NASTRO Committee (2018-19)
The following members were elected to serve on the committee at the AGM.
Chair
Derek Gardiner I have been keen on astronomy since a young boy, but never had a telescope. "The Sky at night" programme was a great inspiration. My first viewing of Saturn through a 6 inch Newtonian at York University sealed my interest. However I did not get my own scope until a few years ago. Celestron 11" with Hyperstar f2 lens. More information can be found at derekgardiner.co.uk. I've been a member of NASTRO for many years and have made many astronomer friends. I enjoy showing the fascinating objects in the night sky to others, especially my grandchildren. My major interests are astrophotography, spectroscopy and space technology. |
Secretary
Cathy Underwood I’ve loved looking at the stars since I was a child but until I joined NASTRO I only once had a chance to look through a telescope and that was at Newcastle University’s observatory at Close House when I got to see Halley’s comet in 1986. My next chance to see the sky through a telescope was at NASTRO’s Stargazing Live event at Druridge Bay Country Park in January 2012 and I was hooked. Within a month I’d joined NASTRO, bought an 8” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and have been looking up ever since. Being a member of NASTRO gives so much opportunity to learn about astronomy, from the brilliant “Introduction to Astronomy” course run by Dr Adrian Janetta, to talks at the twice-monthly meetings and, just as important, talking to the more experienced members of the society who are always keen to share their knowledge. My main interest at the moment is binocular observing and learning to find my way around the night sky without the aid of a go-to mount. |
Members Representative
Shaun Malone I’ve been interested in astronomy for many years but up until recently have never been able to afford a telescope. I have been a member of NASTRO since 2010 and have learned a great deal from the more experience members of the club. My main interest is astrophotography and I have recently built an observatory in my garden where my 11’’ Celestron lives.
I try and attend most of NASTRO’s public events where I enjoy showing people the views of the night sky through my telescope. |
Vice Chair
Dr Adrian Jannetta FRAS Hello! I've been a member of NASTRO since it started in 2000. I was the Training Officer for most of that period and Chair of the club in 2011/12. I've regularly given lectures and run astronomy courses for beginners at the club and for public outreach events around the northeast. I've been interested in astronomy since I was very young and I'm still as excited about it now as I was then!
I have several telescopes: the biggest is a 16 inch Dobsonian (for visual observations) and I've got a lovely Meade LX10 (8 inch SCT) for visual and imaging purposes.
You can follow me on Twitter: @AdrianJannetta. Also, I put many of my astronomy images on my Flickr page. I also have a personal website and blog where I write about astronomy and maths.
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