IFAS Weblogs

We’re back after a break of one month for the end of year festivities. The February podcast is again produced and presented by Seanie Morris from TAS. We’re always looking for more contributors to the show. If you’d like to contribute please contact Seanie Morris via the IFAS boards.

Bart Busschots’ Binocular Target of the month is the three largest open clusters in Auriga (M36, M37 & M38).

Dave Lillis’ Deep sky target of the month is the Sword of Orion region. Dave has included the images and maps below (click to enlarge):

Finally, Seanie rounds off the show with a look at some of the things there are to see in the sky this month and some news from around the IFAS clubs.

MP3: Episode 22

The December podcast is again produced and presented by Seanie Morris from TAS. We’re always looking for more contributors to the show. If you’d like to contribute please contact Seanie Morris via the IFAS boards.

Bart Busschots’ Binocular Target of the month is the three often overlooked open clusters in Orion (NGC1981, Collinder 69 & Collinder 70)

Dave Lillis’ Deep sky target of the month is M33. Dave has included the two maps below (click to enlarge):

MP3: Episode 21

The November podcast is the first episode produced by our new host/producer/editor Seanie Morris from TAS. We’re always looking for more contributors to the show. If you’d like to contribute please contact Seanie Morris via the IFAS boards.

MP3: Episode 20

Due to a variety of circumstances we have a full length show but sadly not all our regular voices.

Sky Diary

This month’s Sky Diary is presented by Bart and based on the excellent Sky Guide posted by Neill McKeown on the IFAS Boards.

Binocular Target of the Month - The Coathanger Cluster (Collinder 399)

Bart examines the bizarre Coathanger Cluster asterism in Vulpecula. Bart has uploaded a finder chart:

Click to Enlarge

Deep Sky Target of the Month - Barnard’s Star

This month Dave Lillis’ discusses a very special dim star, Barnard’s Star. Dave has uploaded two charts, a wide angle view of where in the sky Barnard’s Star is hidden and then a closeup view.

Click to Enlarge

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Whirlpool Star Party Interview

Bart has a chat to Frank Ryan from SAC about the up-coming Whirlpool Star Party in Birr in early October. You can find all the details in the Whirlpool Star Party Web Page.

MP3: Episode 19

We’re back with all the regulars and a regular length show this month despite (or is that because of) the bad weather.

Sky Diary

Dave Grennan from Astronomy & Space Magazine takes us through some of the observing highlights to look forward to in this month.

Binocular Target of the Month - The Double Cluster

Bart examines the wonderful Double Cluster in Perseus. Bart has uploaded a finder chart:

Click to Enlarge

Deep Sky Target of the Month - The Veil Nebula

In the third of Dave Lillis’ new series of articles he has a look at the wonderful Veil Nebula in Cygnus.

Sky Scape - The Constellation of Cepheus

This month Trevor has a look at some of the highlights of the less known northern constellation of Cepheus. Trevor has provided a finder chart:

Click to Enlarge

The Perseids Meteor Shower

Seanie Morris from TAS joins us this month for a special piece on meteor showers in general and this year’s Perseid meteor shower in particular.

MP3: Episode 18

Because Dave Grennan was sadly ill and because Trevor took a holiday from his skyscape segment this is a rather short show.

Sky Diary

Bart Busschots has a look at what there is to see in the sky for July 2007. He also discusses Noctilucent Clouds.

Deep Sky Target of the Month - M30

In the second of Dave Lillis’ new series of articles he has a look at the lovely globular cluster M30 in Capricorn.

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Binocular Target of the Month - M52

Bart examines the nice open cluster M52 in Cassiopeia. Bart has uploaded a finder chart:

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MP3: Episode 17

This month we’re introducing a new regular segment to compliment the Binocular Target of the Month, a Deep Sky Target of the Month aimed at telescope users. The new segment is written and presented by Dave Lillis the observing director for SAC.

Sky Diary

Dave Grennan from Astronomy & Space Magazine takes us through some of the observing highlights to look forward to in this month.

Binocular Target of the Month - IC4665

Bart examines the nice open cluster IC4665 in Ophiuchus. Bart has uploaded a finder chart:

Click to Enlarge

Sky Scape - The Summer Triangle

This month Trevor has a look at some of the highlights of the Summer Triangle.

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Deep Sky Target of the Month - M11

In the first of Dave’s new series of articles he has a look at the lovely open cluster M11 in Scutum.

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MP3: Episode 16

The theme for March was Our Lunar Neighbor. The winner is Frank Ryan from Antrim with this superb collage of images from the recent total Lunar Eclipse.

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This month we’re almost back up to our average length of a half hour. We also have another new voice to introduce, Dave Lillis from SAC.

Sky Diary

Dave Grennan from Astronomy & Space Magazine takes us through some of the observing highlights to look forward to in this month.

Binocular Target of the Month - M39

Bart examines the nice open cluster M39 in Cygnus. Bart has uploaded a finder chart here.

Sky Scape - Globulars

This month Trevor has a look at some well known and some not so well known globular clusters which will be gracing our skies this month.

Click to Enlarge

Deep Sky Highlights

This is a working title for Dave Lillis’ new monthly section of the podcast. In this series Dave will be looking at some of the finest deep sky objects visible each month. This month he starts by looking at the best of the galaxies in Leo, Canes Venatici and Ursa Major. Below are a list of maps kindly provided by Dave

• Leo Wide Field Map
• Leo Tripplet Map
• Leo Group Map
• Ursa Major Map
• Virgo Cluster Map
• Virgo Cluster Map (South)

MP3: Episode 15

The theme for February was Evening Planets in Twilight. The winner is Paul Evans from East Antrim Astronomical Society with this superb image of Venus and Mercury seen at dusk on February 6th 2007 over Lough Neagh.

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