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The second part of 2020 I spent on my Slovak observatory in Kolonica performing the usual observing programs. There is always something interesting on the sky. Let me highlight 3 spectacular objects which attracted attention during this period. Read the stories of SS Cyg, V1391 Cas and V1112 Per.

[Read more…] about Recent news in the world of cataclysmic variables

The pandemy of the new coronavirus gave me the possibility to extend the season from planned two months to more than half year period.

Many astronomical activities were performed between 11/01/2020 and 31/07/2020 on Madeira island. In the following I summarize activities with my personal participation as a representative of the Observatory and Planetarium M.R. Stefanik in Hlohovec, Slovakia and a member of Associação de Astronomia da Madeira. Step by step history of this stay can be found on https://www.facebook.com/stars.above.pontadosol.

[Read more…] about Final report of the first season of Stars Above Ponta do Sol

The winter stay became the spring one. However after many clear nights in April only one in May until now. We had spectacular green flash on 1st of May (see astro-gallery ), then practically nothing special.

In the meantime new section appeared in this web. In Photogrammetry – you can find several 3D reconstructions of objects typical for madeirian architecture.

On 30 of April the project proposal MADASTRA was submitted to FCT. Now waiting for the approval. If successful can be a big milestone in the development of observational astronomy in Madeira. The plan is to put in operation two small optical telescopes. The existing one 12″ Meade telescope on the terrace of the University to perform spectroscopic observations. The new 14″ will be installed on Achada do Teixeira (1590 m asl) and used for photometric observations.

Nice example of co-operation of visual and electronic observations. YY Her is symbiotic variable showing periodic variations connected with the orbital motion. Porb = 589.5 d. Sometimes the outbursts occurs. See the long term light curve below:

[Read more…] about YY Her

Another winter stay in the island of eternal spring. Between 10. January and 12. March 2020. Two main objectives:

• To put the University Meade LX200 telescope in operation.
• To start up the local astronomical community in Ponta do Sol

You can follow the process on https://www.facebook.com/stars.above.pontadosol/

The adventure continues after 12 of March because of the virus. We are still on the island performing observing sessions and preparing project proposal “MadAstra – Reviving the Observational Astronomy on Madeira”. Just a preliminary summary can be found in the traveling section.