1969 - ASSA Bfn History
1969 - ASSA Bloemfontein Centre
Januarie 23ste, 1969, Huis van Mnr. A. W. E. Schultz, Ben-An woonstelle Nr. 302, Voortrekkerstraat om 8nm.
1. Starviewers: Mnr. Mahaffey verklaar dat 'n vriend van hom, 'n sekere Mnr. White wat later vanjaar die VSA besoek, moontlik van die gesogte instrumente sal saambring.
2. Standplaas by Mazelspoort, asook optiese glasplaat: Die Voorsitter en Mnr. Walker sal Prof Jarret spreek tydens hulle voorgeenome besoek aan Boyden Sterrewag.
3. Klubteleskope: Die spieëlhouers is gereed vir die spieëls, sodra hulle voltooi is. Die teleskoop buise moet nog geverf word: dowwe swart binne en grys buite.
4. Dr. Immelman-teleskoop: Voorsitter berig dat daar vordering op die gebied gemaak is, nl. met die verkryging van die teleskoop.
5. Wysiging van die bepalings van Artikel XII. Sekretaris sal aan hoofkantoor laat weet wat die menings van die plaaslike tak is.
6. Konstutitusie vir Bloemfontein. Sekretaris en Mnr. Walker sal mettertyd met aanbevelings kom na 'n gewone vergadering.
1. Prof. Jarret: Hierin spreek hy sy beriedwilligheid uit om die Bloemfontein-tak by Boyden te huisves, maar wys daarop dat die finale besluit by die komitee in beheer berus. Die voorsitter sal die brief beantwoord.
2. Mnr. Overbeek: Interressante verskynsels word genoem wat gedurende November 1968 sigbaar sou wees. Ongelukkig het die brief ons te laat beriek, deurdat die sekretaris intussen van adres verander het.
1. Lede se persoonlike ywer: Mnr. P. Erasmus toon aan lede duidelike foto's deur hom geneem van die onlangse "besoek" van die planeet Venus aan die maan, asook van die maan self. Die foto's hou groot beloftes in. Mnr. G. J. Muller verduidelik aan die vergadering sy metode om d.m.v. 'n verkyker sekere sterre op te spoor waarmee die posisie van die suidelike hemelpool akkuraat bepaal kan word. Deur die toepassimg van geometriese beginsels kan die geoefende waarnemer binne 'n japtrap die begeerde resultaat verkry. Vir die geleentheid het die vergadering verdaag na die dak van die woonstelgebou, vanwaar 'n redelike uitsig van die hemelruim verkry kon word. Mnr. Keuris sit sy studie van wisselsterre voort.
2. Universiteits-teleskoop: Sekretaris, vergesel van ere-lid Mnr. N. Lincoln het die instrument op Mooihoek gaan haal en stoor dit solank by e.g. adres, totdat van die Universitiet verneem is wat hulle daarmee wil doen.
3. Algemene Jaarvergadering, laaste Woensdag in Julie, 1969: Lede spreek die begeerte uit dat Prof. Jarret genader word om as gasspreker op te tree by die eerskomende jaarvergadering. Voorsitter sal by hom aanklop.
4. Fotografie: Mnr. Erasmus en Mahaffey meld die volgende ten inligting van lede: Materiaal wat aanbeveel word. Ontwikkelaar: Rodinal of D76 Film: Pan F Beligtingsmeter: Tot en met 200 A.S.A.
February 20th, 1969, Residence of Mr. G. N. Walker 39 Vilonel Street, at 8pm.
Prof. Jarret of Boyden Observatory will obtain quotations for optical flats for our club telescopes. A firm in Johannesburg will be approached with view to obtaining the parts from Japan. Regarding the proposed club site at Mazelspoort, the findings are that it appears that the site inspected is too close to the camping area and that lights at the Municipal installations may prove to be an obstacle. The municipality may be approached with a view to try and turn the lights away from the observatory grounds. Prof. Jarret has kindly consented that the Bloemfontein centre take charge of the University Telescope, provided good care is taken of it. Mr. Muller feels that it is worth the while to repair he instrument.
Lecture on astro-photography: In the light of the absence of Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Mahaffey carried on an explanation into the technicalities of developing photo negatives. The cost of apparatus was approx. R3 to R4. An article prepared on the subject was distributed among members.
Maart 20ste, 1969, Huis van Mnr. G. J. Muller Wilcocksweg 35, om 8nm.
