STEP 5 STEP 6

Focus on the planet as accurately as possible. At high Once Triton can be seen, start your capture sequence. Aim for
magnification it’s recommended that you use an electronic several hundred frames as a minimum; it’s worth capturing a
focuser, as this will allow adjustment without having to wobble number of sequences. Once recorded, pass each one through
the scope. Once focused, increase the exposure to reveal Triton your preferred registration stacking software. In AutoStakkert!
near Neptune. If possible, keep the gain at less than 70 per cent. you can mark Neptune and Triton for final stacking.

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 77

Expert processing tips to enhance your astrophotos

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY

PROCESSING

IIAPY Masterclass Advice from a highly
Create a stunning skyscape commended 2019 entrant
in the ‘Skyscapes’ category
How to seamlessly blend two images taken at the same location

Þ Before processing: of the direction, or if it would even be visible from up
in the mountains. As the Sun set, I set my foreground
the initial images, exposure and left my camera in place. Towards the
showing the twilight end of twilight, I was getting ready to capture the
landscape (left) and night sky when I suddenly saw a trail of light in my
the later SpaceX camera’s frame of view, rising up from the mountain
launch plume (right) and beginning to expand. I quickly adjusted my
settings and captured shots of the sky as the launch
< After processing: progressed. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to
witness the SpaceX launch in such a beautiful
Brandon’s highly setting, in addition to having it happen directly in my
commended ‘Flower FDPHUDŝV YLHZ , ZDV H[FLWHG WR UHWXUQ IURP WKH ƅHOG
Power’ image to edit this amazing event using the techniques
described here – in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
ALL PICTURES: BRANDON YOSHIZAWAHaving planned a trip to California’s – to combine my images.
Eastern Sierra region in autumn 2018,
and after scouting around, I found Blending together
some lovely aspen trees with autumnal
colours near the mountain town of 7KH ƅUVW SDUW RI WKH SURFHVV LQYROYHV EOHQGLQJ WKH
Bishop. The gorgeous snow-capped two initial images (see above). To do this you select
Sierra Nevada mountains provided a great backdrop the foreground exposure captured at twilight, along
and I knew it would look stunning in an image as the
Milky Way became visible. I was aware of a planned
SpaceX rocket launch that evening, but I wasn’t sure

78 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

3 QUICK TIPS

1. Make sure your tripod is stable so that it
does not move in between exposures.

2. After using Photoshop’s ‘Quick Selection Tool’
to mask your foreground layer, invert the mask in
order to create your sky layer to save time.

3. Ensure the transition from foreground to sky
looks as realistic as possible to mimic a night shot.

Þ Screenshot 1: the masked areas before they are aligned and combined foreground exposure and use the ‘Quick Selection Tool’
to outline the foreground below the mountain range.
Þ Screenshot 2: use clipping mask layers to adjust ‘Brightness’ and ‘Curves’ =RRP LQ WR WR PDNH ƅQDO WZHDNV WR WKH ŜPDUFKLQJ
ants selection’– the area selected by a moving dotted
with the night sky exposure for initial editing and load Brandon line – to ensure a proper mask and to create a new
both images in Adobe Lightroom. Here, you can Yoshizawa is a layer for this selection. Do the same with the sky layer
make general changes to the overall ‘Exposure’, Los Angeles-based by using the ‘Quick Selection Tool’ to select the sky
‘Contrast’, ‘Whites’ balance and ‘Highlights’ and photographer above the mountain range and create a new layer for
‘Shadows’. Since the foreground exposure is who was highly this selection too. Next, hide both the original layers
drastically brighter than the sky exposure, bring down commended in leaving only the two new layers (see screenshot 1).
the ‘Exposure’ and ‘Highlights’ for the foreground the IIAPY 2019
image to mimic what a night exposure would ‘Skyscapes’ Use the ‘Move Tool’ to line up both foreground and
generally look like; and bring up the ‘Exposure’ and category with sky layers; if you did a careful job with the ‘Quick
‘Shadows’ in the night sky shot to compensate for ‘Flower Power’ Selection Tool’ both layers will be seamless. If not,
underexposure. Once both images have been you might see a white gap between them. At this
adjusted in Lightroom, they can be loaded in point, you can go back and redo the layer masks or
$GREH 3KRWRVKRS IRU EOHQGLQJ DQG ƅQDO HGLWLQJ you can use the ‘Clone Stamp Tool’ to carefully
remove any white gaps. To use the ‘Clone Stamp
In this particular skyscape, the mountain range Tool’, zoom in to 100%, sample a portion of the sky
provides a hard line between the foreground and the close to the white gap and then brush over the gap;
sky, which makes it fairly simple to blend the two ƅOOLQJ LW LQ ZLWK WKH VN\ VDPSOH 2QFH FRPSOHWH
exposures. After layering both images, select the your sky and foreground will be seamless. However,
the exposure difference between both layers may
still make the overall image look unnatural, so a
little more processing may be required.

Finishing touches

To adjust the foreground exposure, select your
foreground layer and add both a ‘Brightness’ and a
‘Curves’ layer. Right click on each layer and select
‘Create Clipping Mask’, which will clip it to the
foreground layer notated by the down arrow icon.
Decrease the ‘Brightness’ and bring down the overall
‘Curves’ adjustment on each clipped layer until the
overall exposure of your foreground matches the sky.
You may lose shadow detail by doing this, so create
a layer mask for both the ‘Brightness’ and ‘Curves’
layers. Select the layer mask and use a black
paintbrush to ‘undo’ or paint back in the details
XQWLO \RX DUH VDWLVƅHG ZLWK KRZ ERWK FRPELQHG
exposures look (see Screenshot 2).

)URP KHUH \RX DUH IUHH WR DGG ƅQDO WRXFKHV WR
your post-processing to suit your needs, which
may consist of additional ‘Contrast’, using the
‘Dodge’ and ‘Burn’ tools to lighten and darken
the image, noise removal (to remove unwanted
DUWHIDFWV ƅQDO VKDUSHQLQJ FRORXU FRUUHFWLRQ
Ŝ9LEUDQFHŝ DQG Ŝ6DWXUDWLRQŝ SOXV DQ\ ƅQDO FOHDQXS
work such as removing hot pixels or sensor spots.

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 79

Your best photos submitted to the magazine this month More

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY ONLINE

GALLERY A gallery containing

these and more

of your images

U The Moon occulting Mars PHOTO
OF THE
Ricardo J Vaz Tolentino, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 6 September 2020 MONTH

Ricardo says: “Despite By 03:04 UT, Mars had disappeared from Ricardo’s top tips: “To capture the Moon
the adverse conditions view, reappearing 50 minutes later occulting planets, focus ahead of time on the
– atmospheric turbulence, in the southeastern region near the lunar planet that will be hidden and adjust the
dew, wind and cold – I crater Helmholtz.” photo parameters – exposure, brightness,
managed to capture this contrast and saturation. Then, focus on the
beautiful and anxiously awaited astronomical Equipment: Orion StarShoot Solar System Moon to see if these parameters also suit it; if
event from my rooftop observatory in Color Imaging IV camera, Sky-Watcher WKH\ GRQŝW \RXŝOO QHHG WR ƅQG D PLGGOH JURXQG
Belo Horizonte. The image was taken at Skyliner-400P FlexTube Dobsonian, Precise focus is vital, but you must hope that
03:02 UT, at the start of the occultation, and Celestron Ultima 2x Barlow Exposure: there’s no atmospheric turbulence or wind at
is one of an hour-long sequence of photos. single exposure Software: PhotoImpression the moment of occultation.”

