Rick Purnell assisted by Secretary John Polley writes ….

A Search for the Stars…..

For our December meeting, 19 of us from Teignmouth Probus Club braved the stormy weather with a visit to the Norman Lockyer Observatory, enhanced by some of us enjoying a warming supper beforehand at the Blue Ball Inn.

David Strange, Chairman of the Norman Lockyer Observatory Society warmly welcomed members and partners to lecture theatre in Sidmouth and gave us a presentation and overview of the history and current day activities of the observatory. This facility, founded in 1912 is managed by enthusiastic volunteers and celebrates the life and works of Sir Norman Lockyer, a pioneering educator and astrophysicist, and is presently a community asset with East Devon District Council.

We were then treated to an optical trip around the night skies in the historic planetarium (a 1963 Spitz A3P) before we went on a site tour of the various telescopes and domes before finishing in the technology centre.

David was previously a farmer and also a long-time amateur astronomer and he has been at the NLO since 2006. He donated one of his telescopes to the NLO which is now housed in the Victoria Dome. 

Whilst we were able to clearly see the stars and planets in the planetarium, we were unable to view the night skies using the telescopes as it was a miserable cold, cloudy and rainy evening! Many members have since asked if we could re-visit at a future date when we have a forecast of clear skies to gaze first hand at the universe.

 A most interesting evening and a fascinating insight into what goes on up in our skies and also within a little-known local observatory.

 If you would like to read more please visit http://normanlockyer.com

The next Christmas ‘special’ is a celebratory luncheon with our ‘other halves’ at Trade Winds Restaurant followed by our AGM on 17th January.