Webb Society: Is anyone a member?

[Rodstar (Rod)]

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 (David)]

never heard of them rod, they got a website?

[beren]

Interesting Rod , good luck with the endeavour

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

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 (Ron)]

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

[Rodstar (Rod)]

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 (David)]

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

[astroron (Ron)]

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 (Rod)]

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 (David)]

researching? I'd hardly call it that 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 (David)]

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

[Rodstar (Rod)]

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

[astroron (Ron)]

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

[ving (David)]

still waiting to get a reply too...

[Rodstar (Rod)]

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!!!

Originally Posted by 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!!!

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 (David)]

Originally Posted by 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!!!

to bake a chocolate cake?

to get rid of these darn clouds?


i give up

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by ving

to bake a chocolate cake?

to get rid of these darn clouds?


i give up

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

[Rodstar (Rod)]

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 (Ron)]

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