Ian King introduced a friend of his,
Peter
Simmons who gave a very interesting show including
slides and music.
Peter opened his show by displaying
a number of astronomy images taken in La
Palma. It was particularly noticeable, as Peter
explained, how by taking the pictures at a height of
eight thousand feet, stars of about magnitude 19 could
be resolved, due principally to the fact that the disturbing
effect of the lower atmosphere was avoided.
There
then followed a delightful series of images, both astronomical
and Palma landscapes accompanied by some very interesting
music. It was an experience that
I am sure was enjoyed
by all present, but one difficult to do full justice
to in a written report such as this. You had to be there
to fully appreciate it.
Speaking to Peter after
the meeting I discovered that he composed
the music.
The second part of the meeting was
another talk by our Chairman Murray Barber on some of
his recent researches into the history of the World
War II VI and VII rockets.
Slides were shown of
two German men who had worked at the rocket sites near
the Hook of Holland. Herr Wunderlich and Herr Schneider
were the two gentlemen who have been aiding Murray in
his researches, though Murray admitted that sometimes
evidence from various sources were conflicting; not
an unusual thing in any historical research.
For
an astronomical society one of the slides was particularly
interesting. A picture of Murray with Herr Schneider
in front of a monument built in memory of Keppler, who
determined the three laws of planetary motion.
Another
German gentleman Murray had met was a Professor Helmuth
Franck, who still had in his possession a gyroscope
of the type used in the V1 rockets. Professor Franck
wished to find a suitable home for this gyroscope, but
as no German museum would guarantee it would be displayed,
he had ultimately given it to Murray who hopes to find
a home for it in the Imperial War Museum. Murray concluded
his talk by demonstrating the gyroscope which is still
in good working order.
Bob Wharton
The next meeting of the society will be on Wednesday June 18 2003. As usual, the doors open at 7.15 and the meeting starts at 7.30 prompt. In a change to the previously published speaker, we will (hopefully I've got this right! Ed) have the pleasure of Alan Drummond, who will be giving a talk on eclipses.
The next observing session is to
be held on Friday 27 June. The venue as usual is the
Crow & Gate at Crowborough for the slightly later
time of 8:00 pm. Please contact Sean (or any other committee
member) the night before the event if you will be attending.
This is useful so that:
a) We know how many members
to expect, we don't want to leave the pub if you are
definitely coming!
b) So that you won't be the only
person present!
There
are still a handful of members who are teasing the treasurer
by holding back on their subscriptions with less than
a month away from the end of their membership and all
the privileges that go with it! If you think you may
be one of the few who has not yet paid then please contact
the Treasurer before the 30 June.
Ian is rapidly
approaching his 3/4 century and is giving plenty of
notice that he would like to hand on the post of Treasurer
of the society to one of our younger members at the
end of October. We may also need someone to take on
the office of membership secretary that seems to have
been merged with the Treasurer's role over the years.
Would any volunteers please contact the Chairman, Secretary
or Treasurer, before the present holder of these offices
considers that resignation is his only way forward.
Just a quick reminder about Speldhurst
Fete on 28th June, it is hoped that the society will
be able to run a raffle at the event, but we need your
help!
The society therefore needs prizes, (non-alcoholic
please) to attract the public to our stand. If any member
has any unwanted item that would be suitable please
bring it along to the June meeting. All donations will
be gratefully received by our Treasurer.
Chairman: Murray R. Barber 01892 654618 murray.barber@virgin.net
Secretary: Ian King 01892 836288
Treasurer: Ian Reeves 01892 784255
Editor: Peter Bamblett 01732 368656 pbamblett@hotmail.com
Publicity & Web Site: Michael Harte 01892 783292 michael@greenman.demon.co.uk
Dir. of Obs.: Sean Tampsett 01892 667092 sean_tampsett@hotmail.com
Librarian: Joan Grace 01892 783721