Hello fellow members
I’ll start by extending a warm and friendly welcome to our 30 new members who have joined the society since 1 July 2002, the start of our financial year. You now belong to a clan of 143 astronomy enthusiasts who love to meet and share experiences of all things astronomical.
There are 60 new enthusiasts who joined the society between 1 January and 30 June 2002. In total, a 170% increase in membership over 2000/2001! Credit due to our past Chairperson, Trevor Gould, for starting the wonderful momentum.
So, who are we?
We are a group of like-minded amateur astronomers who enjoy sharing a common interest as regularly as possible. We are non-critical, unassuming and completely tolerant of all levels of astronomical understanding. Remember, we all started by asking the questions: "what is a planet", and "what is a star". The opportunity to popularise and teach a little of what we are passionate about is part of the delight of astronomy.
It’s a debatable point: Can we force an appreciation and fascination for the stars? In most cases I doubt it. More likely, we can be a catalyst, a spark that ignites a life-long affair with astronomy that is an irrepressible hunger for knowledge, the supply of which is inexhaustible in a single lifetime.
So, I guess in my own rambling way, I’m trying to say that you can’t force people to attend the monthly Astronomical Society meetings. Our monthly meetings are an opportunity to network, plan, dream and implement with fellow enthusiasts who range from the arm-chair enthusiast to the active expert. Our member’s interests are diverse and fascinating. They include deep sky, variable stars, double stars, minor-planet occultations, astrophotography, planets & moon sketching, cosmology … the list is extensive.
I’m in heaven when we’re talking galaxies, big bang theory, the size of the universe and advice on a 30-minute guided exposure of The Great Orion Nebula.
Sadly, I don’t believe I have met all the new members. Many have joined but are yet to attend one of our monthly meetings. What’s the benefit of being at the meetings? Well, our topics thus far have included:
Video on John Dobson & telescope making - 10 July 2002
Finding the Elusive SCP - Dave Gordon - 14 August 2002
Quantum Computing - Evan Dembskey - 11 September 2002
Eyepieces – Chris Stewart - 9 October 2002
Consciousness Mapping - Marilyn Lucas - 13 November 2002
Backwards Spiral NGC 4622 - Ron Buta - 13 November 2002
Eclipse Special - Eben van Zyl, Brian
Fraser
and Kurt Buchmann
- 16 November 2002
Plus a monthly "What’s Up", expertly presented by Ed Findlay using The Sky astronomy software and the occasional book review of worthwhile reading material.
You also choose to be involved in:
Meteorite hunts in the Kalahari and Namibia with Trevor Gould
Star parties and social get-togethers in Blue Hills
Telescope making classes with Brian Fraser and Chris Stewart
Telescope driving courses with Constant Volschenk
Telescope and astronomy basics for beginners courses with Dave Gordon
CCD Photography with Bruce Dickson in the Papadopolous Dome
We have been faced with certain challenges this year. Firstly, the Sir Herbert Baker Library was burgled in July and then again in August. Thankfully, our losses were not too extensive, although we sorely miss the head of our old faithful overhead projector. Secondly, the uncertainty regarding tenure and our Landlord’s identity, brought on by the long-winded hand-over of the property from AS&TS to FEST, has delayed our plans to improve the society’s facilities. This period of uncertainty is now over and we can look forward to a future of exciting developments, improvements and upgrades at the Society.
At last, FEST has granted ASSA Johannesburg Centre unrestricted access to the 26½ inch refractor in the Innes Dome. In the past, we were considered in a similar light as other corporate bodies and were required to pay for the use of the facilities. This is a major coup for us and a privilege. If nothing else, we will become stronger and healthier for exercising on a 26 ton dead-weight!.
I was paging through a Summer 1991 edition of Canopus and noticed that it was a sizable 42 pages. In those days, Canopus was a quarterly newsletter; our current Canopus is monthly (12 pages). What impressed me most was the local content contributed by the membership. I’m sure I’m not the only member who would like to read more local content in our Canopus. Why not put fingers to keyboard and type a small piece about what you are currently doing - astronomically speaking? Submit an article about your impressions of a new eyepiece you purchased (or made yourself!), your attempt at some astrophotography, an evening of double stars or globular clusters, a sketch you made of a crater on the moon …
If your very first experience at the telescope was anything like mine, it would make for some very entertaining reading. Why not share a challenge or disappointment you may have experienced at the telescope. You may even wish to address it as a letter to the Editor. Here is a good start: "Dear Uncle Chris. I have an astronomical problem …"
I encourage all our members to contribute to Canopus in future.
You’ve probably heard it before but it’s worth reminding you: Your committee is there for you. We are enthusiasts just like you, steering the society in a direction we THINK you would like it to go. We are always delighted to hear new suggestions which we try to implement wherever and whenever possible. So, keep the suggestions flowing (there is a suggestion book that is circulated at the monthly meetings – please feel free to use it).
There is great excitement and anticipation for the 4th December solar eclipse. Revel in the Moon’s complete shadow for those 73 seconds. That short moment in time will burn a strong lasting memory that you will access again and again for the rest of your life.
Good health and Clear Skies
Your Chairman