80 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

U The Milky Way

Kat Lawman, Dorset, 24 May 2020
Kat says: ş, JRW P\ ƅUVW HYHU '6/5 DV D ELUWKGD\ JLIW WKLV
\HDU DQG , NQHZ WKH ƅUVW SLFWXUH , ZDQWHG WR WDNH ZDV RI
the night sky. On a clear night we set off to Durdle Door
LQ 'RUVHW 7KLV ZDV WKH YHU\ ƅUVW 0LON\ :D\ SLFWXUH WKDW

I took that night, sat on the beach with a hot chocolate at 2am in
my sleeping bag and blanket!”
Equipment: &DQRQ ' 0DUN ,, '6/5 FDPHUD 6DP\DQJ PP OHQV
Exposure: ISO 3200 f/2.8, 45 x 25” Software: 6HTXDWRU /LJKWURRP
Photoshop

U The Pleiades

Robert Leach, Corfu, Greece, 28 August 2020
Robert says: “I only started this hobby in May and
I’m hooked – so much so that when I took a last-minute
holiday to Corfu, I took my equipment with me. I was
really excited to image in darker skies (Bortle 2) and happy

to capture the nebulosity around the Pleiades.”
Equipment: =:2 $6, 0& FRORXU FDPHUD :LOOLDP 2SWLFV 5HG&DW
apo refractor, Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount Exposure: 22 x 600”,
[ Š Software: DeepSkyStacker, PixInsight, Photoshop

Y Small Magellanic Cloud

Fernando Menezes, Brazil, 21–24 July 2020
Fernando says: “The Small Magellanic Cloud is an
object loved by all astrophotographers in the Southern
+HPLVSKHUH EHFDXVH Ś WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKH /DUJH
Magellanic Cloud – it’s visible to the naked eye,

making the nights much more beautiful.”
Equipment: &DQRQ ' '6/5 FDPHUD &DQRQ () PP
I / ,, 860 OHQV L2SWURQ 6PDUW(4 PRXQW Exposure:
[ Š Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, SharpCap

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 81

U The Veil Nebulae

Terry Hancock, Grand Mesa Observatory,
Colorado, July and August 2020

Terry says: ş7KLV ZDV WKH ƅUVW
light image taken using the new
4+< PHJDSL[HO IXOO
IUDPH FDPHUD DW *UDQG 0HVD
2EVHUYDWRU\ , SRVW SURFHVVHG LQ EL FRORXU
EHFDXVH LW KHOSV WR NHHS WKH YHU\ GHQVHO\
SDFNHG UHJLRQ RI VWDUV XQGHU FRQWURO DQG
EHVW LGHQWLƅHV WKH YHU\ IDLQW DUHDV Š

Equipment: 4+< PRQR FDPHUD
7DNDKDVKL )64 DSR UHIUDFWRU
3DUDPRXQW 0( PRXQW Exposure:
+D [ Š 2,,, [ Š 5*% [ Š
Software: 3L[,QVLJKW 3KRWRVKRS

The Meathook Galaxy,
NGC 2442 Z

Dan Crowson, via Telescope Live, El Sauce
Observatory, Chile, March and April 2020

Dan says: ş, UHDOO\ OLNH RGG
JDOD[LHV 1*& KDV EHHQ
RQ P\ OLVW IRU \HDUV EXW , FDQŝW
VHH LW IURP P\ ORFDWLRQ ,
GHFLGHG WR WU\ 7HOHVFRSH /LYH DQG , FRXOGQŝW
EH KDSSLHU ZLWK WKH GDWD FDSWXUHG XQGHU
GDUN &KLOHDQ VNLHV Š

Equipment: )/, 3/ PRQR &&'
FDPHUD $6$ 1 1HZWRQLDQ $6$ ''0
PRXQW Exposure: / [ Š 5*% [ Š
HDFK Software: &&'6WDFN 3KRWRVKRS

82 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

V The Bat Nebula

Chad Leader, Maryland, USA, 10 August 2020

Chad says: ş,ŝYH SKRWRJUDSKHG WKH (DVWHUQ 9HLO
1HEXOD LQ D ZLGH ƅHOG YLHZ PDQ\ WLPHV , GHFLGHG
WR LPDJH WKLV VHFWLRQ NQRZQ DV WKH %DW 1HEXOD DW D
ORQJHU IRFDO OHQJWK WR VHH LI , FRXOG FDSWXUH WKH ƅQH
GHWDLOV RI LWV ZLVS\ ƅODPHQWV Š

Equipment: =:2 $6, 0& 3UR FRORXU FDPHUD &HOHVWURQ (GJH+'
LQFK 6FKPLGW &DVVHJUDLQ 6N\ :DWFKHU (4 5 3UR PRXQW
Exposure: [ Š Software: 3L[,QVLJKW

U The Andromeda Galaxy

Tom Howard, Isle of Wight and Crawley, December 2018
and August 2020

Tom says: ş, VWDUWHG WKLV EDFN LQ RQ D KROLGD\ WR WKH
,VOH RI :LJKW ZKHUH , UHFRUGHG KRXUV RI GDWD 7KH
GDUN VNLHV PHDQW , GLGQŝW XVH D OLJKW SROOXWLRQ ƅOWHU ZKLFK
, WKLQN KHOSHG NHHS WKH FRORXUV QDWXUDO %DFN DW KRPH LQ
6XVVH[ , DGGHG PRUH GDWD WKLV VXPPHU VKRUWHU H[SRVXUHV WR WU\ WR
EHWWHU FDSWXUH WKH FRUH DQG EULJKWHU VWDUV Š

Equipment: 1LNRQ ' '6/5 FDPHUD 76 2SWLFV PP
TXDGUXSOHW UHIUDFWRU 6N\ :DWFKHU (4 PRXQW
Exposure: [ ŝ [ ŝ Software: 'HHS6N\6WDFNHU 3KRWRVKRS

NEOWISE mosaic Z

Tomáš Slovinský (above), Petr Horálek
(below), Slovakia, Crete and Czech Republic,

9 July to 3 August 2020

Tomáš says: “This was an
LQWHUQDWLRQDO FROODERUDWLRQ
ZLWK ERWK RI XV XVLQJ WKH VDPH
HTXLSPHQW DQG VHWWLQJV , WRRN
WKH IRUHJURXQG SDQRUDPD RI
/RPQLFN½ 3HDN LQ 6ORYDNLD DQG
3HWU GLG WKH SURFHVVLQJ Ś KLV
FRPHW GDWD IURP WKH &]HFK 5HSXEOLF DQG
PLQH IURP &UHWH DQG 6ORYDNLD Ś WKHQ ZH
FRQVWUXFWHG WKLV SDQRUDPD WRJHWKHU
7KH FRPHWŝV SDWK LV SLFWXUHG IURP -XO\
RQ WKH ULJKW WR $XJXVW RQ WKH OHIW Š

