NWGAS Minutes : Saturday, 6th March 2004

The meeting was held at the Pex Hill Observatory of Liverpool Astronomical Society. Representatives from Chester AS, Altrincham & District AS, Llandrillo AS, Liverpool AS and Manchester AS were present. Apologies for absence had been received from Bolton AS, Ron Kelly (NWGAS Rep. to FAS) and Graham Hodson (NWGAS webmaster). Gerard Gilligan (Liverpool 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) reported on the publication of the report of the Science & Technology Committee enquiry into Light Pollution and Astronomy in the UK. The report had been well received by the astronomy community, but the Government response to it had been very poor and presented by the most junior Minister possible. However the Government still wants consultation! The Planning Bill currently going through Parliament may have an amendment for light pollution to be taken account of in planning applications, which is fine but it really needs to be made a statutory nuisance. The message is to tackle politicians at both local and national level and use the information available on the CfDS and CPRE web sites to help in the ongoing battle. Gerard again offered to give talks on Light Pollution to any interested local societies.

 Federation of Astronomical Societies:

Richard Sargent, who as the NWGAS rep had attended the FAS Council meeting on 28th February 2004 gave the FAS report. The main points from Richard's report were:

— Successful FAS involvement in the February Astrofest. A reminder to societies wishing to book a display table at the next Astrofest - this should be done through the FAS and not Astronomy Now magazine.

— The 2005/6 FAS subs will be confirmed at the next AGM and are likely to rise, as will the PLI cover charge.

— Subs are due on 1st September 2004. There will be an admin charge applied in cases of late payment or dealing with faulty cheques.

— There are vacant posts on the FAS Council and members of societies are asked to seriously consider putting themselves forward.

— This year's FAS convention will be held at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge on Saturday 2nd October.

— The next FAS Council meeting will be on 3rd July 2004. Richard asked people to let him know if there were any matters they wished him to raise on their behalf at this meeting.

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

Kevin Kilburn gave a brief report on behalf of Graham Hodson (Manchester AS and webmaster for the NWGAS web site)

The music had been removed from the NWGAS web site in order to speed up loading of the site. There were approximately 3 visits per day to the web site (although the astronomical forum part was not much used). Graham appealed to member societies to review the links from the NWGAS site to their individual society's web site to confirm they were correct. Some were probably not!

  Society Reports

Kevin Kilburn described Manchester AS's preparations to celebrate the 2004 Transit of Venus, following an approache from Manchester Cathedral. The Cathedral are putting on a Transit display, arranging for Alan Chapman to give a talk, possibly on 5th June and commissioning a piece of celebratory music from the Cheetham Music School. Kevin was involved with the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry's development of an astronomy and space gallery, which would be running during the week of the Transit event.

Don Utton from Altrincham and District AS reported on his society's search for funds for a new clubhouse (the present one is old and crumbling). ADAS were considering "hooking up" with another group of observers in Morley Green for observing the Transit of Venus.

Brian Woosnam reported on behalf of Llandrillo AS. The society now had 83 members, 21 of whom were students studying GCSE Astronomy at Llandrillo College and thus enjoyed free society membership. A number of successful observing sessions had taken place and were held regularly. The society was looking forward to hosting it's annual astronomy quiz night for itself and other NWGAS members. It was also planning another weekend star party event.

Andrew Bate from Chester AS noted that the current society membership was 50 members. He described arrangements for the forthcoming joint star party/barbecue with the MAS, to which other NWGAS members were also invited. This would be held on 13th March 2004. The successful use of new society equipment in bringing live pictures of astronomical objects into public lectures was described and the programme outlined. The society's plans for observing the Transit of Venus were also described.

Gerard Gilligan of Liverpool AS described his society's experiences in running public star parties since 1981 by way of introduction to their latest investigation of holding such events at places on the Wirral. A successful event had already taken place at Thurstaton. Gerard reported on the latest anti-light pollution work that had taken place in connection with local problems. Unfortunately the Liverpool City of Culture plans seem to include the River mersey becoming a "river of light" from Formby to Runcorn! The society's observatory now has a new dome.

  Any Other Business

None

  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