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He subsequently wrote several very informative books on the exploration of the planets Mercury, Mars and Jupiter by robotic spacecraft and, in one, describing the first landing upon Mars of Viking, refers to his interest in the subject stemming from his visit to the Godlee Observatory. Eric Burgess last visited the MAS in 1978 when he addressed the society at its 75th anniversary meeting. At the time he was in the country on business as the science adviser on the James Bond film, Moonraker.
The mid-1960s saw a fundamental change in amateur observational astronomy. Until then, the amateur was very much in the forefront in monitoring the moon and planets. With the photographic mapping of the moon by the Lunar Orbiter spacecraft, drawing lunar features, which had for decades been the province of the amateur, became an activity only for the dedicated specialist. However, the experienced lunar observers knew that there were unique observations still to be made. From the very earliest days of telescopic lunar observation, there had, on rare occasions, been reports of localised temporary changes in certain areas of the moon. Called Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP), these took the form of patches of colour or localised obscuration in specific areas of the lunar surface, often in areas bordering the maria where surface faulting was evident. With the preparations for the first manned flights to the moon well underway, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) called for all such activity to be reported to them. In the UK this was coordinated by the Lunar Section of the BAA under the direction of Dr Patrick Moore who organised the formation of the Lunar Intensive Observation Network (LION). The experienced lunar observers in the MAS took part, and it is to their credit that at least two TLP observations, in 1967, were confirmed by others in the network and subsequently recorded in the first NASA Technical Report on this subject.
Cheaper air travel in the early 1970s allowed members of the society to visit Cape Kennedy in Florida to view manned Apollo rocket launches to the moon. All launches, commencing with Apollo 15 in July 1971, were seen by representatives of the society and later, after the moon landing programme was completed, individual members have been present at the Cape to see the Apollo-Soyuz launch and the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope aboard the Space Shuttle.
Easier travel has also allowed more members to see solar eclipses. In 1973, several people travelled with the Explorers Travel Club aboard the Spanish motor vessel 'Monte Umbe' to see the long duration total eclipse of the sun from some 20 miles off the coast of Mauritania, North Africa, and Mr A Whittaker, president from 1968 to 1973, journeyed to Mexico City to see a total solar eclipse from there.
In remembering the wishes of the donor, Francis Godlee, the society has acted as curator of the Godlee Observatory by inviting members of the public to use these facilities whenever possible. Security and safety is of prime importance and so the public are only admitted under the guidance of wardens who are trained in the use of the telescopes and are familiar with the fire regulations imposed by the UMIST authorities. Similarly, the council of the MAS undertake the responsibility for the allocation of warden's cards to the University of Manchester Astronomical Society who use the observatory on Tuesday evenings. Because their membership is of limited duration, only a limited number of wardens' cards are allocated, having first met with the organisers of the society who are expected to attend some of the MAS meetings on a regular basis so that good communication is maintained and that use of the observatory is reliably supervised.
The original constitution of the society made it quite clear that it was to be a meeting place for all persons interested in astronomy. Use of the Godlee Observatory had facilitated this aim and the Thursday evening meetings provide a forum for discussion and observation. Short courses on astronomy have been well attended and have attracted new members. Telescope making has long proved popular and under the expert tuition of Mr S Hodgkinson who was president from 1984 to 1986 many members have made themselves telescope mirrors in sizes between 6 and 16 inches in aperture.
At the 50th anniversary meeting of the MAS, the late Lord Bowden of Chesterfield, then Dr B.V.Bowden and Principal of the Institute, pledged the help of the Institute to maintain the observatory. His offer was taken up and a new synchronous motor drive for the telescope was provided to replace the worn clockwork mechanism. With minimal attention, the motor continues to do sterling service to this day.
