Meetings & Events 2026
Tuesday December 8th: Hubble
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: Roy Gunson
“Roy will talk about Hubble”
Tuesday November 17th: Martian Moons
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: Jack Lampkin
“Jack will talk on Martian Moons.”
Tuesday October 20th: Black Holes
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 is a post doctorate researcher and lecturer at Nottingham University in the Astronomy department. He will be discussing the reputations of Black Holes and whether they are all as bad as made out to be.”
Thursday September 24th: Astronomy at Potteric Carr
Location: Potteric Carr nature reserve Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB
Limited numbers to a maximum of 25
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Talk Begins: 9:30 PM
Cost:
£12 for Adults
£8 for those Under 18
DAS members helping at the event have a free entry
“Join Doncaster Astronomical Society for an evening of exploring the night sky over Potteric Carr Nature Reserve.
The event is a beginner’s guide to the wonders of the night sky, where you will discover the secrets of the sky through a fascinating interactive talk, then head outside to see the night sky for yourself and have its wonders explained.
You’ll be shown how to use specialised telescopes and viewing equipment. Dependent on seasons and weather you’ll have the chance to observe the Moon, planets, constellations and even distant galaxies.”
So, if you have ever looked up and just wondered what you are looking at, this event is for you.
Teas and coffees will be available inside to keep you warm throughout the night!”
Tuesday September 15th: Astro Tourism
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: Nigel Bradbury
“Nigel will be discussing space tourism, get ready to book your travel tickets!”
Saturday 15th August: Auckley Show
Location: Auckley is situated on the B1396, approximately 5 miles east of Doncaster and 1.5 miles north of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Turn off Main Street into Auckley at the village green, and then onto Common Lane. The Show is sign-posted, follow the traffic cones and turn left onto Ravenswood Drive. A further right turn takes you to Riverside Park.
All Welcome
Doors Open: 10:30 am
Event Finishes: About 5:00 pm
Cost: Free entry and parking for all.
As the site states “Join us this August for the ultimate village show experience! The Auckley Show is an annual community tradition that brings together the best of local talent, delicious food, and family-fun entertainment. Whether you’re here to compete for a rosette in our horticultural and craft exhibition, browse unique artisan stalls, or simply enjoy a cold pint at our real ale bar, there is something for everyone.”
DAS has a stand at the show with various astronomical instruments and information plus of course members on hand to chat about all things astronomy, so come along and see us.
Wednesday 12th August: Solar Eclipse Evening
Location: Austerfield Study Centre, The Old Primary School, Doncaster DN10 6RG
All Welcome
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Event Finishes: 8:30 PM
Cost: Free To All
“Whilst the event is free to all we welcome any donations to our society to help fund bringing such exciting astronomical events to our community. Solar glasses are an essential part of safe solar viewing and they can be supplied by us free of charge. We will also have specialised Smart Telescopes set up to view the Sun.”
SAFETY NOTICE: Never look directly at the Sun without approved Solar Viewing Equipment and do not look through any telescope without a member of DAS being present to ensure your safety.
Summer Break 2026
Our planned Summer Break will take place between June and September’ish.
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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