Sep.29, 2017

Summer Assessment

C +

Started off the season reasonably well, but lost momentum midsummer, with a few opportunities missed.  Inconsistent latter half, with one or two highlights. 

Summary: Must try harder. [Read more about Summer Assessment]

By Mark D
Sep.29, 2017

Westerdale Event

This year’s trip over to Westerdale (15th Sept) coincided with cloud and eventually rain, preventing any observations outside.  But as we know Esk Valley folk are a hardy breed, and in spite of the weather a good turnout gathered at the village hall... [Read more about Westerdale Event]

By Mark D
Sep.29, 2017

Hook’s House Farm event

This year’s event was early in the month in an effort to minimise the effect of moonlight.  Conditions on the evening were encouraging with cloud forecast to clear away to the south.  This turned out to be the case, but was painfully slow so that the moon and Saturn were initially obscured... [Read more about Hook’s House Farm event]

By Mark D
Sep.29, 2017

Leeds Astromeet 2017

Those of you looking forward to the Leeds Astromeet this year will sadly have to keep looking, cos it’s not on, cancelled, postponed, deceased?..The comment on the Leeds website reads as follows... [Read more about Leeds Astromeet 2017]

By Mark D
Aug.30, 2017

Paul Money - Talk 2018

Having finally made contact with Paul, we have pencilled in a date for his postponed talk. Unfortunately it will be 2018 before Paul can make it as he running a WEA course until March of 2018. [Read more about Paul Money - Talk 2018]

By Mark D
Aug.30, 2017

Northcliffe and Seaview Event

Given that this event was organised for a bank holiday weekend, it was pleasantly surprising to plan for the evening with a high degree of confidence of clear skies. Mark, Andi and Keith made the journey over to Northcliffe holiday park at Hawsker, (Andi and Keith checking out Seaview park en-route), three scopes packed including the LX 200. Once we had negotiated the bollard and gate (don’t ask) leading to the football field, the instruments were set up and we prepared for a great evening’s observation. [Read more about Northcliffe and Seaview Event]

By Mark D
Aug.30, 2017

Folk Week Events

Unusually for Folk Week it didn’t rain every single day, in fact Wednesday (Egton show day) was the only bad day... and it was bad, and dark, very dark, sort of total eclipse dark with apocalyptic rain for several hours.  Prospects for the evening star party therefore looked encouraging... [Read more about Folk Week Events]

By Mark D
Aug.30, 2017

2017 Solar Eclipse

Astronomy fever gripped America in August, where millions were treated to a total solar eclipse.  And WDAS was also invited to join in, by a website visitor from Whitby (Ontario), wondering what events we had planned.

Although Regatta Monday was laid on in celebration, or otherwise, the 5% eclipse in Whitby (North Yorkshire) was less exciting to behold, particularly as it was hidden from view by thick cloud.

However Andi and Héctor's friend and colleague, Javier, captured this imagen evocadora from his home in Gran Canaria.  Thanks to Javier for letting us publish it here. [Read more about 2017 Solar Eclipse]

By Andi
Aug.30, 2017

Regatta 2017

So, what did Mother Nature have in store for this year’s Regatta – the usual mixture of inclement dross, incorrect forecasts and a blank white disk to look at for hours on end! Well, at least any likely showers would fall on a new gazebo, purchased just a few days prior. The old one requires major (but not insurmountable) work to rectify various issues – particularly with the strut frame work – so we thought a new one would be the better option for now. [Read more about Regatta 2017]

By Mark D
Aug.30, 2017

The Perseids

Locating Perseids, small image.Unless you had stopped up all night, the chances of spotting any shooting stars from our neighbourhood were pretty negligible. The waning gibbous moon would have drowned out most, however cloud cover obscured all! Apparently it did break up sometime in the early morning hours, allowing moonlight to drown out any late meteors.  Super! [Read more about The Perseids]

By Mark D

Pages