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Date: |
Wednesday 25 October 2006 |
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Location: |
South Wingfield |
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Leader: |
Muriel Wright & Rod Tippett |
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Author: |
Don Cameron |
Seeing Stars’ at Rod Tippett’s Observatory in South Wingfield.
Once again Muriel Wright led us to Rod Tippett’s Observatory in South Wingfield, once again, we seemed to have chosen the wettest night in October, but at least some of us managed to get there this time, unlike last year when a landslide prevented the visit. As I drove through Nottingham in the torrential rain, I realised that we would not be seeing anything through the telescope, however Rod and Muriel had laid on
alternatives, so we wouldn’t have entirely wasted journeys.
Rod has resurrected his telescope from a University Department, via a cowshed on the Outer Hebrides, and now has an extremely powerful tool. He showed us some images captured on clear nights earlier in the year and explained the mechanism of moving the machine.
Afterwards Muriel presented some images of current astronomical interest from her collection. Thanks to Rod and his wife for their hospitality, to Muriel for her foresight in having an alternative, and to Brenda Armitage for organising the event and buffet.
Needless to say it was a totally clear sky on the Thursday…… and if Rod will have us back next year, could it be third time lucky?