With adverse weather, lack of observational objects, and just 'bad luck' factors, our star party record so far this 'summer' has been pretty abysmal, with no events going ahead.  We can but hope the weather mediocrity has run its course and that predictions for a better August (if they are to be believed) hold true. Should this be the case we shall endeavour to make the most of the change in fortune, especially as the main 'showcase' planets start to show face in the late evening sky.  We have several dates to note in the calendar and hope you can join us for some, especially those for Regatta and August Bank Holiday and beyond!

Whitby Regatta... and the weather this year will be?

All this said it's still mid-month before Saturn - the first of the major planets to rise, becomes accessible for observation from Whitby, and this will be after 22:00hrs. The Moon is playing hard-ball too, extremely low and only readily observable from the West Cliff – Cook headland site after mid-month.  This all entails the first proper star parties will be the Regatta events. (See below). 

Should Sunday Aug 11th be clear, a Perseid Party watch may be apt, perhaps from the pitch and putt area on the West Cliff from 10pm, binoculars, cameras and naked eye only! 

The following weekend is Whitby Regatta and our usual busy schedule over the weekend days.  There will be three solar observing events, Saturday 17th, 18th and 19th all located next to the Grovers Optics stand on the West Cliff opposite Royal Hotel - facing the Sea.  Mark and Keith will be present from late morning, although the official timings are from 13:30hrs to 16:15hrs.  If any members can assist, we aim to be setting up from 11:30hrs.   

The evening star parties (Aug 17th & 18th) will be held from the Pitch and Putt area, just behind the Archery Green on the West Cliff.  These will commence from 21:15hrs, (setting up 30 minutes before).  Again, if conditions look favourable these may be busy affairs, and assistance would be appreciated - especially logistics/ transportation of equipment etc.  Please contact Mark if you can.  

Will it be typically 'Regatta' weather... we shall see!

Our next scheduled event is on Saturday Aug 24th from the usual Cpt Cook headland location - West Cliff (21:00hrs); the first of the scheduled Folk Week events, the second being Thursday Aug 29th.  

Waiting for twilight - Hooks House campsite 2018 (click for larger image)

Finally, we have a date for the Hook's House Farm Campsite event (located on the B1447 down into Robin Hood's Bay), this will be on Saturday Aug 31st from 20:15hrs arriving by 19:45hrs. This should be well attended, the school holidays still in operation. Transportation will be the issue here, so assistance would be appreciated. It's always an enjoyable occasion.  Should conditions not be favourable, we’ll have another attempt the following Saturday, although we may yet have another visit anyway!