Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for April 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 April:

  • WDAS Society Meeting on Tuesday 12th April from 19:30h.  A week later than our usual meeting, because of the schools' Easter holiday.  Mark will be talking about Mars, and Andi will tell us how the Universe could have been created from nothing.

Society News

Organised by Claire Barber, Head Teacher at Fylingdales Primary School, Fylingthorpe, to tie in with the pupils work projects on space and the night sky. 

It was such a shame for all concerned that the weather conspired against us for the duration of the visit.  The prefab room was full to overflowing - standing room only for the indoor presentation.  Outside, the forecast intermittent light rain, fell as persistent, heavy rain! No observing then, but there was still plenty of enthusiasm to perform the scale solar system demo.

Keen as mustard they were to see what Jupiter, Saturn and the outer gas worlds looked like in the rain.  This solar system was particularly rich in H2O, if not a little squelchy underfoot. 

Still, once back inside the potential of turning the prefab into a steam sauna, could clearly by gauged, especially if you wore glasses! After another quick presentation and a really impressive question and answer session, it was time to set sail ...err, depart, just as the rain eased and clouds began to break. 

Plans are already in the pipeline for further visits, hopefully when we can at least point objects out.

Following our adventures down at the hostel in February, a sequel has been planned for April 5th (20:30pm start), assuming that is skies are not totally overcast or it’s raining, in which case the event is likely to be postponed.  If it is partly cloudy, so that observations are possible, the format will be similar to last time.

The hostel does now have its own scope, so at least two scopes could be employed, possibly more if members are prepared to carry a smaller instrument down.  We probably won’t know until a few days out whether this will go ahead, so Mark will ring all those likely to be able to lend a hand.

Observatory sessions have been more successful in the March.  On Sunday 13th March there was an astro-photography session.  The pictures below were both taken by Mark.  On the left, a picture of Keith with his camera attached to the Cooke Refractor, photographing the moon (which you can see on the picture if you look carefully), and on the right a photo of the moon through Mark's compact camera, held up to the Cooke Refractor.  For a couple more photos, see the Gallery.

On the following weekend, Andi's niece was treated to a sky tour by Mark and was overwhelmed by images of Jupiter and its moons through increasingly powerful lenses.

Events

Whitby Youth Hostel - East Whitby - rear of Abbey vistor centre. Book now: email whitbyatyha.org.uk or call 01947 602 878 to reserve a space.

 

Date:
29 March, 2024 - 19:30 to 21:15
Address:

Public viewing open night at the Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College, Normanby Campus, Whitby. Please contact Mark before travelling -01947 605516

Date:
31 March, 2024 - 20:15
Address:
Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
GB

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