PABD Investigates Daytime Shooting Star

By Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad, Haji Md Azri bin Haji Ibrahim & Husaini bin Ali Hassan,
The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD) is still investigating after sightings of a mysterious fireball accompanied with a loud bang was reported falling to earth in broad daylight last week, January 31, 2021.

On Sunday (February 7, 2021), a team of members of the PABD conducted further examination at the locations based on firsthand sighting video and photograph of the meteor event.

PABD is also working closely with the Sabah Stargazers with the support by a group of 4×4 off-road enthusiasts known as Jimmy Sierra Brunei Community by exchanging information on the coordinates in the sky of the reported meteor.

Group photo of Jimny Sierra Brunei Community with PABD team at the location of meteor sighting during the investigation

Currently, there are two key sources of evidence based on two dashcam-footage that accidentally caught the meteor at the same time – from Kampong Kulapis, Brunei Darussalam and Penampang, Sabah. These useful information were solid proof to determine the approximate physical characteristics of the meteor and its location, which were later triangulated by statistics from another eyewitness.

January 10, 2021January 11, 2021

Press Release: PABD holds Inaugural Appreciation Ceremony & 4th AGM

by Dr Roslynna Rosli & Norjannah Mahmud. Members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD)

PABD Group photo with the Honorary Advisors and the newly elected Executive members at the 4th AGM

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.

December 17, 2020December 23, 2020

2020 Dec 21 Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

by Hazarry bin Haji Ali Ahmad, The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam

Updated Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Two of the gaseous giants, Saturn and Jupiter, continue to pass each other in the evening sky this week. The angular separation of the planets will steadily increase in the next few days, and both of the planets will hang just above the western horizon in the twilight sky.

Today the sky was pretty clear to catch the post great conjunction moment from Brunei Darussalam Live stream video of the cosmic event can be found www.bruneiastronomy.org/youtube

Post-Great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter with its Jovian Moons from Brunei Darussalam on December 22, 2020. Photo by Hazarry Hj Ali Ahmad of PABD.

Vibrant Jupiter and Saturn are less than 0.5 degree apart. Photo by Abdul Waliyuddin of PABD.

December 13, 2020December 13, 2020

2020 Dec 13 Crescent Moon alongside Morning Star

Bandar Seri Begawan – There’s a beautiful cosmic pairing – the waning crescent moon and dazzling planet Venus – in the early-morning sky on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Enjoy these photos from members of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.

Brilliant Venus, on upper right, and the slender lunar crescent shine side by side with just 1.5 degree of separation this morning, December 13, 2020. Photographed by Hazarry Hj Ali Ahmad if the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam from Tutong, Brunei Darussalam.

A spectacular sight on display *for early risers*. Old Moon crescent and the Morning Star (Venus) hanged about 10 degree above the horizon *from Bandar Seri Begawan* at sunrise. (Photographed by Siti Nor Izuana Ayob of the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam)

October 22, 2020October 23, 2020

2020 October 21 How big are the Planets?

Tutong – Mars, Saturn and Jupiter have reached opposition and shine extra bright in the evening sky in October 2020.

How large the planets appear in the sky, as seen through a telescope? This photograph of the planets taken last night shows the actual apparent size for comparison, measured in arcseconds (“).