Webb Deep-Sky Society News

Welcome to the latest news about the Webb Society, our website and the deep-sky community in general. Please follow the link for details and news about our Annual Meetings.

• Editorial clarification for DSO 180

  10 October 2018

  Owen's issued a short clarification about the Webb Society's commitment to visual deep-sky observing in response to a question raised by his last editorial.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 180 of the DSO is out now

  28 September 2018

  Many apologies once again for the lateness of issue 180, but the digital version of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that many of you already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Mailing Group Migration

  2 August 2018

  I wonder how many of you were aware that we had a Yahoo Group? Well now we don't ;-) We've just migrated to the service provided by groups.io for what we hope will be a much better experience.

  Access to the mailing group is limited to our members, but we'd love to hear from you. If you were already a member – and not Owen – you should have received notification of the move and be automatically signed up.

  If you'd like to join for the first time you can sign-up and be active once we verify that you're a member.

  Oh, and don't worry about the elephants on the home page, you are in the right place and I'm guessing that image will be changing pretty soon. So if you're a fan of elephant photographs you might want to hurry.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Double Star Section Circular 26

  2 July 2018

  For those with an interest in double stars, there's a new issue of the Double Star Section Circular (DSSC) available for download.

  To see whats in DSSC 26 and to download a PDF copy (free) please visit the double star circular section of the website.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 179 of the DSO is out now

  11 May 2018

  Many apologies for the lateness of issue 179, but the digital version of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• BAA Deep Sky Section Annual Meeting 2018

  As some will know the Deep Sky Section annual meeting has been moved to Sunday 22 April 2018 after the recent bad weather.

  It's still at Bedford School in Bedford and hosted by Bedford Astronomical Society and Bedford School. Full details are available on the BAA website.

  Callum Potter - BAA Deep Sky Section Director

• SHA Spring Conference 2018

  The historians amongst our members may be interested to know that the Society for the History of Astronomy are holding their Spring Conference on Saturday, 21 April 2018 between 9.30–17.00.

  It's being held at the Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HA. Further details of the programme and how to book are available from their website.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• SkyMapper Southern Sky Survey

  2 January 2018

  SkyMapper is constructed and operated by The Australian National University's Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and situated under the clear, dark skies of Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran in central NSW.

  Its mission is to create the first comprehensive digital survey of the entire southern sky, and their first data release was made available world-wide on 14 December 2017. The map includes about 70,000 individual images, capturing nearly 300 million stars and galaxies.

  They provide a Southern Sky Viewer using the Hierarchical Progressive Survey format (HiPS) used by Aladin-Lite.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 178 of the DSO is out now

  23 December 2017

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 177 of the DSO is out now

  28 September 2017

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 176 of the DSO is out now

  1 July 2017

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Double Star Section Circular 25

  23 May 2017

  For those with an interest in double stars, there's a new issue of the Double Star Section Circular (DSSC) available for download.

  To see whats in DSSC 25 and to download a PDF copy (free) please visit the double star circular section of the website.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 175 of the DSO is out now

  4 April 2017

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Printing error in DSO Issue 174

  31 January 2017

  It has come to our attention that a relatively small number of DSOs that have been despatched may have been printed with 2 or more blank pages.

  If you receive one of these please contact Steve Rayner and he will arrange for a replacement copy to be sent out.

  The digital version of this issue is unaffected by this fault.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 174 of the DSO is out now

  26 January 2017

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• BAA Deep Sky Section Annual Meeting 2017

  The Deep Sky Section annual meeting details are now finalised, and the meeting will take place on March 4th 2017 at St. Cassians Centre, Kintbury, near Newbury. Full details are available on the BAA website.

  Speakers are:

  • Guy Hurst - Novae/Supernovae Patrolling
  • Jonathan Blake - Astrophotography - data capture and data processing
  • Mark Radice - Have telescope will travel
  • Steve Tonkin - Binocular Deep Sky Observing
  • Greg Parker - Mini-WASP
  • Dr Philipp Podsiadlowski of Oxford University - From Supernova to Gamma-Ray Burst: Understanding the Diversity of Cosmic Explosions

  For members of the BAA and affiliated societies it will be £20 and for non-members £25. This includes all refreshments through the day and a cooked buffet lunch.

