Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Flamsteed Annual Picnic — June 28, 2009, at Hampstead (for a change)

Hampstead Observatory — how many astronomers can you get in a little dome?  [Pics: Dave Waugh & Mike Dryland]

Harrison’s tomb — St John at Hampstead

Pic: Mike Dryland

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After a pleasant lunch, somewhat hastened by the threatening weather, there was a ragged exodus in the direction of Hampstead Astronomy Society’s observatory just across the road.  They have a very nice smallish dome containing a super vintage Cooke refractor.  At that point we staged our bid for the Guinness book to see how many astronomers we could get in a small dome.

Our final call of the day took us to St John-at-Hampstead not far from the tube station where we’d begun the day.  The graveyard contains the tomb of John ’Longitude’ Harrison, a patron saint of the Royal Observatory.   We were able to pay our respects and Jane said a few words and left a small posy of flowers.

Then it began to rain ....

MRD