NWGAS Minutes : Saturday, 21st June 2003

The meeting was held at Hatton Farm, Waverton, near Chester, courtesy of Andrew Bate and Chester Astronomical Society. Representatives from Altrincham & District AS, Chester AS, Llandrillo AS, Liverpool AS and Manchester AS were present. Ron Kelly (NWGAS Rep. to FAS) and Graham Hodson (NWGAS Webmaster) also attended. Apologies for absence had been received from Gwynedd AS and from Salford AS. Andrew Bate (Chester AS) was in the chair and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

After introductions the minutes of the last NWGAS meeting were noted.

The CfDS web site is at... http://www.dark-skies.freeserve.co.uk/

Richard Sargent was pleased to report that after a long interaction process, Chester City Council had adopted some anti-light pollution information and clauses in its Local Plan document. Chester AS had also made a submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating light pollution and astronomy in the UK. Richard and other representatives were very pleased with the recent Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) "Night Blight" campaign, which had clearly illustrated the growth and problems of light pollution.

Although the battle against light pollution goes on, the developments discussed were giving heart to campaigners and hope for the future.

Gerard Gilligan (Liverpool AS) reported that after a 5-year break he had recently again become the BAA's CfDS regional officer for Merseyside. He offered to become a CfDS "conduit" for the NWGAS if it was wished. The attending representatives signalled that they would be happy for him to do so. Gerard had recently spoken with Bob Mizon of the CfDS regarding the select committee referred to earlier. This committee was receiving a large amount of evidence and submissions, so that their final report was expected to run to 3 volumes! The FAS had also made a submission to the select committee.

The recent news that Liverpool is chosen as European City of Culture in 2008 was unfortunately likely to encourage the growth of light pollution from increased external lighting in the city. Gerard also described some current battles with (bad) lighting proposals associated with the Liver Building and M62 extension.

It was reported that the BAA's CfDS is seeking a representative for the North Wales area.

 Federation of Astronomical Societies:

Ron Kelly reported on FAS matters, including the following points:

• This years convention of the FAS would be held on Saturday 20th September at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge. Ron urged peolple attending to book a ticket in advance, as nimbers in the lecture theatre were restricted to 180. No food was included in the price, but tea and coffee would be available. For full details see the FAS website.
• Ron reported that the FAS was seeking to rebuild its collection of astronomical slides with new material included. It would consider including in this library specific astronomical slides taken by individual members. Slides can be loaned by members possibly for use in talks. Specific slides might also be loaned to publishers, which could potentially produce royalties for the original slide owner/photographer.
• The FAS newsletter frequency was being reduced from 4 to 3 times per year as a result of necessary cost reductions. New FAS handbooks were issued in April/May.
• Noting that he was due to take up the presidency of the FAS from November 2003, Ron once again appealed for someone to take over his duties as NWGAS rep to the FAS. Any nominee(s) would need NWGAS Committee endorsement.

  NWGAS on the WWW: http://www.manastro.co.uk/nwgas/

All present congratulated Graham Hodson for his work in producing the new website for NWGAS, which was discussed in detail. It was felt that he had done an excellent job. Graham noted that the "newspage" was intended as the primary source for member societies to post their news and general communications for the attention of the group. Pictures can also be posted using a method described on the site. Based on only 3 weeks worth of counting data, the new site was attracting 4 or 5 visits a day, and this may grow. An astro-information forum was also accessible via the NWGAS web site

  Society Reports

Don Utton from Altrincham and District AS (ADAS) reported that they had been busy giving talks to local groups. ADAS has applied for a PPARC grant to provide a replacement for their corrugated hut clubhouse. Unlike some grant bodies, PPARC grants can be used for buildings work. See the PPARC website for details of their grant scheme. Like many other societies, ADAS were planning for Mars observing events in August.

Gerard Gilligan reported on behalf of Liverpool AS that the replacement dome for their Pex Hill observatory was due to be installed (weather permitting) in less than a week's time. Another 'young astronomers' day was being organised for October 18th at Edge Hill College, Ormskirk. The local branch of the Institute of Physics had been in contact about the possibility of a joint meeting with the LAS in April 2004, featuring Dr Allan Chapman giving a talk on the transit of Venus due to take place around that time.

Gerard described proposals for an International Space Centre and Planetarium on Merseyside (near to the Seacombe ferry terminal) to open in 2005. LAS reps had met with the Centre Manager to discuss the involvement of amateur astronomers, their views and inputs. LAS might be able to provide design advice, and volunteer helpers and lecturers.

Gerard described the Liverpool Telescope Project's invitation to schools to submit observing ideas for the former's national school observatory. Further details can be found on the web at http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk./

Steve and Sue Reid from Llandrillo AS reported how their Astromind Quiz night had been a great success with four NWGAS societies involved. It will be repeated next year. The society was organising a North Wales Star Festival for the weekend of 27/28th September (see web site for details). This would include a barbecue, talks and hopefully some observing. The society has modified an ex-GPO van into an 'observing truck' with telescope! Officially opened by Patrick Moore the event had attracted some local press coverage.

Andrew Bate reported on Chester AS's observations of the partial solar eclipse and of the transit of Mercury. He showed his excellent video coverage of the latter event. The society was planning a public lecture on Mars and an observing session for same during the August National Astronomy Week.

Graham Hodson described Manchester AS's preparations to celebrate its centenary year (on 18th September 2003). An Astroday convention would be held on 30th August at Sacha's Hotel in Manchester, featuring trade stands and society exhibitions and several speakers including Dr Allan Chapman. In the morning the convention would include a meeting of the Society for the History of Astronomy, which would be open to all to attend. Centenary celebrations would also include a quiz night and a cheese and wine evening for members. Graham noted that the merger of Manchester University with UMIST had led to different rumours about the fate of the Godlee Observatory building.

  Any Other Business

1. Brian Woosnam (Llandrillo AS) gave details of a forthcoming programme on the BBC 2 learning zone about the Beagle 2 space mission to Mars.

2. There was a general discussion about the events societies were organising for the August National Astronomy Week.

3. The secretary reported on the poor response to his written request to each of the contacts from the non-regularly attending societies for confirmation of correct contact names and addresses. Only Salford AS had responded.

  Next NWGAS meeting:

11am, Saturday, 4th October 2003. Venue will be at the Godlee Observatory, Floor G, Main Buiding, UMIST, courtesy of Manchester AS. There is a PDF format map located here. The main building is marked with number 3 on the map. The Godlee Observatory is located on the 'Whitworth Street' side of the building. Parking is usually available close to the building (grid reference E11 on map) - speak to security at the main lodge (number 1 on map) and say that you are going to the Godlee Observatory.

R.Sargent,
NWGAS Secretary