Basic Astronomy and Observation Programme
Welcome to Cranfield Astronomical Society.
Our regular weekly meetings are Thursday 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.
2024 Autumn Term Programme
Programme from October 2024
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. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Topic | Moon Ephemeris (% illuminated, Rise/set). |
| 5th Oct | CSA Societies’ Fair 5.30-8pm | |
| 8th Oct | 1st Open Night. Outside CSA, 8pm following Societies’ Fair | Moon sets 18:59 7% illuminated Waxing crescent |
| 17th Oct | 2nd Open Night. At Observatory, 8pm following Societies’ Fair. | Sets 20:19 29% Waxing Crescent |
| 24th Oct | An Introduction to Practical Astronomy How to how to get started with observational astronomy. | Moon rises 23:30 51% illuminated. Waning Gibbous |
| 31st Oct | Astronomy Software & Apps A guide to Stellarium and other Astronomy apps Demo 1. Binoculars Skywatch for November A look at the astronomical events for the coming month | No Moon (Nearly New Moon) |
| 7th Nov | Observing The Moon Visually interpreting the Moon’s features. Demo 2. Reflecting Telescopes. | Sets 20:39 33.8% Waxing Crescent |
| 14th Nov | Aurorae. What causes them, how to observe and photograph them | Rises 15:09 99% Nearly Full Moon |
| 21st Nov | Astrophotography using Smartphones. How to get the best images using your mobile phone’s camera. Demo 3. Refracting telescopes | Rises 21:31 68% Waning Gibbous |
| 28th Nov | Astrophotography using DSLR cameras. A look at the camera settings and various techniques for getting the best astronomical images Skywatch for December | Sets 14: 15 7.7% Dark Night |
| 5th Dec | An Informal Session Q & A, a look at books etc, a chance to show your astro images and, if fine, observing at the observatory | Sets 19:42 19.6% Waxing crescent |
| 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 Thursday 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 Thursdays, 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.
