The Astronomy Centre

Spring Star Party - 2010

Spring 2010 Star Party Program

The Spring 2010 Star Party was held on Saturday May 1st. The programme of events was as follows:

12:00	Doors Open
12:30 - 13:15	Registration
13:15 - 14:15	Our active Sun	Prof. Philippa Browning, Manchester University
14:15 - 14:45	Break
14:45 - 15:45	My (short) career as a Radio Astronomer	Rod Hine, MA Cantab
15:45 - 16:45	Rev Dr William Pearson - Founder of the RAS	Mike Frost
16:45 - 17:15	Break
17:15 - 18:15	The construction of large amateur telescopes	Dave Owen, Liverpool AS

Progress at the site

The rotating "half cylinder" dome for the remaining on-site peripheral observatory is now in the final stages of construction. This observatory will house the long awaited re-appearance of the 8.5" F12 refractor. Weather prmitting, it is hoped that completion will be early next year, in time for the best views of Saturn and ready for events during International Year of Astronomy 2009. The housing for the 12" reflecting binocular telescope is also virtually complete and again is waiting for some suitable weather conditions to install it. In the early days of the Astronomy Centre we had a Camera Obscura on site. This proved immensely popular with visitors, particularly children. A replacement instrument is well under way and will be fitted near the top of the main observatory dome. This Camera Obscura will be manually operated to give that "hands on" appeal. The main lens is 8" diameter operating at around F25. The viewing table is 2 metres diameter making it one of the largest image presentation units in operation. On a good sunny day it will give spectacular views of the surrounding countryside in full living colour. Astronomically, it will be possible to project the image of the Sun revealing whatever sunspot activity is going on at the time.

Joint project with the Lancashire Council of Mosques.

Determining the time of darkness in mid-summer at medium to high latitudes.

The Research and Education Group are assisting scholars and clerics from the Lancashire Council of Mosques to determine the extent of full darkness at the latitude of East Lancashire. This move has been precipitated by the slow regression of the holy month of Ramadan into mid-summer, due to the 354 day lunar-solar year.

It is hoped that the study will provide accurate information upon which the scholars can timetable the Islamic prayers which occur close to the end of Evening Nautical Twilight and the beginning of Morning Nautical Twilight.

Any members who are at a fully dark site on a cloudless evening or morning are asked to record the moment at which the faint horizon glow begins to form a concave pyramidical spike - or when that spike collapses before dawn - and to pass the timings to David C.

IYA2009 Launch

Due to forecast heavy snow this event has been cancelled.

The Astronomy Centre's first event to mark UNESCO's International Year of Astronomy 2009 will take place on Saturday 24 January 2009.

Roger O'Brien of the Open University will present a talk called "Twinkle, Twinkle, little star", which will be followed by a hands-on observing session.

During this, visitors will be introduced to views of the sky through a wide range of instruments, guided by experienced members of local societies.

More details will follow shortly.

Spring Star Party 2008

Star Party - Saturday 12th April

The Astronomy Centre Spring Star Party was held on Saturday 12th April 2008. The event was a huge success, with 75 members and guests attending. The talks were held on the top floor of the observatory, which was completely packed out. A video and audio feed was provided down to the first floor, so that the attendees who couldn't squeeze in upstairs didn't miss out.

Everyone who came along seemed very pleased with the day. There was even a gap in the clouds just after sunset to allow a brief Lunar observing session with the 16" GOTO Meade.

The full schedule from the day is available here.

Please send any enquiries about Star Parties to starparty@astronomycentre.org.uk.

Lunar/ Mars event

After a cloudy and cold morning the dome team did witness the Lunar/Mars bypass.

Through small clear patches of the low thick cloud the event was seen for short intervals through high wispy cloud.

Comet 17/P Holmes

At the end of October 2007, comet 17/P Holmes unexpectedly brightened by many magnitudes (equivalent to about a million times!). It became a naked-eye object and was spectacular through binoculars - let alone telescopes. Astronomy Centre members made observations of Holmes whenever the weather permitted. Various images were also captured and some of these are in the Photo Gallery.

Visitors to the web site

Cyber visitors to the Web site are invited to contact the Astronomy Centre Dome (members area) on Saturday evenings after 19.30 using `Skype`, the Internet phone/conferencing service. Use `astro138` as the contact name.

Members will be pleased to answer questions about the nature of the site, its present activities/projects and future on-line resources that will be available.

Comments and suggestions for observing programmes that could be available on-line are welcome. One of our aims is to make available a range of observational data that maybe of use to like minded astronomers globally, available on-line. Observations will take place in the visual, radio and magnetic spectra.

Queries or general comments ( at any time ) to - andy@skipole.net .

Easter Star Party 2007

The Astronomy Centre Easter Star Party was held on Saturday April 7th 2007.

The speakers were:-

Dave Wylie "The Operation and Scope of the New Website"

Paul Yates "Astrofest 2007, a Memorable Occasion"

Mike Frost "Jeremiah Horocks, Samuel Foster, Nathaniel Nye - A Detective Story"

Rob Johnson "The Worm will Turn"

The usual refreshments were available and the evening was clear, allowing for observations using several of the Astronomy Centre's instruments.

Total Lunar Eclipse, Saturday March 3rd 2007

There was a Total Lunar Eclipse on the evening of Saturday March 3rd 2007. The Observatory was open to the Public as usual, with expert advice on hand. Observations of the eclipse were made using several of our instruments, including binoculars and telescopes. There was also a live video feed of the event on site, with images and notes being distributed to Members via the Internet. Plenty of visitors came up to the Observatory and the skies stayed clear for this spectacular event.