We have finally arranged a date for the postponed star party event at the holiday site. The event will take place on August 26th from 20:30h. Society members intending to come along, and can also bring a scope please be there for 20:15h.
Details of the site are included in the Events Calendar. It should be good evening (weather permitting) with little light, great views and hopefully a healthy turnout from site occupants. [Read more about Northcliffe and Seaview Event]
A case of déjà vue here as both events scheduled for early July, just like June, went ahead allowing observations of the Sun, moon Jupiter and Saturn, pretty much the only celestial objects on show. The event on the 9th was particularly interesting as we were able to view the setting Sun, complete with a sunspot grouping and a thin strata layer of cloud seemingly cutting its disk in two. A running theme as it turned out, the rising full moon also subject to a similar effect, visually pleasing through the eyepiece. [Read more about Event Horizon]
Both of the early June Star Parties went ahead as scheduled.
The event on the 3rd drew a reasonable crowd over the duration. Solar observations were initially possible, the sun still above the horizon low in the NW and a noticeable sunspot grouping was visible, which was an unexpected bonus. Once the sun had set attention turned to the moon, a gibbous phase with some lovely detail on show, particularly around the Clavius crater area.
As twilight deepened a little further Jupiter emerged, a pleasing view, with considerable, colourful on show and all four Galilean moons. Later on, Saturn was picked up low to the horizon, not brilliant detail it has to be said, but the rings could be made out, much to the satisfaction of the public... [Read more about Event Horizon]
Our planned star party on May 27th from the West Cliff, unfortunately fell victim to the thundery breakdown of what had been a period of fine, settled and warm weather during the week beforehand. [Read more about Event Horizon]
As you will know Paul Money had to cancel his talk on May 9th due to family illness. Paul sends his apologies and will reschedule as soon as he is able to. Fortunately Paul had given us a couple of days notice, allowing time for cancellation notices to be placed on the website and in the local media. Stop Press... [Read more about Paul Money]
Unfortunately the lecture by Paul has had to be cancelled,
due to family illness.
After a two year break, all being well Paul will return to Whitby on May 9th to give a presentation on the Voyager probes to coincide with their 40th launch anniversary. Entitled “Triumphs of Voyager pt 1: Journey to Jupiter/Splendours of Saturn”, it promises to be every bit as informative and entertaining as Paul’s other talks...
This event has now been postponed a few weeks whilst the Holiday campsite undergoes new staff training, apparently apart from other issues they have been incredibly short staffed. The delay will be used to further promote a future event: the management would like to do this properly and would also like to be on hand. No definite dates yet, but we may be looking at late May or early June.
We will include details in the June notes, or post them on the website should it be beforehand. They are eager to host an event, but factors have conspired against them up to now. Northcliffe and Seaview Holiday Parks, High Hawsker. [Read more about Northcliffe and Seaview date change]
The ‘summer ‘ star party season is almost upon us and as per other years we shall be hosting events from the Cpt Cook headland area on West Cliff; and some from the Archery green area later in the summer. [Read more about Event Horizon: future Star Party events]
For the second year in succession our Star party event planned for visiting pupils of Ayresome Primary school in Middlesbrough, went ahead under crystal clear skies. (Shock horror, yes, it is hard to believe) Requested by Libby Lavelle, Assistant Head Teacher, after last year’s successful evening which delighted and enthused the pupils, this year’s two dozen strong party of 10 and 11 year olds were already excited by the prospect of something similar.
With the party staying at Whitby Youth Hostel, the event was again held on the grassed outer approach courtyard area adjacent to the drive way along to the hostel. Mark, Keith and Lee were joined by Andy L this year, so 4 scopes were in operation. [Read more about Distant Suns: Ayresome School visit (Whitby YH)]
Our Solar System has some pockmarked, weird and contorted moons. Let's have a lok at a few of them.
Miranda has some very distinct features that have left astronomers wondering why it’s so ugly. As well as the usual craters and pockmarks that cover any rocky object with basically no atmosphere, Miranda has deep, almost parallel gashes running along its southern hemisphere. It looks a bit like a ball of yarn. These deep grooves are confined to three regions in the Southern hemisphere.
Astronomers have a couple of ideas about where these features come from... [Read more about Three of the Strangest Moons in our Solar System]
| Sun | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|
| Actual | 07:12 | 16:19 |
| Civil Twilight | 06:33 | 16:58 |
| Nautical Twilight | 05:51 | 17:41 |
| Astronomical Twilight | 05:09 | 18:22 |
| Moon | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|
| 15:27 | 05:37 |
