Philippine Astronomical Society - August 2009 Appulse Issue

the

APPULSE

Official Newsletter of the Philippine Astronomical Society

PROPELLING ASTRONOMY EDUCATION TOWARD THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE AMONG FILIPINOS

Vol. 41 No. 64

August 2009

Special Issue: Total Solar Eclipse July 22, 2009 The Longest in the Century!

Photo by Allen Yu

Volume 41 No. 64



T h e T o t a l S o l a r E c l i p s e PA S E x p e d i t i o n e r s t o C h i n a

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THE FASTEST, HIGHEST, DARKEST, AND LONGEST!! AFTERMATH OF THE ECLIPSE ....RECALLING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE EVent.

by Allen Yu

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here was a queuing of planes on the runway of Centennial Airport, or rather of our one and only national runway where three terminals, NAIA, Centennial and NAIA3 all pathetically shared together (notice the sourness of my introduction). I was pretty excited about the sight, I sat beside the newly installed PAS President Ian Mark Allas who sits by the window, then me and my girlfriend Sally just beside the catwalk. The group had already a grand time taking group pictures while waiting for our late plane (2nd sour note, hehe) of one hour, then further escalated by the traffic on the runway, which makes us arrive at Pudong Shanghai a good 2 hours late (4:30pm). There were seats switching to and fro, to make all pairs as close as possible.

THE

APPULSE

Editorial Adviser Edna Azucena Editorial Staff Victoria Evarretta Editor-in-Chief

Francis Ferdinand Irlandez Layout Editor

Allen Yu Azrael Coladilla Jake Irlandez Julian Oliveros Roland Roldan Dennis Pambid

Agnes Oclarit Ghela Lequiron John Nassr Marnelli Atienza Victoria Evarretta Nico Mendoza

Contributors

The Appulse is published monthly by the Philippine Astronomical Society. The Appulse © 2009. All rights reserved. Please send articles, letters, observations, reports to Email: [email protected] or to [email protected] Website: www. philastrosoc.org

Pudong Airport was bathing in the afternoon shine when we crossed the bridge from the plane to the terminal. I shared with Mr. Sacro, I’ll be damn happy if the weather holds like this on Wednesday, the E-day. He agreed. I wonder why we have to share such suspense and doubts; the weather in Shanghai has been all the best that came lately (not the usual climate there) - Shanghai is always fogged with haze and low-lying rain clouds, weird is it if it has been so shiny for quite a time. Our bus drove 2 hours to Suzhou for a quickly prepared dinner. Along the way going out of Shanghai, we glimpsed from afar the behemoth tower of Shanghai World Financial Center, the tallest building in the world according to my books (I will share later why). The restaurant is about to close, and we know very well we were late, so that took away the smiles on the Chinese waitresses. We smiled anyway, and felt it is perfectly normal. We Filipinos always wear the best smiles around the world, nothing unusual of meeting less happy folks abroad.

Checked in the hotel. The rooms are okay, but the ambiance is eerie to me. 2nd day Suzhou sight-seeing tour. It was a sizzling 42 degrees temperature outside even though in the shade. Not comfortable, in fact - if one is not properly hydrated, one may get sick. There was a stone garden we went, and though it was a sheltered structure it can still get very hot. This is a big group we had, and the maze of stoneworks made a perfect sense to play hide and seek. Mr. Sacro and Emman were lost. But they were quite smart enough to wait for us at the bus. They insisted it was the rest of the group who got lost...lets count the numbers 2 of them versus 16 of us, and we should take the blame. Haha what a logical nonsense I felt. In the afternoon we visited the Silk Factory, and though as boring as it may sound, we were actually entertained by the process of it being done. Are we smarter now because we are older. Many of my friends, Ritchie, Andrea, and my gf Sally felt the same way; they have been here before, but only now that did they start to appreciate it. It was a good field trip after all.

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Silk is expensive, and we all felt just too expensive for our local taste. Imagine having a pair of silk handkerchief for U$200? Perhaps this is a tourist area and they wanted to burn our pockets here, but not and no way. Stinginess is vital in this part of the tour. Our local climate here in Manila prefers cotton than silk. So, off we go, after saying so many “No, thanks.” Nevertheless, those who wanted to take a piece of China with them bought some few, and some smiles from the tourist guide? We arrived at the hotel early to get some good rest and to prepare for the big day ahead. News on tv....not good. Some rain clouds from the north or from Beijing started their descent to Shanghai area and is due to arrive the next day, Eclipse Day! What better way to spoil the fun I thought, this could be no coincidence! And the string or train of clouds shall encompass the entire eclipse path. I can’t believe my eyes, and now my doubts start to disturb me. I asked some Quezon City Science High to check the weather in the Internet, since they brought with them some laptops. Gracious. Where did those clouds come from? A dream slowly running down the drain. I am preparing myself to accept the inevitable.

