Editorial

Eclipse fever is starting to affect the un-initiated. Work colleagues who have never before shown the slightest inclination toward anything Astronomical ( more usually things of an Astrological bent ) are now finding excuses to visit those of us with more of a leaning in that direction. And of course, the topic usually starts something like this........."So tell me, where do I get a pair of these glasses to look at the Sun?" which shows that in general that the Eclipse advertising appears to be working fairly well! This in turn usually leads to a quick lesson on how eclipses work complete with rough diagrams and scribbles. I think we may see another small surge in membership during this period of eclipse excitement.

Venus has quietly done her little jump from the one side of the sky to the other, and now transformed into the "Morning star" where she joins most of the other major Planets in an extended display in the Eastern Morning sky. It really can be enjoyable following the dance of the Planets.

Eben van Zyl continues his series with one entitled "How did Einstein do it?" which gives some insight into the famous E = mc² formula, and our Chairman Dave Gordon takes a retrospective look at the year just past. Some pictures from the pre-eclipse meeting of the 16^th November are also included to show the sort of interest which has been generated for 4^th December.

Brian Fraser has once again supplied us with the monthly tables of all the astronomical events of interest - for the whole of 2003. Included on the back page are the tables for December 2002 and January 2003.

For those members with a few bucks to spare, Dennis Du Plooy of Photoweb has a bargain for you - have a look at the half-page advert on the inside back cover and see if you can resist the offer!!!

ECLIPSE chasers - Once again 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 has just about run out - so don't delay or you will miss this big event.

The Editor - chris@penberthy.co.za

 The 2002/3 Committee of the Johannesburg Centre