60th Anniversary Celebration - 16th February 2008
Andy Lound with Society Chairman Fred Whittle
and Schools Co-ordinator Dave Tovey (centre)
Photograph © South Wales Evening Post
Swansea Astronomical Society celebrated its 60th Anniversary on Saturday 16th February 2008, with a daylong event in the Dylan Thomas Centre. The programme of speakers throughout the day included Mr. Andy Lound of the Planetary Society, Dr. Haley Gomaz of Cardiff University and Dr. Allan Chapman of Oxford University.
Our Chairman, Mr. Fred Whittle, opened the Convention by welcoming the invited guests who included former officers of the Society and members of astronomical societies from England and south Wales. The day's proceedings were orchestrated by Mr. Mike Wiseman who introduced each speaker and, at the appropriate time, the Chief Executive of the City and County of Swansea, Councillor Chris Holley who was invited to speak to to the Convention.
Former Society Secretary, Mr. Dave Tovey, set the scene for the event with his presentation "We Reach for the Stars"; an account of the history of the Society from 1948 to the present time and the morning's programme was concluded with Mr. Andy Lound's spectacular and entertaining presentation, "Saturn, Lord of the Rings"
After lunch, the delegates were treated to an informative revelation of Dr. Haley Gomaz' current work on "Smoking Supernavae: the controversy over the origin of cosmic dust". She explained how the dust affects star formation, stellar mass loss rates, the formation of molecular hydrogen and planets.
Finally Dr. Allan Chapman captivated his audience with his account of "The Amateur Astronomer in Wales", when all present were surprised to learn that Welsh astronomers John Protheroe of Nantyrhebog and Sir William Lower of Trefenty, near Laugharne, were the first astronomers to use a telescope to view the heavens, a year before Galileo Galilei did in 1610! He also revealed that Robert Recorde of Tenby - famous for his invention of the equals sign in mathematics - was the first astronomer in Britain to talk about the Copernicus' theory of heliocentrism in the court of Henry VIII.
In addition to this programme of speakers, Dr. Steve Wainwright's photographic history of the Society was a popular exhibit, as was the collection of members' photographs, both conventional and digital, which illustrated that Society members were in the forefront of the modern amateur astrophotography. 'Aurora Books' completed the exhibition area and its proprietor, Martin Lunn, reported a brisk trade throughout the day.
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Andy Lound with Society Chairman Fred Whittle and Schools Co-ordinator Dave Tovey (centre) Photograph © South Wales Evening Post |
Chairman Fred Whittle welcomes delegates to the Convention Photo by Jim Collins |
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| Dave Tovey presents 'A History of the Society' Photo by Jim Collins |
Mike Wiseman introduces Dr. Allan Chapman Photo by Jim Collins |
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| Compere and Speaker Secretary Mike Wiseman Photo by Jim Collins |
The delegates start to take their places Photo by Jim Collins |
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| Liaison Officer, Brian Spinks, talks to former Chairman Phil Brady and his partner Photo by Jim Collins |
Frank Deavall, Nick Lewis, Stephen Morris and Brian and David Stokes Photo by Jim Collins |
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Brian Spinks and Pearl Wiseman at the raffle stall Photo by Jim Collins |
Secretary Ann Spinks and Treasurer Jean Powell on 'Entry Control' Photo by Jim Collins |
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| Members Ron Clarke and Peter Seager in attendance Photo by Jim Collins |
Member Dave Minshall on 'Lights Control' Photo by Jim Collins |
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| Martin Lunn at his Trade Stand Photo by Jim Collins |