Wake up time was 3 am and time for showers and preparation of everything including our baggages. At 4:30 am we were down at the hotel lobby and have a quick bite of breakfast. Some sweet flat pies and a couple of boiled eggs. I forgot to bring some with me to the eclipse site to experiment the case of the standing eggs. It could have spiced up the day even more. The skies were still red in cloudiness, and I momentarily detected a hole, which might give some hope that the skies might clear somehow. GPS readings outside gave me the most accurate time to date, and afterwards I have all the watches and timekeepers among the group synchronized with the GPS reading. Dawn is breaking, our bus crashed through the darkness on to the light. Mr. Sacro thought of backing out to the opposite direction. Pointing at the sight, he said that with the zero visibility, rains, and clouds, we maybe going straight to the tornado alley. I said, there is no other way. We are to set up our camp at the government-designated place of observation and not anywhere else. The government does not allow us to set up anywhere in the city. So we have no choice. We leave our fate to the heavens. Upon arrival it was a sight to behold. Surely

one would be impressed by the preparation the city mayor presented to us. I would like to call it like a Quirino Grandstand with an edifice more like that of Folk Arts Theatre. A big vast space for everybody to set up, and security was a welcome sight. Outsiders treading their bikes were forbidden to come close to us, and we were all given visitors’ ID, a bag of “goodies” but no noodles (that’s what I was looking for), and where the best part is of course, a solar filter! Then there were reporters from the local newspapers and tv stations training their wares on us as if we were superstars. For these few minutes, we indeed felt like one. At the sides were tents in case of a morning shower. One would think why will we ever need them since we are ready to bathe in the sun’s shadow, not any rain waters. True enough, the weather worsened, drops of tears from heaven were felt, and my heart started to sink in oblivion, trying very hard not to think that we may go home tonight not seeing anything. Mr Sacro gathered the rest, the students and teachers inside the tent and presented a briefing on what to expect. I was being called to the stage (me because I speak Chinese and the organizers handpicked me to receive a certificate in behalf of the group) when the Sun briefly shone through thick clouds. Cheers started to be heard...and all of a sudden astrophoto equipments were being set up to catch whatever is salvageable that morning. 1st contact! And the Sun hides again. Drats..this could be it...of all the days. Minutes passed without seeing the Sun, and then amidst the chitchat and clicking of cameras...and of course some more rains.. the frustrated mood of everybody else.. foreigners from Europe, United States, Malaysia...the shout of a countdown broke the morning gloom. Last 2 minutes., last 2 minutes I shouted, it was 2 minutes to go before the sudden crash of darkness descended on us. Sally was shocked to know that darkness would come so sudden, and Ms. Paningbatan pointed to me a very dark cloud in the western horizon. I dismissed it as only rain clouds but on second thought, I think that was darkness coming toward us from Continued on page 3

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the west! That was in fact a very unusually dark cloud coming in. And before I knew it, I lost track of the countdown and it was less than a minute before totality, seconds coming in so fast, and the whole sky was considerably darker and darker, and then, REAL DARKNESS, TOTALITY! My camera having been preset to accurately match the incoming darkness failed to respond properly, as it can no longer depict an accurate picture of the surroundings. In other words, it was too dark for the camera to perform so flash bulbs have to be used to lighten up the subjects again. I then whispered to Sally, I love you and this darkness I dedicate to thee. Surely, the totality is one of those moments where a lover can rightfully propose, but who would expect not to see the Sun’s Diamond Ring? I reminded everyone to feel and digest this 5min and so duration of darkness, as this will be the longest in history. Savor the darkness, the horizon’s orange glow shared the mood’s delight. Sadness took a back seat and just then everybody was giggling and shouting songs of joy enjoying the Moon’s umbra. Well, not bad for a morning gone sour. Perhaps there is good even in the worst of it. The suddenness of daylight broke the dark delight and Mr. Sacro shouted, the show is over! Now we are part of the history. Never mind not seeing the Sun’s corona, prominences, or all together, the “black Sun.” It can be seen in every eclipse in the future, but this 5min 50s of darkness one can cherish it in the record books. We took part in this history and can no longer be experienced again. The darkness of this eclipse, I was reminded later, was to be one of the darkest too in history. I noticed that it wasn’t a normal twilight show, it was indeed like night, just a skin brighter. The stage is now open as the many groups have started to line up to have their pictures taken. We then took our step, and formally placed PAS back into the international scene of eclipse chasers and astronomy enthusiasts. Now the world will confirm that PAS is back and kicking ass again. Back in the bus, I was hounded by thoughts.

