Jan.27, 2019

Sky Notes - February 2019

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: AM: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter; PM: Mars, Uranus, Mercury
  • Meteors: Alpha Aurigids
  • February 2019 Sky Charts
[Read more about Sky Notes - February 2019]
By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

Fyling Hall School: Dark Skies Night

It’s that time of year again when half term holidays coupled with dark nights, will hopefully coincide with clear skies, so we have a busy few days at the start of March.  First up is Fyling Hall School on Friday 1st March.

Inspired by the North York Moors National Park’s Dark Skies Festival, Fyling Hall School have invited us to host their very own Stargazing Party... [Read more about Fyling Hall School: Dark Skies Night]

By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

Danby Moors Centre: Dark Skies Night

On Saturday 2nd February 2018, we shall, weather permitting, be called in to action again at the Danby Moors Centre, for their Dark Skies Week event. The date coincides with the schools half term.  This is their ‘flagship event’ and if skies are clear we shall need assistance from members regarding scopes/transport, similar to the event held last October... [Read more about Danby Moors Centre: Dark Skies Night]

By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

Lunar Total Eclipse – Report by Mark Dawson

Blimey O’ Reilly, I don’t believe it, skies were actually clear for one of this year’s astronomical highlights, so I hope you set the alarm and viewed it. 

I had set my camera and tripod up the previous evening, so when the phone alarm jolted me out of my slumber around 04:45h, I only had to don some warm attire and wander out into the back garden to view proceedings... [Read more about Lunar Total Eclipse – Report by Mark Dawson]

By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

‘Whitby and the Cosmos’ Exhibition: Whitby Museum

This exciting exhibition sponsored by the Royal Society at Whitby Museum opens on February 16th and will showcase the importance of Whitby and the surrounding area in investigating the cosmos, from Captain Cook’s 1768 voyage mapping the transit of Venus to the current search for Dark Matter at Boulby Underground Laboratory.

The exhibition will be opened on the evening of the 15th, with a public lecture in The Normanby Room entitled “The Search for Dark Matter”, given by Professor Henrique Araujo of Imperial College London, telling of the internationally important work being carried out at Boulby Underground Laboratory... [Read more about ‘Whitby and the Cosmos’ Exhibition: Whitby Museum]

By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

Society Subs – 2019

If you have not already done so (and you haven’t had a visitation from Mark) subscriptions for the coming year are due.  Happily subscription rates have been kept the same i.e £12, for adults with subsidized rates at £8 for under 16’s.

You can bring subs along to the W.D.A.S monthly meetings in January or February at the very latest.  If you cannot make the meetings

Cheques are made payable to: “Whitby & District Astronomical Society". Please address to Mark Dawson at 33 laburnum Grove, Whitby.  YO211HZ. 

Many thanks for your continued support. [Read more about Society Subs – 2019]

By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

New Laptop

Hussar!  A new laptop at last!  Well, it was about time, our existing one getting on for 8 yrs old, slowing-up, taped-up and most probably fed-up.  The new one (an HP) is much quicker, smaller, lighter and better capable of running the newly released upgrade of the Starry Night program we utilise for the meetings etc.  Good timing really.  Want to see a picture comparison?.. [Read more about New Laptop]

By Mark D
Jan.27, 2019

Crossing the Line: objects of the month

Cursa in EridanusContinuing the tour of stellar objects crossing the meridian line this month: Cursa: the most northerly star of the River constellation Eridanus. [Read more about Crossing the Line: objects of the month]

By Mark D