Astropoetry

I found this poem in AWB website. A very nice and beautiful poem by Hilary Scheppers from Los Angeles. I wish I can come out with similar poem, but it seems that I don't really have talent in poetry :p so I decided to share her poem here for everyone. Enjoy!!

To Make My Mark on the Earth


I abandoned my bed last night
To make my mark on the Earth
Imprinting my body against the grass
Feeling The Force of the distant Suns

I spun with the planet last night
To feel the swing of the universe
Understanding the continual reach for eternity
Feeling so temporary from the Heavens

I saw a fleeting star last night
To love my insignificant worth
Witnessing an immense energy
Feeling like an outsider looking in

I held your hand last night
To appear stronger than I was
Sharing what energy I could
Feeling the Sun then about to rise

I gave you all my power last night
To give you a better Life
Deteriorating into the Dust of the Earth
Feeling like a dying star

I exploded to my death last night
To be buried in a Black Hole
Adjusting into a new life form
Feeling my energy unable to expire

-- By Hilary Scheppers (Los Angeles, US)


www.astronomerswithoutborders.org

Menjelang Astrofest 2011; Wonders of the Solar System dan pembentangan topik astronomi

Bahang European Astrofest 2011 semakin terasa. Saya mendapat makluman daripada facebook page Astrofest,  bahawa Professor Brian Cox dan Sir Patrick More akan mengadakan sesi tandatangan autograph pada buku masing-masing pada hari ke dua festival astronomi yang bertempat di Kensington, London. Astrofest 2011 berlangsung pada 4-5 Febuari menampilkan pelbagai ceramah menarik dari ahli-ahli astronomi professional.

Prof Brian Cox sendiri bakal berucap berkenaan dengan eksperimen yang beliau jalankan di Cern Switzerland. Large Hadron Collider, particle accelerator berukur lilit 27 km yang berada di sempadan Switzerland dan France bakal menjadi tumpuan pada hari ke dua Astrofest.

Terdapat banyak lagi ceramah yang menarik, ini termasuk ceramah berkaitan dengan bulan Mars, Phobos dan Deimos, serta ceramah berkaitan Uranus dan Neptune. Pastinya tahun akhir saya di United Kingdom akan saya kenang dengan aktiviti astronomi yang menarik seperti Astrofest 2011.

Wonders of the Solar System

Wonders of the Solar System

Buku Wonders of the Solar System baru sahaja saya beli melalui Amazon. Harga buku GBP9.40 sangat berpatutan berbanding dengan harga di kedai-kedai buku seperti waterstone. Penulis buku prof Brian Cox kini semakin popular termasuk dengan kemunculannya di Stargazing Live BBC baru-baru ini. Pendekatan mempromosi astronomi oleh BBC amat saya kagumi. BBC bukan sahaja menjadikan ahli astronomi professional sebagai host, tetapi juga menjemput ahli komedi terkemuka seperti Dara O'Brian bagi menjayakan rancangan Stargazing Live. Banyak input menarik yang berfaedah saya dapati dari rancangan berkenaan.

Antara gambar-gambar di dalam buku wonders of the solar system

Insya'Allah pada 5 Febuari, saya akan dapatkan autograph prof Brian Cox pada buku wonder of the solar system. Pastinya buku berkenaan bakal menjadi koleksi yang saya hargai satu hari nanti. Buku ini ditulis berdasarkan rancangan keluaran BBC pada tahun 2010, Wonder of the Solar System. Suatu dokumentari yang menarik minat saya dalam bidang astronomi. Kandungan buku ini di garap dengan sungguh menarik lengkap dengan gambar-gambar yang hebat dan di luar jangkauan minda.

Saya suka mencadangkan kepada rakan-rakan yang berminat dengan astronomi untuk memiliki buku ini. Sesuai untuk bahan bacaan pelajar sekolah menengah sebagai suatu perangsang untuk menceburkan diri dalam bidang astronomi dan astrofizik.

Pembentangan Subjek A-level Physics 

Entry berkenaan European astrofest 2011 akan saya post secepat mungkin sejurus selepas event berlangsung. Juga pada penghujung bulan Januari, saya akan membuat pembentangan berkenaan tajuk Observational Astronomy bagi silibus physics A level. Pembentangan merupakan sebahagian dari modul latihan perguruan yang sedang saya jalani di Twickenham.