Equipment: &DQRQ ' 6LJPD PP OHQV
6N\ :DWFKHU 6WDU $GYHQWXUHU PRXQW
Exposure: IRUHJURXQG ,62 I
[ Š FRPHW ,62 I Š

ENTER TO WIN A PRIZE. HERE’S HOW:

Whether you’re a seasoned astro- We’ve teamed up with Modern Astronomy to offer
photographer or a beginner, we’d the winner of next month’s Gallery a BAADER
love to see your images. Email them AstroSolar Safety Film. This specially designed
to contactus@skyatnightmagazine. ƅOP FDQ EH XVHG WR PDNH D VRODU ƅOWHU IRU WHOHVFRSHV DQG ELQRFXODUV
com. Ts&Cs: www.immediate.co.uk/ enabling safe observations of the surface of the Sun. Comes with full
terms-and-conditions safety instructions. www.modernastronomy.com • 020 8763 9953

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 83

See the As soeneTnV
difference
for yourself Reduce
Eyestrain
RISK FREE Instantly

for 30 days

O Up to TEN TIMES more light We have all been spending more time indoors with our heads in a book or
on your page absorbed in our favourite hobbies. The light we live under has far reaching
effects. Poor quality light causes eyestrain and can affect our ability to read
O Words and colours and concentrate.
appear crisp and clear
O Reading is easier, faster TVs are not the only high definition technology
and more enjoyable
O Recommended by A Serious Light offers incredible clarity, intense brightness and high
over 500 independent definition detail. This is why they are relied upon by surgeons and
qualified opticians forensic scientists as well as fine art restorers – basically anyone who needs
O Delivered fully to see clearly and accurately. We are a British team who are truly serious
assembled about light.

“ It’s like See more clearly and light up your life indoors

having a Only light changes how well we can see detail and colour. If you’re an avid
brand new reader or enjoy an indoor hobby, be that sewing, model-making or playing
music, Serious Lights are designed to completely transform your enjoyment
”pair of eyes! in a way you never thought possible. They are built to take the strain away
from your eyes.
Ms Sherliker Surrey
30THE DIFFERE WA R R A N T Y SSEMBLY NE
AND MADE I
day 5
REAT BRITAI
H SK FREE TRI year
N

SEE
AL

NO A
EDED

Light up you

NCE
RI

N
G
For Advice. For a Brochure. To Order: ®

0800 085 1088 Readers

seriousreaders.com/3347 r life indoors™

FREE Serious Compact Light worth £150
with any Serious Light order when you
use code 3347, while stocks last.

The best in equipment, accessories and books each month SUBSCRIBE

REVIEWS Discover the
best new kit
each month

Find out more about how we test equipment at
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/scoring-categories

86

ZWO’s ASI 1600GT M
cooled mono camera has
DQ LQQRYDWLYH GHVLJQ EXW
how well does it perform?

@THESHED/PHOTOSTUDIO PLUS: Books on robots in space and a HOW WE RATE
NASA flight director’s memoir, plus a
roundup of the latest astronomy gear (DFK SURGXFW ZH UHYLHZ LV UDWHG IRU SHUIRUPDQFH LQ ƅYH FDWHJRULHV
+HUHŝV ZKDW WKH UDWLQJV PHDQ

+++++ Outstanding +++++ Very good
+++++ Good +++++ Average +++++ Poor/avoid

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 85

Our experts review the latest kit

FIRST LIGHT

ZWO ASI 1600GT M camera

A cooled mono CMOS camera with a built-in filter wheel and a stylish square design

WORDS: GARY PALMER

ALL PHOTOS: @THESHED/PHOTOSTUDIO VITAL STATS Z WO has become a well-established (https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com) before
brand in the CMOS camera marketplace; LQVWDOOLQJ WKHP LI WKH\ DUH WRR ELJ WKH ƅOWHU ZKHHO FRXOG
• Price £1,785 over the last decade it has produced get damaged before you even start imaging. You will
• Sensor models for all types of imaging. We are also need to visit the website to download the drivers
used to seeing the cylindrical shape and IRU WKH FDPHUD DQG WKH $6&20 GULYHU IRU WKH ƅOWHU
Panasonic red colour of its deep-sky cameras, but wheel (ASCOM is an industry-standard interface that
now ZWO has launched two new ‘GT’ models that allows different pieces of astronomical equipment to
MN34230 break with tradition. Here, we take a look at the ASI communicate), as these are no longer included on
*7 0 D PRQR FDPHUD ZLWK D EXLOW LQ ƅOWHU ZKHHO software discs. If you are installing the drivers on a PC,
• Image format you will also need to have the ASCOM Platform
4,656 x 3,520 After opening the 1600GT M’s box, we were LQVWDOOHG WKHUH WKLV ZLOO HQDEOH \RX WR QDPH WKH ƅOWHUV
presented with a square-shaped camera; it’s quite DQG FRQWURO WKH ƅOWHU ZKHHO ZLWK VRIWZDUH
pixels a bit larger than a normal ZWO model – with a
stylish heatsink back case, two cooling fans and The 1600GT mono sensor is a 4/3-inch type with a
• Pixel size 3.8μm WZR KDQGOHV Ś DQG ƅQLVKHG LQ DQRGLVHG UHG 2Q WKH UHVROXWLRQ RI [ SL[HOV ZKLOH WKH FDPHUD
• Full resolution bottom we found a USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 sockets, LWVHOI KDV D 0% ''5 PHPRU\ EXIIHU WR KHOS
plus a ‘power in’ socket and a new ‘power out’ socket with download times. Setting the camera up for
23fps that can carry 12V to other devices. There is also a imaging is quite straightforward as the adaptors
red LED power light for when the camera is active, WKDW JLYH PP EDFN IRFXV DUH LQFOXGHG LQ WKH ER[
• Camera size although this has been reduced in size and isn’t as
110mm x 110mm bright as on other cameras. The front cover of the Test conditions
camera is black and has four screws; unscrewing
• Weight 1.10kg WKHVH UHYHDOV D ƅOWHU ZKHHO IRU LQFK ƅOWHUV ZLWK )RU WKH ƅUVW WLPH LQ D ZKLOH ZH KDG MXVW WZR KRXUV RI
• Extras Cables, VSDFH IRU ƅYH clear sky in a whole month. Luckily, we were able to
extend our time with the camera; if we hadn’t this
an extender 6RPH FDUH PXVW EH WDNHQ ZKHQ LQVWDOOLQJ ƅOWHUV DV review might have been rather short! One of our main
=:2 LV TXLWH VSHFLƅF DERXW WKH VL]H RI WKUHDG RQ concerns was to see if there would be any vignetting.
and spacer these, so it’s worth checking the company website This is when the brightness of an image falls away >

adaptors,

ƅOWHU PDVNV
a screwdriver

and screws

• Supplier 365
Astronomy

• Tel 020 3384
5187

• www.365
astronomy.com

Exceptional sensor experience

Integral to the ZWO ASI 1600GT is the Panasonic MN34230 senor, which
has a proven track record for capturing stunning astro images since it was
released a few years back. In the early days it suffered from amp glow and
other small issues, but ZWO has done some good work to iron out these
problems and make its versions of the sensor very clean, with the result that
there is little noise (unwanted artefacts) in the final images. The sensor is
more commonly known as the ASI 1600 and has a lot to offer in terms of its
specifications, starting with a resolution of 4,656 x 3,520 pixels and a pixel
size of 3.8+m. There are plenty of custom sizes that can be selected for the
camera’s region of interest via your camera control software, so you can get
a little ‘closer’ to objects when you are using smaller telescopes.

