BAA Update

Obituary Harold B. Ridley, 1919-1995

Harold Bytham Ridley, who died on was almost as old as his interest in astron­ of about 200, the BAA had by 1957 pro­ February 3 this year, was born at Richmond omy and at one time he considered it as a vided ten. During his tenure of office Ridley upon Thames in the southwest of what is career. It was natural, therefore, that when maintained a correspondence with many now Greater London, on 1919 February 22. he at last had a garden of his own, he should world authorities in the meteor world in­ He was the youngest of six, three boys and start to develop his interest in astronomical cluding P. M. Millmann and I. Halliday in three girls. Some years later the family photography. Canada. He organised major observing pro­ moved to nearby Twickenham where he Meteors can be photographed with simple grammes and deduced photographic radi- attended the Orleans Boys School. On leav­ fixed cameras requiring no driven mounting ing school he took clerical jobs in the build­ or guiding and Harold built several using ing materials and site-preparation trades. Kodak Aero Ektar and Ross Xpres lenses. The United Kingdom entered World War The large photographic plates needed to Two in 1939 September and Ridley joined make full use of the wide fields were rela­ the Army in October of that year. He served tively cheap. In this photographic work he first with a Royal Artillery searchlight was greatly encouraged by Ε. Η. Collinson. battery, and soon showed his aptitude as a In 1953 he became Secretary of the Meteor lecturer and teacher, qualifying as an section and in 1954 was appointed its instructor. He was interested in the sound Director, an office he held until 1968. At this location and radar equipment which con­ time few meteor spectra had been obtained trolled the searchlights. During the long and Harold built a meteor spectrograph hours of inactivity, Harold taught himself using a 30 degree prism. On 1954 October mathematics, read a great deal and acquired 29 he was rewarded with the spectrum of a a wide vocabulary. He also studied electri­ bright Taurid, the first meteor spectrogram cal engineering during this time. All these to be obtained from this country. One of two things helped to lay a sound foundation of in 1955 showed one of the earliest practical knowledge that was to be so useful recordings of the forbidden neutral oxygen to him in later life. Later in the war, as line. The spectrum of a Perseid taken with demands for manpower changed, he was S. J. Evans in 1991 was his fifteenth and last transferred to the infantry as an instructor meteor spectrogram. He was meticulous in and spent time at Colchester Barracks. his efforts to reduce these spectra and those Photo of Harold Ridley in 1990 by Jacqueline Mitton Demobilised in 1946 February, Harold of other observers, so as to obtain the maxi­ was accepted on a teacher training course at mum information from what were often small, faint and grainy images. Eastbourne and was there from 1946 to ants for the following showers: 1955 Gemi- 1948. Taking up teaching as his chosen pro­ Ridley attended the Meteor Commis­ nids, 1956 Perseids and , 1958 fession, he taught general science subjects sion's meetings at the IAU in Dublin in Perseids and Geminids, 1959 , and biology at Westcliff-on-Sea, Spring 1955. At the Association's 1956 November 1960 Quadrantids and 1962 Perseids. Grove, Isleworth, Midhurst and finally at meeting he reported on the findings of the West Byfleet where he remained until retire­ Harvard Super-Schmidt programme, sup­ Meteor streams and associated ment, having risen to head the Science ported by work done in the Soviet Union and Harold Ridley also suggested possible Department. Czechoslavakia, that the Perseid was meteor activity associated with certain Harold had been interested in astronomy fairly sharp. The Section's visual observa­ Earth-orbit-crossing comets. In the case of from an early age and made his first recorded tions over many years had shown a much Rudnicki 1967 II no meteors were observation, of a meteor, at the age of more diffuse radiant. He said that while it seen and the shower associated with thirteen. During his war service he talked was hard to have to accept that visual P/Grigg-Skjellerup failed to materialize in about the stars to the men in his hut and observers, himself included, had been mis­ 1972, but a significant shower now called George Mawson still remembers how led over the degree of accuracy obtained in the Pi Puppids was seen in 1977 and at Harold pointed out the constellations to him their observations, the results of the photo­ 5-yearly intervals since. He proposed the one frosty night on their long walk back to graphic work were conclusive and that link between the and comet camp from an evening meal in Faringdon. future radiant work should be photographic. Blanpain 1819 IV and enhanced activity of Harold Ridley was elected a member of In the light of these findings Ridley re­ the in 1965 and 1966. Meteors asso­ the Association on 1946 March 27 and defined the Section's programme of work ciated with P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 was elected to fellowship of the Royal which he explained at the 1957 June meet­ have yet to appear. His final prediction, Astronomical Society in 1953. ing. Briefly visual work would concentrate made in 1987 but unpublished, was for a on magnitudes and hourly rates, correlation associated with P/Hartley 2 Meteor observations of visual and radar rates, reporting fireballs 1985 V which should be visible around 1997 Harold soon joined the Meteor Section and and new showers and telescopic meteors. November 9. took part in the visual observation pro­ Radiant, orbit and spectrographic work grammes run by the then Director J. P. M. would be photographic. These conclusions Comet observations Prentice. After his spell of teaching in were supported by Professor A. C. B. Lovell In 1960 April comet Burnham 1960 II was Westcliff-on-Sea, Harold obtained a teach­ at Jodrell Bank in a private communication. predicted to reach naked eye brightness and, ing appointment at Isleworth and, as the Some members of the Section found this as Dr R. L. Waterfield had to be away, he family home by then had been sold, he hard to accept at the time but the programme asked me if I would operate his Ascot moved into a house in Barnes with his sister Ridley set out then has stood the test of time. Observatory in his absence. Photographing Mollie. Harold's interest in photography Of the world's meteor spectrogram total a fast-moving comet with this telescope

