The final scheduled event of the summer (Sept. 20th) fell victim to quite unseasonably chilly and blustery conditions, with cloud scudding in off the sea, not really conducive for public viewing.
A week later summer had returned and an unscheduled event took place on the 27th. [Read more about WDAS September 2014 Star Parties]
After a predominantly overcast day, and some pessimism about prospects of being able to view anything outside, wouldn't you know it, skies cleared as forecast and remained clear for the duration of the event at Westerdale, making our journey very much worthwhile.
The sky was quite magnificent from the venue of the village hall car park. Quite a posse of members made it with just the one navigational miscalculation, although I believe Warren enjoyed the very scenic route... [Read more about Westerdale Star Party on 13th September 2014]
After August’s full moon wash out, would September’s fare any better?
Initially things looked promising and we would get to view thmoon rising over the east horizon. However it became evident that by the time of moonrise, cloud in the wrong place was going to spoil the party.
Society and members of the public alike gathered around Cpt Cooks statue passing the time by trying to estimate/gauge just where the moon might appear. And then ... [Read more about September 2014's Mega-Moon Party]
Leeds Astromeet is on Saturday 8th November 2014. Featuring speakers talking on:
Tickets are again just £10 (£5 concessions). WDAS Members will be travelling in a number vehicles leaving from the Whitby School Car Park at 08:00h. If you'd like to travel with us please let Mark know, to make sure of a place... [Read more about Leeds Astromeet]
A week before this event most of the weather forecasting sites were predicting overcast skies for August 30th, a little disheartening, so it was under almost crystal clear skies that society members journeyed in convoy (sort of) over to Robin Hood’s Bay for the annual Hook’s House Star Party! ... [Read more about Hook’s House Star Party: the night the stars came out]
With the latter part of the summer stuck in vintage unsettled weather mode, it’s a case of making every opportunity of a fine evening when it comes along. Wednesday 6th of June was such an occasion, and an unscheduled star party was held on the cliff. How often do such events turn out to be rather successful? Quite often. [Read more about WDAS August Star Parties]
WDAS Members joined in daytime Whitby Regatta activities with two solar viewing events. In that rare regatta combination of clear skies and an active sun, this year's visitors saw plenty of sun spots... [Read more about Regatta Solar Viewing]
The end-of-month updates will surely give much more detail on the Regatta events, but in there mean time here are some pictures from Saturday's Solar Viewing and Star Party, before the storm which put pay to Sunday's planned events... [Read more about Regatta Star Party]
W.D.A.S. Members have long enjoyed our monthly newsletter with Sky Notes, Society News, Event Write-ups and Forthcoming Events. For the longest time Mark laboured long each month on the newsletter and then pedalled, drove and (in extreme weathers) swam far abroad making deliveries.
Since last year, we have been gradually increasing the newsletter content on the website. And since the beginning of this year newsletter deliveries switched to e-mail. Now we have the technology to bring website and newsletter together!
From next month... [Read more about Newsletter and Website Membership]
The weather hasn’t been bad at all, in general, with some really clear nights in which to observe, especially mid week. The problem being Star Parties at this time of year are nearly always at the weekend, so I guess we have been unlucky in that still only one event has gone ahead. [Read more about Summer Star Parties]
| Sun | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|
| Actual | 08:06 | 15:39 |
| Civil Twilight | 07:23 | 16:23 |
| Nautical Twilight | 06:36 | 17:09 |
| Astronomical Twilight | 05:53 | 17:52 |
| Moon | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|
| 11:41 | 18:02 |