The camera is also relatively fast for a deep-sky camera at 23fps in full
resolution. We found that frame rate increased as we reduced the size of the
region of interest, making it very good for lunar and solar imaging – another
bonus considering the 1600 GT M is billed as a deep-sky camera.

86 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

Cooling system SCALE

7KH UHDU FDVLQJ KDV D KHDWVLQN FRYHU ZLWK
JURRYHV DQG WZR PDJOHY IDQV IRU DGGLWLRQDO
FRROLQJ 7RJHWKHU WKH\ DOORZ WKH FDPHUD WR FRRO WR

p& EHORZ DPELHQW WHPSHUDWXUH 7KLV LV DOO
HDV\ WR FRQWURO LQ \RXU IDYRXULWH FDSWXUH VRIWZDUH

DQG KHOSV WR UHGXFH WKH QRLVH RU XQZDQWHG
DUWHIDFWV LQ WKH FDSWXUHG LPDJHV

Internal filter wheel

7KH EXLOW LQ ƅOWHU ZKHHO Ś GULYHQ E\ D VLOHQW
VWHSSHU PRWRU Ś WLFNV WKH ER[ IRU EHLQJ HDV\
WR XVH DQG LV RQH OHVV LWHP WR LQVWDOO ,W KDV ƅYH

VORWV WKDW ZLOO WDNH LQFK PP ƅOWHUV
ZKLFK DUH HDV\ WR LQVWDOO E\ UHPRYLQJ WKH
IRXU VFUHZV RQ WKH IURQW FRYHU

USB sockets

2Q WKH ERWWRP RI WKH FDPHUD LV D EDQN RI 86%
VRFNHWV WKH EOXH 86% LV D KLJK VSHHG 86%
VRFNHW ZKLFK DOVR GRXEOHV DV D 86% VRFNHW XVHG
WR RSHUDWH WKH FDPHUD 1H[W WR LW DUH WZR 86%
VRFNHWV WKDW DUH XVHG WR SOXJ LQ DFFHVVRULHV

Power sockets

$ QHZ IHDWXUH ZLWK WKLV FDPHUD LV WKH ŜSRZHU RXWŝ
VRFNHW :LWK WKH RSWLRQ WR PRXQW D QHYHU HQGLQJ
OLVW RI DFFHVVRULHV WR XVH QHDU WKH FDPHUD IRU
H[DPSOH DQ HOHFWULF IRFXVHU RU D URWDWRU PRUH
SRZHU VRFNHWV DOZD\V FRPH LQ XVHIXO DQG FXW GRZQ
RQ WKH DPRXQW RI ZLUHV UXQQLQJ XS WR WKH WHOHVFRSH

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 87

FIRST LIGHT M42, taken with the
1600GT M connected
to a SharpStar
15028HNT 150mm
f/2.8 telescope,
using exposures of
60 x 60” per channel

Accessories

A batch of accessories are included to connect the Galaxy pair M81 (left) and M82, taken
camera to different equipment. The two extenders give with the same setup as above, using
a combined back focus of 55mm for pairing with focal 30 x 60” exposures per channel in LRGB
reducers. There’s also a screwdriver for removing the main
FRYHU SOXV H[WUD FDEOHV DQG ƅOWHU PDVNV ZLWK VFUHZV

KIT TO ADD > towards the edge of the frame,
an aberration which can be
1. ZWO 12V 5A FDXVHG E\ VPDOO ƅOWHUV EHLQJ
AC to DC power used in conjunction with a large
supply adaptor sensor. In order to test this we set
for ZWO ASI the camera up on a scope which
cooled cameras GHOLYHUHG D ZLGHU ƅHOG RI YLHZ
M42 in Orion (pictured right, top)
2. ZWO CCD ZDV WKH ƅUVW WDUJHW ZH WULHG
/5*% ƅOWHU fairly short exposures and a low
VHW LQFK gain as we were using quite a
fast imaging system with a focal
3. ZWO ASIair ratio of f/2.8. Capturing RGB
PRO smart
:L )L DFFHVVRU\

images and processing them

revealed no evidence of vignetting, indeed we had

GHWDLO ULJKW WR WKH HGJH RI WKH ƅHOG 2Q RWKHU WDUJHWV

including the M81 and M82 galaxy pair (right, middle) The Cone Nebula, also taken using
LRGB with 30 x 60” per channel,
and the Cone Nebula (right, bottom), the 1600GT M with hydrogen-alpha data included

SHUIRUPHG YHU\ ZHOO DQG WKH ƅOWHU ZKHHO ZDV YHU\ IDVW

and smooth in operation.

When we processed the images we were pleased be 5A minimum, bearing in mind that you might be
using the ‘power out’ socket for another device.
to see lots of crisp detail with very little noise
Overall, we are pleased to report that the camera
(unwanted artefacts) considering the imaging times. performed very well and would be good for anyone
who is looking for a mono camera that is easy to use.
Design benefits
@THESHED/PHOTOSTUDIO, GARY PALMER X 3 VERDICT +++++
The camera may cost is a little over what you would +++++
SD\ IRU D 00 3UR DQG VHSDUDWH ƅYH SRVLWLRQ Build & Design +++++
ƅOWHU ZKHHO EXW WKH *7 0 KDV DGYDQWDJHV RYHU Connectivity +++++
separate items: there are fewer cables and you can Ease of use +++++
VHDO WKH ƅOWHUV LQVLGH WKH FDPHUD WR VWRS DQ\ Features +++++
problems with dust when not in use. Having the Imaging quality
LQWHUQDO ƅOWHU ZKHHO DOVR DYRLGV DQ\ SUREOHPV ZLWK OVERALL
moisture on the sensor window. It would, however, be
nice to see a power supply included. You’ll need to
purchase it separately or use your own and it has to

88 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

FOOD HOMES AND GARDENING

12 ISSUES FOR £29.99 13 ISSUES FOR £29.99 10 ISSUES FOR £19.99 12 ISSUES FOR £39.99 13 ISSUES FOR £29.99 13 ISSUES FOR £29.99 13 ISSUES FOR £19.99
SAVE 49% SAVE 51% SAVE 43% SAVE 39% SAVE 54% SAVE 54% SAVE 38%

LIFESTYLE SCIENCE AND NATURE

13 ISSUES FOR £29.99 26 ISSUES FOR £59.99 13 ISSUES FOR £39.99 14 ISSUES FOR £34.99 12 ISSUES FOR £34.99 13 ISSUES FOR £29.99 13 ISSUES FOR £29.99
SAVE 53% SAVE 39% SAVE 49% SAVE 52% SAVE 47% SAVE 51% SAVE 49%

