December 2020 research and news items
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Edwin Rod
Dec 26, 2020, 3:27:17 PM12/26/20
to NZ astro chat @ Google
Merry Christmas everyone.
Please find the attached usual newsletters, I haven’t had this month’s star charts for this month, but you might not have had much use for them anyway! According to the Met service it’s the worst November ever recorded for Wellington and I’m sure not much better across NZ. Its raining again at the moment and around 12c outside just after the summer solstice here!
There is a range of interesting research out this month, the possible discovery of a signal around Proxima really caught my attention, and there are a range of links to news items on that one to follow up on. Andrew has again taken a good look at the Chinese lunar sample return this month.
Well lets hope 2021 is a brighter year for everyone.
If I have lost you on Facebook please re add me back in too Edwin Rod
To finish off the year I have attached my best image of Jupiter and Saturn
Research papers
An approximation to determine the source of the WOW! Signal
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.06090
The effect of stellar multiplicity on protoplanetary discs. A NIR survey of the Lupus star forming region
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12297
The First VERA Astrometry Catalog
https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.03089
Chemically tracing the water snowline in protoplanetary disks with HCO
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12319
New insights into ice properties and their effect on ice shell convection
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12502
Interstellar Objects Outnumber Solar System Objects in the Oort Cloud
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.14900
Natural radioactive environments as sources of local disequilibrium for the emergence of life
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.14839
Astrochemistry associated with planet formation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.01472
The effect of pre-impact spin on the Moon-forming collision
https://arxiv.org/abs/2007.02965
The Role of Early Giant Planet Instability in the Terrestrial Planet Formation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.02323
Modeling transmission windows in Titan's lower troposphere
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.02247
A Distinct Population of Small Planets Sub-Earths
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.02273
Gaia Early Data Release 3
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.03380
A Statistical Estimation of the Occurrence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Milky Way Galaxy
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.07902
Bayesian analysis of Juno/JIRAM's NIR observations of Europa
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.05240
On the Robustness of Phosphine Signatures in Venus' Clouds
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.05844
Lava Worlds From Early Earth to Exoplanets
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.07337
Detectability of biosignatures on LHS 1140 b
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11426
Magnetospheres of Terrestrial Exoplanets and Exomoons
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11694
Visible-wavelength Spectra of Europa's Trailing Hemisphere
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11737
The Fundamental Connections Between the Solar System and Exoplanetary Science
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11628
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting News items
FORTHCOMING STAR PARTIES -
CENTRAL STAR PARTY. Thu 14th – Mon 18th January 2021. Four days/nights of tenting/bunk rooms, excellent astronomy talks and
telescope viewing! Tuki Tuki Camp site, 70 Moore Rd, Haumoana, Hawkes Bay. www.censtar.party .
STARDATE – SOUTH ISLAND. Waitangi weekend, Fri 5th -Mon 8th February 2021. Staveley. Keep an eye on https://cas.org.nz/
STARDATE. Fri 12 and Sat 13 February 2021, at Stonehenge. Phoenix Astronomical Society. Contact secr...@astronomynz.org.nz
Mysterious metal monolith pops up in Christchurch
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123769650/aliens-or-artists-mysterious-metal-monolith-pops-up-in-christchurch-the-latest-home-to-the-global-phenomenon
Rocket plumes
http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/zuma_vs_falcon9-stage2_clouds_plumes_overview.pdf
The world’s oldest story? Astronomers say global myths about ‘seven sisters’ stars may reach back 100,000 years
https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-oldest-story-astronomers-say-global-myths-about-seven-sisters-stars-may-reach-back-100-000-years-151568
Chance Played A Major Role In Keeping Earth Fit For Life
http://astrobiology.com/2020/12/chance-played-a-major-role-in-keeping-earth-fit-for-life.html
Christmas without lockdowns, despite contrary views
https://sciblogs.co.nz/lately-in-science/2020/12/24/christmas-without-lockdowns-despite-contrary-views/
A Transient at Proxima Centauri?
