Abstract

The first part of this dissertation investigates methods of predicting the first visibility of the lunar crescent: an astronomical problem that has attracted the interest of man since ancient times. Many early nations used lunar calendars, the months of which began on the evening of the first sighting of the lunar crescent after conjunction. In modern times, the resolution of this astronomical problem is of special importance -both for historians who need to determine ancient dates exactly and for Muslims around the world, whose religious calendar is lunar. The interest in this matter over the centuries has resulted in the appearance of a number of solutions by a variety of authors for predicting the first visibility of the lunar crescent.

The purpose of the first part of this dissertation is to assess the accuracy of these prediction models using ancient, mediaeval and modern observational data and to explore possible improvement. The study concludes that the concept of a “zone of uncertainty” must be incorporated into any lunar
visibility criterion; it further applies this conclusion to the widely used modern criterion of true lunar altitude versus azimuthal difference between the sun and moon. The observational data show that developing a “zone of uncertainty” in this particular criterion yields the best results of all.

The second part of the dissertation is an investigation of six problems in historical astronomy. These are: (i) assessing the accuracy of solar eclipse observations made by Jesuit astronomers in China; (ii) assessing the accuracy of lunar eclipse observations made by Jesuit astronomers in China; (iii) dating the solar eclipse of Thales; (iv) determining the modern equivalent of the Babylonian angular units of measurement; (v) dating the eclipses of Thucydides; and (vi) dating the solar eclipse of Plutarch. All papers have been published or are currently in press.

Original download link: First visibility of the lunar crescent and other problems in historical astronomy. – Durham e-Theses

Oleh : Dk. Vivy Malessa Pg. Ibrahim / Pelita Brunei
Foto : Ihsan Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam

ASTRONOMI adalah kajian tentang segala sesuatu di alam semesta di luar atmosfera bumi. Ini termasuk objek yang dapat dilihat dengan mata kasar seperti bulan, bin tang dan matahari serta objek yang hanya dapat dilihat dengan menggunakan teleskop seperti galaksi jauh dan partikel kecil.

Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam (PABD) Sebagai dedikasi kepada masyarakat dan bidang sains astronomi, PABD merupakan persatuan bebas dan persatuan bukan kerajaan yang berkaitan dengan bidang astronomi di Negara Brunei Darussalam. PABD telah didaftarkan secara rasmi kepada Pendaftar Pertubuhan, Polis Diraja Brunei pada 6 Januari 2003. Peraturan-peraturan dan keterangan PABD telah termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam oleh ahli-ahli sementara PABD pada tahun 2002.

Persatuan ini mempunyai Penaung iaitu Ketua Hakim Syarie, Yang Amat Arif / Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar; dan Penasihat-penasihat Persatuan terdiri dari Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Syarie, Juruukur Agung, Naib Canselor UBD dan Rektor Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali.

Aktiviti PABD Pelbagai aktiviti yang telah dilaksanakan oleh PABD, antaranya ialah Cerapan Anak Bulan Rejab; Penganjuran International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition pada 7 Mac 2019 dalam talian; Pameran PABD pada 3 Mei 2019; Bicara ‘Bruneian women’s involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ sempena Hari Wanita Antarabangsa pada3 Mei 2019; Kajian Awal Waktu Fajar dan Kualiti Langit Gelap di Negara Brunei Darussalam pada 17 Mei 2019; Cerapan Gerhana Separa pada 17 Julai 2019 dalam talian; Sesi Praktikal Cerapan Anak Bulan Zulhijjah 1440 Hijrah; Perkhemahan Cerapan Juraian Meteor Perseids pada 10 Ogos 2019; Stargazing in the Garden pada 19 Ogos 2019; Cerapan Juraian Meteor Quadrantids pada 5 Januari 2020; Cerapan Comet Neowise (C/2020 F3) pada 15 Julai 2020 – 23 Julai 2020; dan ‘Stargazing Night’ pada 28 Ogos 2020 di Warisan Puk Belaban.

