The Public Launch of

The Isle of Wight Dark Sky Initiative

Newport Parish Church Centre, Town Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1JU

7.15 pm on Friday 24th May 2013

Bob Mizon - a senior member of the British Astronomical Association and Campaign for Dark Skies, and Martin Morgan-Taylor - board member of the International Dark Skies Association will give a presentation entitled

“Dark Skies – Dark Future?”

This will be followed by a short presentation outlining details of the VAS application for International Dark Sky Status for the Isle of Wight

Our Island is already well known for its dark skies, as celebrated each March by the “Isle of Wight Star Party” attended by around 100 observational astronomy enthusiasts and professionals. This event has featured in recent editions of Sky at Night and Astronomy Now magazines.

Professor Bill Martin of the University of Hertfordshire Centre for Astrophysics and Atmospheric Instrumentation Research has operated a dark sky monitoring station on the Island for several years, and has stated:

“with the data we have from the Isle of Wight you potentially have the best combination of dark skies and clear weather in the UK.”

Most types of pollution are being tackled but, so far, light pollution seems to have had little attention even though it can affect all our health and well-being.

VAS is committed to reduce light pollution on the Isle of Wight and believes that achieving International Dark Sky status for the island through the International Dark Sky Association will:

Strengthen the island’s tourism industry Improve the well-being of the population Reduce environmental impact Enable further education and scientific research projects Recognize our Island as one of the most environmentally friendly and enjoyable places to be on earth.

Please send letters of support to:

Isle of Wight Dark Skies Initiative, 35 Forest Road, Winford, Isle of Wight, PO36 0JY

Last Updated on Monday, 13 May 2013 16:24

Tonight's Monthly meeting

Friday, 22 March 2013 13:37

Due to the extreme weather on the mainland, there is a chance that tonight's scheduled speaker may not make it over to us.

If anyone is available with a talk to act as a standby it would be very useful.

If you can help please let me know as soon as possible.

There will be an announcement here should the meeting be called off...

DIY Meade Telescope to PC Cable

Friday, 22 March 2013 13:31

There's a nice little project to build a control cable for your telescope at The Maker's Table website, it is designed to be used on a Meade telescope but I suspect it's similar for all makes:

http://themakersworkbench.com/tutorial/diy-meade-505-telescope-pc-cable

John Wilson Smith MBE

Tuesday, 01 January 2013 00:00

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of John Wilson Smith MBE.

A founder member and tireless worker for VAS, John died on Sunday 30th December 2012.

John was instrumental in the establishment of the Isle of Wight Observatory in Watery Lane Newchurch and will be remembered fondly by all members of the Society as well as the wider community of Newchurch.

A celebration of John's life will be held at the Pavilion (next to the observatory), on January 24th at 11am, followed by a family only interment at Springwood Cemetery.

Stargazing 2013

Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 12 December 2012 11:20
Great news – BBC2 Stargazing LIVE 2013 has been confirmed and is set to be the biggest yet! Tentative dates are 8, 9, 10 January and Dara O Briain and Professor Brian Cox will be returning to inspire the nation about the wonders to be seen in our incredible universe. The three live TV shows will focus on the following themes: Earth and missions into space Mars and living in space Supernovae and explosions: the Big Bang and the end of the universe VAS will take part by hosting an open evening from 6.00-9.00pm on Saturday 12th January 2013 at our Observatory in Newchurch on the Isle of Wight. We have booked the pavilion for the evening from 5-10pm to get ready and clear up. We hope to run presentations We shall be offering refreshments in the pavilion Around the Observatory, we hope to have a minimum of 10 telescopes out, of various sizes and types. For each scope we need an experienced member attending As well as the scopes, we hope to have several other 'spare' members floating around to point the constellations And inside, we shall use one of our rooms to present Astronomy DVD’s and images, cinema-style So, we would be delighted if you can help! Can you bring your own telescope or binoculars? If so, what type and size would you bring? Can you come along and help to point out constellations? Can you suggest and/or supply a short film or slide-show we can play on a loop for the evening for visitors to watch, e.g. a short astronomy DVD and/or astro pictures on a memory stick? Can you help with welcoming people or with refreshments? Please contact me if you can come along and help in any of the ways mentioned above - or if you have any other suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Many Thanks and Clear Skies! *Elaine Spear* Programme Organiser Vectis Astronomical Society email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 December 2012 11:43

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