Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for November 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
It cannot be a year already, (well, it's not quite) but details of this year’s Leeds Astromeet are out and it looks like an interesting guest speaker line up. The date for your diary is Saturday November 12th, usual venue- Leeds University, Clothworkers Hall – Doors are open from 09:00h with lectures starting at 10:00h. There will be usual trade stalls etc, lectures end at 16:30h. The speakers are:
- Prof Brad K Gibson: Galaxy Formation.
- Prof David Southwood: Happy Landings – Huygens at Titan; Philae and Rosetta at comet 67P
- Prof Martin A Hendry: Gravity Sand and LIGO was listening.
- Dr A Chapman: lecture TBA
We hope to run at least one car over, possible two. More in Nov Notes.
After discussions at last month’s meeting, it looks like we are bound for the Hare and Hounds once again for this year’s Christmas bash.
It has been provisionally booked for December 9th for 19:30h. 12 places are up for grabs. You'll find the menu below. If you could let Mark know your choices as soon as possible it would be much appreciated.
Here's the Hare & Hounds Christmas Menu, for your perusal:
Christmas Menu for Hare & Hounds at Hawsker, Cost: £24.95 per person
Starters
- Lightly Spiced Carrot Soup
- Game Terrine wrapped in Streaky Bacon with Apple Chutney
- Atlantic Prawn & Smoked Salmon Tian with Marie Rose Sauce
- Portobello Mushrooms in a Garlic & Mature Cheddar Cheese Sauce with a Parsley & Chestnut Topping
(All of the above served with Crusty Bread)
Main Course
- The Hounds Own Turkey Ballantine, stuffed with Sausage Meat, wrapped in Streaky Bacon, served with Creamed Potatoes, Cranberry Jelly & Seasonal Vegetables
- Fillet of Sea Bass on Spring Onion Mashed Potatoes with a Shellfish Sauce
- Beetroot and Goats Cheese Parcel with Buttered New Potatoes and Rocket Salad
- Fillet of Pork stuffed with Black Pudding served with Apple Purée & a Creamy Cider & Whole Grain Mustard Sauce
- The Hounds Festive Pie: Shin of Beef and Stilton Pie with a Rich Shallot Gravy, with Braised Red Cabbage & Creamed Potatoes
- Corn Fed Chicken Breast Filled with Smoked Cheese, wrapped with a Rich Shallot Gravy, with Braised Red Cabbage & Creamed Potatoes.
- Corn Fed Chicken Breast filled with Smoke Cheese, wrapped in Parma Ham, with a White Wine & Tarragon Sauce with Dauphinoise Potatoes
Desserts
- Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Custard
- Cherry and Chocolate Tart with Clotted Cream
- Toffee Apple Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce
- Hounds Mince Pie with Hazelnut Ice Cream
- Cheese Platter; with a Selection of Biscuits & Port Jelly
Andy L, Keith and Mark hosted a star party for a charity function organised by Maggie Keating of Ferndene house, Fylingthorpe. The event was to raise funds for the Brighter Futures charity – helping educate children in parts of Africa.
A ‘dancing light’ placard, placed outside the house greeted us as we drew up. With no direct access to the rear garden, all the equipment had to be transported through the house. A gazebo had been erected within the garden itself, which we used to house all the IT and projection equipment, whilst the screen was erected outside.
With skies clouding over only Mark’s 10” scope was used, we did however get a brief glimpse of Mars low down, before it too disappeared behind the clouds. Plan B was always going to be used – so the gathered ensemble, all seated undercover, were treated to one of Mark’s power point presentations. Even the sharp rain showers failed to dampen spirits, although it did dampen Andy and Keith who insisted on staying out of our cosy tent. Homemade soup, bread, and cake sustained us through our journey to the edge of the universe.
The Great British Space-Off: Inside and Outside the Big Tent.
Guests relax with food while the Universe is projected before them.
Everyone seemed genuinely interested and there were numerous questions. Show over, we packed up and retired indoors to partake in a little more conversation....and a bit more cake, before bidding farewell to our most welcoming host. A most enjoyable evening and £80 raised to boot. Maggie has already suggested another event along similar lines for next year.
Nice to be back at the museum for a lecture, well at least Mark was; he was giving the lecture to the Whitby Naturalist Society. Mark had been asked some time ago to give a talk about the night sky, and his chosen subject was the diversity of celestial objects astronomers observe. It was slightly odd giving a talk on a Saturday afternoon, however the turnout was far better than Mark was anticipating, 40 plus! Using a power point presentation and the Starry night program, Mark talked for around 50 minutes before fielding a good number of questions, indeed we were in danger of overrunning. Mark hoped everyone had taken something from the presentation, and looked forward to a return some time in the future. Mark thanks Jane Pottas and all at the Naturalist society for their presence and appreciation.
We are now taking orders for Night Scenes 2017. We have actually ordered 22 copies in the end, so if you want to reserve a copy please let Mark know. We don’t have to remind you how excellent, and indispensable the almanac is, so don’t delay. Price will be £4.00 to paid up members (it actually retails in outlets at £7.00) non members £5.50p.
It’s almost that time of year again – society subscription renewal for the coming year. Rates will be kept at 2016 levels:
- £12 for Adults
- £6 for Under-16s
You can bring subs along to the W.D.A.S monthly meetings in December, January or February at the very latest. If you cannot make the meetings Cheques are made payable to;- Whitby & District Astronomical Society, Please address to Mark Dawson - 33 laburnum Grove, Whitby. YO21 1HZ.
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.
Observe the night sky with us at the Bruce Observatory, Whitby School - formally Caedmon College - Normanby campus ).
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 19:00hrs.
Observe the night sky with us at the Bruce Observatory, Whitby School - formally Caedmon College - Normanby campus ).
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 19:00hrs.