Keahlian PABD Lebih 80 orang telah mendaftar sebagai Ahli PABD pada ketika ini dan bagi sesiapa yang berminat untuk menjadi Ahli PABD boleh menghantar permohonan dan hendaklah mengisikan dalam satu borang khas melalui laman sesawang www.bruneiastronomy.org/daftar dan dihantar kepada Setiausaha Agung PABD dan hendaklah mengemukakan permohonan itu dengan secepat mungkin kepada Jawatankuasa Eksekutif untuk diluluskan.

Setiap pemohon yang permohonannya telah diluluskan seperti yang tersebut di atas
hendaklah setelah menjelaskan bayaran pendaftaran untuk diterima menjadi Ahli PABD. Kadar bayaran bagi jenis keahlian PABD ialah BND15 bagi Biasa; Pelajar BND5; Korporat kadar bayaran ditentukan oleh Ahli Jawatankuasa Eksekutif PABD; dan Keahlian Kehormat sebanyak BND50.

PABD pada masa ini belum mempunyai Pejabat Tetap, walau bagaimanapun bagi sebarang persuratan, alamat sementara yang didaftarkan ialah Pusat Kepimpinan dan Pembelajaran Sepanjang Hayat, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Simpang 347, Jalan Pasar, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan. Negara Brunei Darussalam, BE1310.

Teleskop Untuk Semua

Ke arah memperluaskan bidang ilmu pengetahuan kanak-kanak, ibu bapa dan juga tenaga-tenaga pengajar untuk mencetuskan minat dalam bidang sains, serta meningkatkan peluang yang sama rata (ekuiti) untuk menceburi kerjaya dalam bidang astronomi, justeru, Program Teleskop Untuk Semua (Telescopes For All) merupakan program bertaraf antarabangsa yang dianjurkan bersama oleh Kesatuan Astronomi Antarabangsa (IAU) melalui ‘Office for Astronomy Outreach’ (OAO) dengan ‘Stars Shine for Everyone’ (Sterren Schitteren voor Iedereen-SSVI) dan ‘Universe Awareness/University of Leiden’.

Penganjuran program berkenaan merupakan tindakan susulan bersempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Ke-100 kesatuan tersebut pada tahun 2019, yang mana kesemua teleskop tersebut adalah pemberian ihsan dari Syarikat Bresser. Teleskop Untuk Semua 2021 dibukakan penyertaannya kepada penduduk di negara ini sehingga penghujung Mei 2021 ini.

Program yang dianjurkan IAU itu menawarkan hadiah sebanyak 12 buah teleskop istimewa yang ditandatangani oleh para angkasawan dan saintis, termasuk pemenang Hadiah Nobel, kepada komuniti di seluruh dunia dalam mengatasi kekangan akses dalam bidang astronomi. Bagi penerima anugerah Teleskop Untuk Semua 2021, penerima anugerah akan menerima teleskop yang dihantar dengan pemasangan khas serta dibuat khas oleh Kumpulan Pembuat Teleskop Amatur Kijkerbouw of the Public Observatory Armand Pien Belgiumuntuk SSVI. Teleskop Refraktor Bresser 90/1200 yang peralatannya dilengkapi dengan tube teleskop, view finder, zenit prisma, penapis suria, Plössl eyepieces 25mm dan 15mm, sebuah elektronik cermin mata (kamera web), dan pelekap. Teleskop ini dapat digunakan untuk mengamati bulan, planet-planet dari Sistem Suria dan objekobjek Messier yang paling terang seperti Nebula Orion, globular clusters, bintang binari.

Negara Brunei Darussalam merupakan antara 53 negara yang mengambil bahagian projek pada tahun ini. Pertandingan dari negara ini akan diselenggarakan oleh IAU National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) Brunei Darussalam dengan sokongan PABD. Negara-negara lain NOC adalah Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia (Contact Deputy NOC), Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam dan Zambia.

