Minutes of the last NWGAS meeting, 17th Jan, 1998, at the Godlee Observatory, C/o Manchester AS: Minutes were accepted. There were no matters arising that are not discussed below.
Morrison's proposed superstore, Crewe: A letter has been sent to the planning dept outlining preferred lighting. Reply awaited.
Hulme Park, Salford: Peter awaiting reply to letter sent to the lighting engineers to reconsider the 25 up-lighters in favour of restricted lamps.
Peter reported that Mr Walsh, from Liverpool AS, had written to him expressing his concern that demolition of high-rise flats, to be replaced with houses, could increase the overall effect of light pollution in the area. Liverpool Housing Trust are looking into the matter on behalf of Mr Walsh and CfDS.
Vale Royal have implemented a lighting policy sympathetic to CfDS. Bob Mizon and Peter are arranging a CfDS, 'Good Lighting Award', for Vale Royal Borough Council for fitting full cut-off lights in the carpark at Northwich Memorial Hall.
Cliff Meredith, (Salford AS), distributed a three page report, " Some aspects and Experiences of Light Pollution from 1988 to 1998". This describes the effect of increased urban light pollution on Cliff's astronomical observations from north-west Manchester and the constructive way in which he has been obliged to change his observing methods to minimise the problem.
Tony Cross (Manchester AS) suggested that the FAS AGM should be held in Manchester. This he would propose when attending the next FAS AGM meeting, with MO and KJK, in Newbury, on 9th May.
Do send details of your society to Mike.
2. NWGAS reminder! In these days of political correctness, it is important when contacting schools to introduce your society formally, preferably in writing, to the Headmaster and leave it to him, if he is interested, to follow up your invitation. It is definitely inadvisable to approach a school informally, say, via the Science Master, without the Headmaster's approval.....Sec.
3. Manchester AS have discovered that an old star atlas, in their library since before WW2, is the very rare, Uranographia Britannica , by Dr John Bevis, London, (c.a. 1750). Investigation by Mike Oates, via many e-mails to the RAS and Prof William B Ashworth, University of Missouri, lead to the initial identification. The atlas was also authenticated following Tony Cross's approach to John Ryland's Library, University of Manchester, who immediately notified the British Library of the discovery. Subsequently, Kevin Kilburn, assisted by Ashworth's original work and Prof Owen Gingerich at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysical Research, has shown that the Manchester Uranographia is one of the very best of only sixteen currently known to exist. (There may be others awaiting discovery.) Comparisons have been made with those in the British Library, the RAS Library, St John's College and University Library, Cambridge, where the other UK copies are located. The Manchester Uranographia is, internationally, the only one in the possession of any amateur astronomical society. It is intended that this very valuable atlas will be lodged at an appropriate library in Manchester and made available for academic study upon written application to the MAS.