  Advance booking is recommended to ensure a place. You can book online, or download the booking form from the BAA website and send payment to the BAA Office who are coordinating bookings.

  Callum Potter - BAA Deep Sky Section Director

• Release of a major website update

  17 November 2016

  Some of you may have noticed that the website's looking a little different. I've been planning an update for the last year or so and a recent question about mobile device compatibility spurred me into action.

  This new layout should be much more accessible across a range of devices including tablets and phones.

  Of course being a lowly web admininstrator of means that I can't afford to test on every device, operating system and browser out there. I've tried my best, but it's quite possible that something's broken somewhere, so if you are having problems please let me know about it.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 173 of the DSO is out now

  7 November 2016

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• GAIA Data Release 1

  14 September 2016

  For those that haven't already heard about first release of data from ESA's GAIA mission you might want to take a look at the Billion-Star map they've produced.

  It's generated by plotting the position of the stars from the first data release, and I think it's amazing. It will also get a whole lot better as the mission continues.

  These data and more information are available from the gaia archive and via CDS Vizier. You can watch a recording of the ESA press conference on their website too.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 172 of the DSO is out now

  23 August 2016

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Steve Gottlieb Observing Notes Updated

  23 August 2016

  Steve Gottlieb has just updated his notes on observing all the NGC and IC objects.

  These are my observing notes on nearly 7500 NGC and over 1000 IC objects. This update covers virtually the entire NGC and is the most complete visual resource of NGC observations available online.

  Owen Brazell - Galaxy Section Director

• SHA Autumn Conference 2016

  I'm aware that some of you are also astronomical historians, and our own Society is named after one of the great figures of british astronomy. This being the case the Autumn Conference of the Society for the History of Astronomy may be of considerable interest.

  It's being held at the Midland Institute in Birmingham (an easy walk from New Street station) on Saturday 29 October 2016. Their speakers are:

  • Dr Allan Chapman
  • Bill Barton
  • Dr Lee Macdonald
  • Dr Mike Leggett

  The cost of entry is £5 for members and £10 if not. Pre-registration is required by contacting Gerard Gilligan.

  Your can download their poster and the programme of the day as PDFs by clicking on the respective links.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• How bright are your skies?

  We are all concerned with the darkness and quality of our skies. Well, Owen Brazell has pointed out an article from The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) that addresses the first of these criteria.

  CPRE have just released the most detailed satellite map of British dark skies to date.

  The article above provides a link to the interactive map which is well worth a look if you're planning to move house, or just want to confirm your worst fears.

  A few surprises to me: the East Midlands (my own region) ranked highly, and just how bad the light pollution in NW England seems to be.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Deep Sky Forum Object of the Week for SkyTools users

  6 June 2016

  Owen Brazell has created a set of SkyTools files containing all the Objects of the Week. Not only that, but he intends to keep them up to date as new objects appear on the forum, and they're free for you to download.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Cambridge Astronomical Association Deep Sky Astrophotography Talk

  I will be giving a talk on Deep Sky Astrophotography at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge on Wednesday next, 1 June 2016. This talk is the second part of the Cambridge Astronomy Association course "An Introduction to Imaging".

  I will give an introductory talk covering fundamental concepts, choices of equipment and software, followed, after tea, by a live session of processing an image captured with a DSLR camera. I will feature the use of Deep Sky Stacker and Photoshop.

  For more details see the CAA website

  The cost for attending one evening is £2. Doors are open are 7:30pm for an 8pm start.

  If you decide to attend can I ask you to contact Paul Fellows so that we can be sure to have enough cake and biccies for the tea break.

  David Davies

• Issue 171 of the DSO is out now

  29 May 2016

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand that you may already have your hands on them.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• BAA Deep Sky Section Annual Meeting 2016

  Just in case you hadn't noticed the above meeting is nearly upon us, and the programme has been published.

