October in Brief…..
AGM and Informal, A Moving Experience, Knavesmire Exceeds and Honest Stargazing
October 5th Meeting #1002 AGM and Informal
The AGM was the first proper general meeting since becoming a charity. There were just four items of business:
- Minutes of AGM 1st December, 2017
- Trustees’ Annual Report
- Trustees’ Annual Financial Report
- Trustee Elections
The minutes of the AGM held on 1st December, 2017 were presented and overwhelmingly approved by a show of hands. The Trustees’ Annual Report and the Trustees’ Annual Financial Report had been circulated with the Agenda via a special Bulletin in advance of the meeting. Further details of the AGM was sent to all members (see AGM Minutes 2018).
Calendar
Tuesday 9th October Rufforth Airfield > Beetle Bank Farm
The day dawned brightly with a good forecast. The “A” Team gathered to make the final preparations for “The Move”. The foundations were all ready at BBF (magnificent job done by Neil Moss) and the lifting points and bracing were in place. Final work to separate the main container from the PortaKabin, remove the end flap supports and flap itself and remove some cladding to enable the roof to be lifted was carried out. Tidying and further packing of the “North Wing” was completed. At 2pm (on schedule) Greg from J Exley was spotted in his red van, closely followed by a large truck with a crane and a slightly smaller (but still large) truck. They came across the runway in convoy via the Gliding Club.
The trucks came onto the pad and positioned themselves next to the containers. Support legs were extended and cranes swung into action. The yoke and pier for the AE were lifted skywards, up through the floor of the deck then gently lowered back onto the deck itself to be safely secured for transport. The roof was then lifted off, raised without issue and gently lowered to the ground. Meanwhile in the background, the North Wing had had lifting straps attached and was being slowly lifted, turned and carefully lowered onto the smaller truck. The strain was taken on the lifting straps attached to the observatory container and the YAS observatory was slowly lifted and turned with apparent ease to be placed gently on the bed of the truck.
The sliding roof section was then carefully lifted once more, turned and carefully placed back on the observatory in a lower position exactly as planned and ready for transport. By 4pm, the trucks were ready to leave with their astronomical cargo.
A quick drive around the ring road for some of us and a careful procession for the Exley trucks lead to arrival at Beetle Bank Farm slightly before 4.30pm. Some very careful manoeuvring by the drivers saw the trucks safely through the gates with inches to spare. Some more careful movement saw the trucks and containers alongside the prepared foundations. Both containers were off-loaded onto the foundations with precision and butted against each other with literally a few millimetres between them. The excellent planning done by Gerry Fisher and Mike Terzza made the day a success. Many thanks to all those who helped in many ways both before, on and after the day – it would not have happened without your contribution.
Thursday October 18th Knavesmire Public Star Party
A clear night saw a massive turnout both in terms of members with telescopes (about 8?) but also members of the public with estimates of between 150 and 200 queuing to have a look at the night sky and its wonders. We had already had an inkling of a high turnout following the massive interest on social media.
Friday October 19th Meeting #1003
Stuart Atkinson from Eddington Astronomical Society in Kendal gave a talk entitled “An Honest Guide to Stargazing”. Stuart is an experienced astronomer, author and presenter of outreach. Stuart started with a short plug for his new book, “A Cat’s Guide to the Night Sky”, explaining how he was inspired by seeing his cat looking at the night sky whilst at Kielder.
An entertaining talk, contrasting expectations with reality, culminated in a photograph showing the reality of a cloudy sky whenever a much anticipated astronomical event takes place.
November 2018
Friday 2nd November – Meeting #1004
Philip Jennings – Selenology: The Story of the Moon
Saturday 3rd November – Trustee Meeting – Beetle Bank Farm 7.00pm
Trustees will appoint and set priorities for the committee and confirm some key posts. They will discuss some more policy documents. There is still time to come forward and express interest in joining the committee.
Sunday 9th November – Committee Meeting – Beetle Bank Farm 7,00pm
The committee will take forward the trustee priorities and work to make Beetle Bank and other activities a success.
Thursday 15th November – Knavesmire Public Star Party
Friday 16th November – Meeting #1005
Stuart Atkinson – HOME – OUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
Saturday 17th November – A Telescope is not just for Christmas
The first of our official events at Beetle Bank Farm. It is Ticket Only but free to attend. The initial ticket allocation has already been booked so we have added a few more (anticipating that some will not turn up).
Further Ahead:
December 2018
Tuesday 4th December – Comet Watch – Comet 46P/Wirtanen
Talk by Dave Armeson on Comets and the Solar System at Beetle Bank Farm followed by the opportunity (weather permitting) to view Comet 46P/Wirtanen – Tickets available soon (price tbd).
Friday 7th December – Meeting #1006 – YAS Xmas Lecture
Dave Armeson presents his now traditional Xmas Lecture, this year entitled “Mars – Rock On”.
Thursday 13th December – Knavesmire Public Star Party
Saturday 15th December – Comet Watch – Comet 46P/Wirtanen
Talk by Dave Armeson on Comets and the Solar System at Beetle Bank Farm followed by the opportunity (weather permitting) to view Comet 46P/Wirtanen at its closest approach to Earth. Tickets available soon (price tbd).
Friday 21st December – Meeting #1007 – Xmas Informal
Some useful links
BAA Observing Calendar November 2018
SEASKY Astronomy Calendar
Aurora Watch