2024-03-07 18:58:00
By Markus Foschum
07.03.2024
Michael Jäger, chairman of the Martinsberg Astronomical Center in the Waldviertel, discovered two previously unknown “variable stars”.
Two previously unknown “changing stars” the Austrian amateur astronomer and former deputy editor-in-chief of the KURIER, Michael Hunter, discovered. The chairman of the Martinsberg Astronomical Center (AZM) in the Waldviertel, who discovered the comet named after him “290P/Jäger” in 1998, was able to observe two of these rare stars.
Stars are not always the same brightness; sometimes they even change their brightness significantly and relatively quickly. Then we speak of “variable stars”. By chance, two of these stars were found in the AZM when observing known comets, reports Jäger.
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On November 18th, a “red dwarf” in the constellation Arrow increased its brightness by three magnitudes within a minute, and on January 12th, a star in Gemini briefly lit up. Both stars were not previously known as “variables”. With the support of the experienced variable observer Klaus Bernhard from Upper Austria, one of these suns has now been included in the “International Variable Star Index”.
A well-known “changeable”
A well-known “variable” will keep astronomers busy in the first half of the year. T Coronae Borealis is a “white dwarf” that shows such a violent burst of brightness around every 80 years that it is visible to the naked eye in the starry sky for a few days. The AZM chairman emphasizes that an outbreak is possible at any time. As soon as the time comes, the Astronomical Center will offer a special tour to observe the “changeable”.
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Rather the Comet
Another “highlight” in the sky is the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. It belongs to the family of Halley’s comets and takes around 70 years to orbit the sun. 12P/Pons-Brooks is currently in the evening sky and can be seen relatively easily using telescopes as a brighter, diffuse object with a short tail.
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The season at AZM begins on March 8th and there will be more than 20 events until the beginning of November. Seasonal highlights in summer and fall are the Perseids, a partial lunar eclipse and another very bright comet. This year the popular full moon hikes will also take place again, the topic of light pollution will also be addressed and sun observations for children will also be offered in the summer months.
Darkest region in the country
The Martinsberg Astronomical Center is located in the southwestern Waldviertel at 860 meters above sea level and is “particularly close to heaven”. Because the public observatory is located away from all metropolitan areas in one of the darkest regions of the country, light pollution is accordingly limited.
More about the program for “Star Friends” at: azm-sternwarte-orion.at
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