Whitby & District Astronomical Society

With near heatwave temperatures anticipated for our coastal region—providing some relief compared to even higher inland temperatures—it appeared that autumn wear would be unnecessary for our evening star party events. However, elevated temperatures do not always guarantee sunny days and clear evenings. 

Fortunately, with no aerial displays scheduled, fickle mother nature was less likely to disrupt our plans, as occurred in previous years when a sea fret impacted similar events. The outstanding question remained: might the anticipation of a successful Regatta star party provoke unexpected weather changes? The answer may be hinted at within the editorial excerpt. 

The 'solar viewing campsite' for Regatta Saturday, with a seated Keith,
Brian - stood and Lee tinkering with scope. Image by Mark D. (Click for full image)

Although calm in the early morning, Saturday turned out to be the most difficult of the 3 days for everyone outdoors, 'billowing sleeves' being the indicative prose.  The Sun shone, temperatures were warm... and the wind blew! not really the gentle breeze forecast.  
Mark journeyed up to the West Cliff with Brian around 11am, to find Keith already waiting. Our 'pitch' on the West Cliff for the Solar viewing events saw us return to the grassy area next to the bouncy trampolines and kids go-karts, an area all to ourselves.  

Having unloaded the car, we tried in vain erecting the gazebo, but even with three people it was obvious the canopy was either going to fly or die. We did the sensible thing and gave up. Others on the cliff were less pragmatic!

The picture poster boards remained in the car, even laid flat on the ground they would have eventually flown the coop.  So, no gazebo and no poster boards, and having erected two telescopes - sheltered somewhat by the car, Mark realised there were no eyepieces either! Things were going really well!  Leaving Brian and Keith to set up the third scope, Mark hurriedly walked home (probably as quick as going by car) to retrieve them...and the donations tub he'd also forgotten. He returned within 15 mins. 
Unlike recent years it wasn't all doom and gloom - conditions were pleasant, and aside from the gusty wind which helped blow clouds away from the Sun, prolonged solar viewing was possible.  

The telescopes deployed were the Helios 120mm, the Sky Watcher 100mm and the Tal R 100mm, the latter pretty much redundant as a solar filter could not be found to fit it. Mark in trouble again!  There were some fine groupings of sunspots visible and whilst Mark sort Regatta MC (Ivan) on the Tannoy to announce our whereabouts, Lee had joined the wind worn gathering at the scopes. It must be noted it wasn't the busiest of afternoons as far as public interaction was concerned, probably due to the ‘breeze’ and lack of our visibility, but there was some interest. By 4pm we decided to pack away, hoping the evening star party would be well attended.

Image by Mark D hand held compact camera at the eyepiece, 
glass solar filtered 120mm refractor. (Click for full image)

As it happened Saturday evening proved to be rather successful, no dramas, skies were clear, and there was a sizeable gathering. The only one drawback was the full moon – drowning out stars, DSO’s and Perseids alike. 

Brian, John L, Keith, Lee and Mark were all on hand with a plenty of equipment; two 250mm dobsonian scopes, one 150mm dobsonian, a 120mm refractor, Lee's 150mm Newtonian and John's SCT. Moonrise was spectacular, visible not that long after set-up. Mark pointed out the brighter stars, giving plenty of background information. There were hand-outs to take away, the meteorite collection was passed around to great interest and many questions were asked, always a good sign.                                                                                                              
Saturn was then spotted low above the block of flats ahead of us, the view not fantastic but good enough to allow the narrow ring system orientation to be revealed. People couldn't believe the view and it made up for the lack of any Perseids - not one spotted, naturely. By 11pm it was time to start packing away - a pretty satisfying evening behind us. What would Sunday offer. 

Saturday evening, people start to gather, Mark welcomes.
Image by Keith D. (Click for full panoramic image) 

Sunday, the wind had subsided, temperatures were up a notch, but cloud cover had increased. Mark, his wife and Lee converged on the West Cliff around 12:45hrs and with little breeze soon had the gazebo erected.  Poster boards arrayed around the car, gazebo and nearby log posts, made our pitch look a great deal more inviting.  

Utilising the same equipment as the previous day we were however down on personnel, Keith feeling a little under the weather, and Brian not able to attend.  John arrived to bolster the forces, bringing his Coronado solar scope, which was just as well, public interest far brisker than the day before. Skies were certainly not as sunny, but enough breaks ensued plenty of opportunity to observe the groupings of sunspots, and through John's solar scope, flares. 
Conditions improved as the afternoon wore on, with considerable interest shown for the evening star party.  Although we could have stayed longer, we packed up around 4:40pm, allowing time to refresh, re-arrange and reload.  

Fine sunspot groups - Sunday afternoon.  
Image by Mark D. (Click for full image) 

Sunday evening, and once again, Mark, Brian, Lee, John and Richard, who had been away on the Saturday, converged on the pitch and putt area to the rear of the skateboard park. Setting up the equipment in good time, we bided our time waiting for people to arrive after watching the cavalcade of fun fair vehicles head along the West Cliff, down Kyber Pass and along the Pier. Like moths drawn to the light of another full Moon looming above the horizon - they came.  

Sunday evening - the array of telescopes set up.  Brian, Lee and Richard 'chew the cud'  
Image - Mark D. (Click for full image)

The equipment line-up for the evening. Brian, Lee and Richard discuss.
 Image - Mark D (Click for full image)

Given the low elevation of the Moon, 'seeing' was surprisingly good, a stunning vista to appreciate through the eyepiece.  Skies were initially not as clear as Saturday and only the brighter stars were visible - the usual suspects, Vega, Arcturus, Altair, Deneb and Capella, allowing alternative viewing to the Moon.                                                                               
As haze cleared Mark was able to identity and point out some constellations, although moonlight washed out many.  The night turned into pretty much a carbon copy of the previous evening, except perhaps Saturn appeared a tad clearer, delighting all those present.  Again, no Perseids were spotted but it didn't detract from the evening. By 11;15pm the crowd had thinned out and we were ready to call a night, a good one at that!

Monday dawned, hot, still, with hazy sun. Mark Joined Marcus and Tarn - his wife, at the Grovers Optics stand for Monday afternoon, John L also coming along.  Space was quite tight but sufficient for the 120mm refractor and a few poster boards.  Sluggish moving cloud was more widespread, often obscuring the sun, however, by 3:15pm larger gaps developed allowing more lengthy observation of sunspots for those wishing to view.                                    
By 4:45pm WDAS involvement in Whitby Regatta weekend drew to a close and once reloaded we bid farewell to Marcus and Tarn for another year.  As Regatta’s go it had been a pretty successful one, not all plain sailing (although the Saturday was certainly ideal for such activities, just not rowing), but the conditions didn't prevent events from going ahead (and no rain for once).                                                                                                                     
Special thanks to WDAS members Brian, Lee, John, Keith, and Richard (and Mark's wife) who assisted with manning and transportation, it was much appreciated.