Welcome to the WDAS monthly newsletter for April 2019: a digest of the month's latest contributions to our website. Below you'll find Society News covering March's dark skies events in Fyling Hall (above) and in Danby; up-coming events, news about the observatory refurb and, of course, Sky Notes for the coming month.
Society News
After receiving a most intriguing email from Mr Jim Storey, concerning a Mr Norman Wright, who was keen on visiting the Bruce Observatory, it was arranged to meet up with Jim and Norman at the observatory on February 17th.
Jim Storey (left) and Norman Wright (right) at the Bruce Observatory
Fortunately it was a fine evening, with a gibbous moon visible. Norman, who is 91 and is a Bruce family relative, had never been in the Observatory before, or knew too much about it. He is keen however to see that it does not fall into disrepair (more on this next month).
Although unable to look through the telescope satisfactory, Norman nevertheless appeared to thoroughly enjoy his visit, and hear an account of its history (at least the parts we know of) as well as the restorative work and subsequent use by society members.
A brief word regarding society monthly meetings. It is very encouraging to see quite a few new (and some familiar) faces at the meetings (17 last month) If any members have something to share or are willing to give a presentation or talk related to astronomy, please contact Mark.
The beginning of March saw two star party events coinciding with the half term ‘dark sky window’, one at Fylinghall School and the other at Danby Moors Centre. After a very fine and unseasonal end to February (almost summer like) it was almost inevitable conditions returned to those normally associated with late winter:- in a word, unpredictable. Observations outdoors was not possible at either event, and yet they could be construed as being successful.
Fylinghall School
For the event hosted on Friday 1st by Fylinghall School, low cloud cover prevented anyone looking through an eyepiece at the night sky. Event organizer, Angelique Russell, greeted us on arrival in the school dining room, where ‘Baytown Coffee’ were serving hot drinks to the gathering crowd.
Click Image to see a video of images from the event, compiled by Angelique
The school ‘stack yard’ was the venue for our ‘scaled solar system’, which because of the calm conditions was always going to be demonstrated. Using both the ‘planetary scaled string’ and the inflatable planets tied on at the relevant distances, proved both popular and informative for the majority watching on. Further audience participation demonstrated in a very rudimentary fashion the movement of protons within the core of the Sun.
01-Mar-2019 at 21:06h: Scale Solar System demonstration at Fylinghall School
Plan B, and proceedings moved inside to the theatre barn, where after some IT connectivity issues had been sorted, Mark gave a presentation on the various types of deep sky objects astronomers observe. This looked great on the large screen and at least allowed the audience to view in detail some of the objects we had hoped to observe outside. Angelique was rather relieved with the way the evening turned out and had some very positive feedback, from the students and members of the public alike. Suffice to say we will be returning later in the year, hopefully when skies are clear!
01-Mar-2019 at 21:06h: Mark's Theatre Barn presentation at Fylinghall School
Danby Moors Centre
Another day…and another event, this time at the Danby Moors Centre for the National Parks ‘Dark Sky’ event at that location. The weather had changed somewhat, from quiet, cloudy conditions, to blustery, rainy ones and although the chance of a clearing was forecast for the evening period, it failed to materialize and the loaded scopes were in the main not required.
02-Mar-2019 at 19:35-19:49h: Danby Event
Greeted once again by Karen Wills- events organiser at the Centre, and Paul Wood, who is also now a WDAS member, we found ourselves indoors - again, the weather not even suitable for demonstrations outside. It felt like déjà vu, all over, with conditions strikingly similar to those experienced at the October Dark sky event.
Time for plan B and C, and after some scaled down, scaled demo’s, in which a number of the 46 strong audience were roped involved, Mark gave a quick tour of the night sky utilising the Starry Night program. Following a tea break, (at which members ably assisted Karen and Co) it was confirmed that observations outdoors were definitely not possible, so Mark gave a presentation on stellar evolution using the ‘winter G’ asterism as the area of reference. It appeared to be well received with positive feedback afterwards.
02-Mar-2019 at 20:22h: Danby Event
More or less on time (21:00h) the event ended and as we packed up and reloaded the vehicles, yep, you’ve guessed it, skies cleared and there arrayed in all its glory was our ‘story’ of stellar evolution.... drat it! Oh well, better luck next time.
Many thanks are due to Keith, Barbara and Mark for their assistance on the Friday and Saturday, as well as Andy L, Lee, John R and Paul W for assistance on Saturday, and without who’s help both events would have been impossible.
___
Image Credits (Danby): Keith Deason.
Our association with Ayresome Primary School & Lego Innovation Studio will again be renewed this year after been contacted by Elizabeth Labelle; Assistant Head Teacher (phase3).
This year’s group of pupils (around 30 or so) will be stopping at the Whitby Youth Hostel from April 8th - 12th and we shall be hosting a star party event for them on either the 9th, 10th, or 11th, whichever evening according to the forecast looks best. We have hosted these events for the last three years, and according to Libby, the pupils take away so much from the evening. Start time will be around 20:15h on the Abbey visitor centre grassy forecourt area. Mark will be studying the forecasts carefully and will contact members accordingly.
During our March meeting, it was agreed that the best method of weather proofing the observatory dome and roof was the one put forward by Saul, ie. by applying a new fibre glass surface over coated directly onto the existing felt.
Following the generous donation by Norman Wright and perhaps other monies forthcoming from the college, we should have enough funds to carry out the necessary work for the refurbishment.
It has been proposed to start some work during the Easter holidays, with a view to carrying out the work associated with the dome and roof once evenings are light enough to do this.
The work will have to be done in the evening Saul’s time, and weather permitting. Once we know definite dates, assistance may be sought from members to help out; similar to the refurb back in the early 2000’s. We will keep you informed.
And while we're talking of the Whitby Observatory, here are some images taken there of the Moon, during March:
Images of The Moon taken simply with Mark's camera pressed to the telescope lens.
10-Mar-2019: waxing crescent images; 17-Mar-2019: waxing gibbous images.
We are currently in the process of booking Paul for a talk, however due to various factors this is most likely to be later in the year rather than May.
Information will be posted in the notes or on the website as and when we have some.
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.
