Sky Notes - March 2022

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights 
  • Meteors
  • Spring Equinox
  • March 2022 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - March 2022]

After what seems like an age, it was great to be back supporting the Dark Skies & Warm Fires weekend hosted by Colin and Vicky, proprietors of the Fox and Hounds at Ainthorpe. It was pretty marvellous to actually do some observing outside, the first occasion we have been able to do so in 3 years!.. [Read more about Fox and Hounds – Dark Sky & Warm Fires Event]

So, what would Saturday evening conjure up for the National Parks Dark Skies Event at the Danby Moors Centre, more clear skies? Two in a row, surely not?! Well, it was for most locations in England, but not quite for the small section above the Danby Moors!  And that's only half the story....

  [Read more about Danby Moors Centre – Dark Sky Event - The Curse of the Cloud]

WDAS members renewing subs have an extra month in which to do so, following the last minute cancellation of the society meeting in February. We would prefer existing members to renew subs by the end of April. Subscription rates will be as follows... [Read more about WDAS members Subs renewal extension for 2022]

Last month's Society monthly meeting had to be cancelled at the last minute due to unavoidable family circumstances for Mark. We tried to contact all those who normally attend, but appologise to anyone who did travel to the college and were met by Elaine. In the circumstances it was thought best to cancel. This month (March) the meeting is definately on at our usual venue Room H1 - Caedmon College - Normanby Campus (ie Whitby College) starting from 19:30hrs. [Read more about Society Meeting - March]

Charles MessierBorn in 18th century France, Charles Messier devoted most of his astronomical career hunting for comets, the discovery of which could bring fame and fortune. In the persuit of doing so, Messier stumbled across numerous 'nebulae', cataloguing their celestial location with descriptive text. Messier once wrote; "what made me produce this catalogue was the nebula I had seen in Taurus 1758 while I was observing the comet of that year. The shape and brightness of that nebula reminded me so much of a comet, that, I undertook to find more of its kind to save astronomers from confusing this nebula with comets"  In so doing one of the great astronomical works was fashioned - the Messier Catalogue, a work renowed by amatuer astronomers the world over and one that ultimately spawned a test Messier could hardly have imagined possible.  [Read more about Charles Messier - The Comet Ferret']

Events

Caedmon College Normanby Site (you may know it as Whitby College or Whitby School), Room H1.

In Members' monthly meetings we usually take a tour of the night sky for the coming month using the Planetarium program. Have talks and presentations on various topics of astronomy/space etc, and discuss future events etc. New members welcome.

 

Date:
1 February, 2022 - 19:30 to 21:15
Address:
Room H1, Caedmon College, Normanby Site (Whitby School)
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
GB

Public viewing open night at the Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College, Normanby Campus, Whitby.  

Date:
6 February, 2022 - 19:00 to 21:00
Address:
Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
GB

Public viewing open night at the Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College, Normanby Campus, Whitby.  

Date:
13 February, 2022 - 19:00 to 21:00
Address:
Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
GB

Public viewing open night at the Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College, Normanby Campus, Whitby.  

Date:
20 February, 2022 - 19:00 to 21:00
Address:
Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
GB

The North Yorkshire Moors Centre in Danby is the venue for a star party for the Dark Skies night festival.  This event calls for all hands on deck – assuming the weather plays ball. 

This is due to start at 18:45h until 20:45h.  Transportation and instruments are therefore requested to ensure the event is successful.

Date:
26 February, 2022 - 18:30 to 20:45
Address:
The Moors National Park Centre near YO21 2DT Danby
United Kingdom
GB

Public viewing open night at the Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College, Normanby Campus, Whitby.  

Date:
27 February, 2022 - 19:00 to 21:00
Address:
Bruce Observatory - Caedmon College
Prospect Hill
YO21 1LA Whitby
United Kingdom
GB