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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.

DateTopicMoon Ephemeris
(% illuminated, Rise/set).
5th OctCSA Societies’ Fair 5.30-8pm
8th Oct1st Open Night.
Outside CSA,
8pm following Societies’ Fair
Moon sets 18:59
7% illuminated
Waxing crescent
17th Oct2nd 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 OctAstronomy 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 NovObserving The Moon
Visually interpreting the Moon’s features.

Demo 2. Reflecting Telescopes.

Sets 20:39
33.8%
Waxing Crescent
14th NovAurorae.
What causes them, how to observe and photograph them
Rises 15:09
99%
Nearly Full Moon
21st NovAstrophotography 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 NovAstrophotography 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 DecAn 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.