Welcome to HAS
Home of Herefordshire Astronomical Society
Home of Herefordshire Astronomical Society
*To see more of our Members' wonderful Astrophotography, visit the various 'Latest Images' and 'Messier Marathon' pages within our 'Members' section
We have a mix of 'virtual' (Zoom) talks direct to 'the comfort of your own home' (as they say) and in person presentations at the Kindle Centre.
For more details see our Meetings page.
HAS Zoom Talk Thursday 2nd July 2026
Dr Heather Johnston
The Rise and Fall of the Giant Planet Occurrence Rate
Many of the earliest exoplanets discovered were found to be giant worlds orbiting close to their stars. Did this reflect their dominance in the galaxy or were other systematic factors conspiring to boost their occurrence rate? Large planets (especially in short orbits) are intrinsically easier to spot using our various exoplanet detection methods. But now we have ~6,000 confirmed exoplanets, do we know more about the true occurrence rate of these giant planets? Dr Heather Johnston will let us know the latest...
Many of our speakers at the Virtual Talks have allowed us to record and share their talks for society members to view if they missed the meeting. We've started an HAS YouTube channel here where you can visit or subscribe to and watch these talks.
You can also watch recordings of previous talks on the 'Recorded Meetings' page of this website here.
Our observing sessions take place once a month between October and March inclusive, at around the time between last quater and full Moon, to optimise darkness.
As always, look out for emails from the Observing Secretary giving proposed date and details and look out for any last minute alterations. We will endeavour to stick to these dates unless weather intervenes, in which case it will likely be a few days earlier or later (usually later) and members will of course be advised. Each date is centred on the first Thursday after Third Quarter.
Remember that there are some great online observing guides - a good one is run by Telescope House.
2027 Programme: To be announced
6:30 - 9 pm
Observing highlights for this month:
Links for weather and observing forecasts:
Once or twice a year, members like to jump in cars or climb in a mini-bus and make their way to go and see something interesting outside of Herefordshire (passports not required - so far). Members pay for shared transport and any entrance fees as appropriate.
Previous trips have been to the Spaceguard Centre, the International Astronomy Show, the National Space Centre, Jodrell Bank, the Norman Lockyer Observatory outside Sidmouth, the Herschel Museum in Bath and the Hanwell Community Observatorynear Banbury. Most recently (June 2025), we visited Bletchley Park - home of Britain's codebreakers in the Second World War
Look out for emails from Keith explaining more about the proposed visits and asking members to register for the trips.
Further information is on our Visits page
If you are looking to join HAS, visit the Membership page here for all you need to know about subscriptions and how to become a member.
Visit the Members Page here for all planned and past activities.
Taken any astronomy photos over the last few months? Share them here with HAS members!
Take a look at what HAS members have managed to do over the years on our Images pages: (Latest Images, Further Images, More Images).
HAS members have also risen to the challenge of imaging all 110 Messier objects! Check out how we're doing on our Messier Marathon page.
Look out for emails from Keith with the regular FAS Newsletter and news and information about other events and talks that you may be interested in attending at FAS and other Astronomical Societies