If you have not already done so, would members please find time to sign the online petition – re light pollution, set up by Wakefield Astronomical Society. This should have been sent via email to you already. A link will be given on our website. Ten thousand signatures (now reached!) are required for the Government to take note, and 100,000 for them to consider the subject for a parliamentary debate. The closing deadline is July 22nd. If you know anyone else who would be inclined to sympathise with the cause, get them to sign it too! [Read more about Light Pollution Petition]
- Log in to post comments
What started out as a cloudy, chilly and blustery day, the evening seemed to be from a different season altogether, calm, clear and sunny. 
The society has been invited to the NYM Park Fest day on Sunday 24th July, to be held at the Danby Moors centre. 
Well, would you believe it, a transit untroubled by the weather? Yes, it was true, you weren’t dreaming, for all 7 and a bit hours, Mercury remained visible against the Sun’s disk, as hardly a cloud dared show its face in the sky. Mark ventured up to the Whitby Youth Hostel with a couple of refractors, setting up in the rear garden in ‘most agreeable’ surroundings and a backdrop probably unmatched anywhere in the country, ie the Abbey. 
The Transit Party at Whitby Youth Hostel did allow Mark to schedule in some star party dates there. Both dates for May were clouded out, so the next date is June 10th (Friday) from 9pm – initially solar viewing, then lunar, and finally planetary observations. 
Initially requested by Libby Lavelle, assistant Head teacher of Ayresome Primary school in Middlesbrough, the original plan was to host a star party for her visiting group of two dozen 10 and 11 year old pupils at Whitby Youth Hostel, near the Abbey on March 29th. This was however postponed on the night itself, the weather was lousy, but the forecast ahead looked promising... 
Four WDAS Members have already booked or the British Astronomical Association Summer Meeting in York on July 2nd. If you'd like to go too, please contact 
Observatory sessions have been more successful in the March. On Sunday 13th March there was an astro-photography session... 
Following our adventures down at the hostel in February, a sequel has been planned for April 5th (20:30pm start), assuming that is skies are not totally overcast or it’s raining, in which case the event is likely to be postponed. If it is partly cloudy, so that observations are possible, the format will be similar to last time... 