This is a good opportunity to observe the total lunar eclipse from Malaysia. If you miss this one, you'll have to wait another 3 years for the next one.

The USM Astronomy Club will be organizing a special observation event.

Contact Dr. Chong 016-315 7318 for more information.

If you have any questions, just click on the chat button on the top right of our main webpage. I'll be availabe (as often as I can) to answer any questions that you have.

This service is FREE.

Just call if you have any questions such as

1) Upcoming astronomy event

2) How to observe the night sky

3) How to choose a telescope or binocular

4) Where can I join for star gazing

5) I saw something in the sky. Is it a UFO?

We can now accept payment via credit card. This is done via PayPal.

You don't need to have a PayPal account. When you are ready to order, we will send you a payment request. Simply follow the link to enter you credit card information as well as shipping information.

Don't worry. It is secure and confidential.

33% better light gathering than a 130mm reflecting telescope. This scope is ideal for both planetary and deepsky observation.

Aperture/Diameter:  150mm

Focal length: 750mm

1.25" aluminum focuser

6x30mm finder scope

2 1.25" Plossl eyepieces

Very stable EQ3-2 mount

GSO 8" DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE

This is a great scope for those who enjoy stargazing but don't like to waste time setting up the scope.

Made by Guan Sheng Optical, this scope would enable you to see countless galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, planets and much more. With it's large 8" aperture, you can magnify up to 400x.

Unlike other dobsonian, it comes with friction bearing. This helps you to find object and keep the object centered without looking balance of the telescope. It also comes with one 2" eyepiece and one 1.25" eyepiece for high and low magnification.

2" Crayford focuser with dual speed 1:10 mirco-focuser is included for fine focusing, as well as large 8x50mm finder scope.

Specification:

* 8" Parabolic primary mirror 1/12wave 

* Focal length: 1200mm, F/6

* 2" Precision Micro 10:1 Crayford style focuser

* 3 points mirror cell w/cooling fan.

* Roller bearing wood base

Standard accessories:

* 8x 50mm fully multi-coated achromatic Finder

* Premium Plossl 9mm (1.25")

* Premium widefield SP30mm (2")

* Eyepiece Plate

PRICE: RM2500

8" F8 RC Telescope

Cheapest RC design telescope!!!

This fine scope is manufactured by Guan Sheng Optical in Taiwan. (http://www.gs-telescope.com)

This is a telecope specialized in astrophotography. It offers coma-free imaging with super flat field. The tube is made with carbon fibre for lightweight and durability.

Fine focusing can be achieved with it's large 2" 10:1 microfocuser. 

Specification

Diameter: 200mm

Focal Length: 1600mm

This scope comes as OTA only. No eyepieces, diagonal or finder scope included.

PRICE: RM4995

Free shipping within Pen. Malaysia via Sky-Net courier service.

There will be an observation for the Geminid Meteor Shower at my observatory at Pulau Betong, Balik Pulau, Penang. The observation starts from 10pm on Monday, 13 December 2010. If the weather is clear, it can last till early morning of December 14th.

There is no specific time to join in the observation. However, the best time is actually pass midnight till early morning, as the number of meteors that can be seen increases.

You do not need any special equipment to view the meteor. The best view is by naked eye. Your viewing location should be reasonably dark and not affected by street light.

If you are observing at midnight, look due east and overhead. There is no way anyone can tell you when a meteor can be seen. Just keep looking. You may spot your first meteor in the first minute of observation, or you may have to wait for half a hour to see your first. All depends on luck and weather.

For the record, in 2004, we managed to see over 500 meteors in the span of 7 hours.

If you have GPS, my observatory location is

5deg18min27.6N

100deg12min14.74E

There is a map posted somewhere in my penangastronomy facebook page.

If you need more information, please email info@perseid.com.my

All are welcome.

An interesting celestial event is happening right now.

If you look west just after sunset, you should notice a bright 'star'. This is actually the planet Venus. Once you found Venus, look at the right side of Venus. You may see a yellowish 'star", which appear much dimmer than Venus. If you succeed, congratulation! You have found Saturn, the ringed planet. Now, try looking above Venus. Try to see a dim red 'star'. If you fail, don't worry. Try again the next day as you may need a clear sky to do this. Again, if you can see this red 'star', congratulation! This is planet Mars.

