2000 June 17 - the SAGAS (Southern Area Group of Astronomical Societies) summer 2000 meeting was held at the Royal Russell School - Croydon and hosted by the Croydon AS with about 100 attendees from more than a dozen SAGAS societies.     The normal SAGAS formalities were kept to a minimum to make way for a series of high powered professional presentations under the able direction of  John Murrell  - Croydon AS Chairman.   These included ....

Dr Paul Murdin of  PPARC on  Astrophysics 2000 Plus
Dr Richard Taylor of  British Interplanetary Society on Some Thoughts on Planets
Dr Liz Puchnarewicz of  Mullard Space Science Laboratory on The Frontiers of X-Ray Astronomy

The tea-break [actually the cool-drinks break!] allowed attendees to view the excellent CAS display of astrophotography in the foyer  [some of these works later forming raffle prizes] and distribution of  Nightlife.  The day concluded with Croydon's famed barbecue at their observatory at nearby Kenley.  It was a beautiful hot sunny day and a balmy evening.  A great time was had by all.  Maurice Gavin

click image for the BIG PICTURE
text/images copyright Maurice Gavin 2000; reduced Jan 04

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