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Post by billw on Sept 25, 2007 7:48:53 GMT
Dear All, There are two observing weekends planned for the Loch Doon site in October. The first is the on evenings of the 12th and 13th, the second on the 19th and 20th. Remember to check the website for a final weather decision before traveling! Regards, Bill.
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Post by billw on Mar 13, 2008 13:52:42 GMT
I haven't had any feedback from the announcement so I can only take it that everyone is in general agreement with the sentiments expressed.
On a much more positive note I have heard rumblings of goings on with the "Year of Astronomy, 2009"
If you're going to be doing anything in 2009 put it on here! cheers, Bill.
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Post by billw on Feb 25, 2008 14:58:10 GMT
For the record and for those who didn't make it along the SAG AGM on Saturday 23rd Feb 2008 was a very brief affair.
The only motion was the one I circulated on the society list I have. This was "The Scottish Astronomers Group be re-constituted as an occasional observers group without official positions and no financial, or other, liabilities. Participation is at the individuals own risk."
This motion was carried by unanimously by 19 to 0.
So what does this now mean for the group. Well basically the SAG is dead, Long live the SAG!
Over the coming year or so the available funds will be run down and the bank account closed and the "Officials" will cease to exist. The SAG Mag editor has agreed to continue producing it until such time's that it becomes impractical. Future newsletters will be distributed electronically.
In the meantime the Group will have a steering committee made up of the existing members until such time as a new statement of intent, rather than a constitution, is drawn up (The "participation at own risk" bit.) Going down this route I feel frees us from much bureaucracy
Hopefully this will re-invigorate the group as there now should be no issues of the SAG being a society and trying to do all the things that societies do and not doing them terribly well.
The SAG exists purely as a forum for observers no matter what other society, if any, they may be in. In fact this was the reason I found the SAG attractive when I first discovered its existence. At the time I didn't know of any local society and the SAG was a route to meet those who actually got out under the skies.
This must be it's primary goal once more. It's aim is to be a meeting place for anyone interested in getting together with fellow observers. This, along with occasional, day time meetings was the original goal before things began to change for the worse.
It is my hope that we will once again have the 100+ people affiliated and prepared to share their work.
Any suggestions of events, "barby's", star parties or more serious programmes are all welcome. The simple proviso is that it should be open to all, trans society. So to all the hundreds of "reads" counted, come on board!
cheers, Bill.
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Post by billw on Jan 18, 2008 16:20:49 GMT
Dear All, The meeting will take place at 2.30pm at the Albert Hall. As mentioned in my last note in the SAG mag I have resigned as the Groups' president however I will continue to be one of the moderators of the forum. We are short of a few officials now so if you would like to volunteer please get in touch. It's not difficult as the group is, very sadly, a lot smaller than it used to be. cheers, Bill.
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Post by billw on Dec 20, 2007 12:36:01 GMT
The exact meeting time may need to change as this clashes with the main speaker. As most folks will want to attend this lecture I'm trying to move the meeting time forward a bit. The exact time will be posted as soon as I confirm this with Douglas. cheers, Bill.
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Post by billw on Sept 12, 2007 11:58:39 GMT
Welcome to the Scottish Astronomers Group online forum.
The original aim of the forum was to provide a central location for the activities of the SAG. With the speed of emails and the evolution of individual society internet sites over the past few years much of this necessity has become redundant. There are now several online observing groups, very much modeled on the 40+year SAG legacy of practical observing.
It is always a bit more pleasant and safer to observe with others, especially at the more remote locations.
As there are no longer formal memberships as such this forum is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy and who is willing to get out and do some observing, share ideas and experiences as well as have a good laugh with others at the observing sessions. Registration is necessary to make postings but that is now considered to be your "membership" of the SAG.
No matter what level of experience you have you are more than welcome to join in. The older, sorry more experienced, hands are always available to give help and advice. The only thing needed is some enthusiasm.
There are few house rules. The postings can be about anything related to astronomy and astronomical observing. Telescopes, cameras, meteors, aurora, NLC, get togethers (anywhere and anyone) deep sky, the moon and planets, observing tales etc etc, are all fine. ALL are welcome BUT If it's not astronomy related then don't post. That's all.
I look forward to catching up with you under the stars.
cheers and clear skies, Bill.
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Post by billw on Oct 5, 2007 14:02:46 GMT
Hello, Firstly welcome to those who have registered, its good to have you on board. I've been experimenting with a grating mounted in front of the DSLR attached at prime focus on my refractor. The first is an image of Beta Peg. This is a cool M2 star with lots of absorption lines. The second is of Beta Cass. This is a F2 star and the first few lines of the hydrogen series can be seen. H alpha at the red end, H beta and H gamma in the blue. Need to work on the focusing to try and sharpen things up a bit. Astrophysics is action...!
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