Can you help at a star party this season? Maybe you have a scope you can bring along, or help with transport, or just man a telescope and let visitors know what they're looking at.  Any offers: please contact Mark.

Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for June 2018: a digest of the month's latest contributions to our website.  Below you'll find Society News, Sky Notes, the latest in Mark's monthly Crossing the Line series, as well as coming events.

Society News

After a three year break Paul returned to Whitby to give the presentation he was due to give last year, but had to pull out due to family illness.  For once his trip was less susceptible to the worst of the weather, yet despite being a settled warm weather period, Mother Nature still tried to rain on our parade, but i think we got away with it.

Paul arrived in good time at the college, which was utilised marrying up his IT equipment with the IT system in the main hall... we eventually won.  There was then just time to show Paul the observatory and take some pictures, something we had been meaning to do for quite a few years.  Paul was delighted to see the Cooke refractor, and took quite a few pictures himself.

  

Mark and Paul in Whitby Observatory, Andy Lawrence and Paul outside it.

The venue – the main Hall at the college, had been kindly offered for our use – many thanks to them and society member Keith – who works at the college in making this happen.

By 19:30h Paul was ready.  It was great to see so many members, both past and present come along for Paul’s presentation, and there were a healthy number of non society members, some of whom expressed an interest in joining.

Paul’s talk was entitled "Triumphs of Voyager – Journey to Jupiter and the splendours of Saturn"

Paul explained that as far back as the 1960’s the maths was worked out showing how a spacecraft could be dispatched to the outer planets using planetary gravity assists.  A window of opportunity would be available during the latter seventies, and would not occur again for another 176 years.

Paul giving his lecture on the Triumphs of Voyager

Eventually, NASA secured funding for the Mariner/Jupiter Saturn project, which became the Voyager missions, launching two craft:  Voyager 1 and 2 in 1977.  Voyager 2 was actually launched first in August, followed a month later by Voyager 1.

Voyager 1 was to fly by Jupiter and onto Saturn – passing its primary target Titan at close range.  Voyager 1 would then leave the solar system (in a very long time) Voyager 2 following on the heels of 1 would visit Jupiter, then Saturn and onto the outer gas giants of Uranus and Neptune.  (that’s part two of Paul’s talk on the voyages)

It was fascinating to learn how engineers were able to maintain contact; solving problems connected with trajectory motors and scientific payload arms en route.  Paul showed a number of images of Jupiter and the Galilean moons, including the erupting volcanic world of Io, something which totally confounded planetary scientists.  It was the ‘unexpected’ discoveries made by Voyager which revolutionised thinking of planetary satellites in particular, and paved the way for the spectacular successes of the Galileo and Cassini missions later on.

Our customary refreshments break almost didn’t happen, problems with Kitchen access, missing cups, plates, and saucers could have scuppered supper, fortunately matters were resolved and the delicious sausage rolls, homemade cheese scones and micro pizza squares made by Mark’s wife Vicky were pretty much cleaned out.  A big ‘thank you’ also to Rosy, who had travelled over from Kirbymoorside, and aided admirably during the refreshment break.

The talk concluded with some stunning images of Saturn and its major moons; including an enhanced image of Enceladus in which if you looked carefully the now famous water jets could be made out, something missed at the time.  Questions and answers followed, before we thanked Paul once again and hoped to see him next year, a date already tentatively pencilled in.

Thanks again to everyone who came along – hope to see you next year... if not sooner.

The summer star party season is now upon us, and with the good weather mostly holding several events have already been held on the cliff.  The first was an unscheduled event for the May bank holiday Sunday, and proved quite successful.  Warm temperatures and clear skies made it a pleasurable evening with Venus and Jupiter being the chief targets.  The scheduled event on the 19th also went ahead, and with the added bonus of a crescent moon, a pretty eclectic, cosmopolitan and multinational gathering enjoyed views of Venus and Jupiter as well.  It did get dark enough (just) to point out some of the brighter stars....aahh, the light nights are here!

The event scheduled for the bank holiday Saturday on the 26th fell victim to the low cloud, which after a fine day spilled in off the sea during the evening making any observations impossible. Any rescheduled attempt the following evening, would, after another glorious day, have suffered the same fate. You can’t win them all.

If you can join us for any of the scheduled ‘star party’ events, it would be most appreciated... (especially if you can bring a telescope along)

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