Apr.30, 2015

Summer Star Party Season

After the society meeting in May, the next formal meeting is not until early autumn, but weather permitting we hope to see some of you at the scheduled public Star Party events over the early summer months. WDAS members who regularly support star parties will know how rewarding these can be. All that is required is a fine evening, a curious public (and some are believe you me very curious) and the scopes. Members also find it a great way to interact and share their interest in astronomy with others.

Assistance is always welcome - actually it's becoming a necessity, even it's just to lend a hand in setting up equipment and keeping a watchful eye on things. So if you can make it along, please do join us. If you are not sure as to whether an event is on due to weather conditions, please ring Mark beforehand to verify matters.   [Read more about Summer Star Party Season]

By Mark D
Mar.31, 2015

Paul Money lecture ‘Images of the Earth’

Here’s a date for your diary, popular astronomer and top astro-lecturer Paul Money will be giving a presentation in Whitby’s Pannett Park Museum on Tues April 21st. 

Paul will be presenting ‘Images of the Earth’, - our planet from space.  Doors are open from 7pm for a 7:30 start. 

Admission is £3 for adults and £1.50 for under 14’s.  Homemade refreshments will be available.  Anyone who has seen Paul before will know a great evening is in store.  [Read more about Paul Money lecture ‘Images of the Earth’]

By Mark D
Mar.31, 2015

The Day the Sun Smiled

So, did you manage to observe something of the eclipse?

After the total cloud out' of the last major astronomical event; the early morning transit of Venus in 2012, the chances of viewing the most significant solar eclipse since 2003 at best looked in the balance, but sometimes luck does favour the optimistic. 

So I suppose we should consider ourselves rather fortunate that the weather patterns altered, shifting the low cloud and fog which blanketed the area each morning in the days leading up to Friday, and that the forecast heavy cloud for the morning itself was considerably more patchy and thinner than predicted.... [Read more about The Day the Sun Smiled]

By Mark D
Mar.31, 2015

Danby Centre Visit

The society has been invited to assist at an event being held by the National Parks Authority in October.  This will be at the Moors Centre; Danby on Oct 31st and will be some form of star party/presentation format depending on conditions.  Further details will follow later in the summer. [Read more about Danby Centre Visit]

By Mark D
Feb.28, 2015

Subscriptions and Night Scenes 2015

  • Although the majority of subs are now in. If you haven’t renewed but intend doing so, time is running short as we ideally would like existing renewals to be completed by mid March.
    Subs for 2015 are Adults: £12, Under-16s: £5
    Any Cheques made payable to: Whitby & District Astronomical Society.
    Please address to Mark.
[Read more about Subscriptions and Night Scenes 2015 ]
By Andi
Feb.28, 2015

Eskdale Star Event

As you will have read last time we have been invited to assist at the forthcoming ‘star night’ at Eskdale school on March 4th (the night after our March meeting).

If skies are clear we will be taking several scopes up, as well as the laptop and projector (plan B).

Any members wishing to assist on the evening please be at Eskdale School for 6:30pm (front door car park).

The Telescopes have to transported through the main hall and erected at the back of the school, hopefully observing Jupiter, Orion etc.

I believe hot soup, buns, tea and cakes will be available to warm the cockles should it be a chilly evening. [Read more about Eskdale Star Event]

By Mark D
Feb.28, 2015

Partial Solar Eclipse – 2015

We are rapidly approaching what is undoubtedly one of the celestial highlights of the year, the spring equinox, which falls on March 20th.

What, the spring equinox?!? Yes but, this year’s spring equinox will not be the anonymous affair it normally is, but will be marked with something rather more fitting, and for a lucky few (in the Faroe Islands and Svalbard) very much more memorable. [Read more about Partial Solar Eclipse – 2015]

By Mark D
Feb.08, 2015

Society Meeting Write-up: February 2015

Lots of Members couldn't make it to the WDAS February meeting, so here's a brief round-up of events:

  • How the night sky will change
    (Mark gave a Starry-night tour through the millenia showing how the stars and constellations will develop over the next ninety-eight millenia.)
  • Inflation's signature in doubt
    (Andi showed a film-strip of last year's most significant astronomical discovery, and explained how new data has caused the discovery claim to be withdrawn.

  [Read more about Society Meeting Write-up: February 2015]

By Andi
Jan.31, 2015

Eskdale Star Evening

We have been invited to assist at the forthcoming ‘star night’ at Eskdale school on March 4th (the night after our March meeting).

The event, which will be similar to the one held 2 yrs ago at Eskdale, where I recall we tried in vain to spot comet Pannstars, will have the cosmodrome planetarium sited in the main hall. If skies are clear our scopes will be erected outside the back of the school, hopefully observing Jupiter, Orion etc.

If you can support the event, we aim to be there for around 18:30h. I believe hot soup, buns, tea and cakes will be available to warm the cockles should it be a chilly evening. The soup was most warming last time! [Read more about Eskdale Star Evening]

By Mark D
Jan.31, 2015

Subscriptions and Night Scenes 2015 - Last Call

There is still time to renew annual subs before the next meeting if you havn’t already done so. Subs for 2015 are:

  • Adults: £12
  • Under 16s: £5  

Any Cheques made payable to: Whitby & District Astronomical Society. Please address to Mark. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of Night scenes 2015;- hurry, only a few remain. These are priced £4 for members and £6 for non members. [Read more about Subscriptions and Night Scenes 2015 - Last Call]

By Mark D

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