/. Br. Astron. Assoc. 105, 4, 1995 189 BAA Update

them with his own instruments. This inter­ reviews, papers and articles as well as est remained his first priority for the rest of lecturing widely to the Association, local his active life. He moved to East Chinnock groups, the WEA and other societies. He near Crewkerne, Somerset in 1979. There he spoke frequently at meetings, usually with­ had what he had always wanted, a good dark out notes, and had a very clear manner of site with a low skyline (except to the north) explaining things. His talks were always in a quiet and beautiful setting. His best well illustrated, often with his own slides. driven photographs were taken during these His two Presidential Addresses were a wide- years when he used a 15cm refractor to ranging review of our current knowledge of guide a series of cameras, culminating in the 'Comets' (1977) and 'Meteorites' (1978), a Zeiss 18cm aperture f/7 lens which he used subject not previously chosen. until observing became impossible for him. Harold Ridley's contributions to the Again Harold first equipped his dark­ Journal and Section publications were far room, using this time a redundant generator too many to list in full but mention must room and building an enlarger that would be made of his valuable series of Comet give full and even illumination over a 10x13 'Prospects' in which he examined the back­ cm plate. After taking up astrometric work ground and previous performance of all on comets he borrowed a Zeiss plate known comets expected to be visible in the measuring machine from the Association so next two years ahead, giving elements of as to get the best possible results. He was a orbits, dates of visibility, expected magni­ perfectionist and spared no effort to make tudes and other data. This involved a great the best possible use of his opportunities. deal of work each year and was a valuable Harold Ridley was a photographic observer asset to the Comet Section. at heart. While he had a keen eye for plot­ ting meteor trails he did not, to my know­ Honours and service to the Association ledge, make pictorial drawings of comets or Harold Ridley was awarded the Merlin planets. He did obtain reliable magnitudes Medal in 1978 for his photographic work of comets and novae: otherwise, when not and the Walter Goodacre Medal and Gift in Outside R.L.Waterfield's observatory at Silwood guiding a photograph, he looked through the 1992 for his work on comets and meteors. Park, near Ascot in 1960. (M. J. Hendrie) telescope for the pleasure of the moment. In 1990 minor planet 4025 was named after him. really required two observers, and Harold Writing and lecturing Ridley served the Association in a num­ readily agreed to join me for a few days. Our Observing, photography and building in­ ber of capacities and apart from directing the best exposures were on the morning of the struments were not Harold's only interests Meteor Section (1954-68), was President 27th. To centre the image in his enlarger, in astronomy and he wrote many reports, (1976-78), and a Vice-President 1978-81, Harold decided to cut off one edge of the 1982-85 and 1990-92. He was an glass plate with a diamond cutter, fortu­ ordinary member of Council in nately for us without accident. Slides were the years 1986-87, 1989-90 and made and shown at the Association's meet­ 1993-94. Because of his wide ing that same evening. Though only 4th knowledge of the Association's magnitude, comet Burnham showed an affairs he was often consulted unusually narrow tail eleven degrees long on unusual problems facing the on our plates and we were both inspired to Association from time to time, greater effort by this opportunity to use first when his knowledge of what had class equipment. gone before was most valuable. He Harold took up a teaching appointment in also served on a number of com­ Midhurst that November living at Rogate mittees relating to the Associa­ but he was not there long enough to set up a tion's affairs. proper observatory. In 1963 he took a teach­ Harold was Secretary, then ing post at West Byfleet, moving to a house Assistant to the Director and later in Godalming where he was to live until his Photographic Coordinator to the retirement in 1979. A larger garden pro­ Comet Section from 1971 until his vided room for a fixed instrument. However, death, and during the 1986 appari­ his first priority was not to build the obser­ tion of Halley's Comet he acted as vatory but to convert his garage to a fully Coordinator for UK amateur equipped darkroom. Here he was able to photographic observations for the make the large, blemish free prints for which International Halley Watch. he was well known. Only when this was Apart from his work for the completed did he start on the construction Association he supported The Ast• of an observatory with a 3.6m aluminium ronomer from its early days and his dome housing a 12cm refractor on loan from photographs of comets, asteroids, the Association. Later this carried a variety novae and supernovae appeared of small cameras with which he started his regularly there as they did in our long series of driven exposures of objects in Journal. the night sky. While Harold never lost his interest in Other aspects of his life meteors, he took an increasing interest in At the eyepiece in R. L. Waterfield's observatory. (M. J. Aside from astronomy and photog­ comets and was now able to photograph Hendrie) raphy, Harold Ridley had an almost

