February 14th,
1964, Mooihoek Observatory, at 8pm.
Searching and viewing
April 10th, 1964,
Mooihoek Observatory, at 8pm.
The Secretary informed the meeting that he was shortly leaving Bloemfontein
for a trip overseas and asked those present if the Centre would like to use
Mooihoek Observatory in his absence and thereby carry on as usual. The members
present gratefully accepted Mr. Lincoln's generous offer and Mr. Mahalley was
appointed as acting Secretary in the absence of Mr. Lincoln. The key to the
observatory was handed to the Chairman. The Records of the Centre was handed
to the acting secretary. Observations.
May 14th, 1964,
Mooihoek Observatory, at 8pm.
Handygas lighting was tried in the new chart room for the first time and proved
to be more satisfactory than the previous lighting. Handygas heating was also
available, but the evening was pleasantly warm, and the warm clothes worn, were
more than sufficient, and the heater was not used. It was decided to buy a gas
lamp, a table and chair for the chart room.
The Chairman addressed the meeting, explaining that he felt that the centre
should have a definite work program. His suggestion was that each member should
be equipped with a large Drawing Book, and at each meeting, the group should
study a small section of the sky in Norton, then proceed to sketch the main
stars in the Drawing Book, making notes of all the "Interesting objects"
in the immediate vicinity.
This to be followed by an inspection of the sky itself in order to locate and
identify the main stars, and when everyone was satisfied with their identification
the area be searched with the telescope to locate the Nebulae and clusters in
that area. The meeting gave this suggestion its anonymous support, and as the
Chairman had anticipated this, he had already purchased the necessary Drawing
Books, which were there upon issued and work began. A most interesting and profitable
session followed, with members helping each other in the various sections of
the work involved.
At the close of the meeting, the evenings work was again discussed and it was
decided to carry on with the programme as suggested by the Chairman. In order
to be better informed at the next meeting it was suggested that members do a
little homework on the area of the sky to be studied next month. This meeting
having been spent on the constellation Scorpius, it was decided to carry on
next month with Crux and Traigulum Aus.
June 11th, 1964,
Mooihoek Observatory, at 8pm.
The Chairman had a table made. The sky was overcast. This was very disappointing
as a 3 inch reflector had been erected for examination and testing. The evening
was spent on examining charts and discussion. Two members undertook to make
and install a double black curtain between the chart room, and to have same
operating for the next meeting.
The Acting Secretary reported that he had been in contact with Dr. Holden, who
had very kindly offered to lend his own 4 inch refractor to the Centre. It was
felt that the responsibility together with the small membership of the Centre
did not warrent the use of Dr. Holden's telescope and a letter of thanks be
sent to Dr. Holden. It was proposed to send Dr. Holden all notices of the Centre
and if possible to arrange meetings that would suit Dr. Holden.
July 9th, 1964,
Mooihoek Observatory, at 8pm.
The double black curtain made by Mrs. Mahalley, for use between the chart and
observing rooms had been erected before the meeting and appeared to be a great
success. The Acting Secretary informed the meeting that he had been in contact
with Mr. Bondietti, Chairman of the telescope Making Section of the Cape Centre,
in connection with information for making a reflector. Mr. Bondietti had ended
his letter, with the request as a Counsil member, that this Centre forward our
notices to the Counsel, as the Transvaal Centre was doing, thereby keeping the
Counsel informed of our activities. Minutes of the Council meetings held on
the 3rd and 24th June were read.
Mr. Mahalley reported that he had photographed the eclipse of the moon on the
evening of June 24/25. The negatives appeared to be fair enough, but he had
not as yet had time to produce any prints. Of interest was the fact that the
temperature dropped to 22°F. Mr. Keuris presented the Centre with a copy
of "stars of the Southern Heavens" for the Library and Elger's Map
of the Moon, for use in the Chart room. The remainder of the evening was given
over to observing Crux, Triangulum Aust., Circinus and Centaurus, and the interesting
phenomena in their vicinity.
July 22nd,1964,
14 Gelderland Street, at 8pm.
6th Annual General Meeting. Minutes of previous A.G.M. were read and accepted.
Election of Office Bearers:
Chairman Mr. G.N. Walker
Hon. Secretary Mr. Mahalley
& Treasurer Mr. N. Lincoln
Committee Dr. C.B. van Wyk, Mr. J.C. van Loggerenberg & Mr. P. Keuris
Centre's Representative on the Council Mr. N. Lincoln
Hon. Member Dr. F. Holden
The remainder of the evening was spent discussing matters of general interest.
August 7th, 1964,
Mooihoek Observatory, at 8pm.
Mr. Lincoln suggested that a small curtain be placed over the window to the
west. Mr. Mahalley undertook to see to this. During the latter part of the evening
Mr. Bohlman returned to town and brought out an old telescope for the members
to inspect. This telescope belonging to the University, is badly in need of
repair, but could be made shipshape and would be of great help to the Centre.
Mr. Bohlman undertook to approach the University, with a view to the Centre
borrowing this instrument.
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