HISTORY SPORT CRAFT

13 ISSUES FOR £34.99 13 ISSUES FOR £29.99 13 ISSUES FOR £37.99 20 ISSUES FOR £39.99 13 ISSUES FOR £37.99 13 ISSUES FOR £46.99 13 ISSUES FOR £44.99
SAVE 51% SAVE 58% SAVE 51% SAVE 29% SAVE 47% SAVE 49% SAVE 46%

TAKE THE HASSLE OUT OF YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND GIVE A GIFT THAT LASTS ALL YEAR

ORDER NOW! Remember ordering online is safe and secure,
choose from any of these payment options
Subscribing online is quick and easy. Visit

mobile-friendly site safe and secure christmas SEE OUR
FULL RANGE
easy search
OF
or call our hotline 0330 053 8660† QUOTE CODE: X20AD MAGAZINES

ONLINE

This offer closes on the 31st December 2020 and is valid for UK delivery addresses only. The discounts shown are savings calculated as a percentage of the full shop price, excluding Radio Times and Match of the Day
which are calculated as a percentage of the Basic Annual Rate. For overseas rates visit www.buysubscriptions.com. All Christmas gift subscriptions will start with the first issue available in January 2021. Should the
magazine change in frequency, we will honour the number of issues and not the term of the subscription. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part
of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff ). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 9am
– 5pm. *Radio Times is published weekly and Radio Times subscriptions are for 26 issues. The Basic Annual UK Subscription Rate of Radio Times is £193. This price is for one year and includes the Christmas double
issue and a contribution towards postage. Match of the Day is published bi-weekly and Match of the Day subscriptions are for 20 issues. The Basic Annual UK Rate for Match of the Day is £67.50 for 25 issues.

Our experts review the latest kit

FIRST LIGHT

Altair Starwave

110ED-R refractor

A portable telescope that delivers detailed views at an enjoyable resolution

WORDS: TIM JARDINE

ALL PICTURES: @THESHED/PHOTOSTUDIO VITAL STATS T he Altair Starwave 110ED-R refractor This in turn translates into a more comfortable
is a welcome update to Altair’s viewing experience for observing objects at a range
• Price £925 established product range, the ‘R’ of altitudes. The upgraded focuser – with its rack and
• Optics Doublet indicating an upgraded rack and pinion design – makes focusing smooth and precise,
pinion focuser with additional features ZKLOH WKH JHDULQJ DOORZV HDV\ ƅQH IRFXVLQJ ZKHQ
lens with FPL-51 for an improved experience. Indeed, WKH V\VWHP LV XVHG DW KLJK PDJQLƅFDWLRQ 7KH ZKROH
ED element WKH LPSURYHG FRQVWUXFWLRQ DQG ƅQLVK VWD\V WUXH WR DVVHPEO\ LV URWDWDEOH DQG UDWKHU WKDQ WKXPEVFUHZV
• Aperture the reputation of Starwave’s telescopes, with WR KROG \RXU H\HSLHFH RU FDPHUD D VLPSOH WZLVW
110mm VPRRWKO\ PDFKLQHG ƅWWLQJV DQG ƆDW VLOYHU WULPPLQJV Ŝ3RVLWLYH /RFNŝ V\VWHP LV HPSOR\HG ,QGHHG RQFH LW
• Focal length FRPSOHPHQWHG E\ D OX[XULRXV PHWDOOLF ZKLWH SDLQW was tightened and locked in place, we didn’t have
770mm (f/7) MRE 7KH VROLG ORRN DQG IHHO RI WKH WXEH DVVHPEO\ KDV WR ZRUU\ WKDW WKLV PLJKW ZRUN ORRVH DQG UHOHDVH LWV
• Focuser been achieved with the reduction of excessive weight YDOXDEOH SD\ORDG
2.5-inch rack LQ PLQG ZH ZHUH SOHDVDQWO\ VXUSULVHG DERXW KRZ
and pinion manageable the telescope was to lift from its Spotting lunar details
with Positive aluminium padded case. It was also reassuring to
Lock adaptor GLVFRYHU Ś DIWHU OXJJLQJ ZHLJKW\ UHIUDFWRUV DURXQG )RU RXU ƅUVW YLHZLQJ VHVVLRQ ZH FRQFHQWUDWHG RQ D
• Extras Tube RYHU WKH \HDUV Ś WKDW WKH NJ 6WDUZDYH (' 5 bright waxing Moon – using our Tele Vue Delos
rings, Vixen- represents an ideal compromise between aperture PP H\HSLHFH Ś DQG ZRUNHG ZLWK D PDJQLƅFDWLRQ
style dovetail DQG SRUWDELOLW\ RIIHULQJ D ODUJH HQRXJK PP of 170x to scan the craters and features near the
plate and a GRXEOHW OHQV IRU YLHZLQJ DW DQ HQMR\DEOH UHVROXWLRQ terminator. It proved to be a rewarding experience,
carry case ZKLOH EHLQJ HDV\ WR WUDQVSRUW LQ LWV SURWHFWLYH FDVH with sharp lunar details along the crater edges and
• Weight 6.8kg VLGHV 6KDGRZV FDVW E\ WDOOHU FUDWHUV DQG FHQWUDO
• Supplier We found that the balance and length of the SHDNV ZHUH FULVS DQG FOHDQ ZKLOH FOHDUO\ GHƅQHG
Altair Astro 6WDUZDYH PDGH LW DQ HDV\ ƅW ZKHQ LW ZDV DWWDFKHG WR edges within and behind the crater walls indicated
• Tel 01263 RXU (4 PRXQW Ś VLWWLQJ QHDWO\ LQ D FHQWUDO SRVLWLRQ WKH MDJJHG QDWXUH RI WKH ULPV ZKLFK DUH QRW DOZD\V
731505 Ś DV WKH OHQV FHOO DQG IRFXVHU DUH MXVW FP DSDUW DV REYLRXV (QMR\LQJ WKLV VSHOO RI JRRG VHHLQJ ZH >
• www.
altairastro.com

In a glass of its own

The objective lens of the Starwave is a 110mm, f/7 doublet, with a
fluorophosphate, low-index glass element, known as FPL-51 ED. This lens
arrangement allows reasonable control of the various colours (or wavelengths)
of visible light, bringing them to focus together for a sharper, more pleasing
eyepiece view and reducing chromatic aberration when compared to an
achromatic lens. Altair Astro informs us that each scope is guaranteed to
arrive with properly collimated, or aligned, lenses. The lens cell comes with a
matching star test image produced from a double-pass autocollimator. We
tested this for ourselves – as the finely tuned collimation of a refractor is
essential for viewing close double stars and sharper planet features – and
were reassured to see several craterlets within the lunar crater Plato.
Doublet refractors require less cool-down time than an equivalent sized
triplet telescope, and FPL-51 ED (Extra low dispersion) glass is one of the
more thermally stable options, again helping to improve the eyepiece view.

