BASINGSTOKE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Minutes of meeting held on 22nd September 2005 at Cliddesden Primary School

 

Apologies  from Julie Chignell and Malcolm Trussler.
 

Welcome
The Chairman, John Stapleton welcomed all present, noting it was the first meeting of the second season of the society.  He reminded us that membership subscriptions of £10 are now due.

 

Value for money

Commencing this season a monthly observation session will be held on the second Friday of each month. (This will be changed to accommodate special events or if the weather is unsuitable for viewing.)

The first session, which was postponed for a week due to rain, was rescheduled, and thanks to our Event Co-ordinator, Brendan Shaw, a very successful double/ multiple star observing session was held on the school field on the evening of the 14th September, with 14 observers present at the event.

 

Main Item
The Chairman introduced Neil Bone, speaker for the evening.  Neil is Director of the BAA meteor Section and is one of the foremost experts on meteors.

He treated us to a very interesting and sometimes amusing presentation, which gave the correct way to observe and record meteor showers and their description and origins.

He reminded us that on 8th October a meteor shower known as the Giacobinids are due.

(This will be our project for the monthly observation session.  These meteors can observed radiating from the head of Draco. Please watch the web site for details.) Neil said he would also be very pleased to obtain details of ‘lesser’ meteor showers, should we observe them.

 

Vote of thanks

The chairman gave a vote of thanks to the speaker who then took questions.

 

Sky Watch

Dave Shave-Wall treated us to an animated and enjoyable presentation on what to see in the sky during September/October. Besides covering what we would see in each of the cardinal points of the compass, he gave information on observable planets, binocular objects and CCD objects.  His focus object this month was Mars.

 

Forth-coming events

On 3rd October, there will be a partial solar eclipse will be visible in the UK.  The school has invited anyone with a telescope wishing to view this partial eclipse to bring their telescopes to the school, so the pupils can become involved as they did when Venus was in Transit.   It is thought that it will be visible from approx 8.45 to 11 am.  Anyone who wishes to participate should obtain a visitor’s pas from the school office and to display this for the duration of their stay in school grounds.

John has said he will inform the Gazette, hopefully generating some publicity for the society.

 

Visit to Guy Hurst 
Several members were invited to Guy’s to see his unusual square observatory and 44cm telescope. Unfortunately the clouds prevented any observing taking place.
Guy is a past president of the BAA and editor of the magazine ‘The Astronomer’. 

Guy was asked if he would accept the position of Honorary President and has said he will be honoured and delighted to accept the position.  He will be coming to the society to give a talk when a date has been arranged, and will be presented with a certificate.

 

Coming meetings

Monday 3rd October, a partial solar eclipse. (Viewing in the school field).

Saturday 8th October, the monthly observing session. A Giacobinid meteor watch will be held. Details on Yahoo web site, nearer the time.

Thursday 27th October, monthly meeting and will take the form of a Club Night.  A new format will be used for Club Nights.   The emphasis will be on observing.  There will be a new beginners section, covering some of the basics, and given by members.  If there are any subjects you particularly want make a committee member aware of this. There will also be short presentations lasting 10 to 15 minutes, and also given by members, if the weather is not suitable for observing.

 

Observations
Unusually, the sky was clear and we were able to observe for a while before the close of the meeting.

 

Close