Wed 24th May 2023
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Place: St. Francis of Assisi Church Hall
Category: Monthly Society Meetings
At our May meeting, Richard Westwood will give a talk titled The History of Spectroscopy.
In 1860, German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff became the first person to use spectroscopy to identify
an element in the Sun when he found the spectral signature of sodium gas. Since then spectroscopy
has become a crucial factor in the development of astronomy.
Richard Westwood became interested in astronomy at the age of eight after reading the Puffin book
'The Sky and Heavens'. He bought his first telescope in 1967, and now uses a 100mm refractor, as a
visual observer with a deep interest in astronomical history.
He joined the South West Herts Astronomical Society in 1983; and has served on the committee for
30 years.
The Meeting will start at 7.45pm. The hall doors are open from 7:00pm and members are welcome to attend from this time to assist, set up the hall and socialise.