Perasaan risau membelengu diri memandangkan saya tidak pernah belajar mana-mana modul astronomi sebelum ini. Namun Tajuk astronomi saya pilih sebagai satu cabaran memandangkan saya memang merancang untuk mengajar satu, dua bab astronomi di luar waktu kuliah bila pulang ke Malaysia suatu hari nanti. Hal ini memandangkan, tiada topik astronomi dalam silibus fizik matrikulasi dan sekolah menengah di Malaysia.

Pembentangan menjurus kepada strategi dan kaedah mengajar tajuk yang saya pilih. Saya dikehendaki menyediakan sumber-sumber sesuai berkenaan tajuk serta pendekatan yang boleh di gunakan bagi memastikan pelajar memahami tajuk berkenaan. Insya'Allah jika ada kesempatan saya akan postkan serba sedikit bahan-bahan pembentangan saya. Pembentangan akan berlangsung ada 31 Januari 2011. Beberapa hari sebelum European Astrofest.

Sila rujuk link di bawah untuk maklumat lanjut berkenaan Astrofest 2011

Website Astrofest 2011
Facebook Page Astrofest 2011
Official Blog Astrofest 2011

Partial Solar Eclipse 04/01/2011

Below is the youtube video of partial solar eclipse yesterday from all around the world. Although the weather was a bit disappointing in Twickenham , I'm glad I still can watch this magnificent event on youtube. Enjoy!!!!!

Apabila awan berarak lesu......

4hb January 2011, laman-laman web astronomi, BBC, AWB, Falak Online, Astronomy forum.net semua telah heboh berkenaan peristiwa gerhana matahari separa yang sepatutnya boleh di saksikan di benua eropah dengan mudah. Malam sebelum gerhana matahari berlaku saya siap sediakan pinhole camera untuk melihat gerhana dengan selamat sungguhpun ramalan cuaca kelihatan tidak menyebelahi saya.

Seperti yang di sangkakan, cuaca pagi 4hb January mendung dan tidak mengizinkan saya untuk mencerap gerhana matahari separa. Saya masih positive dan terus mengakses internet bagi mendapatkan conection kepada balaicerap luar negara. Link live solar eclipse oberserving session saya dapatkan dari laman web Astronomers without Border. Namun usaha saya tidak membuahkan hasil. Balaicerap di Karachi melaporkan cuaca mendung, di sebuah balai cerap di Czech Republic pula mengalami masalah teknikal dengan alatan kamera, turut tersenarai balaicerap dari Israel yang gagal saya akses.

Namun 4hb January tidak saya habiskan dengan duduk terperap di dalam bilik. Saya sambung hari saya dengan hobi saya yang baru (bagi burung dan Itik2 di radnor garden makan). Hobi ini baru saya mulakan dalam hujung bulan Disember lepas. Bila terasa bosan saya kadang-kadang berjalan-jalan di Radnor garden untuk mengambil angin. Tak sangka banyak unggas dan mergastua di Radnor Garden. Taman yang bersebelahan dengan sungai Thames tidaklah menjadi tumpuan ramai seperti taman di central london. Namun ada pengungjung setia melemparkan secebis dua roti buat santapan burung-burung liar.

Kebetulan banyak roti yang tamat tempoh sebelum sempat di makan, lantas saya merajinkan diri untuk bagi makan burung-burung liar. Dari roti itu berakhir di tong sampah, baik berakhir di perut burung. Di atas adalah video yang saya ambil ketika di Radnor Garden. Mulai hari ini, saya akan tulis serba sedikit aktiviti saya bersama burung-burung dan haiwan di Radnor Garden. Akan datang ada baiknya saya bawa binocular saya bersama untuk aktiviti bird watching...Sekian

January 2011: Quadrantids Meteor Shower and Many more

Berikut adalah video dari laman web NASA berkenaan dengan peristiwa astronomi pada bulan January. Antara peristiwa menarik adalah hujan meteor quandrantids yang bakal berlaku pada 3 January-4 January. Hujan meteor kali ini berlaku ketika bulan masih muda, <10%, justeru aktiviti mencerap akan menjadi lebih mudah memandangkan tiada pencemaran cahaya dari bulan. Hujan meteor quandrantids akan berlaku didalam buruj quadrans muralis( north east) pada malam 3 January.  Hujan meteor ini lebih mudah di lihat di benua Eropah.