https://www.centauri-dreams.org/2020/12/21/a-transient-at-proxima-centauri/
A signal from Proxima? Likely intelligent, unlikely from aliens
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/a-signal-from-proxima-likely-intelligent-unlikely-from-aliens
BLC1: A candidate signal around Proxima
https://sites.psu.edu/astrowright/2020/12/20/blc1-a-candidate-signal-around-proxima/
A Statistical Estimation of the Occurrence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Milky Way Galaxy
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.07902
Alien hunters detect mysterious radio signal from nearby star
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/alien-hunters-detect-mysterious-radio-signal-from-nearby-star/
Hi,
Currently there's a mag 7-ish comet in the morning sky (Comet Erasmus). It rises just before astro twilight. It could be a reasonable astrophotography target (albeit, we're fighting trilight down here in NZ). Here's an observation from J. J. Gonzalez Suarez (Spain) -
C/2020 S3 (Erasmus):
2020 Nov. 28.25 UT: m1=6.8, Dia.=3', DC=7/,
Tail= 0.4 deg. in PA 270 deg, 25x100B.
[ Zodiacal light. Altitude: 4 deg. Sidgwick method.
Tycho-2 comparison stars. SQM: 20.3.].
Ephemerides from GUIDE 9.1 -
Erasmus (C/2020 S3)
Date RA declination r delta mag Elong Speed PA Con
---- -- ----------- - ----- --- ----- ------ ----- ---
29 Nov 2020 14h07m46.36s -22 56' 21.5" 0.5472 1.0850 11.6 30.2 330.15 96.0 Hya
30 Nov 2020 14h17m15.22s -23 09' 00.1" 0.5304 1.0949 11.5 28.9 330.23 95.1 Hya
1 Dec 2020 14h26m45.81s -23 19' 25.4" 0.5140 1.1058 11.4 27.7 330.23 94.1 Lib
2 Dec 2020 14h36m17.73s -23 27' 37.2" 0.4983 1.1174 11.3 26.5 330.19 93.1 Lib
3 Dec 2020 14h45m50.61s -23 33' 35.9" 0.4833 1.1299 11.2 25.2 330.12 92.2 Lib
4 Dec 2020 14h55m24.08s -23 37' 22.8" 0.4691 1.1431 11.2 24..0 330.05 91.2 Lib
5 Dec 2020 15h04m57.81s -23 38' 59.6" 0.4558 1.1570 11.1 22.8 329.96 90..3 Lib
6 Dec 2020 15h14m31.48s -23 38' 29.0" 0.4436 1.1715 11.0 21.6 329.85 89.4 Lib
7 Dec 2020 15h24m04.72s -23 35' 53.9" 0.4326 1.1866 11.0 20.4 329.70 88.5 Lib
8 Dec 2020 15h33m37.15s -23 31' 18.3" 0.4230 1.2022 10.9 19.2 329.46 87.6 Lib
9 Dec 2020 15h43m08.30s -23 24' 46.5" 0.4148 1.2182 10.9 18.0 329.07 86.8 Lib
10 Dec 2020 15h52m37.63s -23 16' 23.5" 0.4081 1.2345 10.8 16.8 328.47 86.0 Sco
11 Dec 2020 16h02m04.51s -23 06' 15.0" 0.4032 1.2510 10.8 15.7 327.58 85.2 Sco
12 Dec 2020 16h11m28.21s -22 54' 27.1" 0.4000 1.2677 10.8 14.5 326.34 84.5 Sco
13 Dec 2020 16h20m47.89s -22 41' 06..5" 0.3987 1.2844 10.8 13.4 324.67 83.8 Sco (perihelion)
14 Dec 2020 16h30m02.66s -22 26' 20.3" 0.3992 1.3011 10.9 12.3 322.52 83.1 Oph
15 Dec 2020 16h39m11.60s -22 10' 15.7" 0.4016 1..3177 10.9 11.3 319.88 82.5 Oph
16 Dec 2020 16h48m13.77s -21 53' 00.0" 0.4058 1.3343 11.0 10.3 316.72 81.9 Oph
17 Dec 2020 16h57m08.29s -21 34' 40..5" 0.4117 1.3507 11.1 9.3 313.08 81.4 Oph
18 Dec 2020 17h05m54.35s -21 15' 24.4" 0.4192 1.3670 11.2 8.4 308.98 80.8 Oph
19 Dec 2020 17h14m31.23s -20 55' 18.4" 0.4282 1.3832 11.3 7.6 304.49 80.3 Oph
20 Dec 2020 17h22m58.34s -20 34' 29.0" 0.4387 1.3993 11.4 6.9 299.65 79..8 Oph
Cheers
John D - RASNZ Comet and Meteor Section
An approximation to determine the source of the WOW! Signal
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.06090
The effect of stellar multiplicity on protoplanetary discs. A NIR survey of the Lupus star forming region
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12297
The First VERA Astrometry Catalog
https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.03089
Chemically tracing the water snowline in protoplanetary disks with HCO
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12319
New insights into ice properties and their effect on ice shell convection
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.12502
Interstellar Objects Outnumber Solar System Objects in the Oort Cloud
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.14900
Natural radioactive environments as sources of local disequilibrium for the emergence of life
https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.14839
Astrochemistry associated with planet formation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.01472
