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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.
Korrespodensie.
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.
Algemeen
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:
Voorsitter: Mnr. G. J. Muller
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.