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Author
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Topic: 11/2: Green Witch's Astroblast 2008 (UK)
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spaceman
Member Posts: 1104
From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 10-27-2008 07:31 AM
   
Obviously only of interest to cS'ers this side of the pond. A family day out at Greenwich Observatory's Astroblast 2008. Follow this link (PDF) to promotional poster. We need more events like this one please! The countdown has begun. Nick
spaceman
www.spaceboosters.co.uk |
spaceman
Member Posts: 1104
From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 11-02-2008 04:14 PM
It was wet and overcast all day but still reasonably well attended. Congratulations to the organisers and the tea/coffee and hotdog people, the cub scouts etc.Nice to catch up with Andy Green, Dave and Bel Shayler, Aurora books etc. Will be signing up for the next Astroblast event. Some interesting presentations during the day, one in particular by Andrew Lound - 'Saturn' Lord of the Rings, a multimedia presentation detailing the history of earthbound observations of Saturn up to the latest imagery receievd from Cassini of the planet and its Moons. If you need a reason to support spaceflight these fantastic images will do it for you. Andrew started the presentation with a message to the gentlemen in the audience. He said that in life we will be aware of three rings, an engagement ring, a wedding ring and then suffering... Well done all. Apparently the next Astroblast will return to the Cambruidge venue following renovation work. Nick
Spaceman.
www.spaceboosters.co.uk |
StarDome
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posted 11-04-2008 07:46 AM
Good to see you and Bryar as always. It was a good event all in all, I had 130+ through the planetarium so more new people introduced to the night sky. I am looking forward to the 2009 Astroblast and I hope to be in attendance with the planetarium and to be giving a lecture next time too  See you soon All the best Andy |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-15-2008 06:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaceman:
Obviously only of interest to cS'ers this side of the pond. A family day out at Greenwich Observatory's Astroblast 2008.
I'm sure Neil & Lee would like it on record that their company is 'Green Witch' and is independent from the Greenwich Observatory set up! |
StarDome
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posted 11-16-2008 03:47 PM
It is actually Neil's company. And Nick's mistake is an easy one to make given their name "Greenwitch" is a play on "Greenwich" where Neil was Technical Director for many years. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-16-2008 03:58 PM
Why then is the copyright on the Astroblast site ©2008 Greenwich Observatory Limited? |
StarDome
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posted 11-16-2008 05:14 PM
That is their “registered” company trading name. The company was set up in 1998 when the RGO (Royal Greenwich Observatory) closed. Neil and another lady Lesley Vertue (a Green Witch former director) who was Neil's PA at the RGO set up "Green Witch" AKA "Greenwich Observatory Limited". People may be confused as there were 2 separate entities with very similar names.
There was the "Royal Observatory Greenwich" and the "Royal Greenwich Observatory". The RGO closed their offices finally in Cambridge UK in 1998 which is when Neil and Lesley set up "Green Witch". Neil was the Technical Director at the RGO and was involved in many Observatories worldwide including Gemini. Green Witch was initially set up as a consultancy then they started to sell astronomical items and telescopes which blossomed into the company as it is today. Neil is still heavily involved in consultancy work worldwide, and Lee, who David mentioned, who works for Neil
is a good friend of mine. He is actually Dr Lee Sproats who is an astrophysicist by trade. I worked for the company for a year some 5 years ago before setting up my own business. |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-17-2008 04:39 AM
Very succinct and well explained, Andy!I believe next year's Astroblast may move 'up North' to give Geordie space fans a chance to attend without a 300 mile journey each way! If any UK cS-ers with broader interests than just autographs haven't attended these sort of events, you don't know what you're missing! There are any number of similar conventions to Astroblast around the UK: one I organise at Cambridge in October, Astromeet at Leeds last weekend, the South-western Astronomy Fair at Sidmouth every August, numerous Star Parties.... These are all great ways to meet fellow enthusiasts and broaden your knowledge base! Andy attends many of them: so do Green Witch and so do I, so there's usually plenty of merchandising opportunities! |
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