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Welcome to Astronomy in Herefordshire

Latest News:

News and items of interest to Herefordshire Astronomical Society members

What's Next - Meeting - Thursday 9th September 2021 - Webb Anniversary talk

We have a break in August - hopefully that means a summer holiday for you?

Our next meeting is the kick-off meeting for the 2021/2022 session. With meetings now allowed indoors, we are delighted to be able to go back to the Kindle Centre for our first talk.

Our old friend Paul Haley comes back to give the Annual Webb Anniversary talk. - this will be the 14th Anniversary talk!

Paul will take a look back at how observatories developed in the early part of the 19th Century.

Observing Highlights

Observing highlights for this month: Telescope House - monthly night sky guide

Click link below for view of UK sky: Met Office Satellite image. UK Visible Light.

Meetings:

There will be no meeting in August, so our next meeting is the kick-off meeting for the 2021/2022 session. With meetings now allowed indoors, we are delighted to be able to go back to the Kindle Centre for our first talk:

Our speakers at the Virtual Talks have allowed us to record and share their talks for society members to view of they missed the meetings. We've started a HAS YouTube channel here where you can visit or subscribe to and watch these talks.

To watch recordings of previous talks, they are on the "Recordings" page here.

If you missed our last talk, here's the recording:

Observing Session:

If the UK Government keeps to its Covid-19 roadmap, we should be able to resume our observing sessions in the Autumn.

Remember that there are some great online observing guides - a good one is run by Telescope House: Telescope House - monthly night sky guide

Star Party:

We hope to hold Star Parties again this session - Covid-19 allowing. Maybe we'll be able to run one at the Madley Environmental Study Centre (MESC) again.

MESC is right next door to the Madley Satellite Earth Station - a well known Herefordshire landmark. There are some location maps and directions to the MESC web site here.

Visit:

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). 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 Observatory just outside Banbury.

Members pay for shared transport and any entrance fees as appropriate..

August:

FAS - series of four talks in August

As a member of FAS, we have access to talks promoted through FAS. Check out the series of free half-hour Zoom talks being given by Dr Steve Barrett (University of Liverpool) in August - more information see in the FAS section below.

Also an invite from FAS for this talk:

The James Webb Space Telescope by John Thatcher - 18th August @ 19:30

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST - or just ‘Webb’ nowadays) is optimised for making infrared observations in order to study the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and planetary systems and is designed to look further back in space and time than the Hubble Space Telescope. It is a massive international project, decades in the making involving NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

The UK has a key role in leading a multi-national group that provides one of the 4 instruments on JWST with the lead scientist (ie Principal Investigator) based at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the Project Manager (myself) based in what is now Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage.

This talk provides an overview of how JWST came to be, why it looks the way it does and a preview of what is to come when it is launched later in 2021.

Tickets just £3.00 from Eventbrite

FAS:

The Universe: Half an Hour at a Time. Have you ever wondered how the universe began, how it will end, and everything in between? Maybe you do not have the time to read the many fantastic astronomy books on the subject, or you think that they might be too technical for you to understand.

This summer, GoSpaceWatch, with Dr Steve Barrett from the University of Liverpool, presents a series of online talks designed to encompass some of the popular questions about the universe. Four talks, each taking just half an hour, over four weeks, and aimed to give the enquiring mind a better understanding of our current knowledge of our universe.

This special Zoom series is free to attend after registration. Open to all, from beginners to those who already know a little astronomy. Register once to attend all four talks.

• Week 1: Tuesday 10th August 7:30 UK. The Beginning of Everything After the Big Bang it took about three minutes to make all of the matter that we see today and kick-start the Universe. If this happened 13.8 billion years ago, how can we be so sure?

• Week 2: Tuesday 17th August 7:30 UK. The ABC of Stars and Galaxies How stars and galaxies are born, how they live and how they die. A star might live for millions or even trillions of years, and during its lifetime it can evolve and change its behaviour. This talk looks at the main factors (the ABC) that determine how stars evolve and how galaxies form and grow.

• Week 3: Tuesday 24th August 7:30 UK. Black Holes How dead stars warp space and time. What are black holes and how are they formed? If they are black, how can we 'see' them? Are they responsible for the enigmatic dark matter that seems to be spread throughout the Universe?

• Week 4: Tuesday 31st August 7:30 UK. Keeping an eye on the Universe. What do telescopes tell us about how the Universe works? A look at some of the images taken by the largest telescopes on (and off) the Earth and how they have contributed to our understanding of the origin, the evolution and the ultimate fate of the Universe.

Free Registration via Eventbrite

September 2021:

October 2021:

What's Next - Meeting - Thursday 7th October 2021 - Making Every Photon Count

Our next meeting is a zoom talk by Steve Richards from the Sky at Night magazine. Steve's talk is an introduction to deep sky imaging for beginners and for observational astronomers making the move to the slippery slope that is astro-photography. It covers equipment choices and techniques.

