WDAS monthly meetings have now recommenced for the new season with the next meeting on Tuesday November 4th from 7:30pm. The venue is the renamed (again) Whitby School, a title that for local people from the 70s to the 2000s would associate with the Prospect Hill site! 

November’s meeting will see WDAS member Richard Randle give a presentation on the recent visit down Boulby Mine to the Dark Matter Facility accompanying John McCue, who will also be present at the meeting. The topic of Dark Matter will be at the forefront of the presentation, Richard detailing various attempts scientists have employed using different types of detector in the mine. To the new detector in the planning, which may finally allow direct detection of particles associated with Dark Matter on Earth. Not only that, Richard will also be showing images from his recent trip to Iceland - no, not 'Party Prawn Rings' but the aurora.  Don't miss it!

Richard and John in the Dark Matter facility. 

John McCue will be briefly updating us on the Danby Lodge observatory and will have 5 discounted copies of the 2026 Yearbook of Astronomy to which he contributes articles and illustrations. The books will be available for £7 - a bargain. The Astronomy Yearbook is part almanac, part astronomy-based articles - historical and present. A useful resource for the coming astronomical year, and fascinating read to boot!

Work progresses at the Danby Lodge Observatory. Image - John McCue. (Click for full image)

The 2026 Yearbook of Astronomy 

Looking ahead we have a guest speaker for the December meet (December 2nd) when Steve Bowden RO FRAS JP will be giving a talk on astro-photography.

Steve owns the Muston Observatory near Filey and is also a national speaker on astronomy, delivering talks to astronomy/photography groups up and down the country. Steve is also the co-founder of Aurora UK on Facebook with over 40k members! Put the date in your diaries.

Further speakers are planned for the New year. 

If you are new to the area and would like to join the society or have become interested in the night sky and want to take 'one small step', please do come along, you will be very welcome. 

Meetings normally fall on the 1st Tuesday each month (January aside - School break, so 2nd Tuesday), and April is dependent on the School Easter break.

Contact Mark - mobile number  07886069339 - or email spanton33attalktalk.net, or via the website www.whitby-astronomers.com 

And Finally...

Christmas Meal 2026

The WDAS society Christmas meal will be booked shortly after the November monthly meeting. The Hare and Hounds - Hawsker, will likely be the venue again. The date, menu and price will be posted on the website as soon as we formalise matters, but I expect it will be similar in format to last year. We’ll briefly discuss at the November meeting. So don't delay in contacting Mark if you would like to go. Partners and spouses are welcome too.