Orang ramai yang berminat menyertai Teleskop Untuk Semua 2021 dikehendaki menghantar cadangan di dalam bahasa Inggeris dengan menjelaskan kaedah dan strategi menggunakan teleskop berkenaan untuk dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat dalam
memberikan inspirasi kepada kanak-kanak yang kurang mendapat pendedahan astronomi. Maklumat lanjut program Teleskop Untuk Semua dan syarat-syarat penyertaan boleh dicapai melalui laman sesawang www.bruneiastronomy.org/telescopes4all.

Setiausaha Agung PABD yang juga selaku IAU NOC bagi Negara Brunei Darussalam, Awang Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad menyarankan, ”Orang ramai adalah dialu-alukan untuk menyertai program ini bermula 1 April sehingga 30 Mei 2021. Cadangan-cadangan yang diusulkan perlulah inovatif, memfokuskan aktivitiaktiviti yang sesuai dan berimpak tinggi serta mampan dalam usaha mendekatkan astronomi kepada kumpulan masyarakat yang memerlukan sokongan dalam bidang astronomi di Negara Brunei Darussalam melalui penggunaan teleskopberkenaan”.

Di peringkat saringan, semua cadangan dari negara ini yang memenuhi semua syarat kelayakan akan mendapat kelulusan daripada IAU NOC Brunei Darussalam selaku penyelaras projek untuk meneruskan ke peringkat antarabangsa. IAU akan meneliti serta menilai semua kertas cadangan yang dihantar daripada setiap negara yang menyertai program ini bagi penganugerahan. Pengumuman rasmi hasil keputusan oleh IAU dan para pemenang bagi program ini dijangka pada 15 Jun 2021.

Pada tahun lepas, projek ‘Making Space For All’ (MASA) yang diusulkan oleh Dayang Nur Bazilah binti Zainal Abidin, Ahli PABD, melalui penyertaan program ini telah mendapat kejayaan di peringkat antarabangsa dengan menerima anugerah berupa sebuah teleskop daripada IAU sumbangan Syarikat Bresser. Sebanyak 17 golongan komuniti yang memerlukan sokongan dalam bidang astronomi di serata dunia termasuk negara ini telah dipilih untuk menerima teleskop khas berkenaan yang ditandatangani oleh para angkasawan dan para penerima Hadiah Nobel. Kumpulan tersebut merupakan kumpulan yang pertama untuk menerima teleskop yang diedarkan oleh ‘Telescopes
for All: Inspiring Starts & Stars Shine for Everyone Collaboration’.

Sumber: Pelita Brunei Rencana – Teleskop untuk semua (pelitabrunei.gov.bn)

Bandar Seri Begawan – Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam (PABD) held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at the Higher Hotel, Kiulap on Sunday afternoon, January 10, 2021.

Present during the AGM were advisors to PABD, Yang Arif Awang Hj Johar bin Hj Mohammad, Judge of the Syarie Court and Dr Haji Norarfan bin Hj Zainal, Rector UNISSA. Also present were about 40 members of PABD and members of the public.

The ceremony began with the welcoming speech by Yang Di Pertua PABD, Awang Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir. The AGM was then officiated by Yang Arif Awang Hj Johar bin Hj Mohammad, one of the Advisor Board members of PABD.

PABD, also known as Brunei Astronomy, was established in 2003 aims to promote and facilitate activities relating to astronomy. The year 2020 had been a year with astronomical marvel with PABD conducting numerous activities for its members and the public. PABD conducted its first International Observe the Moon Night, an annual event supported by International Astronomical Union (IAU) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Similarly, PABD successfully organized online observations and in-person event to observe the Dec 26 2019 Annular Eclipse Observations from Sri Aman, June 2020 Partial Solar Eclipse observation and the Jupiter-Saturn Great Conjunction – a rare astronomical occurrence, back in December 21 last year.

