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.
Next Talk
Wednesday 26th November at 7:00pm at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI).
AGM followed by the talk at 7:30pm by Dr Victoria Scowcroft entitled Mapping the Universe with variable stars.
Since the discovery of the Leavitt law over 100 years ago, astronomers have used the unique properties of variable stars to map out the universe. In this talk, Victoria will discuss how observations of Cepheid and RR Lyrae variable stars are used to study the structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy and its neighbours. Victoria will discuss how variable stars are used as the base of the “distance ladder”, and how they fit into the current debate around the “Hubble Tension” - the disagreement between different measurements of the Universe’s expansion rate - and the implications of the tension for cosmology and beyond.
Reserve your seat here. Free entry for members using a discount code.
A full list of our planned monthly meetings can be found here
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.
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
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 and Bath Abbey 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. Bring your own binoculars or telescope if you have them.
Visit "Capturing the Cosmos"?
In a wonderful collaboration between the members of Bath Astronomers and the Curators at Bath Preservation Trust, the 2025 exhibition in the Herschel Museum of Astronomy is "Capturing the Cosmos - Astrophotography by the Bath Astronomers" and it will be running until 4th January 2026.
Find out more about the exhibition on the Herschel Museum website.
Entry to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy is free to members of Bath Astronomers.
Bath Astronomers' Constitution – revised November 2024
Astrophotography Exhibition
Why be part of an astronomical society?
"Space is big. Really Big", to steal a phrase from Douglas Adams. Hence it can be a daunting challenge to look up and find out what you are looking at. There is a huge volume of information available online, and more apps and programs than stars in the sky but, as in many things in life, just talking to someone in a relaxed and comfortable setting is worth hours of trawling the Internet. Bath Astronomers is your local group of stargazers, armchair and amateur astronomers who strive to create that space for you to find out more, ask 'silly' questions, and share your hobby or passion for the night and daytime sky.
We run shared observing events as often as the weather and Moon allow each month and it's a great opportunity to see telescopes in operation especially if you're thinking about purchasing one. We also loan telescopes to members to try before you buy.
You don't need to dive in immediately and we welcome visitors to find out what we offer as a group. Why not pop along and say 'hello'. We hope to create a diverse community where everyone feels welcome. Why not contact us hello@bathastronomers.org.uk
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.