Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Incredibly, the event on Aug 24th was our first of the year from the Cpt Cook headland site - at least in which telescopes were deployed.  Clear, slightly chilly, conditions had developed for the evening, but thankfully the breeze had subsided.  The ad placard had been out since late afternoon and with a large rig-platform prominent out at sea all day, Mark hoped that this would generate some interest early on, drawing people across to take a look through the refractor.  With this in mind Mark ventured up an hour before the 9pm start time only to find the rig-platform nowhere in sight, just a pipe laying vessel instead. Oh well, perhaps that might do instead. 

Keith arrived and setting up continued, still too light to spot any bright stars - our only celestial target until Saturn and last Quarter Moon appeared sometime before 10pm.Three scopes were initially employed: two 250mm (10") dobsonians, and one 100mm (4") Tal refractor, but these were augmented by the arrival of Lee R and his 150mm (6") reflector and John L with his smaller 125mm (5") Cassegrain.  People began to show interest and wander over to view the picture poster boards arrayed against the railings.  Finally, stars started to emerge, Vega and Arcturus the initial targets, then as twilight deepened Beta Cygni (Albireo) and Mizar and Alcor in the Plough.   

We continued to scour above the east horizon for Saturn. Was it in cloud?  Then a shout from Keith, Lee picking it up in his scope first, the other scopes swinging into action, people eager to glimpse the ringed wonder.  Given the low elevation of Saturn, the image was surprisingly steady in the eyepiece, just a pity the rings are not at their best, but there's nothing to be done about celestial orbital mechanics. That said, people were still thrilled to view them.    

Perhaps even more impressive was moonrise, a last Quarter rising from the sea, dissected by thin bands of cloud, looking more like a blood orange segment than our near neighbour in space.  Thrilled and amazed by the beauty of the spectacle people crowded round the telescopes to view the lunar terrain.  Mark and Keith gave a laser point tour of the constellations visible, before acquiring the Andromeda galaxy as our final target.  Eventually people began to drift away, many having not intended to stay that long, but we know that feeling all too well!  We re-loaded the vehicles, admiring the stunning scene before us, a satisfying evening and one to remember.  

Clear skies were also present for the star party held on Aug 29th, unusually a Thursday evening, the original thinking was that it would fall in Folk Week, however that had been the week before, doh!  As it transpired it worked in our favour with transparent skies and Saturn available to observe shortly after setting up.  Brian, Keith and John L were available to assist Mark, utilising two dobsonians and a refractor, plus John's Cassegrain.  Thinking it may not have been too busy, people started to wander over to see what going on, and right on cue Saturn appeared over the east horizon. Captivated by the image, they were hooked and before long quite a gathering was milling round the telescopes.

Aside from Saturn, other objects targeted included Vega, Alberio, Mizar and Alcor, M57 – the Ring nebula, M27, the Dumbbell nebula and finally the Andromeda Galaxy.  There was the obligatory laser point tour of the sky – and many questions. Again, it was encouraging to find that people stayed for a good part of the evening, genuinely interested, eager to find out more for themselves, especially the younger attendees.  By 10:15pm most people had departed, and we called it a night, another successful one.