Whitby & District Astronomical Society

It's been a while since we called in on Mars, so here is a year's end update of all that is trundling or flying over the Martian surface.  [Read more about Postcards from Mars ]

Society meetings have now recommenced and it was great to have a guest speaker at the December meeting - It was a shame the night coincided with storm Barra, which understandably deterred a number of members travelling. Not to fear Alan will be returning in the spring! The venue is still Room H1 - Caedmon College - Normanby Campus ( ie Whitby College) from 19:30hrs. The January meeting will be held (if we are allowed) on the 11th and not the 4th (College is still off then)  [Read more about Society Meeting - You missed a Treat! ]

After yet one more delay - this one down to meteorological circumstances rather than IT or engineering ones, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) finally launched on Christmas Day. A month long deployment schedule has now commenced, coupled with an extremely nervous wait for scientists before JWST can be considered ready for shake down commissioning testing.  [Read more about James Webb Launched ]

Two years have slipped by since society members last gathered for a Christmas meal in 2019 and a great deal has flowed down the Milky Way since then. To the relief of all (given the current climate) society members gathered once again in the Hare and Hounds for a festive feast.  [Read more about Christmas Meal 2021]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights 
• January Meteors 
• January Comets 
• January 2022 Sky Charts 

One of THE most important launch dates in space, perhaps scientific exploration is almost upon us. Even at the last minute an 'incident' on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has put back the date to no earlier than December 22nd. So is the £7.5 ($10) billion project price tag worth it ...  [Read more about James Webb Space Telescope- Ready for Launch]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights 
• December Meteors 
• December Comets 
• December 2021 Sky Charts
• Winter Solstice 

The WDAS society Christmas meal for society members and partners has now been booked. The venue is the Hare & Hounds at Hawsker. The date is December 11th at 19:30 hrs. There are 15 places booked, 12 have already been spoken for so don't delay in contacting Mark if you have not already done so. The menu is 3 courses and is £26.95. All menu choices must be made available to Mark by Dec 7th at very latest though preferably before.  [Read more about Update for wdas members - Society Christmas Meal 2021]

Society meetings have now recommenced and it was nice to see new and old faces at November's meeting. The venue is still Room H1 - Caedmon College - Normanby Campus ( ie Whitby College) from 19:30hrs. For the December meeting we have a guest presentation by Alan Bentley, and another by society member Phil Richards. Alan has a fantastic image of the Crescent nebula in the December issue of AN, and it will fascinating to hear tell how it was achieved  [Read more about December Society Meeting - Don't Miss! ]

Having been clouded out for the last two visits at Fylinghall School, Friday 15th of October was a very different experience with exceptionally clear skies coinciding with a return visit ... [Read more about Dark Skies Night – Fylinghall School]

Our visit to Westerdale on Friday October 1st was not in vain this year, with clear skies allowing for some fine views. It was not all plain sailing however... [Read more about Westerdale Event - 2021]

Having been awarded status of International Dark Sky Reserve, it was hoped we would benefit from being under some North Yorkshire 'dark skies' for this event at the Moors Centre. Well, technically we did, skies were indeed dark, chiefly because of the cloud, but that said ...  [Read more about Danby Moors Centre – Dark Sky Event Oct 2021]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights 
• November Meteors 
• Comets visible
• November 2021 Sky Charts

After what seems like an eternity, monthly meetings of the WDAS will resume at the college on Tuesday October 5th. Venue and time will be the same as usual.  [Read more about Society Monthly Meetings Resume and Observatory Open Nights. ]

Making good use of Dark Sky Reserve status awarded in December 2020, the North York Moors National Parks will be a hosting a number of Dark Sky events over the half term period. The Danby Moors Centre will  hosting their event on Oct 23rd from 19:00hrs.  [Read more about Dark Sky Event: Danby Moors Centre]