The AGM meeting began with the awards presentation by PABD honorary advisors to two international awards recipients, namely NameExoWorlds Brunei Darussalam 2019 and Telescopes for All 2020. The Certificate of Achievement by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) was awarded to Pengiran Mohammad Rezal bin Pengiran Hj Osman, for proposing the winning names Gumala (star) and Mastika (exoplanet) as part of the national campaign organised in Brunei for the IAU100 NameExoWorlds Project as part of the International Astronomical Union’s 100th anniversary celebrations (IAU100) in 2019. Additionally, Making Space for All – MASA, a proposal by PABD for the Telescopes for All by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in June 2020 was awarded to Dayang Nur Bazilah bte Zainal Abidin. The MASA project aims to create an inclusive environment to promote safety for women and accessibility to differently-abled individuals in astronomy and activities related to it.

There was also presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to seven members of PABD for their outstanding contributions to the society and to eleven PABD Executive Committee members for their excellent services in managing the society.

The AGM was concluded with the appointments of new PABD Executive Committee and proposal of PABD activities for 2021. Eleven newly elected PABD Executive Committee members for 2021/2022 sessions are:

• Yang Dipertua (President): Awang Hj Mahadi bin Hj Md Tahir
• Naib Yang Dipertua (Vice President): Hj Abdul Aziz bin Hj Akop
• Setiausaha Agung (Secretary General): Hazarry bin Hj Ali Ahmad
• Timbalan Setiausaha I (Deputy Secretary I): Pg Shahdani bin Pg Anom
• Timbalan Setiausaha II (Deputy Secretary II): Dr Hj Md Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Hj Ahmad
• Bendahari Agung (Treasurer General): Shaifulbahri bin Haji Ahmad
• Five (5) Ordinary Executive (Exco) members: 
  • Md Qawien bin Hj Md Jamil
  • Loo Kuan Look 
  • Mohammad Hussaini bin Ali Hassan 
  • Nur Bazilah binti Zainal Abidin
  • Farah Laila Nabilah binti Abdullah Chia

The year 2021 too stores impressive astronomical events in which PABD will certainly take opportunities to organize activities for the occasions. Anyone interested to join PABD as a member can visit their website www.bruneiastronomy.org. 

Download:

Telescopes for All is a collaboration between the International Astronomical Union Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), Stars Shine for Everyone (Sterren Schitteren voor Iedereen, SSVI) and Universe Awareness/University of Leiden. The programme seeks to broaden the horizons of children, parents and educators alike, to spark an interest in science, and to promote equal opportunities for pursuing a career in astronomy. The Telescopes for All programme is one of the legacy actions arising from the IAU100 celebrations and follows the successful collaboration in 2019. The 17 telescopes were donated by BRESSER.

The programme received 172 applications endorsed by the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs) from 34 countries. The selected proposals will bring telescopes to children in rural areas in Cameroon and Tunisia, migrants and refugees in Spain, and children with hearing and visual impairments in Indonesia and Nepal, to name just a few.

The telescopes have been awarded to the following proposals:

• Telescopes for All in the heart of Argentina, Villa Mercedes Astronomy Club, Argentina
• Seichu-Jurá Project, Sociedade de Astronomia do Maranhão, Brazil
• Making Space for All (MASA), The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
• Telescopes for All in Cameroon, Bilingual Secondary School, Cameroon
• A Telescope for the Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk, Canada
• Telescopes for All in Chile, “Hermanos Carrera” School, Angol, Los Lagos Region, Chile
• Telescopes for All in the Dominican Republic, ASTRODOM, Dominican Republic
• Telescopes for All in Haiti, Haiti, Groupe Astro-Jeunes-Ado, Haiti
• The Universe for Everyone, Andromeda, Ahmad Dahlan University, Indonesia
• Astronomy is Open to Everyone, Asif n Ait Bounouh Association for Culture and Awareness, Morocco
• Telescopes for All in Nepal, Blind Rocks!, Nepal
• Telescopes for All in Panama, Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, Panama
• Mirando al Cielo, Paraguay
• Telescopes for All in Peru, Huaycán Cultural, Peru
• Socio-educative support for migrant and refugee children, Spain
• Telescopes for All in Tunisia, Enfidha Astronomy Club, Tunisia
• Astronomy for All, Saigon Astrokids (SAK), Vietnam

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a digital camera will be provided with each telescope, so that outreach professionals and science educators can conduct their observations and share them safely with their community online until safety measures allow for face-to-face interactions.

