With no meeting in August, the September meeting was well atended. The main talk for the evening was given by David Peachey on the subject of 'Other Solar Systems'. He began with an overview of how it is thought that our solar system was formed from a condensing gas cloud. It was a description of the standard model where a proto star forms from spinning gas, and the associated planets form from the remaining debris. Computer modelling has allowed scientists to investigate a wide varietry of starting conditions but the principles remain the same. Later, David discussed the techniques used to look for planets around other stars and marvelled at the required instumental precision needed to detect star 'wobbles', changes in light intensity (as stars are eclipsed by their proposed planetary bodies) and other measurements. He spoke of the discoveries made so far and particularly of the highly unusual 'Hot Jupiters'.
The next meeting is the A.G.M. to be held as usual at the 'Friends Meeting House' in Granville Road, Clacton on October 5th 2006. It is intended that the formal proceedings be dealt with quickly so that there is time to view a DVD and have a short presentation by Bob Leon on the constellation of 'Pegasus'.