For the 75th anniversary, the telescopes were again refurbished by members with engineering skills, particularly the 12" reflector which was replaced for several years in the 1970s by a multi-mirror telescope developed by an old friend, and one-time member of the society, Dr John Grainger of the Department of Astronomical Optics, UMIST. The multi-mirror telescope was used as a test model during the design stages of a similar but larger instrument now installed at the Wilfred Hall Observatory, Preston. This instrument is in turn a forerunner of the Multi-Mirror Telescope (MMT) erected at about the same time on Mt Hopkins, Arizona. The society has always tried to enlighten the public about matters astronomical. At the time of the 75th anniversary, in 1978, the president, Mr Kenneth Brierly and the writer arranged public viewing evenings at the observatory. These were publicised in the Manchester Evening News and also by television and local radio interviews. Subsequently, particularly at the time of great public interest in Halley's Comet in 1985, other members, notably Mr S Hodgkinson and Mr K Davies have been readily willing to advise the public on astronomical matters via radio and newspaper interviews. Latterly, Mr A Cross has continued this important service.
Unfortunately Halley's comet did not put on a good show at its return in 985/86. Several members went up in aircraft to 35000 feet to see the comet but it was a poor sight compared to that in 1910. A model of the orbit of the comet was made for the Manchester Air and Space Museum at Castlefield by Mr J Bolton and the writer, but this was only on display for a short time before the temporary closure of the museum to the public prior to its amalgamation with the Museum of Science and Industry.
The society is always pleased to entertain organised visits, whether these be of local scout groups, school parties or club outings. One notable visit was of a party of Russian astronomers while in this country to attend an International Astronomical Union conference.
Throughout these activities the society has been assisted by the interest and help of successive Principals, Heads of Departments and the engineers in the Works Department of the Institute in providing the necessary professional help, when needed, in the maintenance of the fabric of the Godlee Observatory.
The society's debt to its hosts is great and the hope is to repay it by being unobtrusive guests who provide a useful service to the community.
Mr Ken Elliot joined the MAS when a student at the University of Manchester. He subsequently went on to obtain his PhD in astronomy and spent some years at Siding Springs Observatory, New South Wales, Australia, working with the 158" reflector and the UK Schmidt camera. His latest researches have been with the ROSAT X-ray satellite team at Birmingham University.
Mr Peter Mack came to the society as a young man interested in astronomy. He took basic science examinations at Ashton-under-Lyne College of Technology before obtaining a place at Newcastle University to study astronomy, where he graduated. On returning to Manchester, and becoming the youngest-ever president of the MAS, he gained his MSc and then PhD before, in 1982, leaving to take up a place at Sutherland Observatory, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Peter has since moved to the USA as assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Oklahoma and then to become manager of two MIT telescopes at the Kitt Peak NationaI Observatory, Arizona.
Several years ago, a twelve year old girl came into the Godlee observatory and timidly asked if anyone could tell her about radio astronomy. No-one could, but she joined the society and became an avid member. Gillian Holmes subsequently took her degree at Manchester and worked for a time at Jodrell Bank. She is now a regular observer on the Very Large Array in Socorro, New Mexico, one of the world's largest radio telescopes.
Like Ken Elliot, David Whitehouse joined the MAS whilst a student at the University of Manchester. He gained his PhD using the 250 foot radio telescope at Jodrell Bank to observe pulsars. After a short time working for NASA in America, David spent some months at the Malvern satellite establishment before becoming a full time science journalist. David Whitehouse can now often be heard on BBC Radio 4 as science correspondent.
Recently the society has been delighted to welcome mathematician and former Lord Mayor of Manchester Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, as a member. Her enthusiasm for astronomy has been immense and has born fruit in many fine photographs of the moon and stars not to mention her picture of the 1991 total eclipse of the sun, taken from Hawaii, which was featured on "The Sky at Night" in September 1991. At boarding school in Scotland in 1927 she was taken on a ship to see the eclipse, but saw nothing because of cloud, as happened again in Finland in 1990. The heavy rain and mist on 11 July 1991 in Hawaii threatened to make this third time also unlucky, but happily the mist cleared just in time to turn this event to triumph. The MAS is indebted to her for her support and for the lithograph of the Godlee Observatory by Rod Holt which she recently presented to the society. This has pride of place in the lower observatory room where, almost exactly ninety years previously, members first viewed the new instruments. This design is reproduced on the front cover of this publication.
Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Presenting lithograph by artist Rod Holt (left) to the President of the MAS, Mr K J Kilburn.