Shipping of all the telescopes will begin in late September 2020, provided that COVID-19 safety measures allow. 

Notes

[1] The OAO and SSVI would like to acknowledge and thank BRESSER for donating the telescopes, Universe Awareness/Leiden University for shipping, and Solar Foil and GILBOS for their support of the project. The OAO and SSVI would also like to thank the following individuals and organisations who sponsored the physical assemblage of the telescope through SSVI: Rob Walrecht, Genie Hendriks, Koen Geukens, Wim Maats, André De Coster, Xavier Debeerst, Sterrenwacht Orion Streekbos, Amateur Astronomiedag Space Expo 2020, and Spectroscopiedag Sterrenwacht Tivoli 2019.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 14 000 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world’s largest professional body for astronomers.

The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) is a joint project of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). The mission of the OAO is to engage the public in astronomy through access to astronomical information and communication of the science of astronomy. This is implemented through a network of IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs) and the IAU’s engagement initiatives with the public. The work of the OAO is about building bridges between the IAU and the global astronomy community, and through international collaboration, to make astronomy accessible to all.

Press Release Statements

About Telescopes for All Brunei Darussalam: www.bruneiastronomy.org/telescopes4all

Original Press Release Source: https://iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann20026/

KIARONG, Ahad, 21 Jun. – Kejadian gerhana merupakan antara tanda-tanda kebesaran
Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala yang mentadbir seluruh alam.

Di samping itu, gerhana juga adalah satu ibadat kerana kita dianjurkan melakukan
perkara-perkara yang berkebajikan, bersyukur atas kurnia itu dengan melakukan sembahyang, bersedekah, berzikir, berdoa serta menjauhkan daripada melakukan perkara-perkara mungkar, maksiat serta perbuatan syirik.

Pada hari ini, penduduk Negara Brunei Darussalam berpeluang untuk menyaksikan
gerhana matahari separa. Peristiwa astronomi ini bermula pada jam 3.10 petang dan berakhir pada jam 5.23 petang. Gerhana matahari berlaku apabila bulan berada sejajar di antara matahari dan bumi. Semasa gerhana separa, cakera bulan tidak akan meliputi matahari sepenuhnya.

Sesi pencerapan gerhana petang tadi diadakan di kediaman Awang Haji Azri bin Haji Ibrahim, ahli Persatuan Astronomi Negara Brunei Darussalam (PABD).

Fenomena gerhana matahari separa itu berlangsung selama 2 jam 13 minit, di mana
sepanjang fenomena ini, bulan akan menutupi sebahagian kecil matahari. Ketika puncak
gerhana, iaitu pada jam 4.22 petang, hampir 28 peratus matahari akan ditutupi oleh bulan.

Orang ramai yang ingin melihat fenomena ini, adalah dinasihatkan agar tidak melihat matahari secara terus. Beberapa kaedah yang selamat untuk melihat matahari, antaranya dengan menggunakan kaca mata kimpalan (welding glass) nombor 14, penapis suria dan projeksi dengan teleskop.

Bersempena dengan fenomena ini, PABD dengan kerjasama Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) dan Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) menganjurkan perbincangan secara dalam talian melalui Facebook Live, yang bertajuk, ‘Bincang Santai Astronomi : Fenomena
Gerhana Matahari’.

Sesi pencerapan gerhana matahari juga dibawakan secara langsung dalam talian dari
beberapa buah lokasi terpilih di keempat-empat daerah oleh PABD.

