Our President, Gilbert Satterthwaite gave us a profusely illustrated talk about his experiences at various IAU/UAI General Assemblies entitled “Suns, Stars & Satchels“. He wove historical information, memories of many astronomers, and photographs of may telescopes (especially transit instruments) into the story, and brought along various mementos (including the satchels given to attendees). At (and after) the most recent General Assembly in Sydney, Australia in 2003, he was able to visit the Sydney, Mt. Stromlo, Siding Spring and Perth observatories. His photographs of the remains of the Mt. Stromlo Observatory, which was destroyed during a firestorm in February 2003, were particularly poignant, since many historic instruments and Australia’s prime optical workshop were lost.
An active organisation for everyone in Bromley and the surrounding areas with an interest in astronomy and space technology