Embedded Files
Pegasus
Pegasus
The September edition of Pegasus, NAS's monthly newsletter, can be found at the link below:
The September edition of Pegasus, NAS's monthly newsletter, can be found at the link below:
Beginners Magazine
The latest (September 2025) edition of Steve Harris' magazine has just hit the website - to have a browse, click here:
Forthcoming Meetings
Forthcoming Meetings
For the first Beginners Meeting of the 2025-2026 season, we will start as always with the highly informative What's Up outlining lots of things to see in the darkening autumn skies. The remaining topics for the evening are expected to include A Beginners Introduction to the Night Sky, another instalment of the 5-in-5 competition, and primers on topics including using star charts. If it's clear, we will try a bit of practical astronomy outside the hall so if temperatures are getting cool of an evening, don't forget to bring warm clothes just in case.
Beginners meetings start at 7.00pm and are held at Sutton Hall, Stockcross, Newbury: RG20 8LN. (click here for a map and further details of the session's meetings).
For the next Speaker Meeting, we are delighted to be welcoming Dr Catherine Regan of the University of West Virginia who will be speaking on The History and Future of Mars Exploration - a subject on which she is hugely qualified to speak as her current work has used data from both NASA's MAVEN mission and Europe's Mars Express, for which she is on the science team for the ASPERA-3 instrument. She is also on the science team for the PanCAM instrument on ESA's upcoming Mars rover, Rosalind Franklin, which is due to launch in 2028. If that's not enough, she also co-led the Eyes on Mars outreach initiative from 2021-2024 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGwn58mXtSCGFznenuFPSrw
Previously based at Mullard Space Science Lab back here in Blighty, her new location in West Virginia means she will be presenting remotely on this occasion!
After the break with the obligatory doughnuts, we will then have the usual short talks on a variety of topics as well as the next round in the 5-in-5 competition. If, after the successful first run at our last meeting you fancy giving 5-in 5 a go, please do reach out to Victoria at secretary@newburyastro.org.uk and she'll take you through how it works.
Speaker meetings start at 7.30pm and are held at The Fair Close Centre, Newtown Road, Newbury: RG14 7BH. (click here for a map and further details of the session's meetings).
We also offer an ICS Calendar file of all the meetings (main & beginners) of the session to add to your phone or email client. A new one for the 2025 season will be ready shortly and we'll confirm on the website when it is:
Recent meetings:
For slides and other details from recent meetings, head to the Meeting Presentations menu. The latest addition is Steve Harris' excellent presentation on "Where on Earth are we?" from the last Beginners Meeting - quite a journey!
Headlines.....
Headlines.....
Blood Moon image: Robert Jay GaBany - http://www.cosmotography.com/images/small_lunar_eclipse_04-15-2014.html
Total Lunar Eclipse - Sunday 7th September
Total Lunar Eclipse - Sunday 7th September
Not only is it the start of a new NAS season with our Speaker Meeting kicking things off on the 5th September, but two days later we are also blessed with the treat of a Total Lunar Eclipse - often known by the media now as a "Blood Moon". For more information on Lunar Eclipses, check out the latest Beginners Magazine from Steve Harris (link further up this page). As the Moon will be fully eclipsed at Moonrise, it could be quite a site, sitting low above the horizon glowing a baleful red.
If you'd like to see the event with fellow members, The Thatcham Photographic Club have invited Newbury Astronomical Society to join with them for an observing evening to watch and photograph the event. We have checked out local observing sites (a good horizon is going to be key) and the Stockcross Recreation Ground appears to be the best venue - close to the Sutton Hall where we have our beginners meetings and so familiar to many members. From the UK, the event begins at 19:30 when the Moon rises and ends at about 22:00, but as the Moon will be rising fully eclipsed it makes sense to be there and set up by the time it rises.
Steve Harris has prepared a map (lower left) showing the observing site in relation to the Sutton Hall. There will be a yellow "Astronomy" sign at the entrance to the Recreation Ground car park. Hopefully we'll see plenty of members there - and critically the skies will stay clear!
2025 EU Conference on Amateur Radio Astronomy (EUCARA)
2025 EU Conference on Amateur Radio Astronomy (EUCARA)
As well as our first Speaker Meeting and the Lunar Eclipse, also coming the weekend of the 5th - 7th September is EUCARA, hosted by the BAA Radio Astronomy Section and RAL Space at RAL's Harwell campus in South Oxfordshire. This biannual conference has been running since 2014 but it's the first time it will have happened in the UK, and this is a great opportunity for the UK Amateur Radio Astronomy community to meet each other and our EU friends. The conference will include presentations from academic researchers, local amateurs, and students, and the key note speaker will be Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell of the University of Oxford.
If you are interested in registering (some society members have already signed up), please head to https://eucara.org/
Observatory Science Centre update - OSC Saved?
Observatory Science Centre update - OSC Saved?
As many members were aware, the Observatory Science Centre at Herstmonceux in Sussex (once the home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, when it fled the lights and smoke of London for the relative darkness of the Sussex countryside) stood under threat of closure. The landlords, Bader College (the UK wing of Canada's Queen’s University, who also own Herstmonceux Castle), had decided not to renew the Science Centre’s lease, so come the end of the 2026 season the Science Centre looked like it would be homeless.