  This year's meeting is being hosted by the Rugby and District Astronomical Society in Church Lawford (halfway between Coventry and Rugby on the A428) on Saturday the 27th February 2016.

  Details, a map and the full programme can be found on the BAA Deep Sky Section website. It looks like it'll be a great day: not least because our own Andrew Robertson and Owen Brazell are speaking!

  In addition we'll be there with our stand to talk with those assembled and offer our publications as normal.

  I hope to see many of you.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 170 of the DSO is out now

  2 January 2016

  Happy New Year everyone, and as a special gift the digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand they're on their way to you now.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Participation in GAIA

  Professor Gerry Gilmore, whom many will remember gave such a stimulating and interesting talk on the GAIA mission at the Annual Meeting in 2014, invites potential users of the GAIA dataset to submit suggestions for apps which might be used to help with interpretation or presentation of the data.

  For those interested please refer to the Gaia website.

  Bob Argyle - President

• An appeal for information

  We've received an email from Garry Crook who is working on the history and preservation of Snodhill Castle (it is close to where the Reverend Webb lived).

  It seems that the Reverend collected a number of artefacts from the Castle and other places during his life. Garry wondered if any of our members knows who now has all of these?

  If you can help please contact me and I'll pass the information on.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 169 of the DSO is out now

  16 October 2015

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand they're on their way to you now.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 168 of the DSO is out now

  7 July 2015

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand they're on their way to you now.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Jenni Kay stands down as Southern Secretary

  Sadly, at the 2015 AGM, Jenni Kay decided to resign from the post of Southern Secretary after 15 years of dedicated service.

  We'd like to thank her very much for everything she has done to promote the Society in the southern hemisphere and we wish her all the best for her future activities.

  Everyone on the Committee

• Updated Introduction to Visual Deep-Sky Observing.

  12 May 2015

  We'd like to announce the release of a new edition of An Introduction to Visual Deep-Sky Observing by Faith Jordan.

  If you'd like to buy a copy the price is £4. Please contact Don Miles for more information.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Double Star Section Circular 23

  5 May 2015

  For those with an interest in double stars, there's a new issue of the Double Star Section Circular (DSSC) available for download.

  To see whats in DSSC 23 and to download a PDF copy (free) please visit the double star circular section of the website.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 167 of the DSO is out now

  29 April 2015

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand they're on their way to you now.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• “Nightfall” – the deep-sky observing newsletter

  31 March 2015

  I hope that our friends in the Deep-Sky Section of the Astronomical Society of South Africa won't mind me posting a link to the first issue of their excellent newsletter, Nightfall.

  It's freely available as a PDF download from the above link and well worth a look. Congratulations on a great publication.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• Issue 166 of the DSO is out now

  19 January 2015

  The digital version of this issue of the Deep Sky Observer is available for those that have registered to download using the same login details as last time.

  If you're a Webb Deep-Sky Society member that isn't currently registered for the download version, but would like to be, please contact our membership secretary.

  For those that are perfectly happy with their paper hardcopies, I understand they're on their way to you now.

  Everyone else can take a look at what's in this issue and read Owen Brazell's editorial whilst considering whether to join us.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator

• CEDIC 2015

  8 December 2014

  The 2015 edition of CEDIC has been brought to my attention by Bernhard Hubl. I've included what he said below.

  The Central European Deepsky Imaging Conference (CEDIC) is the biggest conference for deep sky astrophotography in Europe. The conference will take place from March 6 to 8, 2015, in Linz, Austria. There will be a lot of amazing lectures and interesting workshops by some of the most experienced astrophotographers from all over the globe and we are proud to announce that Don Goldman, Ph.D., President of Astrodon Imaging, USA, will be our key speaker at CEDIC'15.

  They've certainly got a busy agenda. So if you're a keen astrophotographer, and plan to be around Austria next March it might be worth a visit.

  James Whinfrey - Website Administrator