Webb Society: Is anyone a member?

[Rodstar]

Just wondering if anyone on the forum is a member of this UK based observing society?

I am aware that Jenni Kay of South Australia, who contributes to the Australian astro mags from time to time, especially regarding her observations of galaxy clusters and the SMC and LMC, is a member. I have emailed her for her thoughts, and am currently awaiting her reply.

I am becoming rather interested in binary (double) star observing, and I have been very impressed with what I have seen and read of the contribution the Webb Society has made, and continues to make, to serious astronomical research by pooling together the observations of amateurs.

For example, the Washington Double Star Catalogue, which is the world's most authoritative double and multiple star database, has accepted amateur observations of Webb Society members regarding over 4000 binary systems in its catalogue.

The Webb Society publishes a quarterly journal, which is principally a collection of amateur's contributions, including sketches and measurements of stellar positions. It seems very constructive to me, and would give a real purpose to observing, beyond merely doing the standard "tour" of the nightsky which we can all fall into the trap of.

Anyone interested in finding out more? I'll keep you posted.

[ving]

never heard of them rod, they got a website?

[beren]

:) Interesting Rod , good luck with the endeavour

[seeker372011]

yes Rod, eventually one will tire of making pretty pictures and want to do something else..maybe...I was looking at photometry with a webcam as a possible direction someday (variable stars ) but maybe binary observations would be an alternative..would certainly be interesting to find out more

[astroron]

I first joined in 1992 , with a couple of years lapsed in between , I joined primeraly for the deep sky interest, but as you say there is also other fields of interest to get involved in, Jenny will be glad of your interest, and I think will get back to you soon.
The society puts out a quartely jurnal called THE DEEP-SKY OBSERVER and the website is www.webbsociety.freeserve.co.uk.
good luck with your new endevour.astroron :thumbsup: :astron:

[Rodstar]

Thanks guys, yeah Ving - they have a "webb" site (see astroron's post above).

Tell me Astroron, what benefit did you / do you get from membership? Is the quarterly journal high quality and useful for southern skies?

Narayan, with so many people (including you) contributing so many fabulous deep sky images, I reckon my contribution needs to be in some other area (like doubles)! From what I have read, this is lots of scope for using imaging for binary observing, particularly if you revisit the same system at intervals over months and years, so as to plot the relative motions of the two stars.

[ving]

hey rod, you heard of this mob?
http://www.s33.org/
they are binary star related too.

[astroron]

Rod the jurnel is of very good quality, they put out a colour edition a couple of times a year, Jenni kay and other southern observers put in observing reports
, and there are articles on Planetary Nebulae and other deep sky stuff.
They also have various sections, such as double star and Pn, and quite a few publications and CDs and Video's.
I have found my membership worthwhile .astroron

[Rodstar]

Thanks Astroron, I'll be joining for sure.

Hey Ving, have you been double star researching???? That other mob look good too. You thinking of getting involved?

[ving]

researching? I'd hardly call it that:P I just look at stuff. I use this site to find interesting doubles to look at. :)

yeah i am thinking of getting involved with them but there seems to be a lack of "join 'ere" button on the site. I might contact a member about it, theres a few here in Oz.

[ving]

I emailed a guy from sydney whos a member about joining... just got to weait for the reply.... :)

[Rodstar]

I'm still waiting to hear from Jenni Kay....

[astroron]

Rod could pm me with the address you tried to get in touch with jenni?astroron

[ving]

still waiting to get a reply too...

[Rodstar]

Thanks Astroron for providing Jenni's correct email address via PM. Hopefully now I'll hear from Jenny!

In the meantime, Ving, I checked out the Spirit of 33. I like the idea of 33 doubles from each constellation. I printed off a couple of articles from the site regarding double visual observing, and was particularly interested to read about use of masks to cut down on the glare of the primary to be able to see the secondary. Guess what my project is for the weekend!!! :)

[xrekcor]

This is a good site, unfortunately it doesn't seem to be updated or contributed to often, still it is where I go when I in double star hunting
mode.

regards,CS

[ving]

to bake a chocolate cake?

to get rid of these darn clouds?

:confused:
i give up :P

[Rodstar]

Actually, it was supposed to be to make a mask. :lol:

[Rodstar]

I finally heard from Jenni Kay. She writes:

---------

Hi Rod,

Good to hear from you. Yes, I am still the southern sky secretary for the Webb Society. The Webb has produced two publications on Double Stars, but I don't have any on hand at the moment. If you're interested, I can ask around and see if any are available from other committee members.

Being involved with the Webb Society brings me into contact with a lot of people who are experts in certain fields, and therefore can answer any problems I might encounter identifying objects seen through the telescope.
There are also a lot of people with access to publications not readily available, for example, original catalogues both historical and modern which are kept at observatory libraries. Plus, the Webb brings people together who enjoy the same thing. Since you have mentioned being interested in Double Stars, the president Bob Argyle heads an active group of Double Star observers, and there was fine article in the recent Webb Society journal "The Deep-Sky Observer". The Webb Society also publishes a "Double Star Section Circular". So I guess the benefit of being in the Webb Society is to gain contact with experts who are very eager to help, and to gain access to information not readily accessible.

