Cotswold C A Astronomical S Mercury Society Volume 19 Issue 4 - November 2003 Alan Cahill’s new IN THIS BUMPER ISSUE Observatory Editor’s Spot 2 The Moore Observatory 2 Abbeydale Observatory 3 “Making” Astronomy 3 Sunspot Cycle #23 5 Asteroid 1937UB - Hermes 7 The Dumbbell Duo 8 A Question of Relativity 8 John Fletcher’s CAS talk 9 Rose Leicester Equatorial or Alt Azimuth? 11 and John Harris Mount Tuffley Open Day 12 receiving the Dan Coordinator’s Spot 12 Turton and Robin A Learner Joins 13 Townley awards DFYD 15 for 2003 Ian’s Word Search 17 Mercury - The Newsletter of the Cotswold Astronomical Society, founded 1982 Editor’s Spot sion with a “house sized” rock in September, we were by Peter Cadogan also revisited by that famous grazer of 1937 called Hermes, images of which were successfully captured Firstly, congratulations to Rose Leicester and John by both Alan Cahill and John Fletcher. Harris on winning this year’s Dan Turton and Robin Townley awards for their work in Africa and at Bredon school respectively. Following on from my request for more input to the newsletter, I am pleased to be able to include in this bumper issue a description of Alan Cahill’s new obser- vatory, the first installment of how Derek Maskell f irst became interested in astronomy and an article from Malcolm Mitchell on his solar radio observations. We also have news of John’s Moore telescope and an argu- ment against equatorial mounts from Jim Smith. My thanks to all contributors for making this such a packed issue. In future editions we also hope to hear about the observatories of John Rock and Mike Munden, as well as Graham Calvert’s quite remarkable observations of Mars, together with a regular feature from John Harris called “How do we know that?” The last two meetings went very well I thought - the Dear CAS “introduction to observing” session by Callum was I thought you may be interested to know that I have blessed with clear skies, so we were later able to now fully renovated to state of the art condition the observe Mars and other objects through instruments 12.5 inch F6 reflector that Sir Patrick gave me as a gift ranging from binoculars (including Jim Smith’s highly early this year. I have named it "The Moore 12.5 inch economical ones!) through my 3.25” brass refractor to reflector" in his honour. Also I have now completed Martin’s ETX with its speedy “goto” facility. the observatory which has a good view to the North Neil Bone’s talk on meteor observing was equally cap- East - South through to the South-South West for tivating and will hopefully inspire some of us to do observing the rising planets and the Moon to a point more of this form of “armchair” astronomy! My most just West of the central meridian. This will be a fine memorable experience was camping 10,000 feet up in compliment to my computerized automated robotic the Pyrenees on the day before England won the world work. cup in 1966 and beind enthralled by the display. But were these Delta Aquarids or Perseids? For those of It was made in 1950 and the optics were configured by you who, like me, missed John Fletcher’s recent talk, it Henry Wildey. As one knows, a Dobsonian sits on a is reproduced here. flat base and runs in Alt Azimuth mode. This one has So what else has been happening in astronomy and that flat base set at an angle of about 50 degrees and spaceflight recently? Well, there has of course been the the octagonal tube runs extremely smooth in both RA entry of China into the “Space Race” as well as the and Declination on ball bearings, hence in equatorial launch of Smart 1 on its slow journey to the moon. mode. I cannot wait to show you all the Moon and the Further afield, when Cassini passed behind the Sun planet Saturn in Gemini through it. recently, on its way to Saturn, measurements of its radio signal provided yet more confirmation of Best wishes John. General Relativity Theory. More on relativity later in this issue. Other objects under the spotlight recently were near earth asteroids. Not only did we narrowly escape colli- Page 2 New Observatory nelling matt black and coated the inside with a copper by Alan Cahill (Abbeydale Observatory) slip substance. The result is that now the roof slides perfectly for me.. one handed even! My thanks to Peter for the timely reminder about writ- After that I spent a week getting the electrics and con- ing something for Mercury. It has been a long time and trol cables out of the house, under the patio and into very lax on my part! the observatory. Lin and I did a great job with that. So what have I been up to in my search for asteroids? Doing most of the work during the evening, when the Quite a lot really. The first thing that happened was sun had disappeared behind the house. being given a Minor Planet Centre (MPC) Observatory Now the work is completed. All I need to do now is code. Many of you will remember my bungling of my slide the roof back, power up the scope, camera etc, possible discovery of an asteroid. Well hopefully all align the scope, and then disappear into my back room that is now in the past. Now when I do my observing in the house and control the whole setup from there. of asteroids, the data is sent to the MPC and used. The After years of being out in the cold, this is luxury! second thing I have done is build a purpose built That is a cut down version of how the observatory was observatory. This really was a must. built. What it doesn’t tell you is all the hard work put in by mine and Vaughan’s families. I’m sure he will In the past I have had to manually carry out my tele- tell you that it was fun. And it was! I was astounded. scopes on to the patio, plus assorted leads.. and now All the plans for this were in my head but at the end of having a 8 inch scope, it really was getting beyond me. the day I couldn’t be certain that it would work in Most of you know about my disabilities so I’m sure practice. With Vaughan’s mechanical skills we got you understand the situation. Thank God I have an there and I’m really proud and grateful. understanding wife!! Her help in the past has been essential. On the front cover of this issue is a photo of the fin- Anyway, with much prompting and encouragement ished product. So I hope it now makes sense. If anyone from members of the Society (in particular John wants to know more about building one feel free to Fletcher and John Rock) the observatory is now a reali- speak to me. ty. A special thanks goes to Vaughan Willoughby and family. They pitched in for a full weekend, under a "Making" Astronomy scorching sun, and completed the building with me. I by Derek Maskell still have this picture in my mind of Vaughan lifting the roof off the observatory on his own! Astronomy nowadays is there for all for those who care to take an interest, it always was, perhaps, but in The observatory is a converted 7ft square shed. What I this day and age there are so many magazines and out- did was, buy a conventional shed and adapt it into an lets advertising all the high-tech equipment necessary observatory. How you may ask?. Well here goes. to become involved. Times weren’t always like this. Equipment, and most importantly, money was not as The idea was that the observatory would have a slid- readily available as it is today. Most telescopes fifty ing roof so that the scope has a virtually unimpeded and more years ago were home-made and, although view in most directions. This worked well and now I the ancillary equipment may not have been technically have good views from East through South to West. advanced, first class mirrors were within everyone’s Perfect for asteroids! grasp and were made by enthusiasts with no particular The first thing I had to do was lower the shed. After all technical skills at all, mostly resulting in a fine sense of it was around 7ft high and there wasn’t a way in hell achievement. I have been asked many times why I use that I could see over the sides.. let alone the scope! This a home-made telescope and how it came to be, this is was accomplished by cutting just over 1 ft off all four the story. sides. My idea was to cut it off the top of each side (not being very DIY savvy!). Lin my wife soon showed me As a young boy I held an interest in astronomy. Way the error of my ways, by cutting it off the bottom in back in the 30’s light pollution was unheard of, the stead! That way windows didn’t need cutting down as miserable gas lamps in the streets where I grew up in well! NW London, gave a dim white glow, very little down- That accomplished I now got a firm in to lay an 8 ft wards and almost none upwards due to the design of square concrete base.