In what appears to be a piece of great news, a deal appears to have been reached which guarantees the future of the Observatory Science Centre for a further ten years. A press release states that 'together Bader College and Science Projects aim to unlock The Observatory Science Centre’s full potential to inspire future generations through science, history, and discovery.' Abbie Rumbold, Chief Executive of Science Projects, said 'We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to The Observatory Science Centre for many years to come and are so excited about the opportunity to develop fantastic new visitor experiences. Our incredible team is ready to make the next decade and The OSC’s fourth, our most fun yet '
Time for a NAS trip to the OSC, maybe?
Two NAS Stalwarts step down from the Committee
Two NAS Stalwarts step down from the Committee
At the recent AGM, our chairman Paul Gibson announced that two of Newbury Astro's longest serving committee members - Ann Davies and David Boyd - were stepping down after many years of valuable service to the society. Given this is a such a significant milestone, Paul has penned a few words to mark the occasion:
"At our AGM on the 6th June I noted that Ann Davies and David Boyd would be stepping down from the NAS Committee. I did mention how long each had been involved at Committee level for the NAS (Ann as a founder for some 44 years and David for around 37 years!) However, while the length of their help, at various levels from Chair through many other Offices, is commendable, and surely a record, it is their continued enthusiasm for the NAS that enthuses me, and motivates many of our colleagues.
As a Founding Member, Ann has been a solid foundation around which the NAS has been built. Her work with the BAA has also “rubbed off” on the NAS, and she provides a superb link between the NAS and the BAA, for example at Winchester Weekend. Always ready to provide help and advice, Ann is a valuable friend of the Society.
Dr David Boyd (he rarely uses the title) is not only another Member who has held many Officer roles, including Chair, but also provides a close link with the BAA for our NAS. However, he is also a renowned expert in spectroscopic analysis and techniques. David works hard to bring such techniques to the “amateur” realm, both through lectures and mentoring and the development of new equipment, which has accelerated greatly.
That both of these wonderful people, who are excellent examples of collaboration and knowledge, will remain members of the NAS is great news. Their expertise and endless enthusiasm are a great benefit to us all."
I think we can all agree with those sentiments, and Ann and David have our deepest thanks for their contribution over so many years.
Images - Ann Davies receiving Honourary Membership of the society from Paul Gibson at the 2nd Feb 2024 meeting, and David Boyd giving the BAA's George Alcock Lecture earlier this year.
Observing Evenings
Observing Evenings
Often the nicest way to enjoy astronomy under a dark sky is with the company of like-minded friends. They can provide reassurance in an unfamiliar dark environment, give you the encouragement to keep going if you are tiring, help you if your kit misbehaves or you are struggling to find an object, or rib you mercilessly if you turn up and forgot your eyepieces (before potentially lending you one of theirs for the evening).
One key finding of the survey NAS conducted in 2023 was that members wanted more opportunities to observe like this as a group, so as a result, NAS are now holding observing nights either coinciding with meteor showers, or on the first clear night roughly around the time of First Quarter moon. Obviously this is the UK, and so we have to contend with the ever-present risk of clouds. As a result, we are using both email and the society WhatsApp group to co-ordinate these events. If you're a NAS member and are interested, but not yet on the WhatsApp group, please reach out to Victoria at secretary@newburyastro.org.uk and we'll get you enrolled.
We have also now added a dedicated page on the website so for more information on when and where these sessions may be held, and what to do, head over to click here
Society telescopes for loan
Society telescopes for loan
The society has a number of telescopes now available for loan to members. An 8" Dobsonian reflector, similar to the one shown on the illustration here, a smaller 6" model, and a 5" refractor, plus the associated eyepieces, star maps etc needed to get it up and running. Our chairman Paul will be talking more about this at the February Speaker meeting, after which members can formally request loan of a telescope. Key points to note:
All users must be paid-up society members
All equipment loaned out must be signed for
Loans will be for a period of 3 or 6 months, with a pre-agreed return date
Loans will take place after a short instruction session at a beginners or observing evening
Hopefully this will prove a great opportunity for members to try their hand with a telescope, helping them better learn the sky and make a more informed decision about their own telescope purchases.
If you can't make the next meeting and would like more information, please contact Paul at chairman@newburyastro.org.uk
Some of the society members who helped out at last year's RAL Open Week
Outreach - call for volunteers
Outreach - call for volunteers
NAS has a thriving outreach programme as anyone who looks at the Outreach page on the website will know. For much of the year, a major focus is presentations to the likes of Scout, Cub, Brownie and Guide groups, Y3A, Air Cadets and The Parkinson's Society, enthusiastically led by George Sallit, Steve Harris and others, but there are also bigger events such as the Thatcham Festival on the Green, and the Discovery Centre Observing Evening. These events can bring hundreds of visitors, especially if the weather plays ball, and can have a massive and positive impact, spreading the joy of the night (and day) sky to thousands of people. However, they can also be a significant undertaking to ensure that the many people eager to see the Sun through a telescope, or the Orion Nebula, for the first time can be catered for whilst allowing members time to have a break, get something to eat etc. As a result, we're always on the lookout for more volunteers to help. Many hands make light work, and you don't need loads of astronomical knowledge to make a real difference. If you can spare any time for any events on the schedule, or are just interested in how you could help, please do let George know at Outreach@newburyastro.org.uk
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