Whitby & District Astronomical Society

So far our only star party to go ahead this summer, but it was rather a successful one.

Unfavourable daytime conditions (wet) gave way to a fine evening, allowing Mark, Keith, Lee, Warren and Andi to break out the scopes and observe. The Qtr Moon was the perfect target in the bright twilight conditions, however the setting Sun proved an unexpected bonus with a rash of sunspots visible through the solar filter.

As twilight deepened so the planets emerged - Jupiter, Mars and best of all - Saturn, much to the obvious delight of a sizeable crowd. A passage of the ISS also created a stir. A few of the brighter stars could be pointed out - bearing in mind it was 11pm and conditions were still pretty light, so the scene was quite surreal. A most enjoyable evening outside, before going home to watch England struggle to a 0-0 draw against Hondurus in a pre- world cup friendly. Never mind, hopes were still high, optimism intact.  We should have known better... We do now!