Visit to Herstmonceux 10.4.10

[Carole]

I am collecting names for this.  OAS has to pay a minimum amount to Herstmonceux for this visit, so it would be useful to get some idea of who wants to go.  It is £10 each, make your own way there (I'll provide some maps nearer the time).  Meet at 6pm.  It is between Battle and Hailsham.  

Herstmonceux Observatory
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 1RN

http://www.the-observatory.org/astronomy

The Observatory Science Centre is home to six historical telescopes which were left behind when the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO) finally closed its doors at Herstmonceux and moved to Cambridge in 1990.
Weather permitting we can look through the telescopes.  We should get good views of Mars and Saturn and the skies are very dark there.  
I have collected the following names so far.

Doug
Rose
Hugh ?
Carole
Dave Stewart
Brian
Simon.

[The Thing]

You can add me to the list Carol.

[Carole]

Thanks Duncan.

Carole

[MarkS]

Add me please!

Mark

[Carole]

Thanks Mark.

I've added you.

Carole

[doug]

     09 .................... 09 ????????

     Should that not be 10 ???????????????????????????????

     Or have I missed out last year ????????????????????????????????????

     Doug. 

[Mac]

depends on how you look at it.

It could be 9th April 2010
or 10th April 2009

even 10th Sept 4AD
9th october 4AD

probably 3rd 4th & 5th Sept 2010, as per their web site.  http://www.the-observatory.org/astronomy-festivals

We are English.  The date is formatted  as follows

day / month / year.   

Not the AMERICAN way!!!!

[Carole]

Thanks for pointing that out Doug.

I've changed the heading now.

Carole

[Mac]

so what's happening on the 10th of April then?

[Carole]

Are you pulling my leg Mac?

[Mac]

nope, their web site says its the 4th of sept 2010, which would be 4/10/10.
http://www.the-observatory.org/astronomy-festivals

your post says 10/4/10 which is 10th april.

so i was wondering if you have some sort of deal going for april.
or is this just a visit to the site, and not the camping festival?

only i cant see anything on their site listed for 10th April.

Mac.

[JohnP]

nope, their web site says its the 4th of sept 2010, which would be 4/10/10.

Mac just to confuse things the 4th Sept 2010 is actually 4/9/10 & not 4/10/10

[Carole]

It's a private OAS visit to Herstmonceux. Part of our events outings. 
It's been announced at the last few meetings and I thought my first post had explained.

We get to look around the telescopes and if the weather is clear we can look through the scopes.  Saturn Mars and Venus are visible (depending on the clouds).  I have seen both Saturn and Mars through their scopes in the past and they are stunning.

OAS has to guarantee a minimum payment for a private visit, which is why I am counting names.  So far we have 9 and we need 9 more to cover our costs.

Skies are very dark, but make sure you look where you are going.  Once when I went I was looking up at the sky and narrowly missed falling in the lake there!!!!  You'd think they'd have a fence or wall around it knowing it's so dark and people would be looking skywards.

Carole

[Mac]

ah, my mistake, i thought it was for the festival in sept.

[Carole]

A bit more info for Herstmonceux regarding refreshments available.

Cafe menu on the night - the hot food would be soup, jacket potatoes,
toasties. There are also sandwiches, ploughmans, cakes etc.

We are now up to 11 people.  We need 18 to cover our costs, and if we get 25 (though I think this is unlikely) we can pre-book a buffet.

Carole