Issue 9 – December 2005 Tycho Brahe’s observatory at Uraniborg In 1576 Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) established the first observations. This view of the observatory appeared in modern European observatory at Uraniborg on the island Tycho’s Astronomiae Instauratae Mechanicae, of Hven, close to Copenhagen, and subsequently did his published in 1602. Dr Allan Chapman presented the most important work there, including pursuing an story of Uraniborg at the Society’s recent Autumn extensive programme of stellar and planetary Conference. A report appears inside. from Mars Hill to Mt Hamilton, and Editorial there is much more in the following David Rayner pages too. Sadly, all good things come to an end and even after Earlier this year we published in covers nearly 105º of latitude and building this into another bumper Newsletter (no. 7, June 2005, pp 9- almost 30 countries in length. issue we have had to carry quite a 11) Jim Smith’s article, The Cape to bit of material over. Cairo survey arc wherein Jim We also bring you Clive envisaged that the surviving stations Davenhall’s report on the SHA With luck, sweat and probably, the of a triangulation net stretching from Autumn Conference including tears of a number of SHA the Black Sea to the top of Norway snippets from Allan Chapman’s talk, volunteers, this issue should be with might be given UNESCO Tycho Brahe and Uraniborg – the you before the Christmas holiday. recognition as a World Heritage First Modern Observatory. Wayne Find a comfortable chair, your Site. Known as the Struve Geodetic Orchiston brings news of distance reading glasses and a glass of your Arc, the remaining elements have learning from the James Cook favourite seasonal tipple and enjoy. indeed been granted WHS status and University, Australia that would in this issue of the Newsletter we allow one to graduate with a history All of us on the SHA team wish you bring Jim’s revelations about this of astronomy ‘major’. Also in this a very enjoyable holiday and a portion of a survey arc that in total issue Roger Jones takes us on a trip happy and prosperous New Year. Society news Stuart Williams and Clive Davenhall Remarkable Council meeting in Selsey The Council of the SHA met on Saturday 12 November 2005 in a marathon six hour meeting at the home of Sir Patrick Moore, one of the Society’s Honorary Vice Presidents. Sir Patrick, arguably the best-known and most popular astronomy broadcaster and author ever, very kindly invited Council into his home, ‘Farthings’, in Selsey, West Sussex, for its last meeting of the year. The ‘star’ of The Sky at Night and author of more than seventy books SHA Council in Sir Patrick Moore's study at ‘Farthings’, Selsey. which have inspired and supported Left to right (rear): Reg Withey, Roger Jones, Peter Hingley, Mark Hurn, Ken Goward many thousands of astronomers and Bill Barton. Left to right (front): Stuart Williams, Sir Patrick Moore, Gilbert since the early 1950s hosted the Satterthwaite and Madeline Cox. meeting in his study, the location of itself. Council cannot thank Sir so many recent television Patrick too much for his welcome, broadcasts. Those attending the his hospitality, and his presence at meeting also had the privilege of the meeting, which was greatly meeting Sir Patrick’s cats and of appreciated. seeing his famous telescopes in the garden of Farthings, not to mention New Councillor co-opted the historic three inch brass refractor which was the first telescope owned SHA member Bill Barton has been by the now legendary amateur co-opted to the SHA Council to astronomer. Council has met several assist Ken Goward following Ken’s times at historic professional recent illness. Enthusiastically observatories. Now they have met at welcomed onto Council during the meeting in Selsey, Bill is an amateur the cornerstone of British amateur Newly co-opted SHA Councillor astronomy, an historic event in astronomer and historian of many Bill Barton SHA Newsletter – Issue 9 Page 2 December 2005 years standing and is well known in has reported regularly to Council on Conference. Theme: Women in the SHA. Subject to work progress with the second issue and Astronomy. Venue: Institute of commitments, Bill, who joins the has received their full support. With Astronomy, University of other recent additions to Council, Dr the aid of Assistant Editor Kevin Cambridge. Date and venue TBC. Reg Withey and Peter Hingley, Johnson, and a series of excellent hopes to take on additional duties papers contributed by members, Reg End of May/Beginning of July: for the Society in due course. aims to meet the high standard SHA Summer Picnic. A venue is already set by issue 1, which was currently being negotiated and the Generous donation by edited by Callum Potter and John date is therefore dependent on that, Honorary Vice President Woodruff. but as usual should be a Saturday near