Allan's chosen subject this year Mary Somerville-the Lady Mathematical Astronomer, one of the first serious scientific woman of the 19th century, a ‘grand amateur', of independent means who could pursue her passion to a professional level. In and an age when scientific work was undertaken by men, very few women could be counted as equal to their male scientific peers... [Read more about Astromeet 2017 Talk Summary: Dr Allan Chapman: "Mary Somerville 1780-1872"]
As far back as 1982, Prof Southwood recalled, he was present at the meeting at which the Cassini mission to Saturn stemmed. David remembers the date well – June 30th – his birthday.
David was founder of what became the Space and Atmospheric Physics group, part of the team arguing for a ‘bolt on lander’ which eventually would be funded by ESA as NASA was reluctant to do so. The lander was not destined for Saturn, but its mysterious and largest moon Titan. Huygens was born. Prof Southwood was also leader of the team which developed the magnetometer on the main Cassini spacecraft... [Read more about Astromeet 2017 Talk Summary: Prof David Southwood "Cassini-Hyugens and Rosetta/Philae"]
In our Solar System we find to kinds of planets: small rocky planets closer to the sun, and ice giants further out. The rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) have only three moons among them, whereas the ice giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Saturn) have around ninety. This month's video article by 'Astronomic' explains...
We are starting to distribute Night Scenes 2017, so if you would like a copy it’s just £4 to society members, £5.50 otherwise. Cannot be certain how many copies will remain once all those spoken for have been dispatched, so don’t delay, it would make a fantastic new year's gift. [Read more about Night Scenes 2017]
Our Christmas meal at the Hare and Hounds once again proved a great success. Even though only seven members made it to the banqueting table on the date chosen (and no we didn’t lose any on the way up) did not detract from the evening. [Read more about Christmas Meal 2016]
Five society members, Andi, Andy, Lee, Mark and John from Westerdale made the journey over to Leeds Astromeet this year. With Andi at the helm, we seemed to make good time, arriving at the venue with almost half an hour to spare before the first lecture... [Read more about Leeds Astromeet 2016]
We have been invited once again to assist with the Schools star night activities. The event is some way off, but the date for the diary is March 22nd – 19:00h. The York planetarium will be present, and hot soup, rolls and cakes will be available. Should be a good evening! [Read more about Eskdale Star Night]
May 9th has been pencilled in for Paul’s lecture. The topic has yet to be decided, and the venue, but apart from that everything is going to plan. [Read more about Paul Money Lecture - Update]
As of going to press, 8 people have so far booked for the society Christmas meal at the Hare and Hounds on Friday 9th. Menus choices must be made by December 6th - the night of our monthly meeting, which is the cut off date for anyone wishing to book a seat at the festive table. Travelling arrangements will be finalised then. The meal has been provisionally [Read more about Christmas Meal 2016]
In theory, a moon can have a moon. The region of space around a satellite where a sub-satellite can exist is called a 'Hill sphere'. Outside the hillsphere the sub-satellite would be lost around the satellite, and therefore orbiting the planet or the sun instead of the moon itself... [Read more about Can a Moon Have a Moon?]
| Sun | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|
| Actual | 05:36 | 20:38 |
| Civil Twilight | 04:54 | 21:19 |
| Nautical Twilight | 03:59 | 22:14 |
| Astronomical Twilight | 02:45 | 23:29 |
| Moon | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|
| 06:21 | 20:53 |