I changed my clothes drenched with eclipse rain and took a few minutes nap en route to Hangzhou for our lunch. Sally sat beside me, both happy and sad at the same time. It took two hours to get to Hangzhou, the folks there told us they saw the black Sun, which tormented me day and night. But they said Jiaxing is far better place than Hangshou, and most of their folks went to Jiaxing too. In the afternoon we went to a boat cruise at West Lake, said to be China’s most beautiful lake because it was decorated by those foggy figures of mountains along its sides like those we usually see in Chinese traditional paintings. The tour guide shared that today is better as it wasn’t as hot as yesterday, he welcomed the rains to dampen the temperature a bit. I protested inside of me...that wasnt a bit good news. We failed to see the eclipse this morning, what’s so good about the morning!? Haha, Yuefei temple is next and everybody is exhausted. We went back to Shanghai late in the afternoon to spend the night there; tomorrow the only consolation I felt that will be enjoyed are the world’s tallest building Shanghai World Financial Center and the Science Museum. The tallest building right now is Shanghai World Financial Center at 497 meters tall. Taipei 101 is higher only at 507m because it has spire atop and Burj Dubai 888meters is yet to be finished. Our own PBCom tower is 259meters tall so its just a bit half of Shanghai’s. Empire State building is 380plus meters and Petronas is 470m. I am delighted to be here, the world’s highest observatory feels like heaven, so white and glassy and classy too. The building is shaped like a bottle-opener. Atop the world’s tallest building one gets the feeling the entire world is below our feet. Shanghai is building another mega buliding at more than 630meters high, so that makes 3 behemoth buildings side by side altogether by 2014, with JinMao (shaped like Empire State and higher than Empire state), World

Financial Tower, and the new Shanghai Tower. One hour left to go to the the Shanghai Science Museum. Hardly any time left for a good look, so everybody was well-informed that we have to rush everything. The final consolation piece was the road back to Pudong airport riding the Maglev train with top speed of 431kph. Beetles, bees, and insects smashed through the windshield into unrecognizable pulp, it was a sight to behold. Yesterday, we were atop the world’s highest, today we are the world’s fastest. These are the records we can put into the PAS journal. We have the longest (duration of eclipse), the darkest (eclipse magnitude), the highest (atop the building), and the fastest (the Maglev Train ride). I propose today’s Appulse headlines: Fastest, Highest, Darkest, and Longest (like the Olympics’ Motto of Faster, Higher, Stronger). Aside from this, PAS registered the firsts: First Formal Eclipse Expedition under a new leadership, first total solar eclipse awareness program, and first time I heard PASers asking: “When is the next eclipse? We will be there again!” . It’s about time that such major events like a total solar eclipse in nearby feasible vicinity be included in the calendar of PAS activities. To God be the Glory.

Volume 41 No. 64



Partial Solar Eclipse Observations From Science Centrum - by Jake Irlandez

From Rizal Technological University - by Ghela Lequiron

It was my first time to observe a partial solar eclipse with PAS and Philippine Science Centrum. The event was very blessed for we had an almost clear sky with partial white clouds that blocked the

July 22, 2009 is another significant day for us. A partial Solar Eclipse occurred giving us a chance to witness it - enhancing our knowledge, experience and skills in Astronomy. It also tested our

I was amazed first at the fact that people did not even notice the eclipse going on, so we invited the people and students who passed by. All batches of observers were always amazed by the presentation of Edmund Rosales on how to observe safely a solar eclipse: like projecting the Sun’s image through a cardboard to the wall using a large mirror, the pinhole effect on punched holes on a paper, and the shadows cast by the leaves of a tree. They also were awed by the Sun when they saw it through the telescope for it looked ‘orange’ because of the filter. This eclipse is a fun experience. Thanks to Edmund Rosales and Philippine Science Centrum for inviting PAS. Thank you too to PASers Dennis, Marnelli, and Edmund for helping and to Karen Cantos of Philippine Science Centrum for her hospitality and for allowing us to experience how wonderful the Science Centrum is. Like the eclipse, it made me feel like a child again. “The eclipse is very beautiful” - Marnelli Atienza (also from Science Centrum)

