NWGAS MINUTES -- 11th NOVEMBER 1995

The meeting of the NWGAS was held in the Godlee Observatory, UMIST, Manchester, at the invitation of the Manchester Astronomical Society. Tony Cross (Manchester AS) requested that a two minute silence be observed at precisely 11am, in commemoration of Armistice Day. Owing to the resignation of Rob Corrigan as both President and NWGAS representative of Liverpool AS, no minutes of the last meeting, held at Pex Hill Observatory on 1995, July 22nd, were available. The minutes of the previous meeting were therefore used as a guideline.

It was recorded that in addition to the resignation of Mr Corrigan, Mr Paul Joannou had also stepped down as representative of Southport AS. It was regretted that these resignations had occurred but our thanks went to both Rob and Paul for their enthusiasm during the formative first two years of the NWGAS. Mr Chris Jones now represented Southport AS but was unable to attend the meeting.

 

Kevin Kilburn (Manchester AS) reported that there was to be a BAA meeting in Manchester next April. This was considered to be a direct result of the survey of NWGAS which showed that only 8% of members were in the BAA. Ron Kelley (Liverpool AS) said that there was also the prospect of a BAA Meteor Section meeting in Liverpool later in 1996.

 

Kevin asked how, as the third year of the NWGAS commenced, member societies saw the Group. The general consensus was that all member societies had benefited in one way or another. Regular quarterly meetings but with deliberate informality were considered plus points as was the fact that all members were treated equally, whether or not they attended meetings. A particular success was the list of NW speakers from which several societies had compiled their lecture programme. (We do need more speakers, folks.) The £10 annual fee to the Group, essentially to cover the cost of postage, was affordable and even the smaller societies felt it was money well spent. Ron Kelley said that he had been contacted by Morcambe & District AS as potential members. Ron thought that their joining would mean that all of the larger active NW societies would be members. Chris Rose (welcome back Chris), suggested that we do more joint observing projects. Grazing occultations and meteors were favourite subjects. It was suggested that we do need points of contact for these so that, say, the meteor man of one society could contact his/her counterpart in others - names and phone numbers, please.

 

  BAA's Campaign for Dark Skies.

Gerard Gilligan (Liverpool AS) was congratulated on his indefatigable efforts to publicise and combat the increasing problem of light pollution. (An OBE was politely refused, a Knighthood being preferred.) European Petition No. 589/95 was due to be presented in December and Gerard again reminded us, as individuals and societies, to contact our local MPs to emphasise our case against poor public lighting. Tony Cross thanked Gerard for writing to Manchester Council regarding the lighting of buildings in the City. Gerard pointed out that good lighting could be awarded by the CfDS. A parchment, signed by Patrick Moore, on behalf of the astronomical community could be given to those councils whose lighting projects were sympathetic to the night sky. Gerard was to present such an award to Liverpool Council and this had already prompted them to review new lighting projects in the pipeline. Richard Sargent (Chester AS) said that Chester Council were to be similarly awarded for lighting to a park-and-ride carpark on the outskirts of the City. Gerard said that very few awards had been given in the NW to date.

  Starwatch UK

This is an open-ended project designed to monitor present and future light pollution. Similar projects are underway in Japan and the USA. In the UK, the Royal Astronomical Society aim to quantify the degree of light pollution by getting astronomical observers at their specified location and during moon-less periods to look at specific parts of the sky and to record the limiting magnitude of stars visible there. Their aim was to have as many points on the map as possible, particularly during the months of November and February. A complimentary photographic project was also to be undertaken by those interested. Cliff Meredith (Salford AS) felt that the latter would not be popular owing to the cost and commitment involved to dedicate a roll of a specified brand of film to the project. Considering the time it would take to use up a roll of film it would effectively mean committing a camera specifically to the enterprise.

The imminent apparition, in 1996-97, of Comet 1995/01 Hale-Bopp was a good opportunity to plug the affects of poor public lighting and extol the virtue of good lighting. The public would be interested to see the comet and local lighting could make or break the appearance of the object. Either way, effective publicity for the CfDS could be achieved.

