Mar.31, 2020

Sky Notes - April 2020

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn
  • Meteors: Lyrids, Virginids, alpha Scorpiids
  • April 2020 Sky Charts
[Read more about Sky Notes - April 2020]
By Mark D
Mar.31, 2020

Dark Sky Events

Fylinghall School Star Event: held on March 28th the ‘dark sky’ star gazing evening was, like last year, somewhat effected by external conditions – cloud. At least it wasn’t raining so some activities possible, and Mark was able to press gang some of the attendees to help demonstrate the scale solar system in the Stack yard...

Hunley Hall Event: the following evening Mark drove over to Brotton and the Hunley Hall complex, to assist in some capacity with the dark sky event being run by the Hall management and members of Cleveland and Darlington A.S. At the Hall Mark met up with John McCue, one of the key organisers, who many moons ago was instrumental in setting up NEGAS (the north east group of astronomical societies) with whom WDAS was also affiliated. The ‘Edinburgh excursion’ organised by NEGAS was worthy of been made into a comedy drama- but that’s another story!..

Errington Primary School – Friday 13th: Having been contacted by Allan Fishpool, lower key stage 2 Leader at Errington Primary School, regarding a visit to coincide with the culmination of their science week activities, Keith and Mark journeyed over to Marske by the Sea, on Friday 13th March...

  [Read more about Dark Sky Events]

By Mark D
Mar.31, 2020

Ayresome Primary School – Whitby Youth Hostel visit

Unfortunately due to current Corona virus restrictions the annual visit by pupils from Ayresome Primary School & Lego Innovation Studio has been postponed until later in the year. Mark was contacted by Elizabeth Labelle; assistant Head Teacher (phase3) with the not too unexpected news, but hoped they would come to Whitby when restrictions are relaxed.  [Read more about Ayresome Primary School – Whitby Youth Hostel visit]

By Andi
Mar.31, 2020

WDAS Diary – April/May 2020

Due to the current restrictions associated with the Corona virus outbreak, (or those very likely to come into force) it is regrettable that all foreseeable events until June have been cancelled or postponed. If the situation changes we shall let you know. We are all navigating unchartered skies.  [Read more about WDAS Diary – April/May 2020]

By Mark D
Mar.31, 2020

The Stellar Baker's Dozen Challenge

The start of April offers up an interesting stellar challenge, testing the observing dexterity of astronomers; casual or otherwise in a race against time..  This is all about spotting first magnitude stars; those ranked brightest in the sky.

Piercing the spring twilight dotted around the sky, no less than thirteen of these are currently visible, more than at any other time of year.  However the window of opportunity in which to identify these stellar jewels rapidly diminishes as we head deeper into April... [Read more about The Stellar Baker's Dozen Challenge]

By Mark D