The U3a Oliva Astronomy group has begun its regular fortnightly meetings at the CPC Monday afternoons at 4pm. A range of topics have been discussed including telescopes, binoculars and finding your way in the night sky. New members are welcome.

International Observe the Moon Night took place on the evening of October 16th it was cloudy however so the Moon was not visible. International Observe the Moon Night is a regular yearly event and encourages people to view the Moon at First Quarter (Half Phase) during October. The Moon is however a regular visitor to the night sky and there is always plenty of detail to view using a pair of binoculars. If anyone would like to make a simple observation of easy to see features, a printed sheet with details can be supplied.

There is plenty to see in the evening starting with the bright planet Venus which is visible almost immediately after sunset in the SW. Venus will continue to be visible for a month or more to come. The bright planets Jupiter and Saturn are still bright and easily visible in the South after the sky is fully dark. Jupiter is the brighter one to the left and Saturn is further towards the West. Both planets are within the relatively dim constellation Capricornus, binoculars will show some of the brighter stars close to and above Saturn. Early next month the rather dim planet Uranus will be at Opposition, opposition is when the object is opposite to the Sun rising as the Sun sets and well placed for viewing in a dark sky. A small telescope or even binoculars will provide views of Uranus however it shows a tiny disc and it not easy to locate so a detailed star map and a clear dark sky are needed to locate it. Uranus was the first planet to be discovered since ancient times. Sir William Herschel found it using his home-made telescope from his garden in Bath April 13th 1781. Hershel’s discovery caused quite a sensation, he considered the object to be a comet and he wrote an account of its discovery. Later observations by Herschel and other astronomers proved it to be a far-off planet and as such the Solar System was far larger than considered at that time. Uranus had been noted by many astronomers even by Ancient Greek observers who considered it to be a star.

During November the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) return to the evening sky and this group of 6 easy to see sparkling stars marks the return of cooler nights. To view them choose a site with a clear horizon to the East and look when the sky is fully dark after 8 PM. Binoculars will provide a stunning view of many bright blue-white stars. Below them, further East another “V” shaped group of stars are visible, this group is the Hyades and they represent the “Head” of the Charging Bull Taurus. A bright orange coloured star, Aldebaran, marks the “Eye” of the Bull.

Do take the opportunity to view the night sky, there are many incredible objects to see.