Relay for Life - Moorways Stadium, Derby Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th June 2006
The DDAS provided solar and stargazing activities at the Cancer Research UK Relay for Life at Moorways Stadium in Derby from Saturday 17th to
Sunday 18th June 2006. Many members turned out to help and a great day - and night - was had by all. We were delighted to have been asked to
take part in this event and provide out of this world activities for the participants and attendees. During the Saturday afternoon
many people were able to glimpse the Sun's disc projected through a refractor provided by Mike Dumelow, as well as directly observe the
filtered Sun through the Society's LX-90 telescope. Mike also brought along a large Moon globe signed by Patrick Moore and Alan Chapman
and this provided an eye-catching addition to our set up. Jupiter stole the show in the evening as people were enthralled by what for many was their
first view of the giant planet through a telescope. Both the LX-90 and an impressive 8" Dobsonian brought by Mike Dumelow provided this Jovian
experience. Sadly the clouds rolled in and we were unable to observe anything else overnight! Nevertheless we kept people entertained with a
couple of spectacular presentations of astronomical images on the DDAS laptop. One was an enthralling audiovisual tour of our universe by
Chris Newsome constructed entirely from images taken by himself, Adrian Brown and other DDAS members. The other was a PowerPoint driven tour
of our Solar System using a mixture of DDAS, NASA and other images assembled by Anthony Southwell. Our new club gazebo also saw 'first light'
at the Relay, acting as welcome shade from the Sun, a housing for our presentations and as a gallery of astronomical images taken by our
members. Pictures by Mike Lancaster and Chris Newsome.
A fully crewed gazebo.
Credit: Mike Lancaster
The LX-90 and Mike Dumelow's Moon Globe.
Credit: Mike Lancaster
Time for some solar projection and the Moon in gazebostationary orbit.
Credit: Mike Lancaster
You can never have too many shoe boxes - Keith enjoys a spotless Sun.
Credit: Chris Newsome
What no sunspots? The LX-90 dons a solar filter and Nick keeps an eye on the clouds.
Credit: Chris Newsome
Would you like a look at our nearest star?
Credit: Chris Newsome
Sky and Telescope. The clouds roll in.
Credit: Chris Newsome
Jupiter gets the full DDAS treatment as all scopes point skyward. Is that a queue for the Dobsonian?
Credit: Mike Lancaster
Nick adjusts his focus in the LX-90 but where is Mike's refractor pointing?
Credit: Mike Lancaster
Jupiter continues to enthrall in the Dobsonian but I think the LX-90 has caught fire...
Credit: Mike Lancaster
Hmmm... it seems to be OK now.
Credit: Mike Lancaster
Now where have all the stars gone?
Credit: Mike Lancaster
Mike Dumelow's refractor looks beyond the Moon.
Credit: Mike Lancaster
For pictures of our activities at the 2008 Relay For Life click here.
The DDAS provided solar and stargazing activities at the Cancer Research UK Relay for Life at Moorways Stadium in Derby from Saturday 17th to
Sunday 18th June 2006. Many members turned out to help and a great day - and night - was had by all. We were delighted to have been asked to
take part in this event and provide out of this world activities for the participants and attendees. During the Saturday afternoon
many people were able to glimpse the Sun's disc projected through a refractor provided by Mike Dumelow, as well as directly observe the
filtered Sun through the Society's LX-90 telescope. Mike also brought along a large Moon globe signed by Patrick Moore and Alan Chapman
and this provided an eye-catching addition to our set up. Jupiter stole the show in the evening as people were enthralled by what for many was their
first view of the giant planet through a telescope. Both the LX-90 and an impressive 8" Dobsonian brought by Mike Dumelow provided this Jovian
experience. Sadly the clouds rolled in and we were unable to observe anything else overnight! Nevertheless we kept people entertained with a
couple of spectacular presentations of astronomical images on the DDAS laptop. One was an enthralling audiovisual tour of our universe by
Chris Newsome constructed entirely from images taken by himself, Adrian Brown and other DDAS members. The other was a PowerPoint driven tour
of our Solar System using a mixture of DDAS, NASA and other images assembled by Anthony Southwell. Our new club gazebo also saw 'first light'
at the Relay, acting as welcome shade from the Sun, a housing for our presentations and as a gallery of astronomical images taken by our
members. Pictures by Mike Lancaster and Chris Newsome.