Professor Bernard Lovell lectured to the society in the early days of radio astronomical work in a muddy field in Cheshire called Jodrell Bank.
For over thirty years, the society's friend and Honorary Member, Emeritus Professor Zdeneck Kopal, of the Department of Astronomy, Manchester University, has been a regular annual lecturer. Always at the forefront of solar system astronomy, he has taken us to the moon and planets on the wings of Apollo, Mariner, Pioneer, Viking and Voyager.
Dr Allan Chapman, of Oxford University but a Salford man at heart, has brought to life Sir Isaac Newton, Horrocks, Crabtree, Lassell and Sir George Biddell Airy, Astronomer Royal between 1835 and 1881.
Dr Patrick Moore, perhaps the most famous amateur astronomer in the UK has lectured to our members on a number of occasions in the past few years. It is to him that most of us owe our interest in the heavens.
In recent years the society has been privileged to welcome the thirteenth Astronomer Royal, Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith as guest lecturer on more than one occasion. As only the second Director of the world famous Jodrell Bank Radio Astronomy Laboratory, he has kept members completely up to date with their important researches with one of the largest fully steerable radio dishes, the 250 ft telescope now named the Lovell Telescope.
In December 1991 as the end of the first century of amateur astronomy in Manchester approached, the society welcomed the fourteenth Astronomer Royal, Professor Arnold Wolfendale, of the University of Durham.
The world has witnessed enormous advances in observational and theoretical astronomy in the last half of the 20th century. The Manchester Astronomical Society, through its guest lecturers, has been fortunate in being able to share this exciting adventure.
The general public, too, are welcome to share this information. Monthly lectures are held in the Renold Building, UMIST, on the third Thursday of the month commencing in September each year with the JC Farrer Memorial Lecture and continuing throughout the winter period until the April AGM. In combination with the regular informal weekly meetings every Thursday evening, commencing at 7.30pm, in the Godlee Observatory, (except on the evenings indicated above) the Manchester Astronomical Society is one of the very few in the UK able to offer such a continuous forum for the amateur astronomer, when members can show and discuss their own slides as well as gain the advice of colleagues.
Reference has been made to instruments donated to the MAS by its members and friends and the society has a valuable collection of antique instruments, some of which are on loan to the Northwest Museum of Science and Industry, Castlefield.
The society has two eighteenth century Gregorian telescopes. One made by Watson was presented to the MAS by the late Mr Arthur Fiskin. The other, made by Cuff, was presented by one of the earliest members, Mr E Denton-Sherlock. Both are on loan to the Museum.
A spectroscope, also on loan to the Museum, was made by Browning and is in a fitted red morocco case. It has an original speculum diffraction grating signed by Rutherford and a 60 x 60 x 60 degree prism. It was presented to the society by Samuel Okell. The Okell family were master butchers supplying ships in the Salford and Manchester docks complex.
Dancer was an optician who flourished in the late 19th century and had premises in Albert Square opposite the Town Hall. An early pioneer of photography he made telescopes, but he is mainly remembered for his fine microscopes. The society presented the Museum with a scarce copy of a book describing his lifetime work.
A bi-filar micrometer, on loan to the Museum, is a fine example of late 19th century /early 20th century instrument-making. While probably provided as original equipment with the Godlee telescopes, it appears to have been made by an out-worker of the Grubb company.
The society did have a large "lantern" for 3.25" x 3.25" slides and a large collection of slides. Mr Arthur Wardle was a secretary of the society and worked for the Museum when in Grosvenor Street. It is believed that he presented the Museum with a number of mechanical slides showing eclipses, planets orbiting the sun etc., but it is not known whether he also presented the lantern. Many of the glass slides were broken up but a member, the late Kenneth Brierly, salvaged 14 of these showing various sundials. It is not known where these are at present.
Another 19th century instrument, given to the society in the late l970's following its discovery in a garden shed, is the 4" Newtonian reflector made by Browning.
A massively mounted, 5" Wray refractor was presented following the untimely death of Eric Hartas a few years ago. In order to put this fine object glass to immediate use, it has been temporarily remounted in a telescope with a folded light path, on a Dobsonian mounting. The original tube and equatorial mounting still awaits refurbishment.
