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2019 Sep 19 Brunei Spots Spectacular ISS Transit across the Moon

  • A rare ISS transit the Moon, a composite of 5 images by Hj Md Azri

Kuala Belait – The International Space Station (ISS) flew exactly in front of the Moon on Thursday morning, Sep 19, 2019 at precisely 05:29:46.49 am for 0.61 seconds.

Despite of the hazy sky, the space station passing in front of the moon which takes less than a second was observable by a group of astrophotgraphers from the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam over Panaga, Brunei Darussalam.

  • At zoomed in, the array of solar panels and outlines of the station are fairly visible.
    Picture by Hj Md Azri
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Educational Visit to Mini Astronomical Observatory in Keriam

Tutong – A group of Year 11 Sc 4 students from Sayyidina Hassan Secondary Schools visited the Mini Astronomical Observatory located at Kampong Keriam, Tutong, on Friday night (September 6, 2019).

Group photo

Students had the opportunities to use equipment in the observatory to gaze closely at the Moon and the planet Jupiter. There were also a space talk “Introduction of the Solar System” and a briefing on the proper use of the telescope by Secretary-General of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.

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Muharram 1441H New Moon Observation

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Western sky was clear on the evening of August 31, 2019. The celestial objects, Venus and Sun, were used for scopes alignment during the new moon sighting.

The new moon observation of Muharram 1441H was held at Agok Hill by members of Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam. The 24 hour-old hilal (crescent moon) was sighted immediately after sunset, 6.28 pm (after pointing the scopes at sunset and slewing to the Moon).

PABD wishes all Muslims in Brunei Darussalam and around the world Salam Maal Hijrah 1441H.

Crescent moon by Hazarry Haji Ali Ahmad
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Astronomy Talks at Continuous Professional Development Programme

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Survey Department, the Brunei Institution of Geomatics (BIG), and the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) were proudly organised a CPD session highlighting two astronomy paper presentations by PABD on August 28, 2019 at University of Brunei Darussalam.

Present at the CPD session were Haji Ali Bakar bin Haji Kasim of BIG President, Abd Aziz bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah, Juruukur Agung and Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir, the President of PABD.

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2019 Aug 10 Perseid Meteor Shower Camp

Tutong – More than 15 members of Brunei Darussalam Astronomical Society and family members participated for the one- night Meteor Shower Observation Camp at Ecoponies Garden in Tutong last night (on August 10/11, 2019, also on the Eid Al Adha).

Group Photo

A total of 46 shooting stars were recorded from 11 pm until 3 am, which averaging about 12 meteors per hour rate last night.

Some meteors only have quick streaks. Fews are brighter and appear to buzz across our sky for several seconds, leaving a glowing smoke trail.

The Perseid Meteor Shower is perhaps the most beloved meteor shower of the year. The shower builds gradually to a peak, often produces 50 to 100 meteors per hour in a dark sky at the peak, around August 12 – 13. However, the nearly full moon block out most of the fainter meteors during the camp last night, and mostly only the bright ones could be seen.

Perseid is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle remnants, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24.

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Half-Blood Moon across Brunei on 17 July 2019

Bandar Seri Begawan – Curiosity and awe have greeted a partial lunar eclipse at pre-dawn hours of July 17, 2019. Here are some of the eclipse moment photographed around Brunei Darussalam.

  • Photo by Ridzuan HM (Using Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF Telephoto lens)
  • Photo by Ridzuan HM (Using Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF Telephoto lens)
  • Photo by Ridzuan HM (Using Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF Telephoto lens)
  • Photo by Ridzuan HM (Using Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF Telephoto lens)

The following pictures were taken at Panaga Beach , during lunar eclipse on Wednesday 17th between 3.15 and 5:30 am by Rolando Fidel Pinto. Gear used DSLR Pentax K1 with Pentax 1.4x HD PENTAX-DA AF Rear Converter AW and Pentax HD DA 560mm ED AW F5.6 ED AW Lens, which delivers a total focal length of 784mm. Tripod used is a Velbo Pro Geo V630 with a  Jobu Design Gimbal Head  DMG-HD4

  • Photo by Rolando Pinto from Panaga Beach
  • Photo by Rolando Pinto from Panaga Beach
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7 years ago June 2012 Transit of Venus

Exactly 7 years ago today, on June 6, 2012, Venus passed in front of the Sun from Brunei Darussalam. This phenomenon knows as Venus Transit won’t occur for more than 100 years, the next one is on 2117 Dec 11.

The rare transit of Venus through a telescope from Brunei Darussalam (Photo by Hj Mahadi bin Tahir)

Photo by Hj Mahadi, President of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.