CADAS

We were at Wells Museum as part of the Wells and Mendip Astronomers Stargazing Live event on 16 January ’16

CADAS at Wells Museum

Stargazing Live at Chilton Cantelo School

February ’16 Sky notes

February ’16 Sky chart

After a clear day we had hoped to be able to get some viewing done but in an act of cruel timing the clouds appeared  -again.

Nevertheless what an enjoyable meeting! Welcome to Alan and Kevin and it was good to see Megan and her mum Sue again. It was just about a full house.

Thanks to James Fradgley for his excellent three ‘mini talks’. The  first was on the so called ‘Goldilocks’  or habitable zones which are clearly more variable  than first meet the eye! The beasts of Wolf-Rayert stars and the beauties of Planetary Nebulae made up the trio. Great stuff, James.

Bob Mizon’s object(s) of the the month discussion was on the possible relationships between globular clusters and dwarf galaxies. Did they or did they not have something going between them back along…

After the break. Arthur Davis presented his sky notes for February and these will be found on our website. This was followed by Bud, Martin and Bill who shared some excellent images. Bill’s comet Catalina, Bud’s image of Copernicus and Martin’s excellent shots of the night sky from ‘down under’ were outstanding. Who would have guessed we’d see images of a kangaroo, a horse’s head and fireworks within a space of 5 minutes. Don’t ask! 

Many thanks to Zena and  Annabelle for the refreshments and to Lorna and Claire for helping them.

Thanks to all who helped make it such good meeting. Next month Bud’s talk will be ‘A life on Mars’. (I’d no idea, but Bud is full of surprises).

If you didn’t get to renew your subscription this month, you can do it in February. See you then.

On 16th January, CADAS joined with  Wells and District Astronomers and Somerset Levels Stargazers for an event held on Well Cathedral Green and in Wells Museum. There was a great turnout and some good views despite variable cloud. A good time was had by all!

Mike, Pete, Bud, Paul, Nigel and Ron worked with Jo Richardson (Space Detectives/ESERO-Space Ambassador) at Chilton Cantelo School, Yeovil on Thursday 14th Jan. A wonderfully clear night meant the the many children, parents and staff were able to get great views through our telescopes.  Much interest was also shown in our astro images and meteorites. This was a most successful evening which followed a day when Jo worked with the children on space/astronomy.

January 16 Sky notes

January 16 Skychart1

January 16 Sky chart2

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

MAY CLEAR, DARK SKIES FOLLOW YOU EVERYWHERE.

We certainly had a hugely enjoyable Christmas meeting.
Steve Tonkin’s talk on the so- called ’Star of Bethlehem’ was thought provoking and delivered with his usual panache. Was the mystery solved? Maybe, maybe not, but his conclusion that the object in question might have been Halley’s comet may have had as much (or more?) going for it as any other speculation. This is certainly one case of an ‘enduring mystery’. Thanks for that presentation Steve.

Thanks, too, to Bob for his ‘Object of the Month’ and to Arthur for his January 16 sky notes.

We were delighted to receive the CADAS calendars designed, produced and donated by Lorna. Apart from the fact that they are so cleverly done, and look so good, it was very generous of Lorna to give them to us. Thank you very much Lorna!

What a spread we had too. Many thanks go to Zena and her ‘elves’ and to those who brought the many delectables: lovely grub… and that punch was delicious. Thanks also to the many hands that made light(ish) work in the kitchen afterwards and helped with setting up and clearing away the hall. (By the way, and whilst I think of it, please don’t get used to having a free raffle every month! This one was just for Christmas.)

Next month our good friend James Fradgley will be coming to share his ‘Cosmic Miscellany’. Now what will that be? Can’t wait to find out!

Season’s greetings from CADAS