Christchurch Weekend Meeting

[Andrew Robertson]

I’ve just received the latest BAA Journal and note the Christchurch weekend has been set for 7th to 9th September 2018.

This is rather a shame as it clashes with the largest observing event in the UK, the Autumn Equinox star party at Kelling Heath. Much as though I would have liked to have attended the Christchurch weekend, Kelling wins.

Andrew

[Callum Potter]

Hi Andrew,

always difficult scheduling meetings – the calendar gets pretty congested at some times of the year. 

The annual programme is usually fixed up up to two years in advance, and the Sept meeting is usually the first weekend of Sept.

Winchester next year is the same weekend as Spring Kelling (only weekend the College is available).

BTW have penciled in March 23 for the Deep Sky Section meeting next year – assuming there is no major conflicting event. Location TBD.

Callum

[Grant Privett]

Hi Callum,

Where will the DSS meeting be held next year?

Grant

[Callum Potter]

Hi Grant – currently working on it – will let everyone know once it’s confirmed. Probably Birmingham area, though.

Cheers. Callum

[Grant Privett]

Thanks for the headsup.

[owen brazell]

Your Ok here Callum as Andrew will be in New Zealand and can’t complain about it 🙂 He will be there for Spring Kelling as well so can’t complain about the Winchester social dates either 🙂

Owen

[Peter Carson]

Andrew’s right to point out the clash. The choice of a meeting date is never going please everyone but in this case many of the potential attendee’s will choose Kelling…..I’m afraid I will!

Peter

[Andrew Robertson]

Hi Callum,

Thanks for your reply. I do understand the difficulty with bookings especially when using educational establishments for venues. I mention it merely as a reminder to avoid conflict wherever possible. The original date for the Winchester w/e was fine but I know you had to change it through no fault of your own so no problem. March 23rd for the DSS meeting is fine – full moon is on the 21st. As Owen points out I will miss this and Kelling in April 2019 anyway as I’ll be in New Zealand – I’ve booked two new moon periods to maximise my chances of seeing the Southern constellations/stars (I’ve never seen the LMC, SMC, Eta Carina or 47 Tuc – will be taking a travel scope with me.) It will be the first Kelling I’ve missed ever but hopefully will be well worth it. Ironically I would have been back in time for the original Winchester date.

Re September, this is the one to avoid a new moon event if possible. The Autumn Kelling is invariably over the new moon period in September. About once every 4 years it occurs in the first week in September and occasionally gets pushed into October to avoid school holidays, this year was a close call.

Regards, Andrew

[Mr Nicholas John Atkinson]

I am rather surprised you chose Christchurch Junior School as the location, Bournemouth Grammar School for Boys has a lecture theatre that would cater for larger numbers as well as Bournemouth University both more covenient for hotel accomidation

Nick

[David Arditti]

The meeting has been organised in collaboration with Wessex Astronomical Society, and they chose the venue. We are dependent on the knowledge and contacts of local societies in organising such meetings, and the results are usually excellent, as I fully expect they will be in this case.

[Nick James]

Peter – That’s a shame but, as others have said, we have constraints too and so it is not always possible to avoid a clash.

[Author]

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