Klub teleskope: Mnr. Muller is besig met die monterings en mikrometer stelstukke. Mnr. Erasmus kan weens omstandighede buite sy beheer nie voortgaan met die slyp van die spieëls nie. Die diagonale sal nog deur die klub gemaak word.
Praatjie oor Astro-fotografie: Mnr. P. Erasmus gee sy indrukke en bevindings in kort oor aangeleenthede soos toerusting, beligting, ontwikkeling van foto's, keuse van onderwerp ens. So kan bv. met 'n gewone, statiese kamera 'n foto van die konstelasie Orion geneem word teen f18 op Tri-x film (400 ASA) met 'n beligting van 6, 10, of 15 sekondes, sonder om 'n noemenswaardige verskuiwing van beeld tot gevolg te hê. Hoe nader daar aan die suidpool gefotografeer word, hoe kleiner is die verskuiwing van die beeld vir 'n gegewe tydperk. Daar bestaan 'n metode om die teleskoop met die hand te draai, d.m.v. 'n aparaat wat in hoofsaak uit 'n arm en 'n skroef bestaan. Hiermee kan 'n sterrebeeld wat 'n lang beligting veries, op 'n bevredigende wyse gevolg word, deur die teleskoop daarop gerig te hou.
Ontwikkeling: Radinal gekonsentreerde vloeistof of D76 poeier kan gebruik word, volgens aanwysings. Deur die mengsel te verdun met gedistelleerde water tot 'n verhouding van 4:1 vir 1 uur ontwikkeling kan beter detail verkry word. Die mengesel word dan vir die eerste 10 munite lank geroer en daarna nie meer nie. Pan F film met 'n beligting van 1/8 sekonde en 'n f16 teleskoop behoort ook bevredingende resultate te lewer op die maan. Papier: Harde graad, hoë glans, hoë kontras-tipe.
Publikasies aanbeveel: Ons Suiderhemel en Norton se Sterre-atlas.
April 17th, 1969, Residence of Mr. P. Erasmus, 56 delaRey Avenue, Genl De Wet, at 8pm.
1. Proposed site at Boyden and optical flats: - Mr. Muller will see Prof. Jarret. (Boyden Board of Management in session in Bloemfontein).
2. Club Telescopes: University Telescope proves to be worth-while, after adjustments made thereto, by Mr. Muller. Mirrors are progressing. Hampo Trading Co. of Johannesburg are agents for optical flates, etc.
3. Club Constitution: A report, prepared by Mr. Walker and Mr. Schultz was tabled. It was decided to leave the matter over until the June meeting.
4. Insurance of instruments and property would have to be considered in the not to distant future.
5. Forbes Essay Competition, 1969: An effort is to be made to insure that schools receive their notices in time.
6. Mirror-grinding class: Mr. de Leeuw reports that progress has been made at the Technical High School with preparation for such a class. A meeting of interested parties is to be held at the school on Saturday evening, the 19th April. Messrs. Muller and Erasmus will attend.
Mei 15de, 1969, Huis van Mnr. Mahaffey, by Gelderlandstraat 14, om 8nm.
Perseel by Boyden: In 'n brief laat weet Prof. Jarret dat die Boyden Raad nie sy weg oopsien om 'n perseel af te staan nie. As besoekers sal lede altyd welkom wees. Voorgestelde perseel te Brandkop: Mnr. Muller sal met die eienaar, Mnr. Fichardt, in verbinding tree.
Die vergadering gee sy goedkeuring en steun aan die toekenning van die Royal Observatory, asook die aanstelling van Prof. Arthur Blekesley as erelid.
Die ophandsynde wenteling van die Amerikaanse Apollo 10 ruimtetuig word bespreek. Mnr. Keuris beweer dat die ruimtetuig moontlik waargeneem sal kan word. Daar word uitgesien na verdere toeligting i.v.m. satelliete.
June 19th, 1969, Flat of the Secretary, Mr. A.W.E. Schultz, 302 Ben-An, Voortrekker Street, at 8pm.
The Chairman reported that he had visited Mr. Fichardt on his farm at Brandkop and that a site could be selected as soon as Mr. Fichardt was well again. The meeting gratefully took note of this prospect. A start could be made with the design of a structure of approx. 15'X15'X5'-6' high with possibly a double slide roof - east/west direction.