Penganjuran program tersebut di negara ini juga merupakan kolaborasi projek ‘MY-East
Asia Universe Awareness Solar Eclipse (MY-EAUNIVASE)’ dan di bawah jaringan kerjasama ‘International Astronomical Union (IAU) National Outreach Coordinator’ yang melibatkan sembilan buah negara di Asia Timur.

Fenomena yang sama juga dijangka akan berlaku lagi di negara ini pada Khamis,
20 April 2023

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is perfectly aligned between the sun and the earth. During the partial eclipse, the moon never completely covers the sun.

The phenomenon of a partial solar eclipse will last for 2 hours 13 minutes, where throughout this event the Moon will obscure a small fraction of the sun. During the greatest eclipses, i.e. at 4.22 p.m., nearly 28 percent of the sun will be covered by the Moon.

People who wish to observe this phenomenon are advised not to look at the sun directly. Some of the safe methods of watching the sun eclipse are employed by using Shade 14 Welding Glasses, solar filters or by telescope projection.

In conjunction of the upcoming eclipse event, the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) in collaboration with the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri  Begawan (KUPUSB) will organize an online Facebook Live discussion “Astronomy Talk: The Phenomenon of Solar Eclipse”.

This general astronomy talk programme will provide an opportunity for the public and netizens to interact with astronomy and falak syarie experts on the phenomenon of sun eclipse which will be livestreamed from 8.30 p.m. on Friday,19 June 2020.

While the solar eclipse observation session will be brought directly online on 21 June 2020 from several strategic locations in the four districts of Brunei Darussalam by PABD. The programme is organized in collaboration with the MY-East Asia Universe Awareness Solar Eclipse (MY-EAUNIVASE) project under the partnership network of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) National Outreach Coordinators in nine East Asian countries.

Members of the public can view the live streaming of these phenomenon starting at 2.45 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. The observations are dependent on weather conditions.

Both programmes can be viewed via PABD’s social media page www.facebook.com/bruneiastronomy

The phenomenon of the next solar eclipse will occur again in Brunei on Thursday, 20 April 2023.

Read More: Partial Solar Eclipse on June 21, 2020

Many astronomical observatories are built in remote locations in an effort to escape the light of cities and towns. Even so, these observatories are threatened by light pollution such as city lights encroaching upon the mountaintop of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Mauna Kea Observatories is one of the best astronomical sites in the world. Lighting ordinances are an important tool to protect these sites from light pollution.

How can we effectively reduce the impacts of light pollution? The most effective way is simply to turn off or reduce the amount of lighting. The change from white to yellow light also makes a major difference. We can plant more trees to reduce secondary reflections. Using fully shielded light fixtures to prevent light from shining upward is also helpful. Secondary reflections play a more important role in rural areas than in cities. Therefore, the solutions we describe above have a more significant impact in rural areas.

More details on light pollution can be found in a compilation of important findings by experts worldwide in the area of light pollution. The information was gathered under the umbrella of the Cosmic Light programme, organized by IAU during the International Year of Light 2015. You can download this brochure prepared by IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach here:

Criteria of Supermoon

There are no official definition for a supermoon, as the term was mainly a related interest to astrology. Few criteria as follow:

• Richard Nolle (2011) defines Supermoon as any lunation closer than 368,630 km.
• Fred Espenak (2012) defines the Moon’s mean apogee and perigee distances results in a mean limiting distance of 367,607 km for a super moon.
• Fergus Wood (1976) used the definition of a full or new moon occurring within 24 hours of perigee and also used the label perigee-syzygy.
• Sky and Telescope magazine chose a definition of 223,000 miles (358,884 km)
• TimeandDate.com prefers a definition of 360,000 km (223,694 mi).

You can find the full list of Supermoon / Perigee syzygy / Full Moon around perigee for year 2020 until 2030 below compiled and computed by Hazarry Hj Ali Ahmad, the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam, based on the above definitions. A logical check is also generated for the top 3 closest moon distance in that year. A personal opinion is to categories the Supermoon when at least 3 of the criterial searches were met.

