Amateur astronomy
Hobby of watching the sky and stars
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We include updates on Comet Hale–Bopp, Bortle scale, 2I/Borisov, Comet Hyakutake, Comet Ikeya–Seki, 2023 BU, Kielder Observatory, Cherry Springs State Park, American Meteor Society, Messier marathon, Sky & Telescope, A Sidewalk Astronomer, MySky, Antoniadi scale, Crayford focuser, Société d'astronomie de Montréal ... and more.
| 2024 | Diana Hannikainen becomes the seventh editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope. |
| 2024 | Chuck Allen becomes President of the Astronomical League |
| February 4 2023 |
96P/Machholz
The comet was recovered in the morning sky, visible 2 degrees above the horizon at approximately magnitude 7.
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| January 31 2023 |
96P/Machholz
Comet 96P/Machholz reached its most recent perihelion (closest point to the Sun).
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| 2022 |
Comet Hale–Bopp
The James Webb Space Telescope observed Comet Hale-Bopp when it was 46.2 astronomical units from the Sun.
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| 2022 | After 79 years of leasing office space from the Royal Astronomical Society in Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, the British Astronomical Association relocated its offices. |
| 2021 | Styliani Kafka resigned from her position as Executive Director in the latter months of the year. |
| 2020 | Carroll Iorg returns to the presidency of the Astronomical League |
| 2020 | Marie Lott joined the team of National Observing Program Directors. |
| 2020 | Mid Atlantic Star Party went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interrupting its annual gathering tradition. |
| 2020 | 113th edition of the Observer's Handbook published, covering astronomical events for 2021; first USA Edition created in cooperation with the Astronomical League. |
| 2020 | The 42nd TSP was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deferred to 2021. |
| February 1 2020 |
Astronomy Now
AstroFest 2020 concludes on Saturday, with the event spanning three floors and including a trade show with dozens of exhibitors and telescope dealers, along with opportunities to meet Astronomy Now editors and contributors.
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| January 31 2020 |
Astronomy Now
AstroFest 2020 begins on Friday at the Kensington Conference and Events Centre, featuring a two-day astronomy and space exploration exhibition and conference hosted by Astronomy Now magazine.
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| November 2019 |
Astronomical Society of Victoria
The main structure of the telescope was reassembled for the first time in 74 years.
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| June 2019 | Following F+W Media's bankruptcy, the American Astronomical Society acquires Sky & Telescope. |
| 2018 | Sue French concludes her long-running Deep-Sky Wonders column after 25 years. |
| 2018 | Ron Kramer becomes President of the Astronomical League following Bogardus's death |
| 2018 | Al Lamperti and Maynard Pittendreigh joined the team of National Observing Program Directors. By this time, the Astronomical League had 63 observing programs. |
| 2018 | William 'Bill' Bogardus serves as President but dies in office |
| 2018 | Lisa Harvey-Smith concluded her role as Project Scientist for ASKAP |
| 2018 |
Hoober Observatory
A project was initiated to extend the observatory with a 5-metre square extension and undergo extensive internal and external refurbishment to improve facilities for disabled visitors
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| July 2018 | Macarthur Astronomy Forum collaborated with The Australian Botanic Garden to host 'Space Rocks', an event featuring meteorite hunter Geoffrey Notkin and space historian Amy Shira Teital. This was the first Forum event to charge an entry fee and was a sellout success. |
| 2017 | 110th edition of the Observer's Handbook published, covering astronomical events for 2018. |
| 2016 | Mike Benson retired from his role as National Observing Program Director. Additional Master level programs were added to the Master Observer Progression Awards. |
| 2015 | Cliff Mygatt was appointed as a Director of the Astronomical League. |
| February 2015 | Styliani ('Stella') Kafka began her role as Executive Director of AAVSO. |
| January 2015 | Bryan Gaensler moved to University of Toronto |
| 2014 | New Track's portfolio is sold to F+W Media. |
| 2014 | Peter Tyson is appointed as the sixth editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope, serving until 2024. |
| 2014 | Mike Benson and Aaron Clevenson were appointed as National Observing Program Directors, supervising the work of observing program coordinators. |
| 2014 | John Dobson, promoter of astronomy and creator of the Dobsonian telescope design, passed away, leaving a significant legacy in amateur astronomy. |
| November 2013 |
Astronomical Society of Victoria
Engineering work commenced with a $70,000 grant from the Copland Foundation. The telescope-bearing frame was constructed and set up in workshops.
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| 2012 |
Comet Hale–Bopp
Comet Hale-Bopp was observed at 33.2 astronomical units from the Sun.
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| 2012 | Lisa Harvey-Smith became Project Scientist for ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder) |
| 2011 | Professor Brian Schmidt won the Nobel Prize in Physics |
| 2010 |
Comet Hale–Bopp
Herschel Space Observatory images suggested the comet is covered in a fresh frost layer.
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| December 2010 |
Comet Hale–Bopp
Comet Hale-Bopp was detected at a distance of 30.7 astronomical units from the Sun.
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This contents of the box above is based on material from the Wikipedia articles 96P/Machholz, British Astronomical Association, Astronomical Society of Victoria, Amateur astronomy, Macarthur Astronomy Forum, Adib Astronomy Teaching Centre, Astronomical League, Sky & Telescope, Texas Star Party, Mid Atlantic Star Party, American Association of Variable Star Observers, Hoober Observatory, Astronomy Now, Comet Hale–Bopp & Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.