ASTRONOMY CLUB - from Phoenix 68 [published November 1968]

During the last year attendance at Astro-Club has been higher than in previous years. This is probably the result of better publicity and the showinc of several films, notably “Mirror to the Sky’ , “The life and work of Kepler and ‘SpacefUght around the Earth’. The last of these was shown in conjunction with the geography club, and featured, in colour, actual film taken by spacecraft orbiting the Earth.

On one occasion four telescopes were exhibited and demonstrated. These were, two 4’ reflectors, a 31” reflector and a 21” reflector. The 21" reflector was used to demonstrate the method of solar observation, by focussing on a powerful light source, some thirty feet away, and projecting the image on tc a white card. With the use of the 31” reflector members were able to examine a brick of the gymnasium wall, some ninety feet away. Members were alsc invited to experiment in building their own telescopes, using lenses from the physics laboratory.

One of our most successful meetings was an astronomical question time, when members asked questions which were answered by Miss Cracknell and two senior members, Curtis and Jones. The questions ranged from those or the universe In general, to more complicated ones on cosmic rays.

Attempts were made every Friday to arrange observing meetings, but the weather was, unfortunately, the worst known since the founding of the club three years ago.

We would like to thank Miss Cracknell for organising the meetings. We would also like to thank Mr. Joy for his co-operation and also Miss Scott for obtaining the local weather forecasts.

P. T. Curtis

J. B. Jones 5c