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Appulse - August 2009

Photos by Nico Mendoza

Sun. It was just enough to cool our telescopes from the heat.

ability on how we can apply what we have learned, conduct observatory activity by ourselves with less supervision, and assess our mastery in Astronomy. The activity was organized and conducted using Dr. Torres’ 6” Newtonian and another telescope with a folder as improvised projector because a solar filter was not available, thereby using the solar projection method. At first, it was cloudy and we thought that the weather would not cooperate with us. At around 8:30 am, the predicted time of the

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first contact, the sky got cleared allowing us to see perfectly the phenomenon till the last contact at around 11:04 am, though clouds occasionally blocked our view.

From Bacoor, Cavite - by Azrael Coladilla I woke up at 7:30am of July 22, 2009 and went outside to check out where the sun is rising, I was planning to go to SM Mall of Asia at 8:00am but I decided to stay home and it will be more

Students from different colleges and from the high school department joined us, eagerly took the chance looking at the projected image and got fascinated on what they saw. We never anticipated that so many students would participate in this event. Because of this, Dr. Torres decided to bring out his two other telescopes - 8” Newtonian and 10” Dobsonian - to accommodate all the students.

Unluckily, the eyepiece used in the Dobsonian was burnt twice; but this did not hinder the success of the activity. The students felt so excited of their awesome experience and asked so many questions, which we satisfactorily answered to their delight. Some took pictures of the folder where the projected image of the eclipse was reflected, others drew their observations. For our own documentation and recording , we took photo shots and video coverage of the entire event. At the end of the day, I felt so fulfilled and elated - first, because I am lucky to witness the solar eclipse with the use of telescopes; second, such experience was shared with others who got fascinated with the experience and satisfied their thirst for knowledge by answering their questions; third, I am glad to be an Astronomy student because I have a chance to unravel the vast mystery enveloping the universe. I have one remorse though, I got tanned ! From”kanmaedexandzelbladex”
easier for me to observe the partial solar eclipse. The sun is shining in its brightest light and it’s my 3rd time to cover this heavenly body event for my blog. I used again my 3 sun glasses as filter for my camera, but this time I’m no longer using a 10x zoom Olympus SP 500UZ, and I miss using it and now I used for the first time a DSLR Olympus E520. in cloud setting ,-1.3, action sport setting, 150mm. From Baguio City - by John Nassr The longest solar eclipse of the century was only partially visible from Baguio, Philippines but nevertheless an awe inspiring spectacle under bright sunny skies.

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From Muntinlupa City - by Roland Roldan Wow, thank goodness for beautiful skies here in Muntinlupa. My

preparation started at 8:15 am gathering my dusty telephoto mirror lens, one 1,500mm and one 800mm. Since breaking my solar filter (huhuhu), I have to rely on my time-tested 2 polarizer combination. I usually do this when I shoot in mid morning and I want a nighttime effect. Also used different sets of colored filters. Underexposed, normal exposure, etc. Came 8:33am, the first tiny weeny shadow came into view. Shot in time-lapse....until its peak at 9:43am up to its end at 11:01am. There were few passing clouds but overall the weather was ummpphhh, “cooperatively” beautiful. From General Santos City - by Agnes Oclarit Nakita ko na eclipse. Wala akong solar filter so I used a basin of water as taught when I was in high school. Parang kagat sa araw! Ang ganda! From Tuguegarao City - by Victoria Evarretta

Photo by Dennis Pambid

My preparation was too rushed.. I just arrived from Manila the day before and was very exhausted from the trip; worse, I was not able to get my solar filter from Jake because I was not able to go to the Ateneo Jesuits’ Residence for the PAS officers’ oathtaking.

Photos by Roland Roldan

Ah well, I resigned myself to just watching the live free video coverage of the total solar eclipse from the link Dennis posted. I thought of showing this live as well on a huge projection screen so others can see. So I started setting up my laptop and projector in our living room on early morning of July 22.

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I think I got a barrage of demons. Suddenly, I had no network connection - my router didn’t work. I checked my desktop in my bedroom with the router, but the network was working fine. I was getting frustrated. It was almost 9 am, and I was still frantically setting up the projector, laptop, and network connections.

