Thursday 2nd October 2014
The first meeting of the new season was held at the Expanse Hotel on Thursday when the chairman John Heaton welcomed the guest speaker and members, who the stood in silence as a mark of respect for the passing of Jeff Carling, who died recently. After an excellent lunch the chairman introduced the guest speaker Dr.Michael Martin¬Smith, a retired GP and now president of the Hull and East Riding Astronomical Society and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society. Dr Martin¬Smith spoke about the famous Yorkshire astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle. Sir Fred was born in 1915 in Gillstead, a suburb of Bradford. His father was in the woollen industry and his mother was a teacher of music. He was educated at Bingley Grammar School and Cambridge University and excelled in mathematics. He formed the Steady State theory, the origins of life came from microbes through the air, known as the Panspermia Theory. He was opposed at the time to the Big Bang Theory put forward by Hubble and Lemaitre. The COBE satellite in 1989 dated the age of the universe and confirmed the Big Bang theory. His main contribution was his hypothesis that all elements were formed from hydrogen and helium in the life cycle of stars. He pointed out the steps that needed to be taken to prove the origins of life. In concluding the speaker said that Sir Fred contributed to Astrophysics, Cosmology and the Life Cycle of Stars and Elements and that the seeds of life are being found in Space and that his Panspermia theory may yet be true. The number of questions put to Dr Martin¬Smith showed both the interest he had created and the attentiveness of members. The vote of thanks for a fascinating, if somewhat esoteric talk, was given humorously by Jim Hornsby. Information about the club’s activities can be found on www.probusbridlington.weebly.com