Aberdeen Astronomical Society - Lunar Eclipse 3rd March
Mon, 29/01/2007 - 22:58 — torcuill
Aberdeen Astronomical Soc is having an event on the 3rd of March so that people in Newtonhill can see the total Lunar Eclipse in the company of experienced astronomers. Suitable for all the family - however the maximum darkening of the moon is at 23:20 so might be quite late for some.
In the "extremely unlikely" event of clouds/rain, we will host a talk indoors to explain about the eclipse and take a virtual trip around the local universe.
If you have a telescope or binos, please bring them along!
Clear Dark and Steady Skies
Torc
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Aye, once that light piece of cloud cleared, we got a great view of it from the back garden.
Photos online
...there's a fine selection of photos at the website for Aberdeen Astronomical Society:
http://www.aberdeenastro.org.uk
Torc
Great event!
Yes, the event was extremely well attended. In fact, it was one of THE most successful public events the Society has ever held.
We ran out of chairs eventually, as people kept pouring through the doors even after the talk had begun.
Thankfully the weather was very kind to us which helped a lot. The whole thing was very satisfying, especially giving some people their first view of the moon through a telescope, and in some cases through binoculars.
I'm sure we'll be able to get some of the other astronomers' pics to put up on the site.
Melanie
Lunar Eclipse
I was in the Bettridge Centre on Saturday evening - it looks as though the Eclipse event was very well attended - the lounge was full for the presentation earlier in the evening.
I hope everyone enjoyed their visit to Newtonhill and got home safely.
Did anyone get any good pictures? If so, please post them to our webmaster and get them put up on this site.
Hia,
I'm really looking forward to coming down from Alford to enjoy the lunar eclipse with Torcuill and Newtonhill people.
I'd like to inform you yet again (though thanks muchly for all those plugs Torcuill :signexclaim: )... about the Switch Off - Look Up event we're planning on March 21st at Alford. Meeting at 8pm at the Grampian Transport Museum for the 8.30 switch off of all the street (and hopefully most external house lights). Maybe you know someone nearby who'd like to come down for a peek through a telescope and supper under the stars.
Such events as the Newtonhill eclipse event and ours are really boosting appreciation of our sky, and they're great community fun too.
Bettridge Centre Lunar Eclipse Event
Just to confirm, I've booked the Lounge at the BC, and the event starts at 8.30pm with a talk about the eclipse.
The actual lunar eclipse starts at 9.30pm and finishes at 1.10, with total eclipse from 10.43 and finishing at midnight.
Loads of info about it courtesy of Fred Espenak (NASA)
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2007Mar03T.GIF
Please visit http://www.aberdeenastro.org.uk/ Aberdeen Astronomical Society's site for the latest info!
Clear Dark and Steady Skies
Torc
The article and I am going by memory here as I dont have a copy of it, had diagrams to show how a security light should be sited, if its shining straight out its not protecting your home as it causes glare and shadow. I dont see why anyone needs a 500 watt security light anyway unless its for floodlit football in the street. Some folk stick them up and make no effort to position them.
How to use external lighting...
http://www.grampianlife.co.uk/SwitchOff_information/Switch_Off_-_Look_Up...
The above is the "Switch off look up campaign" from Russell - as heard on Radio Scotland.
My comments on that forum:
Dark Skies
I hope everyone will feel that this is a worthwhile project and think about how unnecessary light pollution is damaging the environment. However, as a keen amateur astronomer myself, I'd like to make it clear that I'm not anti-lighting. I'm very interested in just having appropriate levels of lighting that is well directed and managed. The Institute of Lighting Engineers publishes an excellent set of guidelines for this (http://www.ile.org.uk/index.php?page=technical ). The basic gist is that outdoor lights should have a flat clear bottom which is horizontal.
The Campaign for Dark Skies ( http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/index.html ) are always on the lookout for enthusiasts to help their work - and we can learn from them too.
Clear Dark and Steady Skies
Torcuill
There was a good article on security lights in the portlethen magazine,maybe you could borrow it and put it on here,it let folk see how to situate their lights without being a nuisance to neighbours.
Where and when....
I'm just filling in the booking form for the Bettridge Centre's Lounge.
Can't think of any better location!
Also, this bunch are organising a Dark Skies awareness campaign http://www.grampianlife.co.uk/SwitchOff_information/Switch_Off_-_Look_Up... so if anyone would like to join in they'd be made most welcome.
Clear Dark and Steady Skies
Torc
PS: Does anyone know the person that is illuminating the back of the Bettridge Centre with a 500Watt floodlight? Its a *little* annoying, but won't affect our event. The light is about 200 metres away - but pointed at the BC from someone's back wall.
Looking forward to it already Torc, gearing up the babysitter (gran!!) as we speak :P
ps you still got that old sofa of yours lurking in your garage?? Looking for a nice old library type sofa thingie for our forthcoming extra space - that'll be the extra space that set the phone lines buzzing the other day following my numpty husbands indiscretion :P :P :P lordy, you'll have a real good laugh when I tell you THAT story :P :P
Dark skies and all that............
D xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There is a public meeting in Kirkton of Durris on 9/10th of Feb - but our one is in (drum roll) The Bettridge Centre.
I'm just sorting out a few technical details - but its all in a straight line.
Clear Dark and Steady Skies
Torc
Probably in the woods at Durris if memory serves.
Where is the meeting????? And what time