On the night of August 12th, 2010, the planets will be joined by 3 day old Moon. 

Now for extra challenge. Try your luck hunting down Mercury. Mercury is rather elusive. It never strays to far from the Sun and it is relatively dim. You will need clear sky or sheer luck to see this planet.

To locate Mercury, the best chance will be on the evening of August 12th. Look to the lower right of the Moon.Mercury will be about 14 degrees to the right of the Moon and 5 degrees lower.

Here is a method how you can measure angle in the sky.

• Extend your little finger; it’s width is approximately 1 degree.
• Extend your three middle fingers (without the little finger); thats about 5 degrees.
• A clenched fist (thumb to little finger) is about 10 degrees.
• From the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb, an extended hand with fingers and thumb splayed subtends about 20 degrees.

It is not unusual to have this kind of planetary gathering know as conjunction. However, it is not too often we have these chance to see planets gathering close to each other in the sky.  

You can try imaging this event using your digital camera. It is not difficult. Use a tripod and try various setting on your camera to get best result. If you have nice photos, do share at my Penang Astronomy Facebook.

Good Luck.

VIEWING TIPS
You can use your naked eye to witness the whole event. However, for better view, use a binoculars or a small telescope.

On that day, the Moon will rise at 7.31pm. That means, as you as the Moon rises, it will be at mid eclipse (best show). Look toward the southeast direction. For those is Penang, best view will be along the coastal road looking towards the Penang Bridge or mainland.

For photographers, this is a good opportunity to take eclipsed Moon with famous landmarks such as the Penang Bridge. Use telephoto lens around 200mm or more.


4:57pm: Penumbral eclipse begin
6:17pm: Umbral eclipse begin
7:31pm: Moon rises
7:39pm: Greatest eclipse
9:00pm: Umbral eclipse end
10:19pm: Penumbral eclipse end

Among the activities planned by us are sun observation and star gazing. We will also be available to answer any questions that you may have regarding astronomy, telescopes and astro-photography as well as other related subjects.

Among the products available for sale are telescopes, binoculars, night vision binoculars, star charts as well as photo prints of astronomical objects taken by us.

For more info on the event, please go to

http://misti2010.johor.gov.my/

Or you can reach us via email (info@perseid.com.my)  or phone at 012-431 7980.

Take note that our shop will be closed from 20-30 June 2010 due to this event. 

RM2250

For shipping and handling, please add RM40.

PRICE - RM1395

(Please add RM90 for shipping and handling)

- Diameter/Aperture: 130mm
- Focal Length: 900mm
- Aluminized and overcoated mirrors
- 6x24 finderscope
- 130mm primary mirror collects 30% more light than the 114mm, resulting better image resolution and brighter image
- Smooth rack-and-pinion 1.25" focuser

GREAT FOR DEEP SKY AND PLANETARY

JUST ARRIVED!!! 

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER - RM250

(FREE SHIPPING VIA COURIER SERVICE WORTH RM30)

The affordable Sky-Watcher ST2060 zoom spotting scope is your ideal companion for terrestrial viewing. And it is great for looking at craters on the Moon too.

It will give you magnification from 20-60x by just turning the eyepiece. Very easily to setup and use anytime.

The model features a fully coated optical system.  A convenient lightweight table-top tripod is included as standard, but can be mounted on a photographic tripod via a standard tripod bush if required.

* Take note that the latest arrival is branded as Tasco and the tube is grey in colour. Everything else remain the same

NEW LOW PRICE    RM795!!

NOW IN STOCK!!! New stock comes with very nice metallic black tube. 

SK705AZ3

Great buy to show your friends and family the craters of the Moon and the ring of Saturn. 

This scope offers 70mm in aperture and comes with improve AZ3 mount. This mount has slow motion controls on two axis, making the task of tracking an object easier. 

Very light and highly portable. Easily detached and assembly for transportation.

It comes with standard accessories; finderscope, two 1.25" eyepieces and diagonal.

* For mail order, please add RM50 for shipping and handling. Shipping is via POSLAJU. Item will be shipped usually within 24 hours upon receipt of payment.

