Monthly Archive: September 2012

PW17 unit temporarily unavailable for maintenance

PW17 unit temporarily unavailable for maintenance

On 26 Sept. 2012, we shipped the STL-6303E CCD camera to its factory for maintenance. So the PW17 unit is temporary not available for observing. We plan to have the PW17 unit back to...

NGC 925

NGC 925 – Tri

Relatively neglected despite its beauty, NGC 925 is barred spiral galaxy, located in the Triangulum constellation, at about 31 millions of light years from us. The distance is known quite well, thanks to the...

Messier 74

M74 – Psc

Messier 74 is a gorgeous galaxy in Pisces, showing an almost perfect spiral structure. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. Because of its low surface brightness, it is one of the Messier...

Barnard 33, the "Horsehead" nebula

The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) – Ori

One of the most famous dark nebulae, Barnard 33 – the “Horsehead” – takes its glory from its unique shape: an horse head, of course! It was recognized on photographic plates by Williamina Fleming...

The Virtual Telescope Project: online presentation (29 Sept. 2012)

The Virtual Telescope Project: online presentation (29 Sept. 2012)

After six years of operations, the Virtual Telescope is now a real international “star”. More than 1.500.000 individuals from 200 Countries discovered the Cosmos through our robotic telescope system, guided by professional astronomers devoted...

Potentially hazardous asteroid 2012 QE50 close encounter: 8 Oct. 2012

Potentially hazardous asteroid 2012 QE50 close encounter: 8 Oct. 2012

After asteroid 2012 QG42, on 9 Oct. 2012, the potentially hazardous asteroid 2012 QE50, discovered on 28 Aug. 2012 by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, will approach our planet with a minimum (safe!) distance...

Stars of the Month: October 2012

Stars of the Month: October 2012

Our monthly description of the night sky, month after month, is back with a new series. As always, it will be a live broadcast, with Gianluca Masi, from the Virtual Telescope Project. Discover what...