News Letter #7

This is the last newsletter of 2005. Despite poor weather, we have had some successful gatherings:

The main event this term was the Einstein Lecture given by Jocelyn Bell Burnell. 150 people attended, covering a wide spectrum of ages and backgrounds. Many Friends were able to come along with other invited guests. The focus on Science that this brings, not only internally to the College but also locally, suggests that this event should be repeated on an annual basis. I will keep you posted.

The website received an unexpected boost when the large Canadian based site Universe Today asked to use one of my pictures (the First Quarter Moon) taken through the 10 last December for their picture of the day. Hits went up by more than 100 per day for a couple of days. Another Graduate has taken over the website admin. at Oxford and is tidying up the computer code. This may lead to occasional disruption for which I apologise in advance. Many of the hits on the site are due to local primary school pupils following their visits to the Dome.

The new ETX 105 computer controlled reflector has already proved its worth given large numbers at recent open nights; the quality of its images being remarkably good. The 3 one-hour sessions of the Public Open night were well attended in November with the first two being fully booked. The Dome was also packed to the walls for 2 one-hour sessions with Aldbourne primary school last week.

The meteor watching season has been disappointing with only a handful of Leonids being seen. A couple of rarer Arietids were seen last week. Sadly the Moon is too full for the Geminids to be good this year. The Quadrantids in January ought to be better.

Please note that the next event The Tour of the Winter Sky will now take place on Tuesday 27th December, 7pm on: Not on 28th as advertised.

The April 2006 trip to La Palma is now a joint trip with Kings School Canterbury which is an exiting new link. The website also now includes some new Links and I do recommend looking at Astronomy Picture of the Day for some really whizzy images. Enjoy the Major Lunar Standstill this Thursday (15th), see Whats up for further details.

Finally I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Ring 07792311371 if you wish to check my availability. Any queries or suggestions please email me at ceb@marlboroughcollege.org.

Charlie