our founding date. There is a Sir Patrick Moore, Honorary Vice Autumn Conference 2005 possibility of an extra event President of the SHA has made a contingent on the above. generous donation of £100 to the The SHA Autumn Conference, Society, which has supported the Astronomers and Observatories, Saturday 7 October 2006: Autumn mailing of this issue of the SHA held at the Birmingham & Midland Conference. Theme: Instruments Newsletter. Sir Patrick made the Institute on 8 October was a great and Imaging. Venue: John Lee spontaneous donation during the success as an event, with some Lecture Theatre and Gallery Room, SHA Council meeting at his home in excellent research presented and Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Selsey (see above). The high speakers on a wide variety of topics Margaret Street, Birmingham. Date production and mailing costs of the typifying the kind of work the and venue confirmed, times TBA. SHA’s publications take up most of Society was set up to encourage and the Society’s income and it is support. A full report appears later Council meetings in 2006 sometimes difficult to meet these in this Newsletter. It was, however, costs from the Society’s modest not as well supported by members as In addition to the AGM, Council last year and proposes to meet on the following consequently made a dates and locations, at 1 pm, subject small loss financially. to confirmation of venues. This deficit is unfortunate, as such Saturday 11 February 2006, Royal events must be self- Astronomical Society, Burlington supporting if they are House, Piccadilly, London. to continue. Sadly SHA Treasurer Ken Saturday 29 July 2006, Yorkshire Goward was unable Museum, Museum Gardens, York. to attend due to illness but is now on Saturday 11 November, Sir Robert the mend. Many Ball Library, Birmingham & thanks to all those Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Sir Patrick Moore presents SHA Chairman Gilbert who were able to Birmingham. Satterthwaite with a cheque for £100 attend, those who subscriptions. Council unanimously assisted with running While Council meetings are not thanked Sir Patrick for both his the event, our speakers and those Society events as such, any member financial support on this occasion, booksellers, the BMI and other who wishes to speak to Council and his even more valuable moral societies and organisations who also formally on a matter relating to the support, the latter of which in supported the SHA on what was an Society is welcome to attend, particular has helped greatly in excellent day at the BMI. subject to prior arrangement with the maintaining the morale of Council Secretary. Due to the small size of and the Society in its formative Advance announcement of meeting rooms, numbers of visitors years. events for 2006 may be restricted. Members are of course also welcome to speak to The Antiquarian Astronomer Council has decided to stage the Councillors at any time during our issue 2 following events for 2006, subject to normal events, and are encouraged confirmation of venues and dates to write c/o The Secretary or direct to individual Councillors if they As you read this you should have where noted. Further information have any comments, complaints, received issue 2 of the Society’s will be given in the next issue of the compliments, suggestions, questions acclaimed annual journal The Newsletter. or information they would like to Antiquarian Astronomer, which will draw to the attention of Council. be distributed with this issue of the Saturday 20 May 2006: Annual Newsletter. Editor Dr Reg Withey General Meeting and Spring SHA Newsletter – Issue 9 Page 3 December 2005 SHA introduced to Duke of and supports our Autumn History of astronomy in Edinburgh Conference by special arrangements Wales… for the use of rooms and facilities. In By the time you read this, SHA return, the Society has enabled the SHA member Bryn Jones maintains Secretary Stuart Williams will have Institute to begin a return to some of some excellent Web pages about the met Prince Philip during a special the scientific activities that were history of astronomy in Wales. Royal Visit to the Birmingham & once a major part of its work in the These pages include a great deal of Midland Institute. The visit on 22 nineteenth and early twentieth useful information, including a November is taking place as the centuries, complementing the version of Chapter 24 of the Revd BMI celebrates the one hundred and important musical and cultural work J.S. Evans’ Seryddiaeth a fiftieth Anniversary of the laying of of the modern BMI. The SHA is Seryddwyr, published in Welsh in the foundation stone of the original delighted to be associated with the 1923. This chapter is the best source building by Prince Albert, Prince BMI and strongly supports the aims for the history of astronomy in the Consort and husband to Queen of the Institute.