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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2790      2011 Dec 26 12.00UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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BRIAN MARSDEN CHRISTMAS QUIZ
The regular Christmas Quiz was named in memory of the late Dr. Brian 
Marsden who in the early years of this competition regularly submitted 
some of the earliest answers which he compiled largely from his amazing 
memory of past events.

Entry is open to anyone including students, whether subscribers to 'The 
Astronomer' or not.

1. Which astronomer, who died in Maidenhead, is said during their 
lifetime to have met Queen Victoria at her request and which island was 
selected in search of clearer skies for observing?

2. Which two Solar System objects are predicted to be involved in an 
occultation in 2079 and on which date?

3. Which author has had a book published which contains facsimile items 
of historical events and which document relates to 1627?

4. Which type are the Great Comet of 1843 and Comet C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) 
and what else do they have in common?

5. Which Scottish mathematician suggested the reason for Uranus not 
following the then predicted track was an extra planet yet to be found?

6. Which constellation has no star as bright as magnitude 5?

7. Which comet which passed within 0.1AU of the Earth is said to have 
had its period changed from 17,000 to 70,000 years by the planets?

8. Which two editors took over the role of running 'TA' in 1969 June?

9. Who contributed an article entitled 'Seeing Conditions - A Plea' 
suggesting an unambiguous and simple scale of conditions was needed?

10. Who recorded Neptune on at least three occasions over a four-day 
period just before its discovery by Galle but did not recognise its 
motion?

The first all-correct entry received, as judged by the Editor whose 
decision is final, will receive a new free year's subscription to TA via 
monthly pdf or an extension of an existing sub (paper or pdf) by 12 
months. Alternatively you may donate a year's sub to someone currently 
not a subscriber.

If there is no all-correct entry received by 2012 Jan 20.0UT then the 
highest scorer may be judged the winner.

I wish all of you who read this message and quiz a very Happy New Year 
and hope you all enjoy good night skies in 2012.

Guy M Hurst