Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Throughout July, WDAS members have assisted with the 'open-door' policy at the Dark Sky Station (DSS) facility at Danby Lodge, usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. Paul Wood has covered Wednesday educational visits, while John McCue, Mark D, Keith D and Richard R have mainly staffed Fridays as available. Footfall has risen noticeably in the run-up to August, with visitors keen to inspect the facility and ask questions about both the DSS and astronomy more generally. Members have also used the time to test equipment further and address some ongoing teething issues.

On 17 July, Mark, Keith and Richard staffed the station and used Keith’s solar scope on another hot, sunny day, giving visitors impressive H-alpha views of the Sun. The following week, John McCue, Keith and Mark captured a short H-alpha movie clip using the imaging camera. The facility’s small 100mm Helios refractor was also used for solar viewing from the telescope room, fitted with an ND cell-type solar filter and a continuum solar eyepiece filter. Considerable solar activity was visible, including flares, prominences and sunspot groups, amazing all who looked through the eyepiece. 

Paul Wood has been wrestling with the telescope-control app issue as part of the ongoing effort to confirm that the C11 HD and mount can be operated from the presentation room via the SkySafari app on phones and tablets etc. This has often been frustrating but solid progress has been made.

John McCue organised a university student afternoon on Sunday 26th, including a talk on the Sun and solar observing. Public interest was stronger than expected, and the presentation room was almost full. Although overcast skies and intermittent rain prevented solar viewing, the afternoon was a great success. We have decided to build on the idea by hosting Sunday afternoon presentations until mid-September.

The open day on 31 July was also a success, with Mark, Keith, Paul and Richard on hand at the facility. Paul demonstrated control of the telescope and mount via the SkySafari app on an iPhone, and Richard also installed and successfully used the app.  We also met with Dr Chris Spencer, Dark Sky Ambassador for Sherwood Observatory and Planetarium. Chris was was visiting the area with his family and came to inspect the DSS facility. Chris erected his Acuter solar scope, which gave impressive but brief views of the Sun in H-alpha.

Public interest was again strong, with visitors impressed by the observatory’s equipment. 

Looking ahead, regular weekday open days and Sunday presentations are likely to be busier in August, with the partial eclipse event on Wednesday 12th hopefully attracting a good crowd to the DSS. Keep watching this space.