[BAA-ebulletin 00586] Opportunity to observe the Cluster spacecraft

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

I today received this information from Dr Mike Hapgood of the Cluster team
at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. It might be of interest to some BAA
members.

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ESA is organising an informal contest for members of the general public
(e.g. amateur astronomers) to observe and photograph the Cluster spacecraft,
especially Cluster 2, during the next few weeks when the spacecraft are at
very low altitudes. The competition is announced on
http://www.facebook.com/notes/catch-a-glimpse-cluster-dances-close-to-home-2011/catch-a-glimpse-of-cluster-photo-contest/232396976774781

with background info on
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catch-a-glimpse-Cluster-dances-close-to-home-2011/226518294029316
including links to the Heavens Above web site which has nice tools to work
out Cluster visibility for any time and place.

The best visibility seems at latitudes of 20 to 30 degrees north, e.g. from
the Canary Islands. So perhaps interesting for people on holiday in those
latitudes. But it's worth checking for visibility from the UK.

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David Boyd
president at britastro.org