A collection of articles covering a wide range of topics written by members of the Astronomy Section over the years.
Guernsey’s astronomical heritage starts over five thousand years ago with Neolithic man. With no light pollution they must have been fully aware of the night sky with a deep knowledge of changes in the position of the stars, planets, sunrise and sunset, and the seasons. The Channel Islands, in commo...
David Le Conte was born in Guernsey on the Spring equinox of 1940 and shortly afterwards was evacuated for the duration of the war as German forces occupied Guernsey. Upon returning, David attended Elizabeth College and then went on to Edinburgh University, from where he graduated with a degree in p...
The Astronomy Section was formed at the Annual General Meeting of La Société Guernesiaise on 21st January 1972, following a preliminary meeting of potential members and with the encouragement of the Société President at that time, Jurat J. Le Pelley, and Honorary Secretary Mr R.J.W. Payne, with a...
The Wise Men who visited the infant Jesus in Bethlehem were, as recorded in the Gospel according to St Matthew, guided by a star.
In the words of the hymn, a star of wonder. Certainly, for hundreds of years astronomers, historians and theologians have wondered about the identification of the star, and many theories have been postulated.
This collection of quotations concentrates on solar eclipses, but a few referring to lunar eclipses are included. Some are from literary sources, while others are predictions and records. I have avoided scientific reports, preferring to include descriptive accounts.
