October Edition of
Canopus
The Monthly Journal of the
Johannesburg Centre of
the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
Where to find us.
Postal address:
Mr. C. Volschenk,
The Secretary,
The Johannesburg Centre of
the Astronomical Society of
Southern Africa.
P. O. Box 93145
Yeoville
2143
Physical address:
The Johannesburg Centre of
the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa.
The Sir Herbert Baker Library
Former Republic Observatory
18a Gill Street
Observatory
Johannesburg
The Monthly Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the monthly meeting of the Johannesburg Centre will take place at its physical address on Wednesday, 9 October 1996 at 8pm.
Pieter Pienaar will be talking about Meteorites.
Also on the agenda is Danie's Corner where Danie Overbeek gives us a peek at anything interesting happening in the night sky.
Prof. Brian Warner of the University of Cape Town will be in town on the day and has kindly volunteered to give us a little first-hand information about the construction of The New Telescope at Sutherland - Project SALT - South Africa's Large Telescope.
Visit the Pretoria Centre
The Pretoria Centre has extended an open invitation to the members of the Johannesburg Centre to join them for their monthly meeting. This will take place on 23 October at the Christian Brothers. College, Silverton, Pretoria.
Directions from Johannesburg
Head along the N1 highway to Pretoria through Midrand. Follow the N1, the Pietersburg bypass, that runs on the eastern-side of Pretoria. Don't make the mistake of going straight into Pretoria! Follow the N1 as it curves around Pretoria. You will see the following exits that you may use as landmarks: "136 M9 Rigel Avenue (R50) Delmas" and "141 Attebury Road M11." Now look out for and exit the highway at "141 M6 Lynnwood Road W.N.N.R./C.S.I.R." At Lynnwood Road, at the end of the off-ramp, turn right travelling back over the N1 highway. Turn left into Meiring Naude which is just over the highway and runs alongside it. Continue along this road until it T-junctions into Cussonia (M16). This is at the National Botanical Gardens. Turn left into Cussonia and follow the road for a short distance around the eastern boundary of the Botanical Gardens. Don't go back under the N1 highway into Church Street! Christian Brothers College lies right in front of you at the intersection of Church and Cussonia. This is where the map fails! It does not show the entrance to the site! You may have to hug the Botanical Garden's eastern boundary into Church Street (M2), turn left into the first road which is Cresswell, first left again into Pitts and first left again into Charles Jackson. This route brings you out on the college's northern boundary. Hope you've found your way!!!!
The Next Informal Meeting
The next informal meeting will be held on the last Wednesday evening of the month that is Wednesday 30 October at 8pm in the Sir Herbert Baker Library.
Part IV of the Beginner's Course
Ed Finlay will host the fourth session of the Beginner's Course in Astronomy. Each session starts at 7pm sharp on the same night as the monthly meeting (9 October 1996.)
Future topics
OCTOBER - Brian Fraser The HR diagram explained.
DECEMBER - The Solstice Party at Protea Ranch.
Committee
Listed below are the home telephone numbers for all committee members
Chairman:
Trevor Gould 886-5602
Vice Chairman and Membership Liaison Officer:
Tom Budge (012)669-0421
Secretary and Viewing Co-ordinator:
Constant Volschenk 972-6038
Treasurer:
Greg Corbett 609-6765
Librarian:
Ed Finlay 616-3202
Curator of Instruments:
Peter van Laun 680-7000
(Assistant) Peter Baxter 476-1173
Telescope Class Co-ordinator:
Chris Stewart 763-3301
(Assistant) Dave Blane (0166)6-0124
Fund Raising:
Maureen Chitters
Exploring Deep Skies
Saturday evening deep-sky viewing on Tom Budge's farm, Protea Ranch Vlakplaats. A braai fire is lit on each occasion, so bring a picnic hamper and your telescope. Family and friends always welcome.
Contact Tom's office (011)484-4740 should you
require a road map.
Reserve the following dates in your diary: 12 Oct, 9 Nov.
Our 1997 Business Plan!
MISSION STATEMENT
To encourage and stimulate the study, practice and preservation of Astronomy in South Africa and to provide a forum to bring together people with a common interest in astronomy for the interchange of ideas and practical know how.
THE JOHANNESBURG CENTRE
Background
The Centre hosts a monthly meeting, for its members on the second Wednesday of each month, except December, in the Sir Herbert Baker Library building of the old Union Observatory. A speaker is usually invited to give a talk on some interesting subject.
