------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 3133 2015 Dec 29 15.14UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- BRIAN MARSDEN CHRISTMAS QUIZ Due to a heavy cold not yet thrown off since the editor returned from Canada, extra work including the issue of the Christmas Quiz, has been delayed until today. 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 to this quiz is open to anyone whether subscribers to 'The Astronomer' or not. 1. On which body were bright spots recorded by the DAWN spacecraft and what was the name of the crater in which they were initially found? 2.To whom was the first scientific observational reference to 'The Green Flash' attributed and when was it seen? 3.Who first attributed comets as extra-terrestrial origin and based on studies of which comet? 4.Who discovered CT Serpentis, in which year and what type of object was involved? 5.From which source/place did Humboldt historically record a 'temporary star of unusual brilliance 6.Who discovered the variable star U Ori and in which year? 7. Which star was occulted by Mars on 1976 April 7, a rare occurrence? 8. After whom was the mechanical model 'Orrery' named and who constructed it around 1725? 9. Which probe recorded Dactyl and to which object is it linked? 10.Which team, whilst studying the Alpha Centauri system have claimed a possible new planet of our System crossing the view? 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 2016 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 2016. Guy M Hurst