HantsAstro Update - August '08
HantsAstro has been getting ready.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that we will be observing from Butser Ancient Farm, near Chalton, Hampshire and also from the INTECH Science Centre & Planetarium, near Winchester, Hampshire. Please visit the relevant web pages for further details and read the introductions on both sites in the latest issue of 'Look Up!'.
Entry to the Observing Sessions at INTECH are Free of Charge starting 10th Sept '08.
We now have our own collection of six telescopes, from a 70mm refractor through to a 10" Dobsonian, so you can experience the different advantages of different sizes and types of telescope that could help you develop your interest. We are currently refurbishing INTECH's very own 12" Dobsonsian too, for use ar these observing sessions.
Or you can use your own, either way practice makes perfect.
All observing sessions are covered by our comprehensive insurance, and are only open exclusively to fully registered HantsAstro members who will be issued with passes.
Registration is easy for observing with HanstAstro, just download and fill in our simple PDF membership application form, save details and e-mail it back!
Our focus is hands-on observing, and from 10th September 2008 we are starting a flexible observing programme. It's a mixture of free and entry-fee based observing sessions, for newbies and enthusiasts. For those hardcore people, there are even more challenging deep sky objects and astrophotography, so you can do more clever stuff with your own telescopes at our dark sky sites.
Tests are being carried out during the summer at several other sites in Hampshire to accomodate the observing party numbers we are generating, given the types of astronomy the group wants to do such as astrophotography, planetary and deep-sky.
HantsAstro is also working on a number of other exciting and unique and innovative collaborations so watch this space! We aim to cover every facet of astronomy...
22nd October 2008 INTECH Telescope Amnesty
Advice session: 6:00pm - 7:45pm, completely FREE
Bring your kit to INTECH for free advice on how to get the best from it. Arrive any time after 6:00pm for this drop-in event. Volunteers from local astronomy societies and universities will join members of the BBC Sky at Night team to help you use your equipment for an early evening observation on the INTECH terrace.
While you're here, try out other equipment, get advice on what to buy (or not to buy!), and find out about local astronomical societies. As INTECH's friends, HantsAstro will be helping out with this event and giving free advice.
Then at 8.00pm there is a special Planetarium Show.
A Guide to the Splendours of the Winter Night Sky 8.00pm-8.45pm
For one night only; a show by Pete Lawrence and Ninian Boyle from the BBC Sky at Night team.
Join INTECH's two expert astronomers as they take you on a trip across the winter night sky, showing you some wonderous sights that will delight and astound. There's something for everyone here, from craters on the Moon to distant galaxies. Come along, enjoy the show and prepare to be inspired.
Pete Lawrence appears on the BBC Sky at Night TV programme as their observing expert. He also writes the monthly Stargazer's Guide for the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and carries out equipment reviews as their resident imaging expert. He is highly regarded as a world class astrophotographer with many of his images having been published in books and online across the world.
Ninian Boyle is an experienced astronomer and Equipment Expert for the BBC Sky at Night Magazine. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the British Astronomical Association, and runs the telescope dealership ’Venturescope’ based here in the South.
Tickets for the show are £6/£5 (concession for seniors and those in full-time education).
We strongly recommend booking your tickets early on (01962) 863791
More information can be found in the September 08 edition of Look Up! our free eZine, where there are more details on our plans and progress so far.
