Everybody is looking at the stars this month it seems and it is a particularly good time of year to do so during the long dark nights of winter. So if you want to get involved there are two places (and groups of people) who can help you.
The Vectis Astronomical Society run the Observatory at Newchurch and the Planetarium at Fort Victoria, Yarmouth has a Starlog club and a whole timetable of courses on offer.
Vectis Astronomical Society at the Observatory in Newchurch
Star Gazing Live Event
On Friday January 20th the Vectis Astronomical Society (VAS) are organising a Star Gazing Live event at Newchurch Observatory to complement the BBC’s Star Gazing Live event from January 16th to 18th 2012.
Thursday Night is the Weekly Open Night
Every Thursday is the Observatory’s open night for public access. You can visit the Observatory and if the skies are clear you will be able to see something. Pictures from the telescope in the dome are sent down to a screen in the room below or you may be permitted to view the skies through the large telescope, and there are various other ‘scopes’ and binoculars that can be loaned to you to use. Members of the VAS will be there and you can ask them (nicely please) about what you are seeing in the sky – they are very knowledgeable and can help you.
Joining the VAS
You can join the Vectis Astronomical Society receive the following benefits: Monthly Meetings (in the Parish Hall, Town Lane, Newport), use of the Observatory, the New Zenith monthly newsletter and access to the members area on the website.
Membership costs are: Adult £22, Senoir Citizen £18, Junior and Student £10 and your subscription runs from the month you join. You may download an application form here.
Planetarium at Fort Victoria, Yarmouth
Star Gazing Live Event
The Island Planetarium STARLOG Club at Fort Victoria Country Park in West Wight will be holding stargazing and astro-events each evening for the week January 23rd to January 28th, 2012. These will be stargazing evenings if clear or digital simulation in the planetarium if not, and booking is suggested to avoid disappointment as only 40 can be accommodated. There will also be a number of short star talks each evening including: ‘Stars we see every night and finding the Pole Star’, ‘Why star patterns change throughout the year’ and ‘How did we find the distance to the stars ?’
Full Day Stargazing for Starter in 2012
Beginners all day (10am till 4.30) stargazing course with stargazing after if the skies are clear are on Saturdays: January 28th, February 25th and March 17th and cost £25 a person and £5 stargazing (if skies clear).
Space Discovery Days
Family oriented Space Discovery Days are run at the Island Planetarium on the following Saturdays at 10.30am and 2pm and each session lasts two hours: May 28th, June 18th, July 30th, August 6th, 13th, 20th, October 24th.
Concentrating on our Solar System and how it affects us and our earth, you go on a Solar Trail Walk through the Country Park, visiting each planet at scale distances from the planetarium. You find out what causes the seasons and why the length of day changes throughout the year, all around the world. You find out how we get the phases of the moon, making the moon change shape and the effect upon our seas and the tides change each month. You see the planets and the difference between them and you look through a solar telescope to see how the Sun is a great glowing sphere of gas. You can also take a look at what is in the night sky at the time of your visit by taking a look in the planetarium and there is a Solar System Discovery Park for each family or individual coming on the event.
Price per adult is £5, children and students under 18 are £3 each and primary school children (under 12) with an adult go free. Booking is required.
Stargazing Weekends
Stargazing Weekends for 2012 start on: February 17th, March 23rd, April 13th, September 14th, October 12th and November 9th.
These dates are close to the New Moon so there is the best opportunity to get dark skies for observing. Whether the attendee is an absolute beginner or a serious amateur astronomer, the Planetarium promises an enjoyable and worthwhile weekend amongst the stars.
Here is an outline of what happens on the weekends
- Friday Evening from 8pm till 10.30pm, Intro and Stargazing.
- Saturday Morning from 10.30 till 12.30, Talk on ‘Our star, the Sun’ and observing the Sun with special telescopes.
- Saturday afternoons are free, when attendees could visit the Island Observatory, if pre-arranged or Needles Battery Space Display or just do their own thing.
- Saturday Evening from 8.00 till 10.30, Talk ‘Life and Dead of Stars’ and more stargazing.
- Sunday Morning from 10.30 till 12.30, Talk ‘How to continue your interest in the Stars’ and more solar observing .Course ends.
Most talks and teaching sessions use their virtual reality planetarium dome. Each course is limited to 15 attendees, ensuring opportunities with telescopes and personal attention from the planetarium astronomers. The Planetarium has a number of telescopes up to 10 inches in diameter and purpose made solar telescopes and charge £45 per person for the course booked direct with them.
Every FRIDAY Evening is club night and these are the club activities….
Monthly Sky Guide – 1st Friday at 8.30pm – Looking into the night sky each month, using the Planetarium AstroDome. Lasting around 45 minutes they give you a tour of the sky for the current month. Bring warm clothes, if it’s clear after you will go out and Stargaze if it is not clear will have a subject based talk. You need to book this show at least the day before
Stargazing Evening – Friday at 9.00/30pm –Bring some warm clothes. Using telescopes at the Planetarium they take you around the night sky showing you deep sky objects, planets and stars. If weather is not on side they will use the AstroDome to simulate the night sky. Please book at least a day before, as they can only take 15/20 people.
Telescope Clinic – Check website for dates at 9.00pm – Having trouble aligning your scope or just want a little help in how to use it? Then bring it along to one of these sessions. Call the planetarium prior to the day and let them know what the problem is and scope you have.
Please call the Planetarium if you would like to attend one or more of these evenings so they have a rough idea of numbers. Hot drinks will be available.
Prices:
Non-Members: Adults – £5.00
Young Person (13-18) – £2.50
Members: Adults – £3.50 Young Person (13-18) – £1.75
Children under the age of 13 go free with every full paying adult
Membership Cost: 1 Years Membership – £10.00 (£16.00 for a hard copy of newsletter)
Becoming a member of Starlog Club gives you the following advantages: Free Entry daytime shows at any time – If you bring guests they will get a 20% discount; 10% off all items in our shop; Monthly e-newsletter (or hard copy if paid for); Discount on courses and events run by the Planetarium; Monthly Meeting and Talk.