The effect of pre-impact spin on the Moon-forming collision
https://arxiv.org/abs/2007.02965
The Role of Early Giant Planet Instability in the Terrestrial Planet Formation
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.02323
Modeling transmission windows in Titan's lower troposphere
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.02247
A Distinct Population of Small Planets Sub-Earths
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.02273
Gaia Early Data Release 3
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.03380
A Statistical Estimation of the Occurrence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Milky Way Galaxy
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.07902
Bayesian analysis of Juno/JIRAM's NIR observations of Europa
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.05240
On the Robustness of Phosphine Signatures in Venus' Clouds
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.05844
Lava Worlds From Early Earth to Exoplanets
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.07337
Detectability of biosignatures on LHS 1140 b
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11426
Magnetospheres of Terrestrial Exoplanets and Exomoons
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11694
Visible-wavelength Spectra of Europa's Trailing Hemisphere
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11737
The Fundamental Connections Between the Solar System and Exoplanetary Science
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11628
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting News items
FORTHCOMING STAR PARTIES -
CENTRAL STAR PARTY. Thu 14th – Mon 18th January 2021. Four days/nights of tenting/bunk rooms, excellent astronomy talks and
telescope viewing! Tuki Tuki Camp site, 70 Moore Rd, Haumoana, Hawkes Bay. www.censtar.party .
STARDATE – SOUTH ISLAND. Waitangi weekend, Fri 5th -Mon 8th February 2021. Staveley. Keep an eye on https://cas.org.nz/
STARDATE. Fri 12 and Sat 13 February 2021, at Stonehenge. Phoenix Astronomical Society. Contact secr...@astronomynz.org.nz
Mysterious metal monolith pops up in Christchurch
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123769650/aliens-or-artists-mysterious-metal-monolith-pops-up-in-christchurch-the-latest-home-to-the-global-phenomenon
Rocket plumes
http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/zuma_vs_falcon9-stage2_clouds_plumes_overview.pdf
The world’s oldest story? Astronomers say global myths about ‘seven sisters’ stars may reach back 100,000 years
https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-oldest-story-astronomers-say-global-myths-about-seven-sisters-stars-may-reach-back-100-000-years-151568
Chance Played A Major Role In Keeping Earth Fit For Life
http://astrobiology.com/2020/12/chance-played-a-major-role-in-keeping-earth-fit-for-life.html
Christmas without lockdowns, despite contrary views
https://sciblogs.co.nz/lately-in-science/2020/12/24/christmas-without-lockdowns-despite-contrary-views/
A Transient at Proxima Centauri?
https://www.centauri-dreams.org/2020/12/21/a-transient-at-proxima-centauri/
A signal from Proxima? Likely intelligent, unlikely from aliens
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/a-signal-from-proxima-likely-intelligent-unlikely-from-aliens
BLC1: A candidate signal around Proxima
https://sites.psu.edu/astrowright/2020/12/20/blc1-a-candidate-signal-around-proxima/
A Statistical Estimation of the Occurrence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Milky Way Galaxy
https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.07902
Alien hunters detect mysterious radio signal from nearby star
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/alien-hunters-detect-mysterious-radio-signal-from-nearby-star/
Hi,
Currently there's a mag 7-ish comet in the morning sky (Comet Erasmus). It rises just before astro twilight. It could be a reasonable astrophotography target (albeit, we're fighting trilight down here in NZ). Here's an observation from J. J. Gonzalez Suarez (Spain) -
C/2020 S3 (Erasmus):
2020 Nov. 28.25 UT: m1=6.8, Dia.=3', DC=7/,
Tail= 0.4 deg. in PA 270 deg, 25x100B.