On November 21st, the Millennium Fund is to petition Parliament for £450,000 to floodlight 50 Cathedrals and 400 churches to "celebrate" the Millennium in 2000. Gerard urged societies to contact MPs to vote against this proposal. It should be realised that running costs, electricity, repairs, etc. will still have to be found by local councils even though the initial outlay may be funded. This affects YOU, the Poll-tax payer, NOT the Churches concerned. A £1,000,000 project to floodlight paths and cycle-ways in Manchester, the Midlands and Wales has already been turned down.

Chris Rose said that he had observed that aircraft landing lights on incoming planes bound for Manchester Airport were being switched on many miles from touchdown. This was confirmed by KJK and others. Chris, a recently qualified pilot, said that this was against aviation law and was liable to blind other air traffic. Landing lights were for final approach only. Gerard will make enquiries.

  Liverpool's Lassel Project

This was well underway. Many parts for the 24" telescope had been cast and a completion date of 1996, June, was anticipated, well in advance of National Astronomy Week.

 

  NWGAS at Jodrell

This again caused emotions to rise. It was acknowledged that the 1995 May Bank Holiday was very well attended by the public but that NWGAS societies faced somewhat cramped conditions in which to set up their displays. This was in part due to the failure of some societies to give a firm commitment to attend and partly to do with the fact that space was limited and no clear plans of the available area were forthcoming. It is clear that both the NWGAS members and Jodrell can benefit from the joint venture and it is in our mutual interest to be clear on who wants to attend, and when, well in advance of next May's Bank Holiday. A deadline of the next NWGAS meeting date has been set to advise Cherry Moss (Macclefield AS) on who is to be present at Jodrell and for her to obtain better plans.

 

  Electronic communication

Mike Oates (Manchester AS) reported that the World Wide Web pages were doing well (although the WWW statistical monitoring programmes had recently failed). The Campaign for Dark Skies page was being accessed by about 150 people/week, Manchester AS up to 500/week, NWGAS, about 20/week. There is a need for more information regarding individual NWGAS societies together with observations, pictures of telescopes, observatories, etc., to show what is being done. Send them to Mike. It was also agreed that a contribution of £30pa be given to Mike for publicising our causes.

Amateur Astronomy on the WWW

North West Group of Astronomical Societies http://www.u-net.com/ph/nwgas/
Manchester Astronomical Society http://www.u-net.com/ph/mas/
BAA Campaign for Dark Skies http://www.dark-skies.freeserve.co.uk/
Star Watch UK http://www.u-net.com/ph/starw-uk/

Michael Oates
Email :

 

  Federation of Astronomical Societies

Ron Kelley attended the FAS London meeting on our behalf on November 3rd. NWGAS are seen as one of the leading groups in the UK. In 1996 the International Union of Amateur Astronomers meets in Switzerland. The FAS Secretary, Mrs Christine Sheldon, will represent the UK. Any information publicising the NWGAS - observations, projects, activities, slides - are needed urgently.

NWGAS societies are urged to note that FAS membership renewal notes, including their insurance renewals, are now sent to society TREASURERS. NWGAS societies must notify the FAS who these treasurers are otherwise membership and insurance cover may be lost. Make sure your society doesn't lapse. £10pa now gets £2,000,000 public liability cover. This is a fraction of what it would otherwise cost. Ron also reminded member societies of the FAS AGM in Liverpool next May. FAS societies sending six or more delegates were entitled to 12 months FREE membership.

NWGAS are also invited to send 'bumph' for the FAS table at next February's Astro-Fest in London.

 

NWGAS subscriptions are now due. Please send £10 to Ron Kelley, our treasurer.

 

  Next NWGAS meeting

11.00pm, February 17th, 1996. Pex Hill Observatory, Cronton, (South of Jnc.7. M62). C/o Liverpool Astronomical Society.

 

K J Kilburn
Manchester Astronomical Society
13th Sept 1999

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