Editorial

The world's a funny ( peculiar ) place isn't it. The year started out pretty well and most people seemed to have a good feeling about the year to come. Then came the double whammy - first Columbia and now the ill-tempered argument in the middle-east. It makes one wonder what else is in store for us in the months ahead. Of course, as the Rand strengthens against the Dollar, telescopes become more affordable!

If you get a chance, go out and try to find the new comet Juels-Holvorcem ( I think I spelt that right … Ed. ).  It is apparently quite visible and brightening in Andromeda and is moving Southwards.

Once again, Hobby-X was a good source of membership applications and we have some 19 new members as a direct result of persons seeing our stand and talking with those of us who were representing the Society. Dave Gordon is to be congratulated on the excellent stand which he built and manned during the course of the exhibition. Scope-X is just around the corner - and hopefully our membership will be up over the 200 mark once the exhibition, lectures and Star Party are all over.

Melvyn Hannibal presents an article on the Medley of Astrophotography evening at the last monthly meeting as well as asking some interesting questions of your editor, while Lerike Cross has submitted the Lecture Schedule for ScopeX 2003. Trevor Gould is still seeking some hardy adventurers to go prospecting for meteorites in die ou Kalahari. According to members who have joined one of these expeditions, they are hard work but enjoyable, and who knows, maybe this time a meteorite may well be discovered by one of you. Eben van Zyl supplies us with facts and figures surrounding some types of Variable stars, and Brian Fraser lets us know what's happening up above during the next two months.

Members - how about letting us ( the committee that is ) know what you'd like to have presented at the monthly meetings, or the kind of articles that you would like to see appearing in Canopus. These requirements should be of an Astronomical bent or at least something of a scientifically related nature. If it is in our power to do so - we will try to meet your request(s).

The Editor - chris@penberthy.co.za

 The 2002/3 Committee of the Johannesburg Centre