[ Zodiacal light. Altitude: 4 deg. Sidgwick method.
Tycho-2 comparison stars. SQM: 20.3.].
Ephemerides from GUIDE 9.1 -
Erasmus (C/2020 S3)
Date RA declination r delta mag Elong Speed PA Con
---- -- ----------- - ----- --- ----- ------ ----- ---
29 Nov 2020 14h07m46.36s -22 56' 21.5" 0.5472 1.0850 11.6 30.2 330.15 96.0 Hya
30 Nov 2020 14h17m15.22s -23 09' 00.1" 0.5304 1.0949 11.5 28.9 330.23 95.1 Hya
1 Dec 2020 14h26m45.81s -23 19' 25.4" 0.5140 1.1058 11.4 27.7 330.23 94.1 Lib
2 Dec 2020 14h36m17.73s -23 27' 37.2" 0.4983 1.1174 11.3 26.5 330.19 93.1 Lib
3 Dec 2020 14h45m50.61s -23 33' 35.9" 0.4833 1.1299 11.2 25.2 330.12 92.2 Lib
4 Dec 2020 14h55m24.08s -23 37' 22.8" 0.4691 1.1431 11.2 24..0 330.05 91.2 Lib
5 Dec 2020 15h04m57.81s -23 38' 59.6" 0.4558 1.1570 11.1 22.8 329.96 90..3 Lib
6 Dec 2020 15h14m31.48s -23 38' 29.0" 0.4436 1.1715 11.0 21.6 329.85 89.4 Lib
7 Dec 2020 15h24m04.72s -23 35' 53.9" 0.4326 1.1866 11.0 20.4 329.70 88.5 Lib
8 Dec 2020 15h33m37.15s -23 31' 18.3" 0.4230 1.2022 10.9 19.2 329.46 87.6 Lib
9 Dec 2020 15h43m08.30s -23 24' 46.5" 0.4148 1.2182 10.9 18.0 329.07 86.8 Lib
10 Dec 2020 15h52m37.63s -23 16' 23.5" 0.4081 1.2345 10.8 16.8 328.47 86.0 Sco
11 Dec 2020 16h02m04.51s -23 06' 15.0" 0.4032 1.2510 10.8 15.7 327.58 85.2 Sco
12 Dec 2020 16h11m28.21s -22 54' 27.1" 0.4000 1.2677 10.8 14.5 326.34 84.5 Sco
13 Dec 2020 16h20m47.89s -22 41' 06..5" 0.3987 1.2844 10.8 13.4 324.67 83.8 Sco (perihelion)
14 Dec 2020 16h30m02.66s -22 26' 20.3" 0.3992 1.3011 10.9 12.3 322.52 83.1 Oph
15 Dec 2020 16h39m11.60s -22 10' 15.7" 0.4016 1..3177 10.9 11.3 319.88 82.5 Oph
16 Dec 2020 16h48m13.77s -21 53' 00.0" 0.4058 1.3343 11.0 10.3 316.72 81.9 Oph
17 Dec 2020 16h57m08.29s -21 34' 40..5" 0.4117 1.3507 11.1 9.3 313.08 81.4 Oph
18 Dec 2020 17h05m54.35s -21 15' 24.4" 0.4192 1.3670 11.2 8.4 308.98 80.8 Oph
19 Dec 2020 17h14m31.23s -20 55' 18.4" 0.4282 1.3832 11.3 7.6 304.49 80.3 Oph
20 Dec 2020 17h22m58.34s -20 34' 29.0" 0.4387 1.3993 11.4 6.9 299.65 79..8 Oph
Cheers
John D - RASNZ Comet and Meteor Section
Astronomy/News/Photos are my main interests and more links can be found @
Thanks Edwin
(A Science/Space and general interest posting enthusiast)
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