A 4" brass refractor by James Parkes and Sons, Birmingham, similarly requires refurbishment and remounting.
The collection of antique instruments also includes a variety of eyepieces and ancilliary equipment such as a solar/star diagonal by Broadhurst, Clarkson and a solar diagonal, probably by the same company. A 6.25" f/ll paraboloid glass mirror, signed and dated 1887 by George Calver, was also purchased in recent years as part of the Dumbar Collection.
One of the largest telescopes built in recent years is the 14" Newtonian constructed by Mr J Lewis. John Lewis died shortly after completing the telescope and it is now in the possession of the society. This telescope, like all recent instruments, is mounted on a Dobsonian altazimuth mounting which, whilst very simple to make, is a supremely stable design admirably suited to large reflectors for visual use. It may be true to say that the MAS pioneered this design in the UK following its invention in the USA in the early '70s.
In recent years, the expert astrophotography of Dr R H Soper, who records fireball meteors with a fully automated all-sky camera and Mr R Stuart, who now uses a 12" reflecting telescope to photograph faint galaxies, has been admired by our members. Whilst there are now several members who regularly take photographs of astronomical objects, luck does sometime play a part in addition to camera technique. Of particular note are the rare pictures, taken by Mr Michael Oates, of a Perseid meteor photographed in visible and infra-red light.
Above. Perseid meteor (panchromatic image). 50mm lens, f2.4. T-Max 100. 12 August 1989, 23h 21m 55s UT. Prestwich , Manchester. M Oates.
Below. Same perseid meteor (Infra Red image). 50mm lens, f2.4. Camera 2. Kodak High Speed Infra Red film plus Infra Red filter. M Oates.
For more images by the members of the MAS, visit the Members Section
However, the most important role of the amateur is in the observation of time dependent phenomena. Variable stars are a favourite and the MAS has from time to time seen members contribute significant amounts of information to this topic. One member, Mr Colin Henshaw, then living in Zimbabwe, was an independent discoverer of the supernova, SN 1987 A. The MAS variable star group is currently being reformed.
In recent years, several unusual observations have been made by members. During the total eclipse of the moon in January 1982, the rare observation of an occultation by an eclipsed moon of a deep sky object, in this case NGC 2392 the 10th magnitude Eskimo Nebula, was seen. This was observed by the writer and Mr P Mack from the former's observatory in Bollington, Cheshire. As far as is known only three other observers anywhere are reported to have witnessed this event. The geometry and weather dictated that only observers in the north west of England could possibly see the occultation. Although the eclipse was visible from Iceland, Northern Ireland and Europe, the occultation could not be seen further east than the Peak District. Iceland and Ireland were clouded out. The occultation was seen from Morcambe, Wigan, Salford and, as mentioned, Bollington. The occultation was not predicted by either the BAA or the Nautical Almanac, nor 'Sky and Telescope'.
The other event was of an occultation of the 5.4 magnitude star 28 Sagittarii by Saturn on 2 July 1989. This was visible from the USA. But of incomparable rarity, the next night, was the occultation by Saturn's satellite, Titan, which was seen to pass in front of the star from western Europe. Several members of the MAS saw the event, which was significant in that, as the star was occulted by Titan, the layering within Titan's dense atmosphere caused the starlight to flicker rapidly. One member, observing from Warrington, also saw the exceedingly rare effect, at mid-occultation, of the starlight being 'lensed' by Titan's atmosphere to produce a sudden flash of light. Until this occultation, only thirty observations of this latter phenomenon had ever been seen.
The observation of the total solar eclipse in July 1991 will long be remembered by those members who travelled to Hawaii and Baja California to see it. As the longest eclipse visible anywhere on earth until AD 2132, the spectacle of a black sun surrounded by a pearly white corona, seen against a pale lavender sky, will not be forgotten. Photographically the eclipse was a success with very good pictures being recorded at both sites. These showed an intermediate corona with long equatorial streamers and shorter polar plumes.
Kevin J Kilburn,
President 1979-80, 1991- [ ]
Astronomer Royal, Prof A Wolfendale and a young visitor, Alex Kilburn, December 1991 Lecture.