APOD Quarter 2

The sunset from January 5 in the Swiss skies. In this spectacular image, one can see the sun spots n its surface.

Felipe Rojas

January 8 2014

Period 4, Astronomy


Nevil Maskelyne

 

Nevil Maskelyne was a very important astronomer in time. To begin, Nevil Maskelyne was the fifth Astronomer Royale. Nevil was born on October 6 1732 in London and his childhood wasn't the best one. His father passed away when he was only 12 years old. Soon after this, Nevil began attending West Minister School. Unfortunately, his mother died only 4 years later. Devastated Nevil continued his life.

Nevil's growing love for astronomy began when he saw a solar eclipse on July 25 1748. After this, Nevil entered St. Catherine's College, Cambridge and then to Trinity College. Through these experiences he married a lady named Sophia Rose in 1785. They had a girl named Margaret who eventually became an Oxford Professor. In the Astronomy Royal group, Nevel was sent to study the transit of Venus. This was such a necessity at the time because by knowing this information, one can get an estimated distance of the sun from the Earth. He wasn't completely successful on that project. Nevel then developed the Lunar Distance Method. This method was made by using the moon to determine Earths longitude.


He was sent on different missions to find longitude lines. These places include Barbados. Some other things he has done include the Schiehallin expirement for the determination of the Earth’s density using a plumb line.


His amazing works have really been a strong influence on modern astronomy.

Felipe Rojas

Date: January 5 2014

Time:  745-11:05

Place: Admirals Walk

Sky Conditions: Cloudy at times but mostly clear enough to seem some sights

 

Instruments Used: binoculars

 

Planets: .Jupiter, extremely bright

 

Bright Stars noted: Mira, Algol, Capella, Pollux, and Sirious

 

Constellations noted: Cancer, Pegasus, Andromeda, Orion, Sculptor.

 

Binary Stars: Non Noted

 

Deep Sky Objects: glimpse of Andromeda galaxy.

 

Other:

 

 

Felipe Rojas
Date: January 1 2014

Time: 8PM-11PM

Place: Admirals Walk

Sky Conditions: A bit cloudy from 9 to 945 but the rest of the time very clear.

 

Instruments Used: Binoculars

 

Planets: Jupiter

 

Bright Stars noted: Betelgeuse, Pollex, Capela, Rigel, Sirius.

Constellations noted: Orion, Cancer, Columba, Pupis, and Hydra.

 

Binary Stars: Non spotted

 

Deep Sky Objects: Non Spotted.

 

 

 

Other: I saw a streak of light pass directly over me.