Notice of JULY Meeting

Wednesday July 8th 1998 at 8.00 pm at the Observatory.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

AS&TS Feedback & Science "Faire"

News from our landlords, AS&TS, is that they are still considering various options concerning the use of the observatory site, the favourite of which is the development of a science education centre. AS&TS are undergoing some internal re-organisation - one or two of their member societies are leaving the observatory site and going elsewhere. The site has been re-zoned as a zero rates property, which will help the finances to the tune of some R50,000 a month.

As a project for the Year of Science and Technology, AS&TS are planning a Science Faire, to be held at the observatory from August 20th to September 5th 1998. The Astronomical Society will be taking part in a way which is yet to be decided, but there will probably be lots of school kids, and teachers, so this faire presents a great opportunity for us to market astronomy.

St Stithians School Observatory

We have been having discussions with St Stithians school in Randburg concerning the possible establishment of an observatory at the school. This would probably be a joint venture with the astronomical society where we could set up a telescope in an environment which has far less light pollution than the observatory site and where we could get involved in an astronomical "club" for younger members. We have a 12-inch telescope that is standing gathering cobwebs which may be suitable to house in a new observatory at the school. To get the project at the school going, we are trying to arrange a lecture there but no date has yet been finalised.

Lunar Eclipse - August 1998

Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon - August 8th

Moon enters penumbra ...............03h 31.8m

Middle of eclipse ........................04h 24.8m

Moon leaves penumbra ...............05h 18.2m

Penumbral magnitude of the eclipse : 0.146

Visit Turkey for the Eclipse on August 11th 1999

"Everyone should see at least one eclipse of the sun in their lifetime" - and then when you have seen one you will be hooked and want to see then all. "The ultimate occultation - an eclipse of the sun"

We are investigating the possibility of organising a tour to Turkey to see the eclipse of the sun in August 1999. The plan is to organise a tour of a week and allow the option for individuals to extend their trip as they like. We have found a travel agent who has all the details of the eclipse and will plan an itinerary around our needs. Turkey is getting many groups of American and Japanese visitors to see the eclipse so we will have to book early if we are to get a place. So we are asking interested parties to contact us AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so that we can get an idea if there is enough interest to go ahead with setting up the tour.

Some Interesting Events in the Calendar for 1998.

January 5th Earth is 147,099,553 km from the Sun
January 9th Latest Sunset
March 21st Equinox
June 8th Earliest Nightfall
June 21st Shortest day, 10h 13m in latitude 30 deg South
July 2nd Latest Sunrise of the year in lat 30 deg South
July 4th Earth is 152,095,606 km from the Sun
September 23rd Equinox
December 4th Earliest sunrise of the year
December 9th Earliest morning twilight
December 22nd Longest Day, 14h 5m in latitude 30 deg South

Future Events

Our annual star party will again be held at Riverview Country Inn at Swinburne from Friday night 21^st August to Sunday morning 23^rd August. Those interested in coming along, please contact Ed Finlay for further details.

Deep-Sky Viewing

Saturday evening deep-sky viewing at Tom Budge’s farm, Protea Ranch, Vlakplaats, will be on the following days :

25 July 1998 .......... 22 August 1998 ...........19 September 1998

24 October 1998 ....21 November 1998 .....19 December 1998

Aluminising Facilities

Just a reminder to those of you who have made mirrors, or whose mirrors are getting a little rusty, that the society has its own aluminising plant. The plant can take up to a 10-inch mirror and is run by Des Fourie at his home in Highway Gardens. Des will do your diagonal free of charge, if done at the same time as the main mirror. He can be contacted on 974-4676.

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Daylight Saving Time = Starlight Wasting Time.

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A Cessna 152 plane crashed into a cemetery early this afternoon near Dublin. Irish Search and Rescue workers have recovered 300 bodies so far and expect that number to climb as digging continues into the evening.