The Sun....
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Monday, 31 May 2010
Last night's pictures...
Hello fellow members...
Just wanted to share with you some pictures I took last night.
Hope to see you soon at the next meeting!
Patrick
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
April at Redditch Astronomical Society
This has been a busy month for amateur astronomers in Redditch.
Starting with our monthly meeting at St.Augustines School on Monday the 12th of April, 21 members attended to share photographs and exchange information on different types of telescope and binoculars for use in astronomy.
On Saturday the 17th of April, the Spring Star Party took place at Lower Moor Fisheries, Dagnell End Road between 5.30 until very late.
Early attendees had a view of The Sun through a solar telescope, the recent acquisition of one of our members, which revealed solar flares, prominences and granulation of the Sun’s surface, though sadly no sun spots were visible due to this being an unusually quite time in the Solar Cycle. The evening started off with the members and guests chatting, and enjoying the evening sunshine, watching and commenting on lapwings soaring in an adjacent field, and one member even spotted a curlew basking in the sunshine. A nice diversion before we were called to help ourselves to a very generous hot and cold buffet accompanied by hot drinks.
Seventeen telescopes were then set up in anticipation of a good night’s observing, and boy were we not disappointed. Starting off with the waxing crescent moon, followed shortly after by Jupiter, and although full of anticipation, Mercury eluded all of us as it was too low in the sky.
As the skies grew darker still, other treasures revealed themselves including views of Saturn showing her rings, although almost edge on they were still a pretty sight. We even observed two of her moons, Rhea and Tethes.
Orion showed himself, although too low in the sky to see the Nebula, and other constellations were clearly visible in this perfectly clear sky, and many satellites passing overhead in their orbits.
All in all it was an excellent evening with many members staying well into the dark hours.
Our next meeting will be on Monday May 10th at 7.00 P.M. when Dr. Johanna Jarvis will be giving a talk on The Sun, and anyone is welcome to come along.
Starting with our monthly meeting at St.Augustines School on Monday the 12th of April, 21 members attended to share photographs and exchange information on different types of telescope and binoculars for use in astronomy.
On Saturday the 17th of April, the Spring Star Party took place at Lower Moor Fisheries, Dagnell End Road between 5.30 until very late.
Early attendees had a view of The Sun through a solar telescope, the recent acquisition of one of our members, which revealed solar flares, prominences and granulation of the Sun’s surface, though sadly no sun spots were visible due to this being an unusually quite time in the Solar Cycle. The evening started off with the members and guests chatting, and enjoying the evening sunshine, watching and commenting on lapwings soaring in an adjacent field, and one member even spotted a curlew basking in the sunshine. A nice diversion before we were called to help ourselves to a very generous hot and cold buffet accompanied by hot drinks.
Seventeen telescopes were then set up in anticipation of a good night’s observing, and boy were we not disappointed. Starting off with the waxing crescent moon, followed shortly after by Jupiter, and although full of anticipation, Mercury eluded all of us as it was too low in the sky.
As the skies grew darker still, other treasures revealed themselves including views of Saturn showing her rings, although almost edge on they were still a pretty sight. We even observed two of her moons, Rhea and Tethes.
Orion showed himself, although too low in the sky to see the Nebula, and other constellations were clearly visible in this perfectly clear sky, and many satellites passing overhead in their orbits.
All in all it was an excellent evening with many members staying well into the dark hours.
Our next meeting will be on Monday May 10th at 7.00 P.M. when Dr. Johanna Jarvis will be giving a talk on The Sun, and anyone is welcome to come along.
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Learning About galaxies far, far away
SPACE fans were in for a treat at the last Redditch Astronomical Socoety meeting (March 1) where four members spoke on a wide range of topics.
Professional photographer Richard Birtles (or Action Shots Photography)displayed a variety of images of stars and galaxies, and Michale Anderton followed this with his recent pictures of the Orion Nebula.
Patrick Ward's pictures of the Milky Way had been taken from Chile the monmth before, meaning the pictures were very clear de to the lack of light pollution.
Lastly, some of the latest images from the Hubble space telescope were shown by Karen Bloor.
A spokesperson for the group said: "All in all it was a very pleasant evening and the members expressed their appreciation to all four speakers."
The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 12 at St. Augustine's Catholic High School at 7pm, with a Star Party at Dagnell Lane Fisheries that Saturday (17).
Professional photographer Richard Birtles (or Action Shots Photography)displayed a variety of images of stars and galaxies, and Michale Anderton followed this with his recent pictures of the Orion Nebula.
Patrick Ward's pictures of the Milky Way had been taken from Chile the monmth before, meaning the pictures were very clear de to the lack of light pollution.
Lastly, some of the latest images from the Hubble space telescope were shown by Karen Bloor.
A spokesperson for the group said: "All in all it was a very pleasant evening and the members expressed their appreciation to all four speakers."
The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 12 at St. Augustine's Catholic High School at 7pm, with a Star Party at Dagnell Lane Fisheries that Saturday (17).
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Jodrell Bank visit 2010
Hi Everyone,
Richard Hendy has managed to arrange a visit to Jodrell Bank for Sunday 28th February this year. The tour and talk by Ian Morison is at 1pm prompt so you need to get there by about 12.30pm (time for the loo/coffee) but of course you can arrive earlier to have a good look around first.
Can you please let me, or Ron know ASAP if you are interested in going, so we can pass that on to Richard.
Please e-mail me or txt me 07719246113. Look forward to hearing from you.
Jules
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Richard Hendy has managed to arrange a visit to Jodrell Bank for Sunday 28th February this year. The tour and talk by Ian Morison is at 1pm prompt so you need to get there by about 12.30pm (time for the loo/coffee) but of course you can arrive earlier to have a good look around first.
Can you please let me, or Ron know ASAP if you are interested in going, so we can pass that on to Richard.
Please e-mail me or txt me 07719246113. Look forward to hearing from you.
JulesNot got a Hotmail account? Sign-up now - Free
Saturday, 17 October 2009
FW: IYA2009 Newsletter: Autumn Moonwatch 23 October - 01 November 2009
Hi all, further attached for interest
Jules
Subject: IYA2009 Newsletter: Autumn Moonwatch 23 October - 01 November 2009
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:33:11 +0100
From: sto@roe.ac.uk
To: info@astronomy2009.co.uk
This is the oppprtunity for you to experience of a wide range of public outreach activities, live science events, observing with telescopes, research observatory webcasts and sidewalk astronomy events. One of the key goals is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope, as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago.
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JulesSubject: IYA2009 Newsletter: Autumn Moonwatch 23 October - 01 November 2009
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:33:11 +0100
From: sto@roe.ac.uk
To: info@astronomy2009.co.uk
Dear Astronomy Enthusiasts,
One of the most fantastic sights you can see is the Moon through a good telescope - the craters and mountains provide a fantastic and memorable experience. Autumn Moonwatch will provide you with an opportunity to see the Moon through a telescope.
Autumn Moonwatch 24 October - 01 November 2009
This is the oppprtunity for you to experience of a wide range of public outreach activities, live science events, observing with telescopes, research observatory webcasts and sidewalk astronomy events. One of the key goals is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope, as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago.
Your local astronomical society, university or science centre will be putting on events during the Moonwatch weeks and you can find out what's on near you by visiting www.astronomy2009.co.uk , clicking on "Find Your Local Events" in the left-hand toolbar and entering your postcode.
Regards
Steve Owens
International Year of Astronomy 2009
UK Co-ordinator
t 0141 420 5010 ext 299
m 07717720479
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