Editorial

This issue is very peculiar in one respect - there is not a single article contained in these pages that does not originate from a member of the Jo'burg Centre - isn't that great! It is really a pleasure to be able to edit an issue without having to insert articles ( no matter that they are normally interesting ) that have been pulled off ESA or NASA websites or email lists.

Eric Brindeau has submitted a report on a visit by several Jo'burg Centre members to a dark site in the Drakensberg, and Eben van Zyl continues to tell us of Henrietta Swan Leavitt's secrets. These are both interesting articles. Some excellent images from Eric's article will be uploaded to the website.

..and of course, we are always indebted to Brian Fraser who each year supplies us with the monthly tables of all the astronomical events of interest - we find the tables for October and November on the back cover where they are handily situated for reference when observing. Dave Gordon has submitted a book review and a report on our Spring Star Party held at the Blue Hills Observatory.

Due to a lack of space in this issue, we've not been able to include some good pictures taken by Chris Stewart and Francois Nortje through his ( Chris' ) telescope using a webcam. However, they will be loaded up to our website where you will be able to see what great images can be taken with the simplest of hardware. ( I hear that security cameras are pretty good too - though a trifle more expensive ).

ECLIPSE chasers - remember we have a solar eclipse on 4^th December. If you would like to be there, contact a committee member, or Brian Fraser for further details on how to get to the area of interest. Time and accommodation is running out - so don't delay or you will miss this big event.

To those of you reading this issue - thanks for paying your subs - that's what helps us to get your monthly magazine printed and distributed.

The Editor - chris@penberthy.co.za

 The 2002/3 Committee of the Johannesburg Centre