2012 – Page 14 – Observations

The 1874 transit from Down Under: Russell’s book of the transit

January 18, 2012

The main Australian observing stations for 1874 transit of Venus. Sketch Nick Lomb Like the June 2012 transit of Venus, the December 1874 transit was visible in its entirety from Australia. The observatories at Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, which are the capitals of the three main states or colonies at the time, made plans to ensure that the rare event was well observed.

A sketch of the four components of Gamma Velorum that can be seen through a small telescope

Harry has another look at the extraordinary southern multiple star, Gamma Velorum

January 17, 2012

A sketch of the four components of Gamma Velorum that can be seen through a small telescope. Image and copyright Harry Roberts ©, all rights reserved We often take common objects for granted – despite some being truly unique.

Sketches recording the ejection of a filament from the south-east edge of the Sun on New Year’s Eve

Harry sees 2011 end with the ejection of a filament from the Sun on 31 December 2011

January 4, 2012

Sketches recording the ejection of a filament from the south-east edge of the Sun on New Year’s Eve (Universal Time). Image and copyright Harry Roberts ©, all rights reserved Both hydrogen-alpha and white light bands are logged with a portable 8-inch telescope – stopped to100mm for white light (the continuum), and 75 to 55mm for H-alpha; both bands at 2000mm focal length.

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