New region showed up - 963. It's fairly large, with two giant sunspots forming two ends of same polarity. So far it's not very developed - still in Beta magnetic configuration, but already flares quite frequently in C-class. If this region develops we could have a very interesting aurora activity levels. So, check it out - just use proper filtering.


Two important things going on here. First is previously noted nova V5558 Sgr, which currently is almost bright enough to be seen by unaided eye with mag close to 6.58 - so easily seen by even very small bioculars. Making a shot of it would also be interesting for brightness comparisons.

The second interesting star is R CrB which periodically goes from relatively stable mag (5.8-6.2) down to mag 13 for a short time. Most recent observations seem to indicate that such event has been triggered.


Several new exoplanets just popped into our stellar map along with one update.

First one is system GJ 317, which currently has one massive planet confirmed - mass 1.3 of Jupiter, with rotation period around 673 days and ecc equal to 0.25. There is also a second planet possible on that system however it still has an 'unconfirmed' status.

Second thing is an update of previously known 47 UMa system, that has one massive planet with mass of 2.6 of Jupiter. The updated parameters of the planet now give her:
distance from parent star - 2.11 (+-0.04) AU
rotation period - 1083.2 (+- 1.8 ) days
mass - 2.6 (+-0.13) MJ
ecc - 0.049 (+-0.014)
system age - 7.4 (+-1.9) billion years

There is also a possibility for this planet to have large moons - possibly even to the size of small neptunian-like objects.


Launch delayed. No date has been set yet, though it's known the launch will be delayed up till September.


C/2006 VZ13 is now bright enough even for small binoculars - it's hovering near eta Draco (some 3 degrees north) - You can't miss it.


Otherwise known as OZMA 2007 - the meeting of all polish amateurs in the field of astronomy and astrophotography. It's going to happen in Niedźwiady (Szubin) - home to the PPSAE observation station between 9-12 August. As usual - tents or camping cars If You would like to pay us a visit contact rkral@poczta.onet.pl. Here's the map.

The Skychasers Team.

Region 961 is upgraded to Beta magnetic configuration and grew in size. Futhermore there is another one definately coming... and it came. It looks larger, but is undeveloped with just two very small sunspots (though Beta magnetic configuration). Possibly a degraded leftover from more active time?


So we know date of rover coming into Victoria crater. It will definately be in July. So this could mean the end of the rover's mission (if it breaks there or get stuck). What's more - MRO did a scan of the area and the trail left by rover is clearly visible. You can find more here.


Dawn spacecraft has been mounted on top of carrier rocket and is being preped for launch. Official lanuch date is July 7.


Meanwhile Phoenix is being tested before it's going to fly to Mars. There's some nice shots from that You can find here.


Also Mars Science Laboratory rover is being tested. So far the engineering model of the suspension, but the recent news also tell that it's laser tool that will be used for vaporising rocks for spectrographic analysis will undergo testing soon. You can find article about it here.


AAVSO issued special notice regarding previously noted star V5558 Sgr, which brightness was rising since April. It's now somewhere around mag 8, so You shouldn't have much problems. Here are the coordinates: RA 18:10:18.26, Dec -18:46:51.9.

The Skychasers Team.

Erupting with activity. First of all - region 961. Definately worth checking out. And now we have futher activity on Sun's eastern limb - something that looks like another active region coming up, and possibly larger than 961. Stay tuned for update and always use proper filtering when looking at Sun

The Skychasers Team.

After all that boring and clear Sun, we have a change in activity. Looks like a new sunspot region - 961. So far it's alpha magnetic configuration with one, large sunspot. Worth checking out. Just remember to use proper filtering.


Check the sky on june 30. If You get lucky You will see Venus and just 2/3 of a degree from it - a ring bearer Definately worth checking out in telescope Just wait after sunset and look for a bright 'star' on west horizon. That's Venus

The Skychasers Team.

Don't foget to check on those two today. Depending on Your location it might be occultation or opposition of those two beight objects. Especially the occultation would be an amazing experience, because of the relative brightness. The occultation will happen at 16:24 CET and will end at 17:43 CET for a location in northern Poland, though this time may vary depending on the observer's location. Even if You'll miss it, wait until sunset and You will see both very closely to each other.

Futhermore, Saturn would be quite close to this pair too. Just 6 degrees separation from Moon. If You get really lucky You might see it going behind Moon too, some 15 hours after Venus. Don't miss it

The Skychasers Team.