Steve is an astro-photographer based in West Sussex specialising in deep sky imaging, especially in narrowband, from his fully automated observatory. As well as producing his own images for pleasure, Steve has written two books on the subject, ‘Making Every Photon Count’ (A Beginner’s Guide To Deep Sky Astro-photography) and ‘Dark Art or Magic Bullet?’ (A Beginner’s Guide To Deep Sky Image Processing). Steve is a regular contributor of technical articles and equipment reviews in the Sky at Night Magazine and has a monthly column called ‘Scope Doctor’. He also gives talks to astronomy societies, camera clubs and schools. When he isn’t doing astronomy he can be found in his music studio producing ‘Trance’ and experimental electronic music or driving the Westfield sports car that he built himself from scratch.

What's Next - Monthly observing session - Cancelled

We were hoping to restart our Observing Sessions for HAS members in October after the long Covid-19 hiatus.

The weather on our planned date is not good - Mark has emailed to confirm we have had to cancel our October observing night.

If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

November 2021:

What's Next - Meeting - Thursday 11th November - Galaxies - One Gigayear at a time

For our next meeting, we are delighted to invite Dr Julian Onions back to give us another zoom talk. For our November talk, Julian will tell us all about galaxies - what are they, how are they classified, how are they formed, what do we understand about their lives. And lots of pretty pictures.

Please note - this talk is on the second Thursday in November!

What's Next - Monthly observing session - Sunday 28th November 6:30pm

After we had to cancel the October Observing Session, hopefully we'll have better luck in November.

Look out for details of exactly when and where we will hold this month's session in emails from Chris and Mark.

We've found a new observing site that's on private land but with the owner's permission for access once a month by members of the society. The site offers unrestricted views, a flat 360 deg. horizon, a solid surface - and above all no gates, lights or advance booking requests to contend with! It is a private track off the Ledbury road just to the East of Hereford on the way to Lugwardine. Plus two nearby pubs for anyone who wants 'afters'! The trump card for this site is our ability to announce a planned observing date in advance, but to refine it by 'slipping and sliding' it at short notice according to the weather forecast which is now our only (if not inconsiderable) enemy.

If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

December 2021:

Observing - Comet - C/2021 A1 (Leonard)

An observing alert from Mark: there is a suggestion that this Comet might become naked eye in early December - see the link below from the BAA:

https://britastro.org/node/26346

If you click on the PDF chart you will see that the Comet passes over the Globular Cluster M3 on the morning of 3rd December. This is a great opportunity to visually see the event but I am hopeful one of our experienced astro imagers will take a photo.

Click link below for view of UK sky: Met Office Satellite image. UK Visible Light.

What's Next - Meeting - Thursday 6th January 2022 - AGM and Members' Talk

Our next meeting is the Annual General Meeting followed by a talk by Francis Milsom. We are delighted to be able to go back to the Kindle Centre for our AGM and listen to Francis' talk and hopefully take a look at the 16" telescope that he's building.

January 2022:

Observing - Comet - C/2021 A1 (Leonard)

An observing alert from Mark: there is a suggestion that this Comet might become naked eye in early December - see the link below from the BAA:

https://britastro.org/node/26346

If you click on the PDF chart you will see that the Comet passes over the Globular Cluster M3 on the morning of 3rd December. This is a great opportunity to visually see the event but I am hopeful one of our experienced astro imagers will take a photo.

Click link below for view of UK sky: Met Office Satellite image. UK Visible Light.

What's Next - Observing Night - Thursday 27th January 2022 - Lugg Meadows

Chris and Mark have been discussing a date for an observing session at the new site.

Looking at the weather forecasts we might have a clear spell on Tuesday 25th January. If this fails another possible date might be 27th.If these dates do not provide a clear spell we have until early February to pick another date so watch this space.

So if you fancy an observing session put the date in the dairy and wait for an email confirmation.

If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

LATEST:

Fingers crossed the forecast is looking okay for tomorrow at the new site.

Mark will start to set up just after 6pm - Astro Dark starts at 6.48pm

Come along even if you don't have a telescope or binoculars. Remember to park on the left and give enough room between cars so that telescopes can be set up.

February 2022:

What's Next - Meeting - Thursday 3rd February 2022 - The Great Moon Hoax

Our next meeting is a zoom talk by Dr Steve Barrett (University of Liverpool).

The basis for Steve's talk is that ... "As we all know, the Apollo moon landings of the late 1960s and early 1970s were faked by NASA. What is the 'evidence' that supports this claim and does it stand up to scientific scrutiny?"

