A message from NAA President Nick Freville
June 2010

As the earth orbits the Sun, we are now in the month of the summer solstice with the long day light hours and short nights. This then is a good time for a spot of solar watching.

Sunspots of course are temporary, dark, relatively cool blotches on the Sun’s bright photosphere. They usually appear in groups of 2 or more and may last from a few hours to a few months At any one time more then a hundred sunspots on the Suns disk or none at all. The number of sunspots repeatedly increases and decreases in roughly 11 year regular cycles. In essence sunspots are like huge magnetic fields.

So weather permitting, solar watches will start from 7:00pm onwards during June and July observing sessions at the Newton Field Centre.

On Saturday 8^th March a number of us went over to Ziggy’s and Sally’s place at Badby to be shown around and instructed in the complex delights of Ziggy’s self constructed observatory with its giant 14inch reflector telescope. With the delightful setting and refreshments, for which we thank Ziggy and Sally so much.

Finally, we say good-bye to Sheri who has been associated with the group for sometime but has now moved away from the area, being to far away to now come to the meetings. We thank her for the commitment she provided and whish her well for the future.

Don’t forget that the society has the following telescopes which are available for members to hire out.
3” 6” 11” and 8.5” reflectors and a 60mm refractor, full details and conditions of use please see any member of the society at our meetings.

Also we have a selection of clothing available
Sweatshirts £20
T-shirts £8.50
Base ball hats £6.50
All of which have the NAA logo on

  

Nick Freville
President
Northants Amateur Astronomers