Whitby & District Astronomical Society

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 29^th.  This was however postponed on the night itself, the weather was lousy, but the forecast ahead looked promising. 

So it was mutually agreed to trade in the rain of Tuesday for the forecast clear skies of Thursday.  For once this proved an extremely good call.  Thursday evening was clear, clear enough for several hours at least, affording views of Jupiter and allow a laser point tour of the early spring sky.  The location (we all agreed) also enhanced proceedings, the large courtyard in front of the Abbey visitor’s centre.  The adjoining Abbey wall and access lane to the centre and Hostel ideal for propping our posters boards against and demonstrating the scale solar system, that has never looked so linear, clear and organised.

Along with the 10” Dobsonian (Mark’s), Keith and Lee provided the other scopes allowing all to enjoy varied views of Jupiter and the Orion Nebula.  The evening was just what Libby hoped for – an opportunity for the children to experience a darker sky and look through a telescope, and judging by the reaction of the pupils, thoroughly appreciated.

Boggle Hole YHA Event Footnote

And now here’s the flip side of the observing coin.  The event planned for Boggle Hole YH on April 5^th was cancelled, again by mutual agreement, due to the forecast.  Timing, timing is everything on all too many occasions, and on this occasion the god-damn lousy, atrocious weather throughout the day, scooted off into the North Sea earlier than forecast, allowing a god-damn beautiful clear evening to prevail.  What a let-down, the most frustrating of wrongly timed forecasts, and a wasted opportunity.  That’s how it works out sometimes.