Dr Paul Abel

Theoretical Physicist @uniofleicester. Black Holes, Quantum Gravity and amateur astronomer. Lecturer, occasional broadcaster, writer. Opinions are mine.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

Rather looking forward to teaching general relativity again this coming semester. So much so, I’ve bought new stationery to mark the occasion.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@Matt_Burleigh @sarahcruddas Hi- yes, might be able to help

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

I watched the magnificent ’Blithe Spirit’ earlier. I do think Margaret Rutherford would have been a splendid Doctor Who!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

Mars is now receded rapidly from the Earth, but here’s a drawing I made of it on 1st February. The northern polar cap is now particularly brilliant.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@stevemilan Wow. Can’t believe I missed it.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@gidcoe @shaunwkeaveny I prescribe a strong gin!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

Mars is now moving away from us but it’s still an excellent telescopic target. Here’s a drawing I made yesterday with my 12” Newtonian. Sirenum and Cimmerium are the dark markings to the south (top). In the far north, the brilliant northern polar hood can be seen.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

Delighted to speak about the conjunction on @shaunwkeaveny @BBC6Music music earlier! If you have clear skies, looking towards the southwest and you should see Jupiter as a brilliant yellow star. Saturn is the fainter star nearby on about the 1 o’clock position.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@AdirondackAstro No, I make the drawings in colour (full size colour drawings of Jupiter and Saturn can take a while to make!) Then I scan them in to make a digital copy.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

I had a splendid view of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction this evening. Here’s a drawing I made with a 66mm refractor, x78. Quite remarkable to be able to see a substantial fraction of the mass of the solar system in the same telescopic field!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

I had an excellent view of Mars on 8th October- here are two drawings from that session. On the left you can see bright clouds over the shield volcanoes Arsia Mons and Pavonis Mons.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

Join m’friend and colleague @Avertedvision for our lecture on observing Mars. The Red Planet is going to be a splendid observing target over the next few months- find out how what we can observe!

[BBC Sky at Night Magazine @skyatnightmag]

Prepare for the coming of Mars! Sign up for our online lecture on 7 October, when Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel give expert advice on observing the Red Planet ready for its closest approach.

Book your place now: https://t.co/mzQ3SIZuDR

[Jon Culshaw @jonculshaw]

The thinnest crescent Moon I’ve ever managed to see, 2% illuminated half an hour ago. What a fragile and beautiful sight.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@javi_cad Thanks!!!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

I had some splendid views of Mars last night. Here’s a drawing I made airing my 305mm Newtonian reflector. The large wheel shape is the Solis Lacus region and to the south (top) the south polar cap can be seen.

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@AdirondackAstro @UrbanAstroNYC Many thanks!!!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@JanHattenbach Many thanks!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@SeVoSpace Great! Mars is a splendid telescopic sight!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@sjb_astro Thanks!

[Dr Paul Abel @Paul_Abel]

@CraigT_82 Thanks! Yes the mists and clouds do look wonderful when they’re about!