190 /. Br. Astron. Assoc. 105, 4, 1995 BAA Update

Comet Iras-Araki-Alcock 1983 VII on 1983 May 10.99, moving at 2 Comet Levy 1990c, 1990 August 23, 22.07 UT. 30 minute exposure on arcsec/second. A 15 minute exposure guided on the comet, on a Kodak T-max 400 with the Zeiss 1.2m focal length f/7 lens. (Η. Β. Ridley, cour- 103a-F plate with a 50cm focal length f/6.3 Ross lens. (H. B. Ridley) tesy of M. P. Mobberley) encyclopaedic knowledge of garden and home for more than thirty years died in from Harold's army days and Bud Leitch wild plants and their botanical names; his 1988. Harold had been told that he had from his teaching career. Steve Evans has pot plants were a speciality and I still have emphysema by 1986 but it was 1992 before provided valuable advice especially on some. He was also knowledgeable about it really began to affect his ability to carry meteor matters. I also consulted Howard other living things, especially the smaller on a normal life. His last observation, a Miles about aspects of Harold's work for the specimens we call 'insects' though his inter­ photograph of nova Cassiopeiae 1993 on Association. My thanks go to them all. est was by no means limited to the six- 1993 December 21, appeared in the Journal. Michael J. Hendrie legged variety. He had kept bees, stick and Harold Ridley spent several spells in other insects at school and often looked after Yeovil and Crewkerne hospitals during them at home through the long summer 1994 and went back to Crewkerne just References holidays. He had a fine collection of butter­ before Christmas 1994 where he remained flies. He liked to listen to the cricket until his death on 1995 February 3, just short This is a selection of Η. Β. Ridley's more impor­ commentaries and The Times crossword of his 75th birthday. He greatly appreciated tant contributions to the Journal of the BAA: was something that once started had to be the letters and phone calls that kept him in 1 Re his 1954 October Taurid spectrogram, completed. touch with his friends and what was happen­ 65(2), 70(1955) Harold Ridley was by nature a quiet and ing in astronomy in which he never lost 2 Meeting report on Perseid photographic radi­ rather reserved man who did not push interest. He will be sadly missed for his ant, 67(2), 54 (1957) himself forward, but once consulted would friendship, good humour, high standards 3 Photographs of Taurid spectrum and spectro­ give all the help and useful advice that he and sound advice. graph, 67(8), 300 (1957) could. He was perhaps a little difficult to get 4 Communication 'The value of visual obser­ to know but once you knew him you found Acknowledgements vations of meteors', 68(3), 110 (1958) a warm personality with a keen sense of the I would like to acknowledge the assistance 5 'Phoenicid shower of 1956 Dec 5', suggested connection with comet Blanpain 1819 IV, ridiculous: he had no time for humbug. With of those who have provided or checked facts 72(6), 266 (1962) the exception of Doris who lives in Zim­ for this obituary. Walter Hunt provided 6 'Possible meteors from comet Rudnicki babwe, to whom we extend our sympathy, extensive notes especially on Harold's 1966e', 77(4), 260(1967) all his brothers and sisters pre-deceased him. family and early life in Twickenham, 7 Ά possible meteor shower associated with His sister Mollie with whom he shared a George Mawson interesting recollections comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup', 82(2), 95 (1972) 8 Out of town meeting, 'Comet Discoveries', 88(1), 5(1977) 9 Presidential Address, 'Comets', 88(3), 226 (1978) 10 Presidential Address, 'Meteorites', 89(3), 219 (1979) 11 First pictorial Journal cover; photograph of comet Austin 1982g, 93(1), (1982) 12 Review article, 'Comets', 95(1), 29 (1984) 13 'The Photography of Comets', 95(1), 8 (1984) 14 'The Photography of Halley's Comet', 95(2), 81 (1985) 15 'Meteors associated with comet P/Schwass- mann-Wachmann 3', 100(2), 92 (1990) 16 with S. J. Evans, 'The spectrum of a Perseid meteor', 103(1), 27(1993) 17 'The spectrum of a sporadic fireball', 104(1), 32 (1994)

Except where otherwise mentioned, all photo­ Spectrum of a bright Taurid meteor, the first meteor spectrogram secured in the UK. 1954 October 29 graphs with this article were supplied by M. J. with an 18cm focal length f/2.5 Kodak Aero Ektar lens and a 30° objective prism. (Η. Β. Ridley) Hendrie.

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