90 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

SCALE

Positive Lock system

7KH 3RVLWLYH /RFN V\VWHP UHSODFHV VWDQGDUG WKXPEVFUHZV
DQG WLJKWO\ FODPSV LQFK QRVHSLHFH ƅWWLQJV ZLWKRXW

GDPDJLQJ WKHP 7R XVH LW VLPSO\ URWDWH WKH NQXUOHG ULQJ p
anti-clockwise, insert the nosepiece of your eyepiece or
FDPHUD WKHQ URWDWH WKH ULQJ FORFNZLVH WR ORFN LW 7KLV
DWWDFKPHQW XQVFUHZV WR DOORZ GLUHFW ƅWWLQJ RI WKH
VHSDUDWHO\ DYDLODEOH UHGXFHU ƆDWWHQHU OHQV

Rack and pinion CNC tube rings
2.5-inch focuser
7KH 6WDUZDYH LV VXSSOLHG ZLWK OLJKWZHLJKW
The preferred design choice of many astrophotographers, the smooth rack &1& PDFKLQHG WXEH ULQJV DQG D 9L[HQ VW\OH GRYHWDLO
and pinion focuser extends to a full 95mm, with graduated measurements
RQ WKH EDIƆHG GUDZWXEH /RRVHQLQJ WKH WKXPEVFUHZ LQ WKH VLOYHU ULQJ DOORZV SODWH DOO ZLWK D JRRG TXDOLW\ ƅQLVK 7KHUH DUH ƅYH
the whole assembly to rotate, making it easy to frame photographs, or to M6 threaded holes at the top and bottom of the
SRVLWLRQ WKH IRFXVHU IRU PD[LPXP FRQYHQLHQFH ZKLOH REVHUYLQJ ULQJV DOORZLQJ WKH VHFXUH ƅWWLQJ RI DFFHVVRULHV ZKLOH
WKH ƆDW VLOYHU WXUQVFUHZV PDWFK WKH WHOHVFRSHŝV ƅQLVK

Extending dew shield
and screw-on end cap

7KH ZHOO FRQVWUXFWHG GHZ VKLHOG H[WHQGV D IXOO PP ZLWKRXW VDJJLQJ SURYLGLQJ
SURWHFWLRQ IURP VWUD\ OLJKW DQG KHOSLQJ WR NHHS PRLVWXUH IURP WKH HOHPHQWV DW ED\
7KH GXVW FDS VFUHZV ƅUPO\ LQWR WKH HQG RI WKH GHZ VKLHOG DQG FDQQRW IDOO RII IXUWKHU
HPSKDVLVLQJ WKH EXLOG TXDOLW\ RI WKH 6WDUZDYH

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 91

FIRST LIGHT

Aluminium storage case

A sturdy, well-padded and lockable aluminium storage
case is provided with the telescope, making it easy to
safely transport and store. Measuring just 775mm x
245mm x 230mm, it is easy to handle and in total – with
the Starwave stowed safely inside – weighs just 9.6kg.

KIT TO ADD > turned the view to the
101km-wide crater Plato and
1. Altair Starwave were pleased to catch glimpses
8x reducer of the four craterlets within.

2. Altair 60mm With a doublet telescope
Guide Scope like the Starwave, sometimes
package called a ‘semi-apo’, we were

3. Altair 180mm expecting to see some colour

telescope fringing, especially on a
carry handle bright object like the

Moon. Indeed, there was an

indigo fringe around its bright limb, which was

especially noticeable with the 4.5mm eyepiece,

but considerably less so with our 10mm and almost

inconsequential to the view. Unfortunately, Jupiter Although our imaging time was limited by adverse Þ Top: M27, the
weather, the Starwave demonstrated its potential
and Saturn were not ideally positioned during the appeal to more discerning imagers when we used it Dumbbell Nebula,
with a monochrome camera and narrowband or taken with an
review period, but we still managed to see some FRORXU ƅOWHUV 2XU LPDJH RI WKH 3DFPDQ 1HEXOD Atik 460 OSC
1*& UHYHDOHG IHDWXUHV ZLWK JRRG GHƅQLWLRQ camera connected
nice colour banding on both planets and (considering and contrast, and a favourable imaging scale. to the Altair
Starwave 110ED-R
the elevation) good variation within Saturn’s rings. 2YHUDOO ZH IRXQG WKH 6WDUZDYH (' 5 ZDV PRVW
enjoyable to use, offering a healthy balance between Þ Middle: a
Mars on the other hand presented an altogether aperture and portability.
narrowband Ha
more satisfying spectacle and the bright, (hydrogen-alpha)
image of the
multicoated optics of the Starwave presented a Pacman Nebula,
captured after
UHPDUNDEOH YLHZ RI WKH 5HG 3ODQHW DW D PDJQLƅFDWLRQ changing the setup
to an Atik 460
of 170x, with its distinct polar regions and darker mono camera

albedo regions clearly visible. Þ Bottom: The

@THESHED/PHOTOSTUDIO, TIM JARDINE X 3 $OWDLU KDV D GHGLFDWHG UHGXFHU ƆDWWHQHU OHQV WKDW VERDICT Eastern Veil
Nebula, taken
can be used for astrophotography with the Starwave Build & design with an Atik 460
Ease of use OSC camera
110ED-R, but we opted to use the telescope at its Features +++++
Imaging Quality +++++
normal focal length with both monochrome and Optics +++++
OVERALL +++++
colour cameras for comparison. The colour images +++++
+++++
we obtained, such as of the Dumbbell Nebula, M27,

showed a good transmission of colour – including

those of hydrogen emission – with some expected

blue fringes around brighter stars and a little coma.

92 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

PART OF THE COLLECTION

OCEANS
EXPLORE OUR BLUE PLANET

Let this BBC Science Focus
special edition open your
eyes to the incredible world
beneath the waves

ONLY

£9.99

IN THIS ISSUE… INC. FREE UK
POSTAGE*

What if we banned fishing?

The DNA detectives

How to clean the ocean of plastic

The mission to scan every fish
New technology to explore the deep sea
Why we need to rethink fish intelligence

PLUS – Receive FREE UK postage on this special edition

Order online Or call 03330 162 138†

www.buysubscriptions.com/Oceans and quote ‘Our Oceans Print 1’

† UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of
free call packages, call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 9am–5pm. *UK residents receive FREE UK POSTAGE on this special edition.

Prices including postage are: £9.99 for all UK residents, £12.99 for Europe and £13.49 for Rest of World. All orders subject to availability. Please allow up to 21 days for delivery.

