News Letter #1

This is the first circular (sent by email) to the Friends of the Marlborough Telescope group.

If you have not received this by email it is because I do not have an email address for you. If you can be contacted by email, please send the address to ceb@marlboroughcollege.org

18th October 2004

Dear Friends

The 'launch' on the 2nd October went off successfully and many thanks are due to all those who were able to support this.

The Observatory Web site (though still under construction) is running and may be viewed at http://www.blackettobservatory.org (thanks to Oxford University Astrophysics Department and particularly Ryan Houghton). A 'Notice Board' for Friends and a 'flash news' banner will follow to alert of events and potential last minute cancellations due to weather. The contents are all still being sorted. All comments and views will be gratefully received and suggestions implemented where possible.

This Wednesday night (20th October) sees the next event at the Dome. The Orionids meteor shower (debris from comet Halley) peaks soon after 8pm. Orion is not above the horizon then, so it will be better viewed a little later. I shall open the Dome at 10pm. Any of you are welcome to attend if clear (do call 07792 311 371 on the evening to check) or check the web site! If you cannot make it over here and it is clear, look East from about 9pm and you should see shooting stars every few minutes to your left and right, high in the sky originating from the constellation of Orion.

Next event: Total Lunar eclipse. This will be visible in the early hours of Thursday 28th October (ie Wednesday night!). As advertised in the 'Diary', the Dome will be open throughout the Eclipse from 12.30am !! Mid eclipse is around 2.40am.

For full details of the Eclipse see
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/13oct_lunareclipse.htm

Hope to see some of you soon

Charlie