NWGAS Minutes : Saturday, 4th October 2003

The meeting was held at the Godlee Observatory of Manchester Astronomical Society. Representatives from Chester AS, Llandrillo AS, Liverpool AS and Manchester AS were present. Apologies for absence had been received from Ron Kelly (NWGAS Rep. to FAS). Graham Hodson (Manchester 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/

Gerard Gilligan (Liverpool AS) noted the eagerly awaited publication on 6th October of the report of the Science & Technology Committee enquiry into Light Pollution and Astronomy in the UK. The Godlee Observatory would be hosting one of the associated Press meetings. The report’s recommendations were obviously not yet known, although there was a hope that it might recommend making light pollution a statutory nuisance. The report will also be made available on the Internet.
Gerard reported on his attempts to influence the design of new lighting being introduced to Liverpool for when it becomes European City of Culture. Knowsley Council were forming a light pollution working party that Gerard was aiming to accompany when walkabouts were arranged to view good and bad lighting schemes.

 Federation of Astronomical Societies:

Ron Kelly had reported via e-mail that the FAS Convention at Cambridge had been very successful. Richard Sargent (Chester AS) explained that he had expressed interest to Ron in becoming the NWGAS representative to the FAS. Ron had held this post for a long time but was keen for someone else to take over the role, as he was about to become Chairman of the FAS. Gerard Gilligan commented that there might be another applicant from Liverpool AS although there was some uncertainty and he wanted to check. Andrew Bate (Chester AS) reflected the meeting view that the NWGAS would not want its representative to be unknown to it i.e. someone who had not attended the NWGAS as a society rep. The meeting confirmed Richard as the NWGAS representative to the FAS, and expressed its thanks and gratitude to Ron Kelley for his hard work in representing the NWGAS to the FAS for such a long period.
(Post meeting note – it has been confirmed that there was no suitable applicant from the Liverpool AS).

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

Graham Hodson (Manchester AS and webmaster for the NWGAS web site) reported on the number of visits made to the NWGAS website in recent months, viz:

June 141
July 126
August 285
September 165

The peak in August reflected the publicity surrounding the National Astronomy week and the close encounter with Mars. Post Meeting Note: Graham reports that the website for Furness AS has been unavailable for some time. However he is able to offer them the services of the NWGAS website as a host for their website information (for example, similar to that provided for Chester AS) should they wish to contact him

  Society Reports

Gerard Gilligan, reported on behalf of Liverpool AS that the new dome for their Pex Hill observatory was now successfully installed and working. In March 2004 (the 10th anniversary of the opening of the observatory) it was intended to re-name it as the Leighton Observatory in honour of a past member and benefactor to the society. There was nothing further to report on the new science centre on the Wirral (see minutes of last meeting). The LAS were considering inviting the BAA to hold one of its out of town meetings in Liverpool in the summer of 2006. Another LAS Young Astronomer’s day was planned to take place at Edgehill College, Ormskirk on October 11th. Consideration was being given to moving LAS meetings from the RC Cathedral to another venue, but no definite plans had been made yet. In April 2004 the LAS would be holding a joint meeting with the Institute of Physics, at which the invited speaker would be Dr Allan Chapman

Sotira Tirfourki reported on behalf of Manchester AS that the society’s centenary celebrations had gone very well, including a successful Astro Day in Manchester. The official birthday party was however poorly attended by Manchester AS members. The society has booked the famous astronomer Halton Arp to give a lecture on “Quasars & Active Galaxies” in November 2003. Tickets were available at £3 each (contact Manchester AS as soon as possible as there is a lot of interest in this talk). UMIST had presented the society with a digital projector as a centenary present, which was much appreciated although the society had to buy a laptop PC to go with it! Manchester AS were organising a fun astro quiz for interested NWGAS societies to participate in. This would be at 7pm on Saturday, 22nd November in the Godlee Observatory (please let Manchester AS know if you want to send a team).

Andrew Bate reported that Chester AS had been successful in obtaining a grant from the Lottery Awards for All scheme, which would be used to purchase a laptop PC, digital projector and an astronomical video camera. The Chester AS star party/barbecue would be held on Saturday, 1st November (7.30pm) to which NWGAS society members were also invited (bring your own food but Barbie fire provided). Contact Chester AS for details. The society had held a successful public lecture about Mars and a Mars observing session during NAW. Andrew warned societies to beware a ‘scam’ letter received by Chester AS from a company falsely advising the need to register under the Data Protection Act and also offering to do this for a fee greatly above that which was actually required.

Roy and Carol Darbyshire from Llandrillo AS reported that 37 members of their society had made an enjoyable visit to the ‘Starchaser’ project headquarters in Hyde, Manchester on 17th May. They were shown around the rocket factory and saw a video of progress to date. Another society visit had taken place to the Thales Optical Factory in St. Asaph on 10th June. Members of the society had attended the BBC star party at Jodrell Bank on 23rd August and the Scarborough star festival at the beginning of August, which had been blessed with 3 consecutive clear nights for observing! The meeting venue for Llandrillo AS meetings has been changed from the college to the Community Centre at Llanelian village.

  Any Other Business

1. Graham Hodson asked Chester AS to consider whether it would like to share a star party with Manchester AS at Chester’s Hatton Farm venue. To be arranged sometime over the winter period. Andrew Bate said he would consider the request but the availability of the barn for the event was subject to farming requirements.

2. The British Association for Science annual festival in 2008 will be held in Liverpool (during its city of culture year). Although planning is at an early stage, the conference office for this festival welcomes the involvement of any local astronomical societies in the festival. Gerard Gilligan will keep the NWGAS informed of any developments on this subject.

  Next NWGAS meeting:

11am, Saturday, 6th March, 2004. Venue will be at the Pex Hill Observatory, courtesy of Liverpool AS. Map here

R.Sargent,
NWGAS Secretary