More About Us

The Knowle Astronomical Society (KAS) was founded in April 2001 by a few keen, local amateur astronomers, with the aim of promoting an interest in all things associated with the night sky.

We are affiliated to the Federation of Astronomical Societies.

We have monthly meetings throughout the year with the exception of August, normally meeting on the first Monday of the month - see 'Meetings Calendar'. We make a small charge for membership (our 'year' starts in September) although you are most welcome to attend any meeting as a 'visitor' for a nominal fee. This fee will be refunded if you decide to join the society (pro-rata for the remainder of the 'KAS year'). See Membership Fees for details.

Our society is made up of a broad spectrum of people from the local community across the whole age range, from enthusiastic teenagers to wise and knowledgeable more 'senior' citizens.

Our monthly meetings normally take the form of a guest speaker giving a talk/ presentation about their particular field of interest. In recent years, speakers have included Chris Lintott (Sky at Night); Lucie Green (Mullard Space Science Laboratory) & Paul Roche (University of Glamorgan), covering a broad range of topics from 'Galaxy Zoo', to early results from the SOHO project, to the workings Neutron Stars!

After a lively discussion and short, friendly coffee break, members of the society give a quick summary of 'Space News' and 'What to see in the night sky' during the next month.

We have access to a 'Dark Sky' site a few miles south of Knowle where members can take their own telescopes or use the Society's own 12" dodsonian telescope.

As of January 2014, we have a new, regular meeting venue - Dorridge Village Hall, Grange Road, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8QA. (See location map below). As well as having ample parking provision and excellent facilities (including wi-fi), there are grass areas adjacent to the hall which will allow us to do some impromptu star-gazing in the weather conditions are suitable!