Go Voyager 1

According to last  Voyager Mission Status Report,  a heater on Voyager 1 spacecraft was turned off in order to reduce power consumption of the spacecraft. The good news is, the aim of reducing power consumption is to extend the mission to 2025.

Special Astronomical Events in 2012

I checked NASA Space Calendar for important astronomical event of 2012 and marked them on my calendar. This year's top event is Transit of Venus on 5th-6th June. Next transit of Venus is 105 years later so this will be our last opportunity to see that event. Sky and Telescope has an article about the event in January 2012 issue and there is an online article on their website.
There will be 2 solar and 2 lunar eclipses in 2012.
On 20th May, there will be an annular eclipse visible from China, Japan, Pasific and Western United States. For details check here.
On 4th June, there will be a partial lunar eclipse visible from Pasific Ocean, most of Americas and Eastern Asia. For details check here.
On 13th November, there will be a total solar eclipse visible from Austraila and Southern Pasific. For details check here.
On 28th November, there will be a partial lunar eclipse visible from Asia, Australia, Europe, Eastern Africa and North America. For details check here.
2012 is a Mars opposition year, this opposition will be on 3rd March.
There will be a close opposition of asteroid Eros on 7th February. It will reach 8.6 magnitude in those days and it will not be any closer until 2056. For details check here.

M101 and Supernova 2011fe

Even after a long delay, i am not writing about what i promised. I had to stop blogging for a few months and i believe that i will orgsnize what i have and continue with variable star observing.
During my absence, one of the most interesting astronomical events was the supernova in M101 galaxy, namely Supernova 2011fe. According to AAVSO, it is "The brightest supernova in the last 20 years!" reaching 9.5 magnitude. Because M101 is a very popular photographic and visual target, the supernova has been detected in very early stages of explosion and examined very thoroughly.
It is very difficult to see M101 galaxy in a city due to its very low surface brightness but the supernova (because of being a point source) was much easier to see.
I observed the supernova when it was near 10.0 magnitude and it was fairly easy to see, actually more difficult thing was to starhop to the location of the object. Of course the galaxy was not there even though its total brightness was about 3 magnitudes more.