✭✭✭ Happy Valentine's to All our Members ✭✭✭
A romantic issue? Mark's "Crossing the Line" series continues with 'The Heart-shaped Cluster' among other celestial delights.
Don't forget the Society Meeting on Tuesday 6th February 2018.
Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for February 2018: a digest of the month's latest contributions to our website. Below you'll find Society News, Sky Notes and Crossing-the-Line, as well as coming events.
Society News
As part of the Dark Skies festival held throughout February half term across North Yorkshire and beyond, our society will be hosting a ‘star party’ at the Danby Moors Centre on February 17th (Saturday).
If skies are clear we will be observing some of the jewels of the winter sky under very dark skies, the moon being just a few days old. The event is almost sold out; therefore scopes and transport are essential, so if you can make it along your assistance would be much appreciated.
The event runs from 19:00-21:00h, so we shall be setting off around 18:10h to allow time to set up equipment. Obviously it is February, and weather may dictate matters, suffice to say if it is not possible to observe outside, an indoor presentation will be given by Mark, and if dry the scaled solar system will be attempted. Hopefully snow will absent, but if conditions are hazardous i suspect the event will be cancelled. Talking of which...
RAF Fylingdales Event
The RAF Fylingdales event planned for January 18th, and organised by York A.S, the base, with assistance from us, had to be cancelled, victim of the wintry conditions. The forecast spell of snow duly arrived with around 6 inches covering the moors. Although the 18th itself was quite sunny, lying snow and plummeting evening temperatures would have made for hazardous surfaces on site as well as access roads. Base officers therefore called it off 24hrs earlier, giving time for everyone involved to get the message. It is hoped to reschedule the event for late February or sometime in March. I don’t know; snow in January, almost unheard of. We shall be seeing snow in February next! Anyone would think it’s winter!
Just to remind everyone subscription renewals are now underway for the coming year. Rates will be kept at 2017 levels, ie £12, with subsidised rates at £6.
You can bring subs along to the WDAS monthly meetings in December, January or February at the very latest. Mark will also doing the rounds sometime over the festive holidays, so no pretending to be out!
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.
Many thanks for your continued support.
There are just a few copies of night scenes 2018 remaining. If you would like a copy it’s just £4 to society members, £5.50 otherwise.
Events
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.
