| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Monthly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-11:30 am 4th Mon |
| Venue: | The Vine Bar |
| Cost: | Any refreshments purchased |
What can you see?
This group is for members to observe and learn about the night sky. Each month we will discuss what we have seen during the past month but also make a note of what to look for in the coming month.
No experience required, both beginners and those with more knowledge are welcome.
It would be useful for members to use “Stargazing 2026” – published by Philip’s (or similar book) with monthly star charts. These can easily be bought or borrowed.
The meetings are expected to last for about one and a half hours.
The next meetings are: 28 September, 26 October, 23 November 2026.
Please contact Bill or Antony if you are interested.
What to look out for
in August
On Friday, 28th, there will be a partial lunar eclipse. A good, clear view to the west will be necessary to see the eclipse, as the moon will be low in the sky. Lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to view with the naked eye.
in September
Thursday, 3rd: this morning’s 63%-lit waning gibbous moon sits around 5° east of the Pleiades open cluster in Taurus.
Monday 14th: a waxing crescent moon is near Venus, just after sunset.
Wednesday 23rd at 0104 BST, the Sun's disk crosses the celestial equator, marking the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn equinox, and the spring equinox for the Southern Hemisphere.
Stars to watch - Antares probably still visible (Scorpio low on horizon so good from Stokes Bay) and Summer Triangle.
Useful information:
Astronomers measure widths across the sky in degrees, but what does that mean for us? Here’s a handy guide:
| Sky Angle | Hand Measure (held at arm's length) |
| 1 ° | Width of your little finger |
| 5 ° | Width of your three middle fingers together |
| 10 ° | Width of your closed fist |
| 20 ° | Span from thumb tip to little finger tip with your hand fully spread |