News
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »BAA Winchester Weekend
Monday, April 14th, 2014
It was good to meet up with Nick, Liz, Arthur, Bob and Joe at the WW. Great speakers, and a whole lot of new stuff to absorb. I won’t say which of us contributed hugely to Astronomia’s profits, but will just say that one of the above drove away with two very large boxes in the back of their car. Another person will have to wait for their box of goodies to be delivered.
Can’t wait for next year’s event!
Ron
Messier Marathon
Tuesday, March 25th, 2014
Here is an invitation from Chris Starr to join the Wells and Mendip Astronomers for a Messier Marathon.
Dear fellow astronomers,
Just to let you know that the Wells & Mendip Astronomers will be running a Messier ‘Marathon’ night at Charterhouse Observatory, between Wells, Somerset, and Bristol on Saturday 29th March.
We’ll be using the 18.25″ Dudley Fuller reflector in its dome, recently refurbished by one of our group (Adrian Dening), as well as a number of our own telescopes. The evening will kick off at about 6pm with setting up in the field behind the Charterhouse Centre, then there will be a short talk and slide show on the Messier objects, before we go out and have a lot of fun (weather permitting)!
Refreshments, a good warm room, toilets and car parking available.
Entry £5 / £8 for couples and families / £3 for full-time students (we have to hire the Observatory/Centre).
We hope that some of your members will be able to join us.
Clear skies!
Chris Starr FRAS MBIS
Chairman, Wells & Mendip Astronomers
www.wellsastronomers.org.uk
Starscape Education & Public Outreach
March 2014 meeting
Thursday, March 20th, 2014
A warm welcome to our new members.
We were treated to an excellent presentation by Bud Budzynski that was both entertaining and informative. Now we know a bit more about how Bud produces those superb images he treats us to. Not sure many of us (except perhaps Bill) would be taking a drill to the back of a scope like his though. You’re a brave man, Bud!
Thanks to Arthur for this month’s sky notes, to Zena and helpers for refreshments and to Chole for so glamourously modeling our branded merchandise. Lorna reported that she had record sales afterwards.
For once the skies were clear so we were able to do some viewing after the meeting. Thanks to Bill for quickly setting this up and to all who helped on the evening.
Next month Paul Hyde’s presentation will deal with Radio Astronomy for Amateurs. Should be fascinating! Can’t wait.
Avalon Marshes event
Thursday, March 20th, 2014
After several postponements, we finally managed to do our second Stargazing evening at the Avalon Marshes Centre on Shapwick Heath in association with English Nature. It was worth the wait. Clear skies meant that the 40 people who attended were treated to great views of the winter sky including of course Jupiter. We finished with a short talk on meteorites. Bill Reed and I enjoyed doing this event.
Apologies
Thursday, March 20th, 2014
As some people would have noticed, a technical problem meant we have been off line for about 10 days. Many apologies! Thankfully as you can read this we are now back in the land of cyberspace. Latest news will follow shortly.
Astro landscape photography
Tuesday, March 4th, 2014
CADAS members are invited to attend an Astro landscape photography evening on Sunday 1 June at Waldich Village Hall, Bridport, Dorset. Stephen Banks will be talking about his work and demonstrating some of his techniques. Stephen was a finalist in last years National Astro-photography Awards.
Tickets are £3 on the door. Places are limited so please let me know if you are interested using the contact information on this site.
Ron
Sidewalk astronomy
Sunday, March 2nd, 2014
Well, finally there was a clear night for Mike Egan, ably assisted by his hardy wife Sharon and Mike Holland by his equally hardy Tracy, to hold the often postponed event at Tesco’s in Chard. Whilst fewer than hoped for took advantage of a look through the telescopes at Jupiter, those that did were amply rewarded and highly impressed. Thanks to Mike Egan for organising this with Tesco and of course thanks to Tesco for agreeing to host the activity.
Thanks for putting up with the cold Tracy and Sharon, you’re both stars.
Redstart School.
Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
A very successful evening at Redstart School in Chard on Tues 25th February! It didn’t look promising, but the clouds cleared in time for excellent views of Jupiter and its moons. Approximately 160 children and parents attended. They also heard short talks on the Gemini/ Orion part of the sky. Mike Holland, Nick Colthorpe, Mike Egan and Ron Westmaas were the ‘astronomers in residence’. Thanks to Jeremy Handscomb of Redstart for inviting us.
Ron
February meeting
Thursday, February 20th, 2014
Another great turn out! Keep this up and we’ll be looking for an even bigger venue. Just joking!!
Great talk by Len Telford on imaging the Moon. The striking thing was how well he put across just how much of interest there is to capture on the moon’s surface. Time to have a go at doing some lunar imaging ourselves perhaps. Thanks Len. Thanks too to Bob Mizon for his ‘Object of the month’, Hind’s Crimson star R Leporis. That ‘drop of blood in the sky’ would be great to see.
Don’t know what to say about Bud doing the raffle using his fancy random number generator on his ipad, but at least it does save some time not having to fold loads of tickets. 
Thanks to Arthur for his March sky notes and to Zena and those that helped with catering duties. The kitchen volunteers made a big difference.
We extend our sympathies to Bill Reed for going so stir crazy with the recent weather that he ended up having to create his own nebulae to image. The Monkey Face, Red Haired Man and Smokey nebulae were awesome. Those’ joss stick’ nebulae were a total hoot. Clear skies Bill, and a swift recovery.
Next month Bud Budzynski will be giving his talk ‘Pixel perfect’. Don’t take the title too literally though, as I believe there may be a surprise in store. Can’t wait!
Ron
Must see!
Sunday, January 26th, 2014
Check out page four of the Gallery to see Bill Reed’s images of the current Supernova in M82 and of the Rosette Nebula taken on 25th Jan.
Nice work, Bill.