Flamsteed Astronomy Society

June 13, 2013

“Visions of the Universe” Open Evening

The entrance hall to the "Visions of the Universe" exhibition

Report by Mike Meynell. Pictures by Grey Lipley. On Thursday 13 June, the museum held an “open evening” to coincide with the opening of the new “Visions of the Universe” exhibition. For the second time in a week, Flamsteed volunteers turned out to help at the event. However, in comparison to the solar viewing event…
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June 7, 2013

Visit to the Astronomy Reserve Collection at Kidbrooke

Dr Rebekah Higgitt shows the group items from the reserve collection

We were very fortunate to be taken to see the astronomy reserve collection by curator Dr Rebekah Higgitt.  In common with many of the team, Becky is very busy just now with a number of projects including preparations for the special exhibition to mark the 2014 tercentenary of the Longitude Act.  She is also preparing…
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June 6, 2013

Flamsteed Volunteers at the “Visions of the Universe” Members Preview

VOU Members Evening 05-Web by Grey Lipley

Report by Mike Meynell. Pictures by Grey Lipley. Once again, Flamsteed volunteers turned out in force to support the member’s preview evening of the new “Visions of the Universe” exhibition which has just opened at the National Maritime Museum. About a dozen volunteers set up a solar viewing session on a beautiful June evening, which…
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Sky this Season: Summer 2013

Summer Milky Way

by Mike Meynell Here is a list of objects to view in the night sky during the Summer 2013: Noctilucent Clouds: These clouds are 80-85km above the Earth’s surface and are therefore the highest clouds ever seen, 10-times higher than Cirrus cloud. They are often a bluish colour or intense white and the clouds are extremely…
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May 25, 2013

Blackheath “Stargazing” Evening – Saturday 25 May

Rupert's scope was fitted with a Herschel Wedge to view the Sun safely

Torrential rain for most of Friday 24 May put paid to any plans that we had for running a Blackheath stargazing session on Friday evening and so an early decision was made to move the session to Saturday. This proved to be a prescient move, as the weather for most of Saturday was glorious and…
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May 20, 2013

Solar Observing

Pete Lawrence

Pete Lawrence

The Flamsteed were privileged to welcome Pete Lawrence from the BBC Sky at Night presenting team for what proved to be a superb lecture on Solar Observing. Pete visited Greenwich in January when “The Sky at Night” came to film a special programme about our nearest star, the Sun. Not wanting to let an opportunity…
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Sky this Month: June 2013

Sky this Month: June 2013

by Malcolm Porter Here is a list of objects to view in the night sky in June 2013: A planetary conjunction between Jupiter, Venus and Mercury A “Super” Moon on June 23rd Lunar occultation on June 27th Hercules Globular Cluster M13 The Summer Triangle Albireo – Beta Cygni Saturn The presentation is shown in the…
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May 14, 2013

The Description, History and Use of both the Globes and the Armillary Sphere (a sailor’s perspective)

Mirek Colakov

Mirek describes how an Armillary Sphere works

On what proved to be a most interesting evening, we had the second Flamsteed “History of Astronomy” group meeting, with Flamsteed member Mirek Colakov talking about the Armillary Sphere which he constructed himself to demonstrate how the instrument can be used. Mirek is an experienced yachtsman and has a deep interest in celestial navigation and the…
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April 27, 2013

Chirps and Chirrups – Radio Astronomy Group Meeting – 27 April 2013

Yagi antenna in Clive's garden

Our meeting in the Endeavour Room, although long overdue, remains popular, with one new and eight existing members in attendance. I apologised for the length of time between meetings and explained how Mike Meynell and I intend to schedule more regular events. We envisage the Radio Group getting together formally every 2 months with more…
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April 22, 2013

King’s astronomer, professor or public servant? John Flamsteed and the role of the Astronomer Royal

Dr Rebekah Higgitt

Dr Rebekah Higgitt

Coinciding with the launch of the Flamsteed “History of Astronomy” group, we were delighted to welcome Dr Rebekah Higgitt who is Curator of History of Science and Technology at the Royal Observatory Greenwich & National Maritime Museum. Rebekah came to discuss the role of the Astronomer Royal in the early days of the Greenwich Observatory,…
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