New astronomy and space titles reviewed

BOOKS

EYE- International Space Interview with
WITNESS Station and the Hubble the author
ACCOUNT Space Telescope. But Paul Dye
what is especially
What is the legacy of
appealing in this memoir is the Space Shuttle
programme?
the tale of the human effort
Probably the
and meticulous planning behind every one International Space
Station; the Shuttle was conceived as a
of those 135 missions. way to build and service a low-Earth-
orbit space station, and that’s what it
Recruited by NASA in 1980, the recently eventually did. Humanity now
considers space as part of its
graduated aeronautical engineer Dye environment and that is what the
Shuttle brought us: the knowledge that
began as an intern and then worked in we are a spacefaring species.

increasingly responsible roles within the US What were the tensest moments during
\RXU WLPH DV ƆLJKW GLUHFWRU"
VSDFH SURJUDPPH EHIRUH ƅQDOO\ EHFRPLQJ
During ascent and entry, things can go
ƆLJKW GLUHFWRU 6KDULQJ VLJQLƅFDQW PRPHQWV wrong very badly and very suddenly,
but there are times in orbit too, such as
RI KLV FDUHHU DV ƆLJKW FRQWUROOHU DQG WKHQ when the Shuttle is manoeuvring for
docking with a space station. You have
director, his successes and failures, we are to be very careful not to damage the
delicate solar arrays with the
afforded a glimpse of the inner workings of manoeuvring jets, and not to bump
into anything. Space hardware is often
1$6$ ZKLFK LV D UDUH WUHDW KLV ƅUVW YLVLW WR D very delicate and the slightest bump
can cause damage, so everything is
mission control room, working across the done precisely and slowly. Those
times can easily be defined as ‘tense’.
KDOO IURP WKH DVWURQDXWVŝ RIƅFH WULSV WR
What’s your view on NASA’s
Shuttle, Houston Russia to plan the Mir missions, being Commercial Crew Program?
WUDLQHG E\ $SROOR ƆLJKW GLUHFWRU *HQH .UDQ]
the last Shuttle mission, as well as the I am incredibly happy to see the
commercialisation of access to space,
Paul Dye Challenger and Columbia disasters. and I’m cheering on the companies
that are making it work. NASA’s
Hachette Devoting whole chapters to spacecraft purview is exploration and research.
Enabling a transportation industry
£20 z HB functionality and orbital mechanics, is what NACA did back in the 1930s to
foster safe, efficient and reliable air
as well as stories of the transportation. NASA now is in the
process of doing the same thing for
NASA’s Space Shuttle training hours, routines commercial space transportation,
which will allow them to get on with
programme ran from and customs of the cutting-edge exploration once again.

1981 to 2011, launching teams engaged in Paul Dye has over 40 years of

135 missions, and mission control, the aviation experience as an engineer,
builder and pilot. He retired from
during that time book is somehow NASA in 2013 as the longest-serving
ƆLJKW GLUHFWRU LQ 86 KLVWRU\
Paul Dye was its both referential

longest-serving and personal,

ƆLJKW GLUHFWRU 7R thanks to the

him, the Shuttle author’s excellent

was “...a spacecraft writing skills.

that looked like an Packed with

airplane and could fascinating anecdotes

Ɔ\ EDFN WR D UXQZD\ť from each mission,

and was what we had Dye attributes people, the

all dreamed of while Þ Paul Dye in 2006 during expertise of engineers and
watching Saturday the quick reaction times of
morning cartoons and his time as flight director teams as the real measure
movies about space travel.” of the Shuttle programme of success in his career, and

With a clear voice from the onset, Dye the privilege he was afforded in being

deftly crafts the story of his many years trained by the best. For anyone with even

working on the Shuttle programme around D SDVVLQJ LQWHUHVW LQ KXPDQ VSDFHƆLJKW
a broader story of NASA at that time,
this is a must-read. ★★★★★

including the design, planning and

NASA implementation of Shuttle missions to Niamh Shaw is an engineer, lecturer

Spacelab, the Mir Space Station, the and science communicator

94 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020

Robots in Space The Human

Ezzy Pearson Each new mission is another step forward Cosmos
The History Press in humankind’s push to explore the cosmos
£20 z HB around us. And yet, the history of Jo Marchant
these robotic explorers often goes Canongate
What lies under the unremembered,” says the author at the £16.99 z HB
icy moons of other start of the book.
planets? Is the From the first
landscape of Venus Robots in Space: The Secret Lives of our time we looked
like a Garden of Planetary Explorers is an excellent debut up at the
Eden or is it more of and a great example of how to tell the stars, the
a hellscape? A few story of mechanical devices. The author whole of
decades ago these illustrates space missions not only by humanity
questions fell into explaining their journeys and targets, but has been
the realm of also by talking about the people who made fundamentally
science fiction, but thanks to advances in the missions a reality. The book’s unique linked to
technology, they can all be answered and angle is the way it combines the stories of the Universe.
even evidenced with colourful images. success in space with mistakes that have In The Human
But do we know enough about the robotic always been present since humanity’s first Cosmos: A Secret History of the
explorers that have landed on Venus or steps towards the Space Age. Stars, Jo Marchant explores how our
dived into the atmosphere of Jupiter to relationship with the stars has evolved
find these answers? Space journalist Ezzy This is a very useful book that helps to and changed every aspect of our
Pearson’s first book reveals the heroic story reveal the ‘backstage’ activities of the lives over the centuries. It journeys
of the robotic planetary landers that have Space Race in the 20th century, and it from Palaeolithic cave paintings,
ventured beyond our own world’s safety. serves as a fascinating reminder about all through our myths, ancient
“Every year, more and more spacecraft the interesting craft that are journeying archaeological sites and the rise of
journey out into the void, heading off to religions. It goes on to explore our
another planet, moon, comet or asteroid. into space every day. ★★★★★ plotting of the stars and their
movements, as well as the rise of science
Sandra Kropa is a science and our ability to probe the composition
journalist and writer of the stars themselves and to venture
out in search of life beyond our planet.
A History of the Universe in 21 Stars This fascinating book is meticulously
researched and intelligently written.
Giles Sparrow larger scale – which is where the three It covers many disciplines, from
Welbeck ‘imposters’ come in. politics to art, navigation and circadian
£12.99 z HB rhythms, astronomy, religion, biology,
There are a good number of the usual the meaning of time and of consciousness
Most books suspects – Polaris, Algol, Betelgeuse etc itself. It joins the dots to present the
that discuss our – but there are some less common big picture of humanity’s place in
knowledge of the examples too. If asked to name 24 key the cosmos, the importance of
Universe do so in stars, most astronomers probably reconnecting with the awe we feel
one of a relatively wouldn’t list 61 Cygni or Eta Aquilae, when we look at the stars, and the
limited number though the reasons for their inclusion dangers of cutting ourselves off
of ways. They may become apparent. from our link to the Universe.
travel out in space I found myself making notes of
or back in time Being generally very easy to read, things I wanted to explore further,
(though that’s the style gets slightly more colloquial and the extensive reference list has
actually the same throughout the book, for example with a given me lots of scope to dig deeper.
thing! or sometimes give a historical few pop culture references in the footnotes Along the way I would have liked to see
account of discoveries. But A History that give the impression of increasing a few illustrations and images to
of the Universe in 21 Stars (and 3 familiarity with the author. The illustrations, refer to, when describing particular
Imposters) takes a slightly different largely comprising star maps, are clear archaeological sites, art or cave
– and refreshing – approach. and complement the professional paintings, but in closing I cannot
The book runs through our basic production quality. recommend this book highly enough.
understanding of the motions of the
stars, then moves on to different types No knowledge of stargazing is required, ★★★★★
and what they tell us about how stars though a little experience might help
evolve, ascending in terms of age and make sense of some of the directions. Jenny Winder is a freelance
mass of stars (from their birth to their Overall, this is a very pleasant book science writer, astronomer
death), before moving on to what and broadcaster
we’ve learned about the Universe on a to read. ★★★★★