Dr Steve Barrett is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Physics at the University of Liverpool. His research interests have centred around the applications of imaging and spectroscopy to fields such as nanoscience, geomaterials, biomedical imaging and infrared spectroscopy.

His interest in astronomy predates his professional career as a physicist. He has given hundreds of astronomy-related talks to astronomical societies, special interest groups and schools to an audience totalling over 20,000 people. As a result of giving these outreach talks he was awarded the Sir Patrick Moore Prize in 2019 by the British Astronomical Association.

As always, look out for emails from Mark and Chris with details of the Zoom call. If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

What's Next - Observing Night - Friday 25th February 2022 - Lugg Meadows

After the enthusiastic turnout for our January Observing Night, let's hope we can find another good, dark, clear evening in February to enjoy the new site on the Lugg Meadows.

Look out for emails from Mark and Chris on proposed dates.

If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

Come along even if you don't have a telescope or binoculars. Remember to park on the left and give enough room between cars so that telescopes can be set up.

LATEST UPDATE:

Hello Members

Checking various websites it's showing high pressure moving in with clear spells tomorrow evening.

This is to confirm I am going ahead with an observing evening tomorrow.

It's the same venue (Lugg Meadows) and please park on the left and give enough space between cars so that telescopes can be set.

Don't worry if you don't own a telescope etc just come along and enjoy the night.

Regards

--

Mark

Chairman and Observing Secretary

March 2022:

What's Next - Observing Night - CANCELLED - 31st March 2022 - Lugg Meadows

After good turnouts for our January and February Observing Nights, let's hope we can find another good, dark, clear evening in March to enjoy the new site on the Lugg Meadows.

Look out for emails from Mark and Chris on proposed dates.

If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

Come along even if you don't have a telescope or binoculars. Remember to park on the left and give enough room between cars so that telescopes can be set up.

Latest update from Chris:

It is third quarter on Friday 25th and so any night next week would suit in terms of the moon being out of the way. It looks like we have possibly missed the best of the weather but I am still hopeful; for one night at least. Provisionally I am looking at Wed/Thu/Fri (30/31 Mar and 1 Apr) as a 'bracketed' slot, depending of course on conditions nearer the time.

The clocks go forward this weekend (it has not been possible to get a session in before then) and so our official start time realistically will be 8.00pm rather than 7.00pm. This should not deter the die-hards amongst you, whom I will ask to declare themselves (ie whether you intend to attend) nearer the time.

Very latest update from Chris:

This coming Thursday looks our best bet. I will confirm 100% at 24 hrs notice but the weather at present for the evening is looking good.

Final update from Chris:

I am sorry to say we don't have sufficient takers for tomorrow evening and so we have to cancel.
We seem to be victims of either the holiday season or COVID.
Never mind. Here's to clear skies and the start of a new season in October.

April 2022:

May 2022:

June 2022:

July 2022:

August 2022:

What's Next - Summery Holidays!

After the marvellous talk by Bill Barton at t he beginning of July, HAS now takes it's annual holiday. We return in September. Take care and clear skies!

As always, look out for emails from Mark and Chris with details of what HAS is doing next. If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

Observing Highlights

Observing highlights for this month: Telescope House - monthly night sky guide

Click link below for view of UK sky: Met Office Satellite image. UK Visible Light.

FAS News

Member's Photos

Here are some more photos from Francis. First a lovely image of the Rosette nebula taken through Francis' RASA astrograph, followed by a mono image of the open cluster NGC 2244 at the centre of the Rosette and a lovely image of The Hamburger galaxy - one of the Leo Triplet galaxies.

[Look in "Images" tab - it's got all the photos featured on the "Home" page.

Meetings:

With meetings now allowed indoors, we are delighted to be able to have a mix of virtual Zoom talks and talks back at the Kindle Centre. Our next meeting is a virtual meeting by Zoom:

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 a HAS YouTube channel here where you can visit or subscribe to and watch these talks.

To watch recordings of previous talks, they are on the "Recordings" page here.

The last recorded meeting was in June - here's the recording:

Observing Session:

We are pleased to announce that our observing sessions are resuming in the Autumn. As always, look out for emails from Mark and Chris giving details and any last minute alterations.

If you are not on our emailing list, please contact Mark and Chris for the latest news - contact details here.

Remember that there are some great online observing guides - a good one is run by Telescope House. Look out for the monthly night sky emails from Mark and Chris.

Star Party:

We hope to hold Star Parties again this session - Covid-19 allowing. Maybe we'll be able to run one at the Madley Environmental Study Centre (MESC) again.

MESC is right next door to the Madley Satellite Earth Station - a well known Herefordshire landmark. There are some location maps and directions to the MESC web site here.

Visit:

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). 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 Observatory just outside Banbury.

Members pay for shared transport and any entrance fees as appropriate..