EMAIL:
info@perseid.com.my

DELIVERY

If out of Penang, delivery method will be either by Sky-Net courier service or Poslaju. Once payment received, items will be deliver within 24 hours. For Peninsular Malaysia, the delivery time will be one day, while in East Malaysia, it will take 2 days to arrive. Delivery may take longer in events of holidays and other unforseen causes.

On the early morning of the 18th November 2009, between 5-6am, the number of  Leonid meteor is expected to peak. You can start watching as early as midnight or from 3am onwards, if you plan to sleep a bit first. If you watch at 5am, the Leonid seems to be coming from a point in the east, halfway up in the sky. This year, the point is marked by a red 'star'. It is not a star, but planet Mars!!! What a good reward for waking up early on that day! You got to view two nice event in one night or rather morning. 

You can view this event from anywhere but preferably with minimal light pollution especially from the East. If clouds are present, look at the sky where there are less cloud cover. If clear sky all the way, then see overhead. Overhead is good as the light pollution is less intense at this part of the sky. 

I'll be watching from my observatory site at Balik Pulau. Please drop me an email if you plan to join. (perseid@streamyx.com)

JUPITER can be seen in the early evening till early morning this month. At 8pm, look east, half way between the horizon and zenith (overhead), you'll see a bright white 'star'. This is Jupiter. If you have a binoculars, you should be able to see up to four 'stars' at the side of Jupiter, forming a straight line. These are Jupiter's moon; Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. Not to worry, if you can't see all four. Sometimes, they hide behide Jupiter or go in front of it, render them almost invisible. 

With a small telescope, you should be able to see the belts of Jupiter. At least two of them can be seen. They appeared to be brownish in colour. With medium size telescope, you can try to look for the Great Red Spot. This is a hurricane like storm that is a permanent feature of Jupiter since the invention of telescope. It is about twice the size of the Earth. 

JUPITER. Photo by C. K. Lim, Penang

This is the photo of Jupiter taken on the 12th September 2009 with Canon 450d camera and 8" telescope. The Great Red Spot can be seen rotating into view at lower left of Jupiter. 

On 30th September, the Moon will be 4 degrees next to Jupiter.

The other nice planet that you can see is Mars, rising around 2.30am. But do start to find it at that time. You'll need to give it enough time to rise higher in the sky. You best time to see Mars in September is around 5am when it has risen half way to zenith in the eastern sky. It will appear red in colour. 

A word of caution here. Don't expect Mars to be very prominent now. It is still very far away from Earth at this moment, thus appearing very, very small.  The best time to see Mars will be in January 2010. At that time, it will be twice as big as it is now. Even then, it will still be 'small' to most of us.

In the early morning before Sunrise, you may be lucky to spot Venus. At 6.30am, it will be very low in the Eastern sky. If you have a good sky, you won't miss this planet, as it is very bright and white in colour. Many thought it was a satellite due to its brightness. It will sink closer to the horizon each morning. So, your best chance to see it is now. A few months from later it will appear in the evening sky instead of morning. 

The New Moon will be on the 19th this month. On this day at Sunset, the Moon will be only 3 degrees above the horizon, when the Sun set. It will be too low to spot the 'anak bulan'. 

If you look West at 9pm, you can see the constellation of Scorpio about to set. If the sky is good, you should be able to see many stars around this region. This is because we are looking at the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. A binoculars will enable you to see many nebulae and star clusters such as Lagoon Nebula, Butterfly Clusters, Wild Duck clusters and many more.

LAGOON NEBULA Taken by C. K. Lim, Penang in 2009

At 10pm, in the East, the nearest and brightest galaxy is rising. This is the Andromeda galaxy. If you know its exact location, you can see it with your naked eye. With a bino, you can definitely see its 'UFO' like shape, typical of a spiral galaxy. 

PLEIADES STAR CLUSTER Taken by C. K. Lim, Penang in 2008

Past midnight, beautiful star clusters and nebulae started to be visible such as the Seven Sisters Clusters, also known as Pleiades. The great orion nebula will also be visible a few hours later. 

Just a few days ago, it was announced that the first rocky planet was found. You can read more about it here.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2009-09-16-rocky-planet_N.htm