------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1544 2000 Jly 20 19.48UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074 INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK WORLD WIDE WEB http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer ------------------------------------------------------------------- A SPECIAL PRO-AM RAS DISCUSSION MEETING Saturday September 16th 2000, 10.30-16.00 University of London Observatory, Mill Hill 'Professional and amateur collaborations in astronomy' Topics will include the discovery and follow-up observations of supernovae, cataclysmic variables and gamma-ray bursters and their interpretation and also the importance to the professional astronomer of asteroid, meteor and comet observations by amateurs. The emphasis of the meeting will be on improving and encouraging collaborations. NUMBERS ARE LIMITED so please contact Guy Hurst or Margaret Penston (mjp@ast.cam.ac.uk) BY FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST if you wish to attend. Please also let them know if you wish to make a presentation or put on a display. There will a charge of 11 pounds to cover refreshments and other meeting expenses, but please send NO MONEY until your reservation has been confirmed. The draft programme Nial Tanvir (Herts) will talk about Gamma Ray Bursters Guy Hurst - GRB Afterglows - an amateur observer's perspective. Peter Miekle (Imperial College) will talk on supernovae Mark Armstrong 'Supernovae and the amateur astronomer' David Hughes (Sheffield) will talk on the value of comet and meteor observing Iwan Williams (QMW) is interested in observations of asteroids and Kuiper Belt objects Denis Buczynski - 'Cataclysmic variables and X-ray transients - reacting rapidly to discovery announcements' -------------------------- Editor: I have agreed with Margaret that we ask those AMATEUR astronomers wishing to attend to e-mail myself as soon as possible so I can collate a list. Please bear in mind numbers are strictly limited so please reply early! If you have already sent a message elsewhere please repeat it to me here so I can ensure we have a complete schedule of all those interested. STOLEN TELESCOPE We are sorry to learn that one of our members in Scotland, Nigel Bryant has had a telescope stolen. His message follows but please reply direct to him with a copy to the editor if you have any information which might be of help. Nigel Bryant: I have had my 10in LX200 telescope stolen from my observatory with various bits of equipment. Just so that other astronomers will be aware and that there might be the off chance of someone trying to sell it. It does not have the keypad hand control with it has I always take it in doors. This of course makes it useless unless the person buys another one. The serial No of the scope is 123985. Internet: revn@bryantn.freeserve.co.uk Guy M Hurst