AV News 177 - August 2009
To See The Beginning of Time
M o rris J o n e s
The last club event of the year, at
Deudraeth Camera Club, was held
on the 30th March, when nearly forty
members and guests were treated to
a truly remarkable evening's
entertainment.
Andrew Lound, who hails from
Birmingham is a man of many parts,
a leading authority on the Titanic, an
author, an astronomer and a space scientist. Describing himself as the Urban
Spaceman he entertained all present, first of all, with an introduction to the early
study of the planets carried out from the 16th to the early part of the last century.
He then showed some stunning pictures, taken over the centuries with terrestrial
based telescopes of all sizes and varieties, this was a feast in its own right.
But after the interval the show became truly breathtaking and almost beyond
credibility when we were shown miriad images taken with the NASA Hubble
Space Telescope. Words cannot describe the images which unfolded one after
another, to the accompaniment of music and an informative and witty live
commentary. We were shown how galaxies and the stars within them were born,
lived and died, in fantastic detail and wonderful colour. It certainly made one
think just how small and insignificant we are in the vastness of the universe. And
yet, as was pointed out, we are perhaps not all that insignificant if we can,
through our human intellect, delve into the mysteries of life and how it began in
the far distant past many billions of years ago. Food for thought indeed.
In all probability this presentation which combined photography and science
provided the best possible form of spectacle, entertainment and learning that the
Deudraeth Camera Club has ever been privileged enough to experience. A
memorable evening indeed and a fitting end to an enjoyable club year.
For those who are interested in joining us, the new winter season will
commence in mid September when meetings will be held as usual in Holy Trinity
Church Hall at 7.30 on most Mondays.
See www.avnews.org.uk for a link to Deudraeth Club
Odyssey Class Dramatic Lectures
A n d re w L o u n d
The origins of the Odyssey Class Dramatic Lecture starts back in the 1970s
when I was still at school. I had enjoyed the 'show and tell' sessions where I
gave unscripted presentations about my interests. When at secondary
school I was dismayed that the school did not teach any form of astronomy
so I organized a get-together with some fellow pupils where I produced a
simple slide show and demonstration on telescopes. One of the pupils' father
worked at the local community centre and asked if I would present a similar
lecture to a mixed audience. Thus my lecture career began.
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