What do Bath Astronomers do?
We're a friendly group with a shared interest, if not passion, in the nighttime skies above Somerset. Whether they are just curious about astronomy or budding space experts, we strive to have events and activities that interest all.
We organise regular space/astronomy talks, local stargazing, telescope workshops, astrophotography clinics, mobile planetarium shows, schools', young peoples' organisations and community outreach, and the Observatory Shop for gift vouchers and branded merchandise. Everyone is welcome to become a member.
Bath Astronomers is an association charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered charity, number 1215572.
Join Us
Anyone can join Bath Astronomers to enjoy the talks, the fellowship, stargazing events, workshops on telescopes and astrophotogrpahy, free equipment loan, and free entry to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. We're part of the wider communitity of Astronomy in Bath, including the University oF Bath Physics Department, Students Union Space Society and the Herschel Society.
You can find out more about joining here.
Contact Us
Please get in touch if you've a question. Whether about events, membership, organising outreach with you, or something odd you saw in the sky, we're happy to help.
What's On?
All our events open to the public, whether talks or stargazing, are available on our Box Office to reserve your spot. Events at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy are listed below.
We like to go out and share the night sky with the public twice a month and hopefully the weather will only choose to scupper one of them. The venues for public stargazing change regularly to allow local communities to join in without having to travel too far. We've visited Royal Victoria Park, Lansdown P&R, Monkton Combe, and Wellow amongst others. Bring your own binoculars or telescope if you have them.
Public Stargazing
We are currently working with the Events Team, Community and Compliance at Bath and North East Somerset Council to see if we can find a solution to permitting stargazing from BANES-owned land.
A solution will allow us to share stargazing with members of the public this autumn and winter from:
- Lansdown Playing Fields South
- Lansdown Park & Ride
- Odd Down Park & Ride
- Royal Victoria Park
- and other sites around the city
If you have a plot of land and think it would be good for stargazing, why not get in touch.
Next Talk
Wednesday 30th September 2026 at 7:30pm BRLSI.
This will be given by Dr Meg Schwamb, Lecturer at Queen's University, Belfast.
The talk is entitled Unveiling the Solar System in the Rubin Observatory Era.
Meg Schwamb will present the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory, its capabilities, and how it is going to completely change our view of the Solar System from finding "killer asteroids", interstellar visitors, and distant small worlds (and maybe even a planet) beyond Neptune.
Reserve your seat here. Free entry for members using a discount code.
Following Talk
Wednesday 28th October 2026 at 7:30pm BRLSI.
This will be given by Dr Heather Johnston, postdoctoral researcher at University of Exeter.
The talk is entitled Nature vs. Nurture: Sculpting Planetary Systems.
Every planetary system begins as a swirling disc of gas and dust around a young star. Over a few million years, this disc disappears, leaving behind planets, asteroids, comets, and a faint debris disc - rather like dust left behind on a construction site. But stars do not form alone. Most are born in crowded stellar nurseries, where intense ultraviolet radiation from nearby massive stars strips away material from the disc, while streams of infalling gas can simultaneously replenish it. Heather's research addresses whether a planetary system's final architecture is governed primarily by internal processes (nature) or external environmental processes (nurture).
Reserve your seat here. Free entry for members using a discount code.
A full list of our planned monthly meetings can be found here
Contact Us
Please get in touch if you've a question. Whether about events, membership, organising outreach with you, or something odd you saw in the sky, we're happy to help.
50th Anniversary Year
Bath Astronomical Society had its first meeting on Wednesday 24th March 1976 at the Percy Boy's Club. Over the last 5 decades we've become Bath Astronomers, supporting those interested in astro science, observing and photographing the night sky, and stargazers young and old.
We'll have events to celebrate throughout the year.
Astronomy in the classroom and beyond
Bath Astronomers are passionate about bringing the wonders of the night sky to as many people as possible and have visited many local primary and secondary schools with planetarium shows and workshops as well as practical stargazing and observing experiences to several thousand people. We make our classroom resources available to all at https://stem.bathastronomers.org.uk.
Similarly for young peoples' organisations like the Guides and Scouts as well as young at heart groups like U3A or WI.
Perhaps you know a group that would benefit from one of our visits? Just contact us hello@bathastronomers.org.uk
In the Community
Why not pop along to see Bath Astronomers at one of the following events this Summer:
- Thu 22nd Oct - 3SG Volunteer Fair at Bath Abbey
- Fri 23rd Oct - Stargazing on top of Bath Abbey
- Fri 30th Oct - Stargazing on top of Bath Abbey
- Sat 31st Oct - Halloween at the Herschel Museum
Why not donate?
We need your support to reach even more schools and organisations with our space and science experiences. If you can make a donation, it'll help fund the creation and delivery of inspiring materials and activities locally and in the South West.
Click here to donate online now. Get in touch to donate larger sums or equipment like large binoculars, telescopes, or mounts.
Bath Astronomers provide guided stargazing and talks on behalf of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and Bath Preservation Trust. To book a place on these events, you just need to visit the What's On section of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy's web site.
Bath Astronomers provide guided stargazing and talks on behalf of Bath Abbey. To book a place on these events, you just need to visit the Abbey's booking page or What's On section of Bath Abbey's web site.