2000 Sept 16: An excellent meeting convened by Dr Margaret Penston [RAS Secretary] and arranged jointly with Guy Hurst [The Astronomer] and hosted by Dr Mike Dworetsky - Observatory Director and his able team. Some 38 amateur and professional astronomers had gathered to discuss work of mutual interest and receive a series of short but fairly high powered talks covering a wide range of topics. After morning coffee and introductions, Margaret Penston chaired the first session. The lunch break included a conducted tour of the Observatory with the afternoon session chaired by Nick James. Unfortunately Guy Hurst was unable to attend and his presentation was covered by Nial Tanvir.Nial Tanvir (Herts) Gamma Ray Bursters.
Guy Hurst GRB Afterglows - an amateur observer's perspective.
Peter Meikle (Imperial College) Supernovae - observe early, observe often.
Mark Armstrong Supernovae and the amateur astronomer.
Duncan Steel (Salford) The essential contribution of amateurs to the orbit determination of NEOs.
Andrew Elliott Accurate meteor orbit determination from [amateur] multi-station photography and intensified video.
Tim Naylor (Keele) Observing cataclysmic variables with small telescopes.
Denis Buczynski Cataclysmic variables and X-ray transients - reacting rapidly to discovery announcements.
Bill Worraker Detecting eclipses in dwarf novae systems.
Peter Wheatley (Leicester) X-ray observations of dwarf nova outbursts triggered by amateur observers.
Maurice Gavin Amateur spectroscopy - some worthwhile projects.
Mark Cropper (MSSL) The next generation of detectors.It is many years since I've visited the University of London Observatory - Mill Hill which has had a complete and impressive makeover. Although sandwiched between the A1 and M1 motorways in north London, it is a pleasant oasis amongst pine-trees and adjacent parkland. Five new silvery Ash domes grace the skyline and enclose two 24-inch aperture scopes - the Radcliffe refractor [with twinned 18-inch refractor and rising floor deck] and the Allen reflector with Cassegrain spectrograph. The three smaller domes house the Fry 8-inch refractor, 10-inch Meade LX200 with one dome awaiting installation of the Joynson 6-inch Cooke refractor and H-alpha filter. The site now includes office space and laboratories and lecture rooms for students attending the UCL courses.
It was a great meeting and chance to meet some of the professional astronomers for the first time and top amateurs of long acquaintance - all with common interests. I certainly went home with my batteries recharged and eager to put into effect some of the work discussed. Maurice Gavin
text MG; reduced Jan04