Mr. de Leeuw states that a number of (10) X 4½ inch mirror blanks, (chipped), pitch and powder had been received by the Technical High School. Part of the workshop was being fitted out for the grinding class. A demonstration was arranged for Monday, 4th August at 7.30pm at the school. Those interested would be welcome to attend.
Forbes Essay Competition: Mr. de Leeuw reported that four candidates from the Tech. High School had entered for this years competition.
Topic Talk on Satellites, by Mr. G. H. Harrison, Ass. M: From a comprehensively compiled schedule, Mr. Harrison related the history and progress of orbiting and probe satellites, over the past score years. Lunar orbiter satellites are paving the way to man's first landing on the moon, just as mariners are paving the way to landing on Mars. He pointed out that the Russians might attempt to land a man on the moon before America, but that it was unlikely, in the light of the known facts. However one regarded the satellite situation, it is helping to ad a wealth of knowledge to that which we have of outer space, our solar system, and beyond. Mr. Harrison also showed the meeting a map of the Cape Kennedy rocket launching area, where history is being made in this space age.
Mr. Muller thanked the speaker.
Julie 31ste, 1969, Biologie-lesingsaal, UOVS, om 8nm.
11de Algemene Jaarvergadering. 50 Persone , o.a. 'n aantal seuns van die Tegniese Hoërskool, het die vergadering bygewoon.
Verkiesing van Ampsdraers:
Vise-Voorsitter: Mnr. G. N. Walker
Sekretaris - Tesourier: Mnr. A. W. E. Schultz
Verteenwoordiger op die Nasionale Raad: Mnr. G. J. Muller, alternatief Mnr. G. N. Walker
Komiteelid: Mnr. D. P. de Leeuw.
Balans op lopende spaarrekening by die Trust Bank - R21,45.
Die Bloemfonteintak aanvaar die konstitusie van die Sterrekundige Vereniging van Suidelike-Afrika, maar voeg sy eie regulasies by.
Die Voorsitter verklaar dat die datum van die vorige skeer-okkultasie binne die Vrystaat, ongelukkig saamgeval het met die eerste maanlanding! Verder is heelwat oefening nodig voordat Bloemfonteinse span in die veld kan gaan.
Voorsitter se Jaarverslag: 'n Kort maar prikkelende verslag word gelewer deur die herkose voorsitter, Mnr. Muller, waarin nuwe lede verwelkom word en die werksaamhede van die sentrum geskets word.
Erelid: Prof A. H. Jarret van Boyden Sterrewag word eenparig as erelid van die sentrum gekies.
Mnr. Walker bedank almal.
Gaslesing gelewer deur Prof. Jarret: "Some aspects of High-altitude Observations." Mr. Walker thanks Prof. Jarret, who is a distinguished person, for his interesting talk on the problems encountered by astronomers.
21ste Augustus, 1969, Huis van Mnr. B. Van Der Berg, te Athlonelaan 22, Westdene. om 8nm.
Brandkop Sterrewag: Die voorgestelde nuwe gebou op die plaas Brandkop net buite Bloemfontein word verder bespreek. 'n Sketsplan sal aan die eienaar, Mnr. Fichardt, voorgelê word met die oog op verdere stappe ter bevordering van die projek. Die gedagte is uitgepreek dat 'n verwyderbare struktuur van staal en alluminium opgerig moet word.
Klub teleskope: Mnr. Erasmus berig dat een van die twee 6 duim spieëls klaar geslyp is. Hy sny tans die diagonaal. Hy beoog om die spieël self te versilwer.
Slypklas: Mnr. De Leeuw raporteer dat hy baie sukses behaal het met die slyp - daar word driekeer per week aan die spieëls gewerk en die seuns is baie geesdriftig oor hierdie vak in hul leerplan. Hy en Mnr. Erasmus voel dat ander skole ook betrek kan word en dat aand-byeenkomste soos die wat op 4 Augustus vanjaar by die Tegniese Hoërskool gehou is, baie byval behoort te vind. Die vergadering stem hiermee saam.
Skyviewers: 'n Eksemplaar is aan lede getoon, maar die klein toestel is nog nie buite in die naglug uitgetoets om die ware bruikbaarheid daarvan te bepaal nie. Weens die eenvoudige samestelling daarvan, behoort dit sonder veel moeite deur lede van die klub vervaardig te word.
Mnr. v.d. Berg het aan die aanwesiges bewys dat hy groot belangstelling toon in die vervaardiging van teleskope en instrumente, deur sy versameling boeke en sy goed toegeruste werkskamer.
