Notice of Star Party

We will be having our Annual Star Party in place of the November Monthly Meeting of the Johannesburg Centre of the Astronomical Society. It will be held at Dave Gordon's smallholding in Blue Hills, Midrand, from about 16:00 on the 17th November 2001, and continue through the small hours of the 18th when we hope to have a good view of the Leonids meteor shower.

We start off with a bring 'n braai to build up energy for the evening, so bring along all the food that you wish to eat and drink and if you have a portable braai, bring that along as well as we don't know how many of us there will be - hopefully all of you.

Venue: 81 Tambotie Road,
Blue Hills
Midrand

Tel: (011) 702-1219

      Time: from 16:00 onwards

Future Meetings

                                 December          No meeting

                                January 9th 2002 Multi-wave Astronomy          Tom Marsicano

If you have any ideas for topics or subjects that you feel should be presented at future meetings of the Johannesburg Centre, please contact one of the Committee members, or email us with the details thereof. The Editor.

Annual Star Party 2001 - 17/18th November

At Dave Gordon's fairly dark site in Midrand

where we will also be able to see the Leonids.

Public Viewing ( weather permitting )

Public viewing nights are held subject to suitable weather conditions on the Friday nearest First Quarter, and are held at the Old Republic Observatory, 18a Gill Street, Observatory, Johannesburg. Starting time around 19:30. The last one of 2001 will be held on 23rd November

Annual Subscription Fees

There are no changes to the Johannesburg Centre's subscription fee structure for the 2001/2 year. The joining fee remains R50-00 and the Annual fee R100-00. The Family membership subscription fee also remains unchanged at R125-00. The Family membership is restricted to couples and their co-resident dependants and although all Family members receive full rights as members of the Centre, only one copy of the monthly magazine, Canopus, will be posted to the family address. The annual subscription form was included with the September issue and we would like to urge you as members to pay your subs as early as possible to enable your committee to plan the Centre's projects for the year ahead.

Please post your subscription fee, or deposit/transfer it directly into the Society's bank account at NEDBANK. The Account information is as follows:-

Bank:                NEDBANK
Branch Name:  Park Plaza
Code:                 19 21 42 44
Account Type:  Current Account
Number:           1921 013761
Name:               ASSA Johannesburg Centre		 Please remember to write your name on the deposit slip or to include your name as a reference on a direct transfer. Then fax the details to the Treasurer to let him know that you have paid via direct deposit or transfer so that you will be kept on the Canopus mailing list.

Jo'burg Centre Outings for 2001

Boyden - We are busy attempting to negotiate a suitable weekend with Martie Hoffman. The 60" is out of commission at present ( maintenance ), but the other instruments are also pretty useful in their own right.

The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. Wolf Lange has organised several enjoyable visits to this site near Heidelberg and says it is an ideal spot for clear viewing. He will continue with these outings and if you are interested, contact him by phone or email as per the table under the editorial.

Tswaing Crater - we're still trying to set up a day visit under the guidance of Prof. Reimold. This will probably be done on a Saturday but we'll have to wait an see what can be set up.

We will be organising two "outings" involving Tony Voorvelt - one to see the new solar observatory on top of the Physics building at Wits and one to be entertained / amazed by his Great Magic Physics Show.

Another visit to the Gamma Ray observatory in Potchefstroom is also in the offing.

Other ASSA Centres (e.g. the Pretoria Centre) - and try to see if we can organise some joint ventures.

If any of our members have places they would like the society to visit, approach one of your committee members with the request and we'll discuss it in committee. Alternately, just send an email to the editor and I'll make sure it is brought up in committee.

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 (016) 366-0955 if you are interested.