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 | News: StargazingLive 2013 |
The Observatory will be open at additional times during the BBC Stargazing Live 2013 broadcasts.
On Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 January there will be an opportunity for solar observing between noon and 3pm. The normal evening sessions will start at 7.30pm.
On Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 both 16" reflectors, the 8" refractor and a number of smaller telescopes and binoculars suitable for beginners will be available. Also, various members will be making presentations and providing guided tours of the observatory.
On Thursday 10 January all the fixed instruments will be available, but some of the portable equipment will be at the outreach event taking place at Tatton Park.
Members can contact Peter, Andy and David via the usual channels for further details, or to offer their help for the various sessions.
Visitors should register as described on the webpage BBC Stargazing Live 2013 events and they will receive more information.
As many of you will know, the inspiration for millions of astronomers spanning five generations has left us. Sir Patrick died at his home surrounded by friends after discharging himself from hospital a few days ago.
StargazingLive 2013 will see many tributes to him, but the most effective is for us all to continue inspiring newcomers with a passion for this subject.
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Posted by david_clapham on Sunday, December 09 @ 13:39:50 GMT (542 reads)
(Read More... | News | Score: 5)
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| News: Close Lunar/Jovian graze - early Sunday 15 July. |
Weather permitting, the Observatory will stay open late next Saturday evening to view the Lunar/Jovian graze.
On Sunday 15 July there will be a very close pass of the northern limb of the crescent Moon to Jupiter at 3:04am.
The normal evening sessions will start at 7:30pm and - cloud permitting - observations of the conjunction of these two bright objects will take place in the early hours of the following morning. Both 16" reflectors and a number of smaller telescopes and binoculars suitable for beginners will be available. Also, various members will be making presentations and providing guided tours of the observatory.
Members can contact Peter, Andy and David via the usual channels for further details, or to offer their help.
Visitors are also welcome, but please send an eMail or Tweet to Peter or David before your visit.
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Posted by david_clapham on Saturday, July 07 @ 22:54:27 BST (830 reads)
(Read More... | News | Score: 0)
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| News: Stargazing Live 2012 events |
The Observatory will be open at additional times during the BBC Stargazing Live 2012 broadcasts.
On Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 January there will be an opportunity for solar observing between noon and 3pm. The normal evening sessions will start at 7pm.
On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 January both 16" reflectors, the 8" refractor and a number of smaller telescopes and binoculars suitable for beginners will be available. Also, various members will be making presentations and providing guided tours of the observatory.
Members can contact Peter, Andy and David via the usual channels for further details, or to offer their help for the various sessions.
Visitors should register as described on the webpage BBC Stargazing Live 2012 events and they will receive more information.
Weather updates
1)
Saturday 14 and Monday 16 will be very cold with generally clear skies, although there may be occasional periods of haziness on the horizon (especially to the east).
There will be cloudier conditions moving in from the west on Tuesday 17 and this will lead to slightly less cold observing conditions with the possibility of interruptions to the sessions if the cloud is unbroken.
2)
The warm front moving in from the west on Tuesday 17 is likely to arrive slightly earlier than predicted on Friday. There is a moderate chance of the outdoor sessions being disrupted by unbroken cloud.
Early indications are for snow on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January.
3)
The forecast for tonight is for generally cloudy skies with occasional breaks. There will be a moderate to strong westerly breeze which may prevent use of the smaller domes on the site.
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Posted by david_clapham on Saturday, January 07 @ 21:48:46 GMT (1109 reads)
(Read More... | News | Score: 0)
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| Star Party: 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 |
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Posted by dave_wylie on Tuesday, May 04 @ 12:51:37 BST (2047 reads)
(Read More... | Star Party | Score: 0)
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| News: IYA2009 Launch |
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.
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Posted by david_clapham on Tuesday, January 06 @ 18:20:26 GMT (2316 reads)
(Read More... | News | Score: 0)
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| Star Party: 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.
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Posted by dave_wylie on Thursday, January 31 @ 10:37:31 GMT (6988 reads)
(Read More... | 2083 bytes more | Star Party | Score: 4)
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| Visitors to the web site |
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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
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Posted by andy_sieroslawski on Saturday, September 08 @ 15:33:14 BST (3079 reads)
(Read More... | Score: 0)
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| Star Party: Easter Star Party 2007 |
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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.
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Posted by peter_drew on Saturday, March 31 @ 21:55:06 BST (2220 reads)
(Read More... | Star Party | Score: 0)
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| Star Party: Star Party Easter 2005 |
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The Easter 2005 Star Party has just been held at the Astronomy Centre.
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Posted by neil_perry on Saturday, March 26 @ 16:59:36 GMT (1478 reads)
(Read More... | 385 bytes more | Star Party | Score: 1)
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