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The Japanese coverage as seen from my desktop showed nothing so far but an image of a rainy area in China. I abandoned the idea of projecting the coverage on the screen and went back to my room to watch the coverage on my desktop. Suddenly, my computer shut down. Why on hell? It was configuring updates! Oh my God, I hated this interruption. My cellphone signaled I had a message. It was from Agnes asking how the weather is in Tuguegarao. Then another message came - this time from John. He said that they have bright sunny skies in Baguio and that the eclipse has started. I was already mad because my computer was still configuring the updates. Then, it was okay. I checked the video coverage link again, and I can no longer access it. Since the eclipse has begun, I guess the whole world was watching it on that same coverage. Agnes texted me again that she already saw the “parang kagat ng araw” on her basin of water. I ran to the roof deck with our big basin and filled it with the collected rainwater. Soon enough I saw the partial eclipse! Ah, there it was. I couldn’t explain the joy I felt from seeing that tiny image of the eclipsed sun on the basin of water. I rested and looked again, then rested, and looked again. Because I didn’t have my camera with me and I hated running down the stairs to get it from my room in the other house, I let the eclipse go without taking a picture. When suddenly I remembered that my cell phone has a camera. Another frustration - just when I was aiming the camera, the clouds covered the sun. I think my blood pressure shot up. By the time, the clouds cleared, it was almost 10:30 am. The sun was too bright already to take a picture. I remember when Richard Taylor was telling us that he had to bait his family with a vacation in the Caribbean to see the total solar eclipse. That time I was still disinterested with the idea. Now I have seen and have known why. I was very frustrated when I didn’t join the group to China. There may be a reason thus. But Tahiti anyone?

OUTLOOK

by Ronald Tanco

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he month of August is characterized usually by rains and/or clouded skies, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from stargazing when an opportunity of clear skies breaks open. To begin with, naked eye stargazers will be able to appreciate the night sky of the month with the Perseids Meteor Shower. The meteor activity of Perseids begin as early as late July but will peak on August 13, between 1:30 am to 4:00 am. Although the meteor shower may be badly lit by the last quarter moon, Perseid meteors are usually known to be bright and fast, and may still be seen through the moonlit night. The radiant of the meteor shower can be found in the constellation Perseus and can be seen rising after midnight at the Northeast horizon. For those with telescope, August is the best time to view Jupiter as we now approach opposition. (August 14); that is, when Jupiter and Earth are at its closest or when Jupiter and Sun are opposite of each other relative to Earth. Late last month an Australian Amateur Astronomer discovered an impact on Jupiter leaving a dark black spot, though NASA has said that the gaseous scar could last only about 2 to 3 weeks only. Those with high-powered telescope may want to catch a glimpse of this rare event. Jupiter will be the brightest object for the month of August as we see it rise on the East at sunset.

Also during this month, one can also spot the two other planets after sunset. The shrinking Saturn and the elusive Mercury. Beginning August 1, observers can keep an eye on these two planets day by day as the

two approach each other with Mercury going below Saturn. By August 17, the planets will be closest to each other. On August 22 and 23, observers will see a thin crescent moon to the left of the planets. Mercury, elusive to many observers, will reach its greatest eastern elongation and will quickly disappear into the sun’s light by the end of the month. Observers seeing Saturn for the first time my find it difficult to accept seeing Saturn without its rings. We see Saturn now with its rings edge on creating an illusion that the planet’s ring has disappeared. Venus continues to be the morning star, and it is easily spotted as the brightest object just before dawn. It has reached its Greatest Western Elongation last June 6 and continues to rise at a later time as it orbits behind the sun. The morning on August 18 will have the Moon and Venus by each other. Mars, found just above Venus before dawn, will break away and leave Venus behind. At the start of August, Mars can be found on the constellation Taurus or north of Orion. By the end of August, Mars would have made its transition to Gemini. Binocular and telescope observers would find it interesting to view Mars on the 26th and 27th of the month as it nears the open cluster M35 of Gemini. If dark skies are available, telescope users should use the opportunity to try to spot Uranus. Uranus will reach its opposition next month on September 4.

