Note for Diary: Monthly Meeting will be on Tuesday 1st May and Paul Money Talk on Tuesday 8th May.
Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for May 2018: a digest of the month's latest contributions to our website. Below you'll find Society News, Sky Notes, as well as coming events.
Society News
Please don’t forget that our May meeting falls on the first day of the month; Tuesday 1st and just 12 days after the April meeting, which due to the college holidays could not be held until after midmonth!
With Paul coming up just a week later and with hopefully a busy summer season ahead of us, it would be great to see as many members as possible. The next monthly meeting at the college will not be until October.
After a 3 year break, all being well Paul will return to Whitby on May 8th to give a presentation on the Voyager. Entitled “Triumphs of Voyager Part 1: Journey to Jupiter / Splendours of Saturn”.
This was planned for last year but due to family illness at the last minute, Paul was unable to make it. Apparently though this talk has now become one of his most popular, along with part 2 of the voyager story. It promises to be a very entertaining evening.
The venue will be the main hall at Whitby College – now called Caedmon College - Normanby campus. There is ample parking and it’s also within easy walking distance from the town.
We are planning on providing some kind of refreshments: sausage rolls, scones, tea and coffee, etc. Admission is £3 (to be agreed) The doors will be open 19:00h for an intended 19:30h start. We would like to see as many members (past and present) as possible, plus anyone who you think may be up for an evening of PM enlightenment. Assistance would also be very welcome setting out chairs – manning the doors, and with the refreshments on the night.
For a PDF poster you can print out at home, please click here: if you can print it off and display somewhere we would be very grateful.
The now annual visit to the Whitby Youth Hostel by visiting pupils from Ayresome Primary School in Middlesbrough coincided with the early Easter holidays, a period which is often susceptible to the weather, and so it proved with cloud and or rain for much of the week. Fortunately Thursday 5th was the exception and clear skies during the day lasted into the evening (more or less), making observation possible for the 3rd year in succession.
On arrival at the hostel area we were met by Libby Lavelle, assistant Head teacher, who had a larger 30 strong group of pupils this year.
Observations were carried out on the grassed outer approach courtyard area, adjacent to the driveway along to the hostel. Mark, Keith, Lee and Andy L were joined new member Philip this year, and so four scopes were in operation.
Before observing commenced, Mark and Andy demonstrated the scale solar system along the drive, using both the inflated planets and the light spheres. The only visible planet in the sky was Venus, a brilliant beacon over in the west, and with no moon visible, observations through the scopes were limited to brighter deep sky objects and some star clusters. Mark gave a sky tour with Andy’s laser pointer, having mislaid his (under the throw rug in the rear of his car as it turned out.) The was conducted on the Abbey headland near where the coastguard station used to be, and away from the majority of light spill. By 22:00h the chilly air was starting to take its toll, and so proceedings came to and end.
Having not had much feedback regarding which date would be more suited best suited to members, and with the need to clarify a few matters with Sean regarding Health and Safety, a decision will be made at the monthly meeting on May 1st or failing that on the night of Paul Money’s lecture on the 8th.
The suggested dates are May 9th or 10th or 16th or 17th. It will be a full afternoon visit. Any wishing to go down the mine and given a first had look at the work being carried out in the dark matter facility should attend.
The ‘summer‘ star party season is almost upon us and as per other years we shall be hosting events from the Captain Cook headland area – West Cliff and some from the Archery Green area later in the summer.
The dates listed below are for May and June scheduled events, (weather permitting). If the proceeding evening looks a better bet when we get to these dates, that may then become the observing night. If you can join us, (especially if you can bring a telescope along) it would be most appreciated. Hope to see you.
It’s been a pretty frustrating winter and early spring with regard to Sunday evening observatory sessions, averaging out at just over one a month... "poor".
Still, we have managed to get up in the last few weeks, occasions coinciding with the appearance of a first quarter moon in the sky. Mark managed to take a few photos through the eyepiece using just a Lumix compact camera hand held against the eyepiece. Who needs sophisticated equipment?
The Moon, taken at Whitby Observatory by Mark Dawson.
On 25-Mar-2018 at 20:25h
On 22-Apr-2018 at 20:47h
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.
