Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for January 2016: 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 January:

  • WDAS Society Meeting on Tuesday 1st December from 19:30h, including a talk on Volcanoes of the Solar System.

Society News

A long time ago (about a year actually) in a galaxy far, far away, (truth be told it was really quite close, like this one) a party of intrepid rebels ventured forth to eat and be merry. 

 one end of the Christmas Party table at Hare & Hounds, Hawsker

Such a good time was had by all; they swore (language Timothy!) to return when the time was ripe.  That day dawned, oops!  And dawned again the following day, when once again society clans came together to feast and draw up plans for the adventures ahead.  The rendez-vous place was the extremely wind-swept hamlet of Hawsker in the local watering hole known as the Hare & Hounds.  The shuttle missions bringing various parties to the location successfully avoided any imperial fighters and storm troopers, but not the storm – did I mention the wind.  Once inside however, all was cosy and welcoming, the venue droids being most attentive.  The festive food was excellent, washed down with a few bottles of the local moonshine, much to the liking of our rebel party.

Thunderbirds' Scott ascends Keith's beverage glass

Thunderbirds' Scott ascends
Keith's beverage glass
(Click image for full-size view)

Angular Momentum
demonstrated
(Click image for full-size view)

However all this was just a cover for the real intention of the meeting; to formulate a plan to bring down the empire.  For this purpose secret devices had been cunningly concealed within the party crackers, undetected by the dark side.  Once pulled (crack) these devices, resembling trinkets and toys, were used to demonstrate how the precessing spin of our secret weapon, (identified by a spinning top) coupled with the laws of the conservation of angular momentum, could be used to jettison the Deathstar (a marble) away from neighbourhood of any planet.

 other end of the Christmas Party table at Hare & Hounds, Hawsker

The plan was greeted with universal approval by all factions and will be implemented as soon as we have enough ‘small teddy bears’ to help distract the forces of the empire.

All too soon it was time to seek out our own lands, and after handing over the correct bounty (for once) we slipped away undetected (these are not the droids we are looking for).

Dubiously piey pies among
mains, but artistic desserts
(Click image for full-size view)

Dubiously piey pies among
mains, but artistic desserts
(Click image for full-size view)

Time will tell if the plans drawn up worked – we shall come together in another 366 revolutions.  Until then thanks to all those rebel parties attending; live long and prosper.  Yes I know that’s from a different franchise.

Events

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
GB