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Basic Astronomy and Observation Programme

Welcome to Cranfield Astronomical Society.

Our regular weekly meetings are Tuesday evenings. To receive the information to join the events, please join using the registration link.

Our main communication is through emails to registered members. Our Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp are also channels used by the community.

Introduction

The Cranfield Astronomical Society aims to provide a forum at Cranfield for the discussion of all astronomical matters, to encourage amateur observation and to operate, on behalf of the University, the observatory which was built to house the telescopes.

We are a friendly group and a happy blend of novices and experts.

As we are a community of volunteers, we do not have the resources to entertain personal events like birthdays, anniversaries and ad hoc visits.

Basic Astronomy Course

As part of our regular meetings, the Society runs a Basic Astronomy and Observation course on Tuesday evenings.

The programme starts in October and runs just before Easter. It is designed to help you enjoy astronomy without any background.

The cost of membership is £10 for students and staff of Cranfield University (this includes the course and use of equipment). Persons not related to Cranfield University can join as Associate Members.

2025 Winter Term Programme

Programme from January 2025

Regular meetings are in person this term.

The location for meetings is emailed to members who registered using this FORM.

Evenings could be cold, please come in warm clothes and thick socks.

You are welcome to bring your own instruments.

Evening sky
Moon ephemeris
DateTopicMoon Ephemeris
(% illuminated, Rise/set).
16 JanImage Processing Astro Images
And announcement of details for the astronomy photo competition
Moon rises 1923
95% illuminated
Waning
23 JanCepheid variable stars and the Discovery of GalaxiesSets 1054 Rises 0356(24th)
37% Waning
Dark night
30 JanThe Galilean Moons of Jupiter
A detailed look at Jupiter’s largest satellites

Skywatch for February

Sets 1800
1 day past NEW
Dark night
6 FebThe Cosmic Distance Scale
How distances between different astronomical
features are measured.
Rises 1023 Sets 0417(7th)
66% Waxing
13 FebAn Introduction to the HR Diagram
What is an HR diagram and what does it tell us?
Rises1819
Full Moon
20 FebSynthesis of elements in the universe
How and where the elements of the periodic table are made.
Rises0253(21st)
55% Waning
Dark night
27 FebThe Geology of the Rocky Planets
How do the other rocky planets compare with Earth?
Skywatch for March
Sets1658 0.4%
Nearly NEW
Dark night
4 & 6 MarVisits to Bedford AS
Booking details will be sent to members by email. Places are limited so book early.
4th Sets 0036(5th) 39%

6th Sets 0323 55%

13 MarCranSEDS project
tbc
Rises 1719
Nearly FULL Moon
20 MarA look at the entries to the astrophotography competition and announcement of the winnersRises 0148 (21st)
66% Waning
Dark night
27 MarMining the Final Frontier: Strategies for Extracting Asteroid Resources
A student project.
Sets 1553
2 days to NEW
Dark night
Observing will follow each talk, weather permitting.
All programme are subject to changes.

About us

The Cranfield Astronomical Society membership is mainly Cranfield University students and staff. It is one of the active local amateur astronomical societies and helped many to enjoy the night sky.

Meetings

The Society meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm on the main Cranfield campus, except when events or lectures are organised elsewhere.  As much as the weather permits, observation at Loxham Observatory is prioritised. Special observing sessions are arranged, not necessarily Tuesdays, to enable newcomers to gain experience or to observe incidental astronomical events.

The Observatory

The observatory is equipped with a Celestron C11 telescope on a powered equatorial mounting. Facilities exist for simple astrophotography through the main equipment. Some computer software is available for demonstration and observation calculations. There is also a range of portable equipment for offsite observation.

Members of the Society are permitted to operate the telescopes at their own convenience, provided they are able to demonstrate competence in doing so. Training is provided.