IAA Observing Programme

IAA Observing Programme 2011-12

at Delamont Country Park (click for map)

The IAA observing nights are planned with a degree of flexibility to accommodate our variable weather. The first preference night is usually a Friday and will be chosen to coincide with a particular event - eg a meteor shower, first quarter Moon or moonless sky. An update will always be shown on the IAA Forum to indicate whether the session is going ahead. This is generally updated at 6pm on the Friday evening concerned. If the weather is uncooperative on the Friday, the second choice evening will be the Saturday. Again, the forum will be updated at 6pm to give a go/no-go decision based on the weather. Finally, if both nights are washouts then we will have a go on the second choice weekend!

The sessions are designed to cater for all levels of capability and beginners of all ages are most welcome.

We will usually have the IAA's 16" Meade Lightbridge telescope available for viewing of Deep Sky objects and members will bring a range of telescopes suited to viewing different objects. For early arrivers there's generally a Fry-Up in progress before the sky darkens - bring your own frying pan, bangers, bacon etc!

Dates:-

1st choice	Fri'-Sat'	2nd choice	Fri'-Sat'
SEPT' 11	23rd-24th
OCT' 11	21st-22nd		28th-29th
NOV' 11	18th-19th		25th-26th
DEC' 11	2nd	Castle Espie Event	16th-17th
JAN' 12			27th-28th	Lunar Watch
FEB' 12	17th-18th		25th and 26th	Cosmic Cuilcagh
MAR' 12	16th-17th	IAA Messier Marathon	23rd-24th	IAA Messier Marathon
APR' 12	20th-21st	Lyrids Meteor Watch	27th-28th	Lunar Watch
All dates provisional - subject to amendment

Notes:

Meet between 7.30pm and 8.00pm

Observing nights will be held on the first dates in the month shown, with Friday being the main night.

This will change to Saturday if the weather is poor on the Friday night.

If the weather is poor on the first Friday and Saturday nights in the month then the later dates in the month will be used.

It is important to check what's happening at 6.00pm on the IAA Forum before setting out.

Wear warm clothing and bring a hot drink.

The Barrier at Delamont comes down at 9.00pm - be in before that.