Summer Break 2026

Our planned Summer Break will take place between June and September although we do plan to open up for the Perseid meteor showers in August.

May (date to be decided)

Location: Austerfield Study Centre
All Welcome
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:15 PM
Cost: £3.50 for non-members (free tea and coffee included)

Informal Evening (no guest speaker)

Rather than a formal guest presentation, we will be holding an informal evening dedicated to astronomy and astrophotography discussions, socialising and general questions. This will provide members with an opportunity to seek advice, share experiences and discuss any areas of astronomy or imaging they may wish to explore further.
We will also aim to review the weather forecast in advance in the hope of allowing some observing opportunities should conditions permit.
Further details will be shared once arrangements have been confirmed.

Tuesday April 28th: Introduction to Astronomy

Location: Austerfield Study Centre
All Welcome
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:15 PM
Cost: £3.50 for non-members (free tea and coffee included)

Speaker: Steven Gough Kelly

“Steven will be speaking about astronomy in general. Steven recently awarded a PhD in Astrophysics by the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, working as part of the Galaxy Dynamics research group led by Prof. Victor P. Debattista. His primary research is studying the formation and evolution of Box/Peanut bulges in barred-galaxies by comparing isolated and cosmological simulations to observations of external galaxies and the Milky Way.”

Tuesday March 10th: The Physics of Stars

Location: Austerfield Study Centre
All Welcome
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:15 PM
Cost: £3.50 for non-members (free tea and coffee included)

Speaker: Mark Laughton

“Mark will be speaking about the physics of stars — how they form, shine, evolve and eventually end their life cycles. It promises to be a fascinating, accessible session for all”

Tuesday February 24th: Observing Using the Isaac Newton Telescope: “You just press the button, right?”

Location: Austerfield Study Centre
All Welcome
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:15 PM
Cost: £3.50 for non-members (tea and coffee included)

Speaker: Julian Onions

“Julian takes us behind the scenes of a real observing trip to the 2.5-metre Isaac Newton Telescope. It all sounds simple — just click and point — but professional astronomy never is! Join us as he lifts the lid on what it actually takes to plan, set up and carry out an observing run on a world-class telescope. Expect a fascinating, accessible talk packed with stories, challenges, and the reality of working with big science equipment.”

Tuesday January 13th: Countdown to Mars – Challenges for Colonisation

Location: Austerfield Study Centre
All Welcome
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:15 PM
Cost: £3.50 for non-members (tea and coffee included)

Speaker: Martin Braddock

“Renewed interest to returning to the Moon has stimulated public and private enterprise to envisage colonisation of the Moon as a step towards going to Mars and building a future Martian civilisation. This talk will discuss some of the opportunities and challenges and describes the latest thinking in the use of humanoid robots in partners for future exploration. Please come with an open mind!”

Tuesday March ?: TO BE CONFIRMED

Location: Austerfield Study Centre
All Welcome
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 7:15 PM
Cost: £3.50 for non-members (tea and coffee included)

Speaker: ?

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