The Centre's telescopes are open to the public every Friday evening, weather permitting.
The Centre holds monthly observing sessions at an appropriate dark-sky site.
A monthly Journal of the Johannesburg Centre, entitled "CANOPUS" is published.
Resources
Two observatory domes including the brickwork and the foundations but not the ground.
A number of telescopes including a six inch and seven inch refractor, a twelve inch cassegrain reflector and a twelve inch Newtonian reflector.
One aluminising plant.
A comprehensive library.
A membership base of 109.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
A core of dedicated members with a sound understanding of all aspects of Astronomy.
A fully functional club with well-run monthly meetings.
A positive balance sheet with no debts
A monthly journal "Canopus"
Good communication and liaison with the Johannesburg Planetarium, University of the Witwatersrand, UNISA and ASSA.
Weaknesses
We do not own the land on which the club is situated.
We lack sufficient funds to develop effectively.
We have antiquated equipment.
Only 25% of members are active.
Opportunities
To increase membership via advertising and publicity
To make more and better use of the facilities at the Planetarium
Threats
Declining membership
Precarious tenancy at the present site
OBJECTIVES
To increase the membership of Johannesburg Centre by 10% by the end of 1997.
STRATEGIES
Place a box with membership forms at the Johannesburg Planetarium.
Inform Radio Highveld "What's On" of the monthly meetings and main topic and the Friday evening public viewing sessions.
Make the Friday night viewings more interesting and informative with a short talk and slide show about the objects and constellations to be seen that evening.
Increase the content and/or variety of the monthly meetings
Organise an annual weekend star party for the Centre members and the general public.
Set up a fund raising committee to explore ways of raising money for the centre.
Telescope Making Class
The 96/97 class will be divided into three distinct groups: beginners, catch-up and advanced. The three groups will meet at the same time and place, and work concurrently.
Beginners
What
Build a basic but high-quality, easy-to-use, fully-functional six-inch astronomical telescope for under R1000!
When
Saturday afternoons from 14h30. Starts 12 October 96, ends March 97.
Where
The (Sir Herbert Baker) Library Building, AS&TS, Gill St., Observatory. (i.e. the usual monthly meeting venue.)
Who
Anyone who is a member of the Johannesburg Centre, who has the desire to build a telescope. You do need perseverance and a willingness to follow instructions.
How
The class will operate as a group, in a relaxed and informal manner. You will follow a standard design optimised for cost and quality. You will receive practical and theoretical tutoring, as well as advice on customising your instrument, assistance with the procurement of materials and construction of parts. You are expected to catch-up work at home if necessary, but this should be minimal if you apply yourself at class.
Cost
A course fee of R350.00 is payable up front in October. This covers notes, glass, grinding materials, aluminising and various other incidentals of a communal nature. You can work on a further outlay of about R150 per month from November to February inclusive, to cover all of the other components and materials involved. The costs of these materials will be minimised by making bulk purchases for the whole class.
Booking
Phone Ana at (011) 484-4740 during office hours. To keep control of the process and more especially to ensure that all participants receive sufficient individual attention, the class will be limited to 12 people. Bring your course fees to the first class.
Note
Previous classes have been heavily oversubscribed but suffered a large percentage of dropouts. Some of the problems revolved around the sheer numbers and the consequent difficulties of giving sufficient individual attention. Other problems related to the difficulties of procuring parts and materials, the lack of workshop facilities and the varied skill levels. We have taken steps to address all of these issues in this class, so don't be afraid. If you are keen, get in early and stick with it. We also understand that people's ability to attend may be affected by unanticipated factors, and are sympathetic, but feel the pace we are setting should be within most people's abilities to cope. If, however, you know you really cannot afford the time, perhaps you should rather let someone else have your slot.
Catch-up Class
Members of previous classes who have not yet completed their instruments are encouraged to continue with us at no extra cost. You can take advantage of some of the new developments designed to help the beginners.
Advanced Class
Thinking of building another telescope? Why not join us for an exchange of ideas and mutual assistance? Show off your earlier works to the beginners! Impress your friends!
You can't afford it
If you have a burning desire to build your own telescope but no funding with which to achieve your ambition - don't despair!
The Centre is willing to sponsor really deserving cases. All you need to do is write to us motivating your desire for financial assistance.
Visitors
If you don't wish to participate in the class, but you are interested in telescope making (or just curious!), why not pop in for a chat and see what's going on? You would be most welcome.