Notice of Annual General Meeting

The July meeting of the Johannesburg Centre of the Astronomical Society will be held in the Sir Herbert Baker Library, 18a Gill Street, Observatory, on Saturday the 15th of July, 2000 at 19:00.

* Please note the change from our normal Day and Time *

The A.G.M. will be followed by a Bring 'n Braai and viewing

 

Future Meetings

August 9th (provisional) Ring Galaxies Prof. Ron Bruto, U of Alabama
September 13th A Telescope history Tony Hilton
October 11th Meteorite Collecting Trevor Gould
November 8th Impact Craters Prof. Uwe Reinhold

Are there any subjects that you would like to hear at one of the monthly meetings? Contact your local friendly committee member and ask her/him to discuss it in committee.

Dark Sky Viewing

On the Saturday nearest New Moon at Tom Budge’s Farm in the Magaliesberg. Remember that this is by arrangement only as most observers will be following specific viewing programmes and if you don’t have your own ’scope, you should contact one of the observers ( e.g. at the monthly meeting ) to arrange some viewing time with them.

1st July 28th October Year End Star Party 2000
26th August 25th November

"Under the Full Moon"

23rd September

9th December


Jo'burg Centre Outings for 2000

Your Committee is making arrangements for several outings during the year. Amongst these are some old favourites as well as a couple of new ones which should prove interesting.

Swinburne revived - if you want to join in our perennial jaunt to Swinburne from 7th to 9th July, contact Ed Finlay on (011) 616-3202.

Boyden - now cancelled as we cannot get access to the 60" telescope for the available date.

We will also be looking at the possibility of arranging visits to other ASSA Centres ( e.g. the Pretoria Centre ) during the year - and also try to see if we can organise some joint ventures.

Haartebeeshoek - Wolf Lange is attempting to organise an overnight visit later on in the year, as well as organising a similar visit to the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.

Tswaing Crater - still trying to set up a day visit under the guidance of Prof. Reinhold

ASSA Annual General Meeting

The ASSA Parent Body would like us to host their AGM.  As our AGM will be on 15 July (see below) we have agreed to host the ASSA AGM at the Sir Herbert Baker Library on our normal meeting night of Wednesday 12 July.

This year's AGM and Bring 'n Braai

Last year we held a bring 'n braai as part of our AGM, and the smallish turnout notwithstanding, it was a quite successful. So going by the feedback we have received in this regard, it has been decided that the A.G.M. will be held at 19:00 on Saturday the 15th of July in the Sir Herbert Baker Library.

Please note the earlier starting time of 19:00. The meeting will run between 19:00 and 20:00 and then we will retire to the Braai area to partake of whatever gastronomic delights we can create. The domes will also be opened for whomever is interested in viewing the wonders of the Wintery night sky. With a bit of luck, we may be able to persuade Tony to open the 26" as well.

Nominations for Committee for the 2000/1 Year

The following current committee members have indicated their willingness to serve another term.

Ed Finlay             Wolf Lange              Constant Volschenk         Frans van Nieuwkerk
Melvyn Hannibal    Evan Dembskey     Chris Penberthy

In addition, Chris Stewart and Tom Budge have also indicated that they are willing to serve on the committee for the coming year.

If any of you our readers would like to nominate someone, or serve on the committee yourselves, please contact one of the committee members, and we will add the name(s) to the nomination list. If more than ten names are available, an election will be held to select ten members to serve on next year's committee.

A nomination form is included with this issue including the abovementioned names, and space to add any nominations of your own. Remember that nominees must agree to their nomination.

Public viewing nights

We have public viewing once a month, on the Friday following New Moon. This is of course subject to the vagaries of the weather. Members are welcome, but there is a nominal charge of R5.00 for members of the public including any guests you may bring along. Here are the dates through November 2000.

7th July 8th September 3rd November
4th August 6th October

Telescope Making Classes

Would you like to make your own telescope?…or finish off a partially finished one? Well your opportunity has arrived (once again). Join the Telescope Making Class being held under the guidance of Brian, Evan and Chris. Contact Brian on 803-8291 if you are interested.