Chris North is the Odgen
Science Lecturer and STFC
public engagement fellow

November 2020 BBC Sky at Night Magazine 95

Ezzy Pearson rounds up the latest astronomical accessories

GEAR

1 1 Baader Ultrashort 2-inch
3 eyepiece clamp

4 2 Price €67.26 • Supplier Baader Planetarium
5 Tel +49 (0)8145 80890 • www.baader-planetarium.com

6 This eyepiece clamp has a back focus of just 12mm and
is threaded on both sides, making it easy to integrate
96 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020 into your observing setup or extension rings. Its sturdy
build means it can hold heavy equipment such as
+D +\GURJHQ DOSKD ƅOWHUV DQG &&' FDPHUDV

2 William Optics slide-base
UniGuide 32mm guidescope

Price £99 • Supplier William Optics
Tel 01353 776199 • www.widescreen-centre.co.uk

Keep your imaging setup bang on target with the help
of this guidescope. It can attach to many different
&&' JXLGH FDPHUDV DQG LV DGMXVWDEOH E\ PP WR
give the crispest focus while tracking your guide stars.

3 Night Sky Underground Map Mug

Price £10 • Supplier Royal Museums Greenwich
Tel 01353 776199 • https://shop.rmg.co.uk

Navigate nebulae, constellations and planets with this
mug that features a map of the London Underground
with station names replaced by celestial features.

4 Icebreaker 200 Oasis Deluxe
Long Sleeve thermal top

Price £40 • Supplier Icebreaker
Tel 0117 456 2355 • www.snowandrock.com

This base layer is made from 100 per cent Merino wool,
helping to trap heat and keep your core temperature
up during the long nights out under the stars. The cut
is designed to offer maximum mobility and comfort.

5 Antlia U-Venus Imaging Filter

Price £206 • Supplier 365 Astronomy
Tel 020 3384 5187 • www.365 Astronomy

ADVANCED The clouds of Venus and Jupiter
DUH EHDXWLIXO DQG WKLV ƅOWHU UHYHDOV

those subtle features, with a special coating to bring

out UV bandwidths where these features are clearest.

6 Celestial Moon and
Constellations Pencil Case

Price from £7.50 • Supplier Fawn & Thistle
www.fawnandthistle.com

As well as being a great place to keep stationery,
this pencil case is also useful for keeping all the other
bits and bobs you need during an observation session.
The bag is made from natural-toned linen and
features a watercolour sky with the Moon and stars.



Nisha Beerjeraz-Hoyle interviews Samantha Cristoforetti

Q&A WITH AN ISS ASTRONAUT

Time spent on the International Space Station (ISS) is helping scientists
understand the effects that long stays in space have on the human body

What side effects do you Þ ESA’s Samantha back you begin activating
experience living on the ISS? them again, so they return
In space your body Cristoforetti to normal after a few weeks.
experiences a lot of changes, exercises on a
although you’re not aware treadmill on What research did you
of them all. About half of the ISS in 2015. do on the ISS into long
astronauts suffer from The astronauts duration stays in space?
something called space use a harness to In weightlessness, you destroy
adaptation syndrome, which stop themselves more bone mass than you
is similar to being seasick and ƆRDWLQJ DZD\ build anew. One experiment,
is caused by the disconnect called NATO (nanoparticle-
between what you perceive based countermeasures for
and what your vestibular microgravity-induced
system is telling your brain. osteoporosis), investigates
Luckily, I didn’t feel sick but I whether it’s possible to
did experience a pressure in maintain bone density by
my head for about a week. DGGLQJ VSHFLƅF W\SHV RI
This is brought on by the nanoparticles to bone cell
UHGLVWULEXWLRQ RI ERGLO\ ƆXLGV WRZDUGV WKH XSSHU cultures. It’s not only for the purpose of long duration
body and makes you feel congested; some astronauts VSDFHƆLJKW EXW DOVR WR VHH LI LW PD\ EH XVHIXO FOLQLFDOO\
feel like they have a cold for their entire stay.
Were you the object of any of the experiments?
How did your body cope returning to Earth after Yes! One investigated how the brain adapts to control
200 days in space? balance and movement in the absence of a reference
Space adaption is a lot easier because you’re moving system. For example, your feet on the ground send a
from effort to effortlessness, but it’s the opposite on signal to your brain on how to maintain balance, which
return as you’re going from this absolute lightness to you don’t have in space. I had to repeat a series of
carrying your own weight. You feel incredibly heavy; movements with sensors attached to my body, and
your brain has to re-learn how to estimate weight and we were able to compare the results to a set of data
you tend to not use enough force to move objects. I had completed before the mission.
7KH ƅUVW WLPH , WULHG WR ZDON DIWHU UHWXUQLQJ WR (DUWK LW
felt like I was trying to balance a big rock on a couple of What are the challenges in getting humans back to
toothpicks! Fortunately, this only lasted for 24 hours. the Moon or to Mars?
Astronauts will have to be well trained, because they
Your cardiovascular system is also fatigued, as your will have to be more autonomous. On the ISS you can
heart and valves readapt to pumping blood around rely on almost real-time communication with an
\RXU ERG\ DJDLQVW JUDYLW\ )RU WKH ƅUVW IHZ GD\V EDFN army of specialists on the ground who are there to
RQ (DUWK , IHOW WLUHG DQG , KDG DQ HOHYDWHG SXOVH HYHQ DW troubleshoot and help you. As you get further from
rest. I slept for 12 hours a day; it was my way of gauging (DUWK WKDWŝV JRLQJ WR EHFRPH LPSUDFWLFDO YHU\ TXLFNO\
that my cardiovascular system was still suffering.
If something goes wrong, astronauts will need to be
ESA/NASA X 2 How long was it before your body returned to normal? Samantha able to solve the problem in a more autonomous way;
:H XQGHUJR WHVWV EHIRUH DQG DIWHU D VSDFHƆLJKW DQG Cristoforetti is they will need to be able to access a repository of
this helps to determine if you’ve returned back to an Italian European knowledge and advanced automatic assistance to help
SUH ƆLJKW FRQGLWLRQ ,W WRRN DERXW GD\V IRU P\ Space Agency them to troubleshoot any technical malfunctions. The
vestibular system to normalise. In terms of our muscles, astronaut and other issue is that there’s not much to do on the way
we come back in good shape because we exercise a lot engineer who spent to Mars; astronauts will have to cope with a long
on the ISS. However, we don’t tend to use our postural 200 days on the ISS journey on a spacecraft that is probably going to be
muscles in space, which help you to sit or stand up during 2014 and 2015 small, because it’s expensive to send mass to Mars.
VWUDLJKW 7KHVH PXVFOHV DUH W\SLFDOO\ GLIƅFXOW WR WUDLQ
in a gym and so they shrink. From the moment you’re > Turn to page 61 to learn more about life on the ISS

98 BBC Sky at Night Magazine November 2020