Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for July 2014: a digest of the month's latest contributions to our website.  Below you'll find Society News, Sky Notes and In-Focus articles printed in full.  There's also future events, and trailers for other articles which appear in full on the website - just a click away!

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Society News

June 7th Star Party Event

So far our only star party to go ahead this summer, but it was rather a successful one.

Unfavourable daytime conditions (wet) gave way to a fine evening, allowing Mark, Keith, Lee, Warren and Andi to break out the scopes and observe. The Qtr Moon was the perfect target in the bright twilight conditions, however the setting Sun proved an unexpected bonus with a rash of sunspots visible through the solar filter.

As twilight deepened so the planets emerged - Jupiter, Mars and best of all - Saturn, much to the obvious delight of a sizeable crowd. A passage of the ISS also created a stir. A few of the brighter stars could be pointed out - bearing in mind it was 11pm and conditions were still pretty light, so the scene was quite surreal. A most enjoyable evening outside, before going home to watch England struggle to a 0-0 draw against Hondurus in a pre- world cup friendly. Never mind, hopes were still high, optimism intact.  We should have known better... We do now!

Events

WDAS May Monthly Meeting

Caedmon College Normanby Site (you may know it as Whitby College or Whitby School), Room H1.

In Members' monthly meetings we usually take a tour of the night sky for the coming month using the Planetarium program. Have talks and presentations on various topics of astronomy/space etc, and discuss future events etc. New members welcome.

Date:
7 May, 2024 - 19:30 to 21:15
Address:
Room H1, Caedmon College, Normanby Site (Whitby School)
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
GB
Lunar Party (West Cliff) Cpt Cook headland

A Public Star Party, weather permitting, near the Captain Cook monument on West Cliff  (setting-up from 20:30hrs). 

Solar & Lunar Observations.

Date:
18 May, 2024 - 20:30 to 22:30
Address:
Captain Cook Headland
West Cliff
near YO21 3HA Whitby
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
GB
Observing Night

Observe the night sky with us at the Bruce Observatory, Caedmaon College - Normanby campus (formally Whitby College).

Observing Nights are held weather permitting: check for a relatively clear sky before leaving home. If in doubt, Mark can be reached on tel 01947 605516.

Please note the college drive gate is now operated via a electronic key code - so anyone wishing to attend must be at the car park at the top of the drive by 19:00hrs, unless an arrival time has been arranged with Mark/Keith after 19:30hrs.  Otherwise shout or bip car horn - we'll hear.

Date:
8 December, 2024 - 18:00 to 21:00
Address:
Bruce Observatory, Caedmon School Normandy Site (Whitby School)
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
See map: Google Maps
GB