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.