In general, I have to say that the Webb Society is made up of very friendly people. Please feel free to fire across any other questions you may have.

Cheers,
Jenni

-------------

I am planning on taking up membership, as soon as the budget will stretch! What about you, Ving?

[astroron]

Rod good to see you got in touch with Jenni, now all we have to do is get you to join with Ving,we need all the southern members we can get.astroron :prey: :prey: :thumbsup: :2thumbs: :astron:

[Rodstar]

Don't you worry, Ron. I'll be joining. I wonder if Ving has the same determination? :whistle: :poke:

[xrekcor]

Actually reading your posts and checking out the site, as well as chasing Jenni's
dso's she writes up in S&S. Been thinking about joining myself the quarterly
publications look very interesting. As well as some of the others they have on offer.

You mentioned Jenni is the local sectuary. Do you guy's pay fee's to her?

regards,CS

[Argonavis]

Rod

I have a copy of the membership application form in .pdf format. You didn't make it clear if Jenni sent you this, but if you want me to send you a copy, please PM me. You can just fill it out, enclose a cheque for $A50 made out to "The Webb Society", and snail mail it to Jenni.

cheers

[astroron]

Hi Rob, yes Jenni is the local secretary and you can pay your fees to her,go onto the net and download an application form , the form also has publications that you purchase,her address is on the web site, you can pay your fees in Aussie dollars via money order,Cheque I don't think there is direct debit.Again the web site is www.webbsociety.freeserve.co.uk .astroron

[xrekcor]

Thank for that Ron, I'll be pursuing membership over the next few weeks

regards,CS

[ving]

hey, stop poking me!! :P

50 bucks is it? sounds reasonable. give me about 2 weeks as I've been spending up lately and theres some bills. :)

and stop poking! :poke:
:help3:

[Rodstar]

Yeah Ving, I'll be paying mine on my return from Byron Bay...I'm off for three weeks from this Saturday (heaven). Just keep me clear of Rex Hunt and his family..

[DSO]

I'm a member of the Webb Society and I can tell you it's worth the subscription fee. I know Jenni and visited her when I came to Aus in 1997.

There is good Southern input into the Webb Society mag and Jenni writes a lot of stuff, too.

[Rodstar]

Back from holidays.....I made an amazing find at Icon Books in Byron Bay: vols 1-5 of the Webb Society Deep Sky Observers Handbooks (now out of print). Although some of the info is out of date (they were printed in the early 1980's), each volume contains a list of objects (total over 700), with detailed descriptions of what you see with different sized apertures, and in many cases EP drawings. This will make finding objects, and knowing what to expect at the EP a lot easier.

If you were wondering, there was only one set.

[astroron]

Hi Rod, I have been in touch with Bob Argyle the President and Double star coordinator for the Webb Society and he invites you to get in touch with him, if you want any info on starting up doing double star observing, his email address is on the Webb Society web page.
You are a lucky man to pick up those hand books , I have two, Vols 5 and 6. Ron :thumbsup: :)

[xrekcor]

That one another in Ocean Shores run by an elderly chap have a good
reputation for obscure books. Never thought about looking there for old
Astro books though, thanks for the heads up!!... I'll have to drop by them
from time to time when I'm in the area. The old guy in Ocean Shores has
connections all over nationally and overseas. I had friends request books,
some going back to the turn of last century, and 6months-2years-whatever
later the old fella will ring telling you he's got it.


regards,CS

[Argonavis]

Impressive! Fortunately these days with the internet you don't need connections as there are quite a number of on-line second hand book sellers who list many many obscure books. Want a complete set of web society guides? easily and cheaply done. Carnegic Atlas of Galaxies? Hubble Atlas of Galaxies? are all available at a price. Even Barnard's classic'photographic atlas. I have purchased many second hand books from these dealers and what I find arriving is a book in PRISTINE condition, with maybe a remainder stamp or a library stamp. I am amazed at the low prices and quality. Copy of Bok for $US5? The postage costs more. And Bok is a book still current in its treatment of our galaxy. A classic text that still informs, with a writing style that reflects the author as I remember him from when he gave a lecture at the Academy of Sciences in Canberra many years ago.

[Rodstar]

Ron, I am gobsmacked that Bob Argyle is so accessible. Have you seen his recent book about observing doubles? Came out in the last 12 months or so. I will certainly contact Bob soon. Thanks for the contact.

Now I just have to save up for that filar micrometer and wedge!! (Just another lazy thousand) :P

[astroron]

Rod , you can afford it, just take it out of petty cash. ;) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Rodstar]

Ron, I doubt my business partner would be quite so charitable :)