Southwell Young Farmers
© P. DingleyOn the 2nd December 2003 the Observatory was visited by a group from the Southwell Young Farmers Club.The evenings lecture was provided by Mr Gordon Smith, after which the group were given a brief tour of the Dome, and the telescope, although on this occasion unfortunately the local weather (fog and rain) prevailed against the use of the scope.
The group photograph below shows most of the YFC group.
Ravenshead Scouts
© P. DingleyOn the 3rd December 2003 the Observatory was visited by the Ravenshead & Larch Farm Beaver Scout Group.Although the sky conditions weren't perfect, with a little high cloud, the group were able to spend half an hour viewing the Moon through the Observatory's 61cm Reflector, before the evening's presentation given by the society's chairman Mr Angus Wright.
The group photograph below shows most of the scout group, with the chairman of the Mansfield & Sutton Astronomical Society, Mr Angus Wright standing at the back of the group.
3rd Alfreton Scouts
© P. DingleyOn the 9th April 2004 the Observatory was visited by the 3rd Alfreton Scout Group, as part of a year's activities with a space and sky theme.Although the sky conditions weren't clear enough to allow any observing, with a lot of cloud around, the society's chairman Mr Angus Wright presented a well received lecture, starting with information and pictures of the Sun, and gradually moving out through the Solar System and onto some of the well known deep sky objects and Nebulae.
Following the talk the group were able to take a good look at the Observatory's 61cm Reflector, which was explained by one of the society's founder members Mr David Collins.
The photograph below taken in the dome of the observatory shows David Collins from the society explaining how the telescope works to the scout leaders and some of the scouts.
Spring 2003 Night School
© P. DingleyA few of the students from the class of the Spring 2003 Astronomy Explored night school during the last evening class of the 15-week course.Not all of the students appear in the photo, some unfortunately being just out of shot towards the left (and one behind the camera).
Autumn 2003 Night School
© P. DingleyOn the final evening of the 15-week 'Astronomy Explored' evening course, a few of the students stay late, after the formal proceedings have finished, to watch a video presentation.With the publicity around the National Astronomy week in August 2003, coinciding with the closest approach of Mars in living memory, the Autumn 2003 course was very well attended, and despite a couple of nights of pouring rain and fog, most students attended every one of the 15-week long lecture series.
Spring '04 Evening Class
© P. DingleyAs well as the 21-foot rotating dome, the Sherwood Observatory also houses a 40-seat lecture room, used for society meetings and to host the Astronomy Explored evening course run by the society in conjunction with the University of Nottinghams Department of Continuing Education.The photograph below taken on 4th April 2003 shows the lecture room with the new seating in place. Graham at the front of the room is waiting for the last few students to arrive for the fifth lecture in the evening class series (Outer Solar System Part I).
Dec'07 Interview
© P. RandallPhil, one of the society's stalwart committee members is pictured here being interviewed about the society's forthcoming December open evening by Sarah Julian, weekend breakfast show presenter for Radio Nottingham. The society hosts a number of public open evenings and outreach style events throughout the year, bringing Astronomy to local schools, scouting and guiding groups, and the public, and largely relies on the combination of word of mouth and free local advertising to publicise these events.
Open Day June 2005
© P. DingleyThe event board at the end of the driveway leading to the Observatory hows the date of the next public open day/evening - in this case 26th June 2005. Each year the society holds a number of public open evenings during the winter months, but recently we have started hosting similar events during the summer to allow public access to dedicated solar observing equipment.Each publc open day dedicated to solar observing is held in conjunction with a local astronomical equipment supplier, with the June 26th 2005 event being held in conjunction with Rother Valley Optics from Killamarsh, who brought a range of inexpensive telescopes, binoculars, books and other astronomical supplies.
Marquee
© P. DingleyThe society was recently fortunate enough to receive funding for the purchase of a marquee which will be used to further the aims of the society at open days, open evenings and other public events such as the Ashfield Show, held in August of each year. Once the legs of the Marquee have been extended and locked into place, then next stage is to attach the sides and back of the marquee - each of which simply hooks over the aluminium support framework and then attaches to the top by means of a Velcro strip.
Marquee
© P. DingleyThe society was recently fortunate enough to receive funding for the purchase of a marquee and collapsible tables which will be used to further the aims of the society at open days, open evenings and other public events such as the Ashfield Show, held in August of each year. With the marquee erected, and back and sides attached it is moved into position for the open day, adjacent to the side of the new observatory worksop.The photograph above shows the marquee and collapsible tables all purchased as a result of funding grants made to the society. To the left of the marquee is the end of the new workshop, fronted by the new observatory access ramp.
Open Day June 2005
© P. DingleyWith the marquee erected, Ian from Rother Valley Optics begins to setup some of the equipment brought to the open day for public display. Two members from the Mansfield & Sutton society are pictured above taking an early look at some of the equipment.As the day progresses the equipment gradually being setup will be a subject of great interest to the many visitors, particularly the Coronado PST dedicated Hydrogen-alpha telescope towards the left of the picture.
Solar Open Day
© P. DingleyThe society's public open day events provide very popular opportunities for members of the public to visit the society, meet some of its members, and in the case of events held during the day, to experience the use of dedicated solar observing equipment to view the sun. The picture above shows some of the society's telescopes in use by members of the public, supervised by society members.NOTE: All of the telescopes used in the picture for solar observing have been fitted with dedicated solar filters, allowing the sun to be safely observed.
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes. Doing so without using specialist filters may cause permanent eye damage or severe loss of vision.
Open Day June 2005
© P. DingleyThe society's public open day events provide very popular opportunities for members of the public to viit the society, meet some of its members, and in the case of events held during the day, to experience the use of dedicated solar observing equipment to view the sun. The picture above shows some of the inexpensive solar observing equipment provided by Rother Valley Optics in use by members of the public.NOTE: All of the telescopes used in the picture for solar observing have been fitted with dedicated solar filters, allowing the sun to be safely observed.
YOU MUST NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY OPTICAL EQUIPMENT UNLESS FITTED WITH A DEDICATED SOLAR FILTER.
