International Year of Astronomy 2009, Gostrey Meadow, Farnham

In April 2009 the Farnham Astronomical Society held a public event at Gostrey Meadow Park, Farnham to coincide with the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) Spring Moonwatch.  The sky was clear despite a gloomy forcast of cloud and frequent showers and we were able to show members of the public safe solar observing as well as observing the daytime moon.  The sun, though shining, was unblemished with not a sunspot in sight; this was hardly likely to enthrall an expetant audience but our exhibition tent was packed most of the day.  

The event was well attended by members (we mustered about ten telescopes) and by the public.  Visitors numbered in their hundreds.  It was a very successful day.  As a result we recruited several new members – luckily one of them was the designer of our new web site!  We were also rewarded with an excellent write up in the local newspapers.