Herefordshire Astronomical Society

News and new items of interest to Herefordshire Astronomical Society members

• What’s Next – Monthly talk at the Kindle Centre – Thursday 6th June 2019Our next talk is given by Paul Haley. Paul is one of the founder members of the Society and is a regular contributor to the publications of the Society for the History of Astronomy (find out more about the society here) – so it’s great to have Paul back to give this talk.Henry Cooper Key (1819-79) began observing in Bishopsgate, London in 1837. A decade later he became rector of Stretton Sugwas, Hereford and married Ellen Arabella Whinfield (1823-1912) in 1855. Key was an early pioneer of silvered-glass technology and his pair of short-focus 18-inch specula were used in a Romsey observatory from 1867. The bicentenary of his birth is 2019 May 31 and this illustrated talk will cover his life based on 12 years of research by Paul. Paul will also include some of his current research on 19th century observatories.Thursday 6th June 20197 – 9 pmHeavens above: the Keys of Stretton RectoryTalk by Paul Haley, Herefordshire Astronomical Society

• Observing Highlights Observing highlights for this month: Telescope House – monthly night sky guide
• Star Party – A Giant Leap – Saturday 13th July 2019A family friendly astronomy and space science conference on 13th July 2019 at the Madley Environmental Study Centre. More information here. 

Next Meeting:

Our monthly talks at the Kindle Centre:

Thursday 6th June 20197 – 9 pmHeavens above: the Keys of Stretton RectoryTalk by Paul Haley, Herefordshire Astronomical Society at the Kindle Centre Belmont Road Hereford HR2 7JE  (Next to ASDA – more information here)

Next Observing Session:

We are proposing to use Fownhope Recreation Field for our observing sessions later this year. There is hard standing by the Pavilion at the end of the drive for us to park and set up equipment. Chris and Mark have checked out the facility and it looks to be a good dark site with excellent 360 degree visibility. We will also have more flexibility with timings – so we can stay later than 9pm if we have some clear skies. We will also have a bit more flexibility on which days are best to observe – so if the Thursday is forecast to be cloudy but Wednesday or Friday look better we should be able to switch our observing evening.We start our observing sessions in October and after the clocks change on 27th October we’ll be able to start the sessions a bit earlier – look out for emails from Mark with timings and details.

We still want to keep in contact with Berrington Hall (The National Trust) as they’ve been very good to us over the last few years. Hopefully we can continue to run Star Parties for them.

So come and talk to new or more experienced society members – hopefully have a look through some telescopes and binoculars at the night sky. Share your thoughts, pick up some observing tips and recommendations, discuss your astronomical problems and projects, bring your own equipment for advice on how best to use it. We may change the observing meeting to another evening if the weather forecast indicates it would be better. Members can bring their own refreshments although we don’t expect to have access to The Pavilion if we need cover (there’s always The Greenman or The New Inn if needs must!). Look out for the latest news on this website and we’ll email out any change to arrangements to members.

TBD October 20197 – 9 pmFownhope Recreation FieldPractical observing and advice session.More information here.

Next Star Party:

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing, Project Link, in partnership with Herefordshire Astronomical Society, plans to run a family friendly public engagement astronomy and space science conference ‘a Giant Leap’ on 13th July 2019 at the Madley Environmental Study Centre.

The conference will run from 11am to 5pm and will have many speakers covering the Moon, Cosmology, Archeo Astronomy, Astro and Video astronomy, Apollo space programme, Observing DSOs, famous Herefordshire astronomers – Thomas Webb, ‘With’ mirrors and Rev Cooper Key and finally buying telescopes for beginners and what you can expect to see etc. There will also be a visit around the BT Satellite Earth Station (TBC) – here .

The whole event is FREE to attend.

Saturday 13th July 2019A Giant LeapA family friendly astronomy and space science conference on 13th July 2019 at the Madley Environmental Study Centre. More information here.