Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Having had a retrospective look back at 2020 last month, it's time to look at some of the planetary skylights ahead in 2021; March to June. [Read more about Planetary Skylights: A look ahead; March-June]

February is perhaps the best month to appreciate the magnificence of the winter night sky. With so many impressive constellations to choose from it's hard to know where to begin. One very important northern constellation sometimes overlooked is located above the 'hub of attention' to the south, and so it is on this group our spotlight shall be directed; Auriga the Charioteer.  [Read more about The Charioteer - Auriga ]

You can still download Paul Money's excellent Night Scenes almanac for 2021, but on PDF or Kindle e book format only. Details are as follows..

Due to the ongoing Covid lockdown restrictions there will be no society meeting in February and most likely March.   [Read more about Society Meetings and Observatory Open Nights. ]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights 
• Meteors
• February 2021 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - February 2021]

You may have seen in the media some very welcome news regarding the approval of International Dark Sky Reserve status for the two National Parks located in Yorkshire. The status will provide a huge boost to astro-tourism in the area and hopefully prove beneficial for local Astronomical Societies. 

  [Read more about International Dark Sky Reserve Status Approved]

It's been a very different last 9 months, challenging, frustrating, sometimes uplifting. Here then is a brief summary of 2020 from the societies prospective, including highlights of events in the sky.   [Read more about 2020 -A Year to Remember?]

A reminder that Paul Money's excellent Night Scenes almanac is available for 2021, but on PDF or Kindle e book format only. Details are as follows..

Tentative plans are been drawn up for the societies participation in star party events being held in the new year. Whether they will be possible remains to be seen, dependent on the nature and severity of any Covid restrictions in operation.  [Read more about Possible Star Party Events by Late Winter 2021?]

The final planetary highlight of 2020 (and arguably the best) occurred in December, a rare close conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Fortunately the weather was not uniformly ill-spirited for one of the evenings, with Sunday 20th turning out to the best of the 'conjunction days' and so ...

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights 
• Meteors: Quadrantids
• January 2021 Sky Charts
• Winter solstice.

Due to new covid restrictions coming into force there will be no society meeting in January or (probably) February. Observatory open nights will also not be possible in January, but after that ... [Read more about Society Meetings and Observatory Open Nights. ]

Good News! Paul Money's excellent Night Scenes almanac is now available for 2021, but on PDF or Kindle e book format only. Details are as follows..

Paul Money's excellent Night Scenes publication has had to change format for 2021 due to the knock on effect of Covid 19. [Read more about Night Scenes - A different format for 2021]

Not really surprising that we won't be able to hold society meetings in November, or quite probably December (but we'll see). So, it's looking as though it's going to be the New Year (not necessarily January either) before we have chance to meet formally at the College.  [Read more about Society Meetings, Observatory Open Nights and Christmas Meal. ]