Mercury, Venus, dan Saturn terbit lebih awal sebelum fajar dan di penghujung bulan January, Saturn akan terbit sebelum tengah malam. Jupiter pula akan terbenam seawal pukul 9.30 malam menjelang penghujung bulan January. Ini bermakna, musim mencerap Jupiter oleh ahli astronomi amateur seperti saya semakin sampai ke penghujung. Selepas ini pasti lebih ramai amateur yang akan berkongsi log cerapan Saturn di forum-forum  astronomi memandangkan Saturn akan terbih seawal sebelum tengah malam.

Astronomy Calendar 2011

Below are the astronomy events for year 2011:

January

January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower. The Quadrantids are an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on January 3 & 4, but some meteors can be visible from January 1 - 5. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation Bootes.

January 4 - New Moon

January 4 - Partial Solar Eclipse. The partial eclipse will be visible in most parts of northern Africa, Europe, and Asia.

January 19 - Full Moon

February

February 3 - New Moon

February 18 - Full Moon

March

March 4 - New Moon

March 19 - Full Moon

March 20 - The Vernal Equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 23:31 UT. There will be equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of spring.

April

April 3 - New Moon

April 3 - Saturn at Opposition. The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons.

April 18 - Full Moon

April 21, 22 - Lyrids Meteor Shower. The Lyrids are an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. These meteors can produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The shower usually peaks on April 21 & 22, although some meteors can be visible from April 16 - 25. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation of Lyra after midnight.

May

May 3 - New Moon

May 5, 6 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Eta Aquarids are a light shower, usually producing about 10 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on May 5 & 6, however viewing should be good on any morning from May 4 - 7. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight.

May 17 - Full Moon

June

June 1 - New Moon

June 1 - Partial Solar Eclipse. The partial eclipse will be visible in most parts eastern Asia, Alaska, northern Canada, and Greenland.

June 15 - Full Moon

June 15 - Total Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

June 21 - The Summer Solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 17:16 UT. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky and it will be the longest day of the year. This is also the first day of summer.

July

July 1 - New Moon

July 1 - Partial Solar Eclipse. This partial eclipse will only be visible off the coast of Antarctica.

July 15 - Full Moon

July 28, 29 - Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Delta Aquarids can produce about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks on July 28 & 29, but some meteors can also be seen from July 18 - August 18. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight.

July 30 - New Moon

August

August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on August 13 & 14, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. Look to the northeast after midnight.

August 13 - Full Moon

August 22 - Neptune at Opposition. The blue planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view Neptune, although it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

August 29 - New Moon

September

September 12 - Full Moon

September 23 - The Autumnal Equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 09:04 UT. There will be equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of fall.

September 25 - Uranus at Opposition. The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view Uranus, although it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.

September 27 - New Moon

October

October 12 - Full Moon

October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower. The Orionids is an average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. This shower usually peaks on the 21st, but it is highly irregular. A good show could be experienced on any morning from October 20 - 24, and some meteors may be seen any time from October 17 - 25. Best viewing will be to the east after midnight.

October 26 - New Moon

October 29 - Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.

November

November 10 - Full Moon

November 17, 18 - Leonids Meteor Shower. The Leonids is one of the better meteor showers to observe, producing an average of 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower itself has a cyclic peak year every 33 years where hundreds of meteors can be seen each hour. The last of these occurred in 2001. The shower usually peaks on November 17 & 18, but you may see some meteors from November 13 - 20. Look for the shower radiating from the constellation Leo after midnight.

November 25 - New Moon

November 25 - Partial Solar Eclipse. This partial eclipse will only be visible over Antarctica and parts of South Africa and Tasmania.

December

December 10 - Full Moon

December 10 - Total Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of Europe, eastern Africa, Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the North America.

December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower. Considered by many to be the best meteor shower in the heavens, the Geminids are known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour at their peak. The peak of the shower usually occurs around December 13 & 14, although some meteors should be visible from December 6 - 19. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Gemini. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight.

December 21 - The Winter Solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 05:30 UT. The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky and it will be the shortest day of the year. This is also the first day of winter.

December 24 - New Moon

Reference:

www.seasky.org