Nov.29, 2015

'Comet Ye' causes a stir

Custom luxury comet building.The November meeting proved most educational and entertaining. After our usual look at the comings and goings in the heavens, society news and business etc, our attention turned to the more exotic and intoxicating.

Andi had prepared a presentation on Comets, to commemorate the 1st year anniversary of Philea landing on comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P). In particular Andi thought it would be informative and fun to make a comet in the classroom using ingredients that are now known to be found in comets. He had furnished everyone with a bucket, a bag, gloves and then the ingredients; among which... [Read more about 'Comet Ye' causes a stir]

By Mark D
Nov.29, 2015

Danby Moors Centre Star Party

For the final day of October you would be forgiven in thinking that summer had made an unscheduled return, such were the balmy conditions which coincided with both Goth weekend and the ‘Creatures of the Night’ event held at the Danby Moors Centre... [Read more about Danby Moors Centre Star Party]

By Mark D
Nov.29, 2015

Christmas Meal 2015: Last Call

The society Christmas meal has now been booked.  The venue is the Hare and Hounds in Hawsker, on Saturday December 5th for 19:30h Details of the menu are on our website.

As of going to press, 10 people have booked for the meal.  The menu choices have been passed on, so if anyone wishes to come along Tuesday 1st is the cut off date.

Travelling arrangements will be finalised at the December meeting (on the 1st) including picking up points and times. Andi and Mark usually act as the Taxi service, although we may book a taxi. [Read more about Christmas Meal 2015: Last Call]

By Mark D
Nov.21, 2015

Leeds Astromeet 2015

Four members (Andi, Keith, Lee and Mark) journeyed over to Leeds on a foul morning for this year’s Astromeet. Indeed even though Andi managed drop us off within just a few metres of the entrance, such was the intensity of the cloudburst at the time, we still got soaked... [Read more about Leeds Astromeet 2015]

By Mark D
Oct.31, 2015

Event write-up: Creatures of the Night, Danby

On Halloween itself, as Whitby was overflowing with Goth Weekend revellers, WDAS Members headed out with scopes to Danby, where the North Yorkshire Moors National Park had laid on a family Halloween event... [Read more about Event write-up: Creatures of the Night, Danby]

By Andi
Oct.31, 2015

Event write-up: Star Party for Pathways School

Mark and Keith travelled over to Westerdale again on Oct 9th and were joined by John Randles to host an event at the village hall for pupils, parents and staff of Pathways School (Grangetown, Middlesbrough) along with children belonging to staff.  The event was requested by event Emma Shaw, a science teacher at the school whose parents live in Westerdale, and arose after Emma had heard about the success of our Westerdale star party in September... [Read more about Event write-up: Star Party for Pathways School]

By Andi
Oct.31, 2015

Event write-up: Fyling Hall School Star Party

Keith and Mark hosted a star party for pupils and staff at Fylinghall School on Oct 2nd.

Once again the weather played ball and although some wispy cloud developed, it soon dispersed allowing fine views of various objects through the LX 200 and Keith’s reflector.  Intended to last a couple of hours, the event went on until after 10pm, with a host of questions to answer.  The pupils certainly enjoyed the evening and from the reaction of the staff more astro related material may in future pop up in science lessons! [Read more about Event write-up: Fyling Hall School Star Party]

By Mark D
Oct.05, 2015

Leeds Astromeet 2015

Leeds Astromeet 2015 is on Saturday 7th November, and as always WDAS Members will be taking transport over.  This year's speakers:

  • Prof Tom Marsh (Warwick University)
    "Astronomy at High-Speed: delving the depths of white dwarfs, neutron stars and black-holes"
  • Dr Richard Massey (Durham University)
    "What's the (Dark) Matter?"
  • Dr Melvin Hoare (Leeds University)
    "Developments in Radio Astronomy"
  • Dr Alan Chapman (Oxford University)
    "The Life of Sir Patrick Moore"
[Read more about Leeds Astromeet 2015]
By Mark D
Sep.28, 2015

Star Party Events in October

It's going to be a busy month for WDAS.  Star Parties arranged for:

  • Students and Staff of Fyling Hall School
  • School students in Westerdale
  • A special Hallowe'en event at the Danby Moors Centre...
[Read more about Star Party Events in October]
By Mark D
Sep.28, 2015

September Star Parties

Clear skies, sometimes plucked from the jaws of a dismal daytime, gave a full month of star parties:

  • Second Hook's House event of the season
  • West Cliff events
  • Westerdale visit

Catering was laid on for some of the events, and for Hooks House Farm there was something close to a banquet... [Read more about September Star Parties]

By Andi

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