The
History of the L.A.S.
It is with no
small amount of shock that I realised that in only two more years
the society will be entering its Fortieth year. The creation of
the Society took place in the latter part of 1969, a few months
after the epic Apollo 11 Moon landing.This thrilled the public
at the time. Although space flight and astronomy are quite different
areas of interest there are some important connections. Being
aware of the widespread interest in the town, the University of
Luton (then the Luton College of Higher Ed.) put on a course involving
a series of lectures concerning space flight and astronomy. The
course was organised by Jim Hysom a local manufacturer of astronomical
optics. It turned out to be very interesting and well attended
A range of topics were presented by a number of speakers, chiefly
on astronomical subjects. At the end of the course, several people
wanted to continue in some way or another, with either further
lectures or perhaps form a group that could meet somewhere regularly,
triggered discussion. The outcome, the formation of the Luton
and District Astronomical Society occurred in December 1969, with
the meeting being held in the Youth House in the town centre.
The facilities were not exactly ideal in this our first home.
It was semi-open plan, with no blackout or screen and projectors
had to be borrowed. We had to endure the noise raised by team
games, whistles and other noises associated with a busy gymnasium.
Nevertheless a small group of enthusiasts led by Steve Anderson,
got the Society on to its feet and running with support from outside
speakers when they were available. At this time well-established
amateurs like Jim Hysom, Jim Muirden; an astro writer, Peter Drew
and the authority himself - Horace Dall, gave helpful encouragement.
The continuing Apollo moonshots stimulated a growth in more members
and resulted in the birth of similar astronomical societies throughout
the country. Many of those that survived will shortly, like us,
be celebrating their 40th anniversaries.
In the autumn of 1976, the committee approached the College or
Luton Tech as it was generally called, to see if it could rent
a room on a regular basis. The College authorities considered
this and with support from the Department of Physics a room was
granted. This turned out to be Room 233(the lecture theatre) -
a great psychological boost for the Society. The theatre had a
large screen, a projection box, good blackout curtains and tiered
seating as well as an illuminated blackboard and rostrum. In all,
a facility which was the envy of less fortunate societies in the
Midlands and London area. It was the start of the special association
with the University, which we still enjoy today.
In the late eighties the meetings transferred to the Putteridgebury
campus where we meet today. This was out of town and suited the
Society from the point of view of astronomical observation. The
LAS had acquired the Dall Telescope and its original observatory.
This was after the death of Horace in 1986 - the year of Halley's
comet. He claimed it was his 2nd time round; he had seen it as
a child! The aim of the Society at this time was to raise money
for the construction of an observatory on site at Putteridgebury.
Permission had been granted by the powers to be, but we would
have to pay a peppercorn rent! There was no objection and work
on the site started in 1990. With the generous financial help
from many local firms and organisations, the LAS finally got its
observatory in October 1992.The Dall Telescope had been refurbished
and set up and Patrick Moore did the honours by officially conducting
the opening ceremony. We had many old friends and many good wishes
on that special day.
In 1993 we took up the role of an educator. We actively encouraged
schools and other groups to bring parties to the Dall Observatory
for special observing sessions at minimal cost. This is now very
well established and more organised. If skies are cloudy, a slide
show is always an alternative after a tour of the main instrument
and its mode of operation. Our public open evenings are another
aspect of the work of the LAS, which will continue with increasing
success.
With the construction of a half metre rich field telescope the
New Generation Dall Telescope the success of the Society continues;
the secret is perhaps the band of dedicated people who give up
hours of their time year after year and never complain. The LAS
is indeed fortunate to have such people. Our membership remains
fairly steady and has built up many external friends over the
years.
We always welcome new members.