Bath Astronomers – Looking up into the skies above Somerset in awe

What are we up to?

Nov24

Getting to Grips with the Night Sky: Introduction to astronomy

24 Nov

A talk on the night sky, how to get more involved in stargazing and ideas for enjoying astronomy. All are welcome from beginners upwards. It is intended to show you the simple science of the night skies above your head and how that knowledge can help you observe. The talk is online using Zoom. Drop us a message if you'd like to attend so we can send through a link to use. Credit: NASA, Juno

Nov25

A Life on Mars. Talk by Bud Martin Budzynski

25 NovOnline

A Life On Mars by Bud Martin Budzynski We take a look at the personalities, speculations and theories that have contributed to our changing views of the Red Planet over the last 150 years. From the sublime to the ridiculous, we examine what it takes to visit our near neighbour. About Bud Bud first became interested in astronomy at 8 years old after seeing a bright meteor flash across the night sky. Determined to learn more, he avidly read all the astronomy books in the local Public Library then set about making his first telescope from spectacle lenses and cardboard tubes. At the same time, he developed a love for music and by the age of 13 had made his own electric guitar. Nearly 60 years later, Bud is still performing at gigs on his equally old Gibson 345. Astigmatism in his right (dominant) eye began to make observation at the telescope eyepiece a troublesome experience so Bud developed a system using a modified web-cam to view the heavens. Naturally, this paved the way to enable him to capture the images he was seeing on the computer screen. Constantly improving camera sensor technology meant that before long he was seeing objects – especially on the Lunar surface – in such detail impossible with his naked eye. Bud is an internationally published Lunar Astrophotographer. The event: Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held online using Zoom. Members are advised directly by email but register here or contact us. Picture: Bud Martin Budzynski

Dec16

Astro Social for Bath Astronomers

16 DecZoom

A fun evening of chat and quizzing for all our members. Despite COVID, a number of things have occurred this year and we'll chat about this and what to do next year.

Jan13

High Resolution Astrophotography with Damian Peach

13 JanZoom

Damian Peach is an internationally renown astrophotographer whose pictures of the Solar System have helped transform the understanding of what is possible with kit available to amateur astronomers. His talk is entitled "High Resolution Astrophotography" A joint event for local Astro Societies including Bath Astronomers, Beckington Astronomical Society, Wells and Mendip Astronomers, and Wiltshire Astronomical Society to be run via Zoom using https://zoom.us/j/3212071969. A password or full link is required to access the event. Image by Damian Peach (9th Nov 2020) http://damianpeach.com/

Jan27

Talk by Nick Howes, Oh My God, We're all gonna die

27 JanHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 27th January – Monthly meeting. Nick Howes has sixteen years' experience working at the cutting edge of Research and Development. Formerly Deputy Director of Kielder Observatory, Sci-Comms for ESA, software development for the SKA Telescope, and Pro-Am Programme Manager for the Faulkes Telescopes, helping to discover dozens of new asteroids. Nick is both a fellow of the BIS and of the Royal Astronomical Society, and works now as the Lead Specialist for BMT's Space R&D team. BMT Defence and Security were the architectural design team behind the QEC Aircraft Carrier, and have offices all over the world, including Bath. His Talk "Oh My God...We're all gonna die" takes us through the perceived threats in space, and hones in on the ones that could truly change the face of our planet forever. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get free entry. Picture: Nick Howes

Feb24

Talk by Nora Eisner, University of Oxford

24 FebHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 24th February – Monthly meeting. This month's talk will be given by Nora Eisner, Department of Physics, University of Oxford. She is a DPhil student working under the supervision of Professor Chris Lintott and Professor Suzanne Aigrain. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month online or at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get in for free.

Mar31

Talk by Pete Williamson FRAS

31 MarHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 31st March – Monthly meeting. Topic to be confirmed: Observing the Moon, or From Herschel to Hawkwind Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get free entry. Picture: Peter Williamson

Apr28

Talk by Mary McIntyre

28 AprHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 28th April – Monthly meeting. This month's talk will be given by Mary McIntyre. Mary is a well reknown astro artist and astrophotographer. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month online or at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or William Herschel Society members. Bath Astronomers members get in for free.

Jun30

Talk by Chris Starr, Cassini and Saturn

30 JunHerschel Museum of Astronomy

Wednesday 30th June – Monthly meeting. Bath Astronomers monthly meeting for all members and new comers to meet up, enjoy perhaps a new topic and a cup of tea and a biscuit. Held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street. The format is open and comprises an update for the month and a talk on an astronomy topic within the reach of amateurs. All visitors welcome and there is a charge of £5 which helps cover the cost of the venue. Reduced to £2 for juniors, students or Bath Astronomers members. Picture: Simon Holbeche

Latest Post

A Life on Mars

November’s talk is to be given by Bud Martin Budzynski. Starts at 7:30pm on Wednesday 25th November after the AGM (starts at 7:00pm). We take a look at the personalities, speculations and theories that have contributed to our changing views of the Red Planet over the last 150 years. From the sublime to the ridiculous,...

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First contact

Membership is open to all and to encourage families and younger stargazers under 18s join for free. The team at Bath Astronomers organise talks, public stargazing evenings, society observing sessions, joint events with other societies, visits to schools in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, young peoples' organisations and other community groups to inspire and encourage an interest in the night sky, science and space travel. If you've a school(KS1 to KS3) or group that would love us to visit then please get in touch. Visits can include classroom sessions, activities and observing.

If you're thinking about buying a telescope then perhaps this article will help.

Pop along to one of our monthly gatherings and say hello. We hope you'll like it so much you'll want to join us. For those already bitten by the bug, you can join Bath Astronomers online. Our diary of upcoming events is shown on this page for you to have a look at. Alternatively you can download a handy pdf of the main events. You can also join our mailing list.

Welcome

Latest Post

A Life on Mars

Recent Posts

High Resolution Astrophotography

Dr Becky – 18th Nov

Two Eyes are better than One

Observing the Planets talk

First contact