BASINGSTOKE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

 

Meeting held on 25th May at Cliddesden Primary School.

 

For those present see Attendance Book.

 

John Stapleton opened the meeting, reminding us that the transit of Venus is fast approaching.  He re-iterated that visitors to the school to either observe, or to set up instruments in the school grounds, should obtain a visitors pass from the school office.  This be should displayed for the duration of their stay.  He stressed that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and was, in the past, the means whereby an accurate measurement of the Astronomical Unit was made possible.

It is hoped that Bob Trevan and Nick Hudson will be able to set up a video camera on a telescope, so that the transit can be transmitted for inside viewing. 

The children from the school will be involved in this event.  The father of one of the children is a DJ for Kestrel Radio and there may be someone from the station at the school to get the children’s views on this event. (And hopefully, a little free publicity for the Society)

John says he will be setting up his telescope by 6am, and will be viewing by projection, and is hoping to get video footage so we can go through it again.  He will also take observation notes.

Ingress exterior contact is due at 06:19:54 BST; ingress inferior contact is due at 06:39:47 BST and final ingress will be at 12:23.  

 

IT CANNOT BE STRESSED STRONGLY ENOUGH, PLEASE REMEMBER THE SUN IS A VERY DANGEROUS OBJECT. IF YOU LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE OR THROUGH UNFILTERED BINOCULARS OR TELESCOPE, HOWEVER BRIEFLY, YOU WILL BLIND YOURSELF.

 

1 Presentation
Bob Trevan and Nick Hudson gave an enjoyable presentation, entitled `Choosing Your Instrument`.

This took us through the various instruments for observation, and the pros and cons of each.

A topical section on solar viewing was included.

Nick had some `Solarmax`, BAA approved viewers for sale, at £1 each. He generously donated 25 p from each viewer sold, to the Society, and, along with a 25p donation from each buyer included in the price, made a healthy profit of £12.50 for the Society.

 

2 Attendance book
John reminded everyone to sign on arrival.  Not only is it a record of how well the club is supported, and should we require funding, at some later date, it is evidence of attendance.

It is also an accurate head count, should we ever need it in an emergency

 

3 On Line
John reminded us that information regarding the Society is available on our own web site, on www.paulmoulton.com/basframes

Our Yahoo chat line is available at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/basingstokeastros/ 

 

4 Observational opportunities for the next month
Venus remains an early evening target until the end of the month, and of course during the day on 8th June.

Jupiter And Saturn are good evening targets up to mid June.

Comet 2001 Q4 (NEAT) becomes circumpolar and is visible all night. It is heading towards the bowl of the Plough and should be visible with binoculars.

 

Also visible with binoculars is comet 2003 K4 (LINEAR).  This tracks through Lyra and across the top of Hercules.

June has no major meteor showers, but the minor shower of Ophiuchids is active throughout the month peaking on 9th and again on 19th June. There should also be a show of Bootids in late June.

Visible at this time of year, are wispy Noctilucent Clouds. These form some 80km or so up in the atmosphere and are lit by the setting Sun.

 

David Gifford wondered if we could mount a Perseid watch for the 12th August.  If you are interested, either post a message on the Yahoo site, or if you do not have access let a committee member know at the June meeting.

 

5 Any Other Business
John has said he still has to follow up with FAS with regards insurance against accidental injury to members or visitors.

 

We now have a Society Constitution.  This consists of 3 paragraphs, Standing Orders and Society Rules. A copy of these will be posted on the web page, hopefully by the end of June.

 

          It has been suggested that we offer lifts to members who have problems getting to the meetings.  As                                                     

Well as helping each other, we can also help the environment.

 

Membership fees will come into operation in September. 

 

John has said that the School Governors are willing for us to pay rent for the room quarterly or even annually, if this is more convenient for the Society.

 

6 Dates For Your Diary
The next meeting will be held on 25th June, when Bob Trevan and Nick Hudson will give a presentation entitled `CCD Imaging`.

 

The July meeting, which will take the form of a BBQ at John`s house at Four Marks.  This will be held on Saturday 24th July.  Members have agreed to bring their own goodies to cook.

 

The December meeting will be held on 16th December, and take the form of a party.  It has not been decided what type of party this will be, and we are open to suggestions. (Sensible ideas only please) if it is decided to have a meal somewhere, we will need to think about booking soon.

 

A committee meeting is to be held on Thursday 3rd June to plan the activities for the next year.  Details of this meeting will be available at the next meeting.

 

 

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