The West of London Astronomical Society-meetings
SPECIAL MEETINGS
None planned at the moment
OBSERVER'S FORUM MEETINGS
These are informal meetings held in members' homes for observational discussions of the topics mentioned and anything
else that crops up in the course of conversation. Observing if clear.
These informal sessions, with observing if clear, will take place at the home of David Arditti. Please let him know
in advance if you will be coming: d@davidarditti.co.uk
Friday 24th April. Topic: spring galaxies
Monday 18th May Topic: Summer constellations
Please email him know in advance if you will be coming d@davidarditti.co.uk
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
11th
THREE SIDES OF THE SUN
Astronomy need not be just a night-time hobby. There’s a lot to be said for observing during the day – warmer
temperatures and more social observing hours. And of course the main object of daytime observing is the Sun,
which no amount of light pollution can dim. So for many of us, solar observing is a good option. But there are
problems as well. Most telescopes come equipped with a warning never to point them at the Sun. So suitable
precuations are needed. Our May meeting will focus on solar observing and the various techniques involved.
Our speaker will be Nick Howes, an experienced solar observer. His talk will cover all aspects of the background
to solar observing, from its history to modern solar viewing and imaging. Solar observing from West London actually
goes back nearly 400 years, as Thomas Harriot observed sunspots as early as 1611.
The meeting is on Monday, 11th May at St John’s Ambulance Hall, North Harrow, (Map) starting
at 8 pm as usual.
6th
WHO WANTS TO BE...AN ASTRONOMER?
June is our Annual General Meeting month, at which we hold a short official meeting to discuss the society, its
committee and finances. AGM will last as brief a time as possible, to allow us to get
on with something more astronomical. From time to time we organise a quiz evening, but one
thing we know is that while most members are quite happy to watch someone else being questioned, and might even
know some of the answers themselves, they don’t want to be put on the spot themselves. So we have come up with a
format which you may recognise, which we are calling ‘Who Wants to be an Astronomer’.
So just come along and hopefully learn a bit from the questions and answers, and maybe even help out by
putting up your hand if someone needs to ‘Ask the Audience’!
The meeting will be on Monday, 8 June at Christ Church, Redford Way, Uxbridge, (Map) starting at 8 pm.
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