A.A.Q - Astronomical Association of Queensland

26/07/2025

The Astronomical Society of Australia has issued a press release to mark the 3 years to go to the 22 July 2028 eclipse across Australia including western Queensland and Sydney. The press release is here on the ASA website dedicated to the eclipse: [https://eclipse.asa.astronomy.org.au/three-years-to-go/](https://eclipse.asa.astronomy.org.au/three-years-to-go/) .

The press release is worth reading as well as browsing the website.

THREE YEARS TO GO Countdown Begins to Australia’s Spectacular Total Solar Eclipse 24th July 2025 In just under three years, on 22 July 2028, Australia will experience one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena – a total solar eclipse. For millions of Australians, this will be a once-in-a-l....

27/04/2024

We've received some enquiries about the 'devil's comet' the media have been featuring. It is hard to see comet 12P/Pons-Brooks as it is close to the Sun after sunset and not very bright. If you have binoculars use them (DO NOT look at the Sun with your eyes our through binoculars! Wait until the Sun has gone below the horizon). A high location with a clear sky and clear horizon is important. Look just North of West to a spot in the sky about two palm widths above the horizon (your arm is stretched out). If there are trees between you and the place the Sun sets you may not see it. Below is an image showing the comet's position for Brisbane at 5:30pm 27 April 2024 The image is from the free planetarium program / app Stellarium.
The comet will be still visible for at least 2 weeks as it gets further from the Sun in the sky although it isn't as bright.
An article:
https://theconversation.com/the-devil-comet-12p-pons-brooks-has-finally-become-visible-from-australia-what-can-we-expect-226625

19/02/2023

Could soon be some notable geomagnetic storms...

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare on Feb. 17, peaking at 3:16pm ET. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured an image of the event, which was classified as X2.2: https://go.nasa.gov/40XcsnQ

Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however – when intense enough – they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS & communications signals travel.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, check out
NOAA NWS Space Weather Prediction Center, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings and alerts.

04/02/2023

Astronomers have discovered 12 new moons around Jupiter, putting the total count at a record-breaking 92.

31/01/2023

Hello all,
There are a lot of misconceptions circulating about the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). Besides the usual rhetoric being created by the press, it also originates from the Northern Hemisphere. It is indeed currently bright, being at least visible in binoculars, if not naked eye. However, mid-latitude Australia will not see it until early February, rising out of the north around the end of evening twilight. If it wasn’t for the Full Moon on the 6th this would be an ideal time to observe “E3”. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long for an hour or so of dark skies to open up with the Moon rising later each day.

Having passed perihelion earlier in January it will fade as it moves away from the Sun and Earth. However, the behaviour and brightness of comets, especially post perihelion (after its closest passage to the Sun), can be unpredictable at times and well worth watching. Watch its close visit to Mars on 11th.

For those who don’t already look upon the night sky as an old friend, take the time now to become familiar with the evening northern sky. As our below diagram illustrates, this time of year presents a feast of some of the brightest stars in the heavens, including Orion with its 3 belt stars. Also, if you want to test whether your horizon is low enough to spot the comet as it makes its southerly entrance, become familiar with finding the bright star, Capella.

Further details for this comet and others, plus other highlights of the night sky can be found in the Quasar Publishing yearbook, ASTRONOMY 2023 - Australia. Check out our website for sample pages.

Glenn

27/01/2023

27/07/2022

Three meteor showers peak this weekend (30th July): Piscis Austrinids, Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids. You will need a clear, dark sky and lots of patience (and warm clothes!). The Moon isn't around to brighten the late night sky. Nothing spectacular is predicted but there is always the chance of a good show. Look to the East from 11pm (when the areas the meteors are expected to appear are well above the horizon).
More information at https://spaceaustralia.com/news/ultimate-sky-guide-catching-meteors-your-backyard-2022

07/06/2022

https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/status/384/perseverance-has-a-pet-rock/

How do you choose a rock on Mars? Sometimes you don’t— it chooses you.

31/05/2022

Here is an authoritative report on the Tau Herculids meteor shower which is predicted on 31 May...but we probably won't see anything! 🤔 It is an interesting read on fragmenting comets and how they spawn meteor showers.

Could the Tau Herculid meteor shower put on a spectacular show next week? Only time will tell.

26/04/2022

https://spacenews.com/china-to-conduct-asteroid-deflection-test-around-2025/
As well as cover8ing this announcement from China, the article also briefly mentions NASA's and ESA's plans for asteroid encounters

China will aim to change the trajectory of a potentially threatening asteroid with a kinetic impactor test as part of plans for a planetary defense system.

21/04/2022

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-perseverance-rover-captures-video-of-solar-eclipse-on-mars

The Mastcam-Z camera recorded video of Phobos, one of the Red Planet’s two moons, to study how its orbit is changing over time.