Well, would you believe it, a transit untroubled by the weather? Yes, it was true, you weren’t dreaming, for all 7 and a bit hours, Mercury remained visible against the Sun’s disk, as hardly a cloud dared show its face in the sky. Mark ventured up to the Whitby Youth Hostel with a couple of refractors, setting up in the rear garden in ‘most agreeable’ surroundings and a backdrop probably unmatched anywhere in the country, ie the Abbey. [Read more about Mercury Transits in Style]
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The Transit Party at Whitby Youth Hostel did allow Mark to schedule in some star party dates there. Both dates for May were clouded out, so the next date is June 10th (Friday) from 9pm – initially solar viewing, then lunar, and finally planetary observations. 
Initially requested by Libby Lavelle, assistant Head teacher of Ayresome Primary school in Middlesbrough, the original plan was to host a star party for her visiting group of two dozen 10 and 11 year old pupils at Whitby Youth Hostel, near the Abbey on March 29th. This was however postponed on the night itself, the weather was lousy, but the forecast ahead looked promising... 
Four WDAS Members have already booked or the British Astronomical Association Summer Meeting in York on July 2nd. If you'd like to go too, please contact 
Observatory sessions have been more successful in the March. On Sunday 13th March there was an astro-photography session... 
Following our adventures down at the hostel in February, a sequel has been planned for April 5th (20:30pm start), assuming that is skies are not totally overcast or it’s raining, in which case the event is likely to be postponed. If it is partly cloudy, so that observations are possible, the format will be similar to last time... 
Organised by Claire Barber, Head Teacher at Fylingdales Primary School, Fylingthorpe, to tie in with the pupils work projects on space and the night sky. 
We still not have resolved the venue issue with regard to the Paul Money lecture. The powers that be at the Museum obviously are not interested in local groups using the facility, given the price hike and other stipulations We are hoping to locate a venue in Town, but may have to look further afield depending on hire cost and capacity etc. It does though look we will have to postpone Paul until later in the year. 
Then on the 29th (although this is yet to be confirmed) we shall be hosting an event at Whitby Youth Hostel for a visiting Schools group from Middlesbrough. Not sure on exact time, but i expect it to be around 18:30-19:00h. Again, the usual format will be adopted.
