Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for June 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!
Society News
The Transit Party at Whitby Youth Hostel did allow Mark to schedule in some star party dates there. Both dates for May were clouded out, so the next date is June 10th (Friday) from 9pm – initially solar viewing, then lunar, and finally planetary observations.
The following evening a star party is scheduled for the West Cliff as per usual. Weather permitting of course.
Well, would you believe it, a transit untroubled by the weather? Yes, it was true, you weren’t dreaming, for all seven-and-a-bit hours, Mercury remained visible against the Sun’s disk, as hardly a cloud dared show its face in the sky. Mark ventured up to the Whitby Youth Hostel with a couple of refractors, setting up in the rear garden in ‘most agreeable’ surroundings and a backdrop probably unmatched anywhere in the country, ie the Abbey.
We have a whole gallery full of Eclipse Event photos on the website. Have a look!
And have a look on YouTube for a video compilation Keith made of his photos.
There weren’t that many people around, but it was a pleasure just to be able to observe, take a photo, many photo’s in fact, experimenting with different methods, and all in peaceful calm surroundings . One member, Ray, did make the journey up, and after many years trying, was finally rewarded in seeing Mercury’s small black silhouette. The Youth Hostel staff were also thrilled to view the event.
After a couple of hours it was time to de camp and move over to the Bruce Observatory to join Keith and other fellow society members following proceedings there. Keith had been able to sneak out from college, setting up the Cooke Scope to project the image onto a card. Mercury could clearly be distinguished. Outside, John R, John L, Warren, Lee, Rosemary and several members of the public were enjoying the view through several filtered scopes.
Again, there was much experimentation with camera to eyepiece photography, with varying degrees of success. Through John L’s solar scope, a few small flares were spotted on the solar limb, however all scopes revealed the rash of sunspots present, adding to the overall occasion. As the sun began to slip down in the west, projections using the Cooke came to a premature end, the Sun being hidden by the adjacent class room block.
Eventually all the refractors had to be moved onto the top field to follow the last stages of the transit. It then became a countdown exercise as Mercury reached 3rd contact, five minutes later the tiny notch disappeared and at 19:39h the transit was over. Three more transits are visible before the next May transit in 2049. However the first, in three years time, is not visible from the UK, we’ll have to wait until 2032. It was therefore a pleasure to be able to follow this transit so completely and unhindered.
14-May-2016: A picture of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, taken by Warren on West Cliff. (Actually there were definitely visitors: Warren was giving a sky tour when Andi made a brief visit during vote-counting.)
Mark totally forgot he’d provisionally scheduled a star party for May 14th – a clear evening as it turned out. Apologies therefore to Warren who single-handedly manned the telescope, and anyone else who turned out on the cliff to view Jupiter and the moon. Apparently views were very good. Mark has slapped his hands, and was sent to bed without any supper.
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.
