The Year End Star Party

11th December 1999

Tom has once again graciously opened his home to us as a venue for our annual Year End Star Party. Those of you who attended last year’s blast will remember the lethal concoction ( I think it was some highly-secret rocket fuel ) that Tom served up to the bold and brave amongst you. He has assured me that there is more of this medicinal anomaly available to be consumed by any of you courageous enough to say YES! Well even if you don’t try the brew - the fires will be available for you to braai your own consumables……

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A BRING 'N BRAAI

……so bring along anything you wish to consume - both food and beverages. Come along from late afternoon ( 16:00ish ) onward.

A map to navigate to Tom’s farm is printed on the next page and if you follow the straightforward directions thereon, you won’t have any problems getting there.

…..and for those of you who wish to take your telescopes along, the view is magnificent and the stars look as though they are almost within reach!!!

Future Meetings

                        January 12th     Computers in Astronomy              Chris2
                        February 9th         METSOC 1999                      Trevor Gould
                        March 8th                 Marconi                                      Tony Voorvelt
                        April 12th            Planetarium Meeting                       T.B.A.

        We will be asking Dr Nicholson of HartRAO to present a lecture at one of our meetings.

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.

8th January 3rd June 25th November
5th February 1st July
4th March 26th August

Year End Star Party
1st April 23rd September "Under the Full Moon"
6th May 28th October

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. The annual jaunt to Swinburne in August will be replaced this coming year with a jaunt to Nylsvlei which should be more Astronomically beneficial and less of a financial burden. We will also be trying to arrange 2 trips to Boyden as well as trips to Hartebeeshoek, the Tswaing Crater and the Science & Technology Museum.

Thanks

A great vote of thanks to our hard-working Curator of Instruments for all the non-Astronomical work he has accomplished during the last couple of months. This includes items such as Lights and Drains.

Thanks Frans.