Participate now www.bruneiastronomy.org/NameExoWorlds

A planisphere is a simple hand-held device which shows a map of which stars are visible in the night sky at any particular time. By rotating a wheel, it shows how stars move across the sky through the night, and how different constellations are visible at different times of year. On this web page, a kit which you can download and print to make your own planisphere (for Brunei Darussalam) out of paper or cardboard.

Download your planisphere

The design of a planisphere depends on the geographic location where it is to be used, since different stars are visible from different places. Download the kit for Brunei Darussalam (or any places from 0 to 10 degrees N) below:

Build your planisphere

Step 1 – Download a planisphere kit using the form above. You can either download the individual components separately, or as a single PDF file. In order to fit together, the pieces must be printed at the same scale, which is easiest achieved with the single PDF file.

Step 2– Print the star wheel and the body of the planisphere onto two separate sheets of paper, or more preferably onto thin card. If you have any transparent plastic to hand, e.g. acetate sheets for use on overhead projectors, you should print the altitude/azimuth grid onto a sheet of plastic. If you do not have any acetate to hand, don’t worry – your planisphere will work fine without it!

Step 3 – Carefully cut out the star wheel and the body of the planisphere. Also cut out the shaded grey area of the planisphere’s body, and if you have it, the grid of lines which you have printed onto transparent plastic. If you are using cardboard, you may wish to carefully score the body of the planisphere along the dotted line to make it easier to fold it along this line later.

Step 4 – The star wheel has a small circle at its center, and the planisphere’s body has a matching small circle at the bottom. Make a small hole (about 2mm across) in each. If you have a paper drill to hand, these are ideal, but otherwise you can use a compass point and enlarge the hole until it is around 2mm across by turning the point in a circular motion.

Step 5 – Slot a split-pin fastener through the middle of the star wheel, with the head of the fastener against the printed side of the star wheel. Then slot the body of the planisphere onto the same fastener, with the printed side facing the back of the fastener. Fold the fastener down to secure the two sheets of cardboard together.

Step 6 (Optional) – If you printed the altitude/azimuth grid onto a sheet of plastic, you should now stick this grid of lines over the viewing window which you cut out from the body of the planisphere.

Step 7 – Fold the body of the planisphere along the dotted line, so that the front of the star wheel shows through the window which you cut in the body.

Congratulations, your planisphere is now ready for use!

How to use your planisphere

Turn the star wheel until you find the point around its edge where today’s date is marked, and line this point up with the current time. The viewing window now shows all of the constellations that are visible in the sky.
Go outside and face north. Holding the planisphere up to the sky, the stars marked at the bottom of the viewing window should match up with those that you see in the sky in front of you.

Turn to face east or west, and rotate the planisphere so that the word “East” or “West” is at the bottom of the window. Once again, the stars at the bottom of the viewing window should match up with those that you see in the sky in front of you.
If you printed the grid of altitude and azimuth lines onto transparent plastic, these lines let you work out how high objects will appear in the sky, and in which direction. The circles are drawn at altitudes of 10, 20, 30, …, 80 degrees above the horizon. For reference, a distance of ten degrees roughly equates to a hand-span at arm’s length. The curved lines are vertical lines connecting points on the horizon up to the point immediately above your head. They are drawn in the cardinal directions S, SSE, SE, ESE, E, etc.

License/Credit
Like everything else on this website, these planisphere kits are © Dominic Ford (https://in-the-sky.org/planisphere/index.php). However, they are provided for the benefit of amateur astronomers worldwide, and you are welcome to modify and/or redistribute any of the material on this website, under the following conditions: (1) Any item that has an associated copyright text must include that unmodified text in your redistributed version, (2) You must credit me, Dominic Ford, as the original author and copyright holder, (3) You may not derive any profit from your reproduction of material on this website, unless you are a registered charity whose express aim is the advancement of astronomical science, or you have the written permission of the author.