Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for November 2015: 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!
On the website you'll also be able to comment on articles, and if you'd like to play an editorial role in creating new content, just let us know!
Quick Summary for November:
- We'll be building Comets at the WDAS Monthly Meeting on Tue 3rd November. It should be a fun event - come if you can!
- Leeds Astromeet on Sat 7th November.
Society News
We are obviously situated well away from any black holes, as time has flown this year and already we are approaching the Leeds Astromeet, which is on Saturday 7th Nov. The venue as usual is the Clothworkers Hall and Foyer, Leeds University. Doors open at 9.00am with talks from 10.00am to approx 16.30h. Traders and some astro-organisations will be present.
Ticket cost: £10 at the door, reduced to £5 for under-16s and full time students on presentation of a valid student card.
As of late September confirmed speakers are
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Astronomy at High-Speed: delving the depths of white dwarfs, neutron stars and black-holes Prof Tom Marsh (Warwick University) |
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What's the (Dark) Matter? Dr Richard Massey (Durham University) |
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Developments in Radio Astronomy Dr Melvin Hoare (Leeds University) |
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The Life of Sir Patrick Moore Dr Alan Chapman (Oxford University) |
Probably two cars will be traveling over to Leeds, meeting at the top of College drive and departing at 08:00h on the 7th November. Please be prompt and reserve a place now.
Link: Astromeet 2015 Website
Keith and Mark hosted a star party for pupils and staff at Fylinghall School on Oct 2nd.
Once again the weather played ball and although some wispy cloud developed, it soon dispersed allowing fine views of various objects through the LX 200 and Keith’s reflector. Intended to last a couple of hours, the event went on until after 10pm, with a host of questions to answer.
The pupils certainly enjoyed the evening and from the reaction of the staff, more astro-related material may in future pop up in science lessons!
Mark and Keith travelled over to Westerdale again on Oct 9th and were joined by John Randles to host an event at the village hall for pupils, parents and staff of Pathways School (Grangetown, Middlesbrough) along with children belonging to staff. The event was requested by event Emma Shaw, a science teacher at the school whose parents live in Westerdale, and arose after Emma had heard about the success of our Westerdale star party in September.
The Pathways children all have a range of difficulties, based around social and emotional problems, but all are very enthused about science. Emma had arranged to bring the school iPads with planets app on, together with some light supper and party bags for the children (and Adults)
Rather annoyingly pesky cloud refused to clear and only limited observations were possible. Indoors, Mark gave a presentation and got the children to help out with the scale solar system demonstration. It has to be said the pupils were well behaved, asked good questions and showed keen interest in all the activities, better than some groups we have given presentations to. The only negative of the evening was the disappointment of not being able to show the objects we wanted to. Still, all enjoyed the night and perhaps something similar will organised for next year.
On Halloween itself, as Whitby was overflowing with Goth Weekend revellers; Mark, Warren, Keith and Andi headed out with scopes to Danby, where the North Yorkshire Moors National Park had laid on a family Halloween event.
Children and parents were entertained by the wonders of the night sky, a WDAS laser extravaganza. Warren and Andi also tried out night vision omnioculars, courtesy of Grover Optics.
Witching night to be sure: among his photos, Warren captured a ghostly fog which briefly descended, perhaps signalling some spectral intention? No Photoshop work on the middle image - honest!
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31-Oct-2015 at 17:30h |
31-Oct-2015 at 19:30:24h |
31-Oct-2015 at 19:30:33h |
Events
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.
A Public Star Party, weather permitting, near the Captain Cook monument on West Cliff (setting-up from 20:30hrs).
Solar & Lunar Observations.
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.