September 18th, 1969, Residence of Mr. D. P. de Leeuw, 9 Graves Street, Hospital Park, at 8 pm.
The Chairman reports with regret that the City Council did not see its way clear to put the building at the old bus sheads at the disposal of our club. Another suitable building for a workshop/grinding class, would have sought, anew.
Proposed observatory at Brandkop: Building. A sketch is laid before the meeting showing a typical sliding roof type of telescope housing. Some suggestions were put forward, e.g. that the roof should slide in a north-south direction, so as to enable an observer to pick up the inner planets near to the horizon in an east-west direction. As an alternative, sliding panels in the roof could be made use of. Secretary will contact Mr. Walker in connection with the construction. Steel to be used.
Telescope: Mr. Erasmus suggested the building of a 16 inch Casegrain-type telescope, 6 ft above ground, fork-mounted on a polar axis.
Grinding Class: Mr. de Leeuw reported that a great deal of enjoyment as well accumulation of know-how was experienced by the first grinding class at the Technical High School. Some pupils are looking forward to tackling larger mirrors next year. Mr. de Leeuw feels that more schools could establish lens/mirror grinding classes, once the instructors of practical subjects have been approached.
School's Astronomical Gatherings: It was felt that a circular should be sent to all High Schools and Youth organisations in Metropolitan Bloemfontein, introducing the idea of pupils partaking in organised astronomical activities. The forming of a Junior Section of our centre was put forward as a possible ideal for the future, Mr. Muller suggested that a start be made with the Voortrekker Movement through Mr. Willem Naude of Central High School. The idea was to have an introductory lecture in a hall by one or more of our members, followed by a "star party" outside, where several instruments will be set up for observational purposes.
Oktober 16de, 1969, Huis van Mnr. G. N. Walker, Vilonelstraat 39, Dan Pienaar, om 8 nm.
Sterrewag: Daar sal van 'n pyp-konstruksies, wat op beton gemonteer word, gebruikgemaak word. Bedekking sal IBR staalplate wees. Die tekening sal mettertyd aan die huidige eienaar van Brandkop, Mnr. Ficahrdt, voorgelê. word. Mnre. Muller & Walker sal onderhandel.
Volgens Mnr. de Leeuw, was die 1969 slypklas uiters geslaagd. Van die leerlinge het die mening uitgespreek dat 'n 16 duim spieël nie buite hul bereik hoef te wees vir aanstaande jaar nie.
Okkultasies: Die Voorsitter reken dat ons lede nie afgerig is vir so 'n program nie. Hy stel voor dat 'n proef byeenkoms by sy huis gehou word die aand van 24 Oktober. Daar kan dan geoefen word om die verbyskuif van die maan oor die gesigsveld van 'n teleskoop te meet, dmv 'n band masjien en radio.
McIntire toekenning aan Dr. Erasmus Kaapsrad: Die Voorsitter sal antwoord dat die plaaslike sentrum daarmee genoeë neem.
November 20th, 1969, Residence of Mr. J. I. Mahaffey, 121 Dan Pienaar Drive, at 8pm.
School Astronomical Gatherings: A start had been made with a successful evening at the Central High School, with boys from the Voortrekker Movement, on the 14th November (evening). The meeting was attended by Mr. Willem Naude, 7 members of our club, a lady and 20 Std. 9 boys. After a brief but interesting talk by Mr. Muller the rest of the evening was spent observing the skies in the open. The conclusion could be drawn that, considering the numerous, intelligent questions asked, there is a growing interest in astronomy amongst the young folk of today. A desire has been expressed that a mirror-grinding class be introduced at the Central High School next year (1970).
Occultations: Mr. Muller suggested that another practice evening should be held at his house on the 27th November, since more experience in this direction was essential. An alternative date would be 4th December. Mr. Van Der Berg suggested that use be made of a portable pendulum, in conjunction with a radio, so as to be able to bridge the "code phase" on the radio time transmission.
Mr. D. Kalil is thanked for his generous donation to the club of a heavy-duty drive/mount arrangement. The condition is that same be returned to him if the club should cease to operate as such.
Messrs. Muller and Walker would interview Mr. Fichardt in connection with the proposed new observatory.
As an aftermath, Mr. G. H. Harrison entertained the gathering with data, pictures and slides on the satellite position, as well as on the Apollo moon programme.