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AUGUST

S AT E L L I T E S

by Ronald Tanco

HST

Date Mag Starts Max. altitude Ends Time Alt. Az. Time Alt. Az. Time Alt. Az. 16-Aug 4.3 19-Aug 4.5 20-Aug 4 21-Aug 3.4 22-Aug 2.7 23-Aug 4.5 23-Aug 1.9 24-Aug 4.3 24-Aug 1.7 25-Aug 4.1 25-Aug 2 26-Aug 4 26-Aug 2.6 27-Aug 4.1 27-Aug 3.1 28-Aug 4.2 28-Aug 3.5 29-Aug 4.3 29-Aug 3.8 30-Aug 4.5 30-Aug 4 31-Aug 4.6 31-Aug 4.2

19:01:33 10 5:19:50 10 5:15:51 10 5:12:59 10 5:10:30 10 3:32:21 11 5:08:16 10 3:30:41 15 5:06:34 12 3:28:59 19 5:04:52 13 3:27:15 21 5:03:08 13 3:25:28 21 5:01:21 12 3:23:39 20 4:59:33 10 3:21:47 17 4:58:10 10 3:19:55 14 4:56:50 10 3:18:01 12 4:55:28 10

SW SSE S SSW SW SE SW ESE WSW ESE W E W ENE WNW ENE WNW NE NW NE NW NE NNW

19:03:09 12 5:20:40 10 5:18:38 17 5:16:35 26 5:14:33 41 3:32:21 11 5:12:30 65 3:30:41 15 5:10:29 81 3:28:59 19 5:08:31 53 3:27:15 21 5:06:34 36 3:25:28 21 5:04:39 27 3:23:39 20 5:02:49 21 3:21:47 17 5:01:00 17 3:19:55 14 4:59:13 14 3:18:01 12 4:57:28 13

SSW SSE SSE SSE SSE SE SSE ESE NNW ESE NNW E NNW ENE NNW ENE NNW NE NNW NE N NE N

19:04:45 10 5:21:31 10 5:21:26 10 5:20:11 10 5:18:35 10 3:32:36 10 5:16:45 10 3:31:56 10 5:14:47 10 3:30:33 10 5:12:42 10 3:28:53 10 5:10:33 10 3:27:00 10 5:08:20 10 3:25:00 10 5:06:05 10 3:22:54 10 5:03:49 10 3:20:43 10 5:01:36 10 3:18:29 10 4:59:27 10

S SE ESE E E SE ENE ESE ENE E NE ENE NE ENE NE ENE NE NE NNE NE NNE NE NNE

Iridium

Date Local Intensity Alt. Azimuth Distance to Time ( Mag) flare centre (Mag.) 8-Aug 19:41:13 0 54° 122° (ESE) 43.6 km (W) 9-Aug 19:35:11 -8 53° 122° (ESE) 1.9 km (E) 14-Aug 5:14:15 -5 30° 23° (NNE) 9.6 km (W) 15-Aug 5:08:17 -3 28° 22° (NNE) 16.9 km (E) 15-Aug 19:07:52 -1 62° 136° (SE ) 31.6 km (W) 16-Aug 5:02:20 -2 27° 21° (NNE) 24.3 km (E) 16-Aug 19:01:50 -4 60° 135° (SE ) 10.3 km (E) 23-Aug 18:28:27 -8 67° 157° (SSE) 0.4 km (E) 24-Aug 4:23:57 0 19° 11° (N ) 49.4 km (W) 25-Aug 4:18:14 -2 17° 10° (N ) 33.1 km (W) 26-Aug 4:12:26 -1 15° 9° (N ) 48.9 km (W) 27-Aug 4:06:45 -1 13° 9° (N ) 60.8 km (W) 28-Aug 4:01:05 0 10° 9° (N ) 115.6 km (W)

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Appulse - August 2009

Intensity at flare centre

Satellite

-8 -8 -7 -7 -8 -7 -8 -8 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6

Iridium 4 Iridium 19 Iridium 90 Iridium 59 Iridium 4 Iridium 95 Iridium 19 Iridium 19 Iridium 30 Iridium 57 Iridium 60 Iridium 29 Iridium 32

Monthly Star Map – September 2009

This map shows the sky at 9pm on September 15, 2009 as seen from the latitude of Metro Manila, Philippines with North on top and the zenith at the center. The large circle represents the horizon. Star limiting magnitude is 5.5. Deep sky limiting magnitude is 7.0. Prepared by PAS Observation Committee using SkyMap Pro 9 software.

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John Nassr’s eclipse photo from Baguio

Date Imaged: Lens: Camera: Exposure: Filter: Mount: Location: 12 Appulse - August 2009

July 22, 2009 01:28UT Borg 77ED f/6.5 Dragonfly 2 15 seconds SM60 Ha Losmandy Titan Stardust Observatory, Baguio