Loughton Astronomical Society Homepage

About us

Discover the wonders of the universe with the LAS - West Essex's community for astronomy enthusiasts and sky watchers of all levels. Our society is dedicated to exploring the night sky, sharing knowledge, and igniting a passion for the cosmos. We offer a welcoming space for both novice stargazers and experienced astronomers to connect and grow. Dive into our rich programme of events, including educational talks, observation nights, and special workshops designed to enhance your understanding of astronomy. Our extensive gallery of astrophotography showcases the beauty of space, capturing the imagination of all who visit. The LAS is more than just a society; it's a place where friendships are formed under the stars.
We invite you to join our regular meetings, or our junior AstroKyds section, to engage with captivating topics and observe the sky's splendour.

Contact us to get involved and find out more about your astronomical adventure with the LAS. The universe awaits.

What's coming up

Thursday night meetings are held in Scout Hall, Theydon Bois, starting at 8pm. Entrance fees: £3 for internal speaker, £4 for external speaker (*).
Click here for full Programme

2025

2026

21/08/2025* Dr Jonathan Gosling
Using Floating Quantum Sensors to Detect Dark Matter

28/08/2025* Professor Peter Read
The Curious Tale of Jupiter's Great Red Spot(s)?

04/09/2025 LAS Members leading public observing
Join LAS looking at the night sky through telescopes and binoculars (first quarter Moon). Scope doctor: bring your own scope to get the best out of it. Alternative programme if cloudy.

11/09/2025* Michael Poxon
Star Names and their Cultural Meanings

12/09/2025 AstroKyds Junior Section
AstroKyds is the Junior section of the LAS. 6:30pm at St Mary's Church Hall

18/09/2025 LAS Members leading public observing
Join LAS looking at the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. Scope doctor: bring your own scope to get the best out of it. Alternative programme if cloudy.

25/09/2025* Greg Smye-Rumsby
If Venus had a Moon

02/10/2025* Simon Banton
The Astronomy of Stonehenge

09/10/2025 Malcolm Zack and Jonathan Daniels
Autumn Skies

10/10/2025 AstroKyds Junior Section
AstroKyds is the Junior section of the LAS. 6:30pm at St Mary's Church Hall

16/10/2025* Mike Frost
The Accidental Death of an Anarchist

23/10/2025 To be confirmed
The Loughton Astronomical Society is the home of all things astronomical in West Essex. Guests are always welcome; just drop in to one of our Thursday meetings.

30/10/2025 LAS Members leading public observing
Join LAS looking at the night sky through telescopes and binoculars (first quarter Moon). Scope doctor: bring your own scope to get the best out of it. Alternative programme if cloudy.

06/11/2025 LAS Members and invited family guests
Fireworks evening

13/11/2025* Professor David Southwood
Cassini-Huygens: Missions to Saturn and Titan

14/11/2025 AstroKyds Junior Section
AstroKyds is the Junior section of the LAS. 6:30pm at St Mary's Church Hall

20/11/2025 LAS Members
Autumn Equinox Skycamp review. Images and anecdotes from the September Skycamp

27/11/2025 LAS Members leading public observing
Join LAS looking at the night sky through telescopes and binoculars (first quarter Moon). Scope doctor: bring your own scope to get the best out of it. Alternative programme if cloudy.

04/12/2025 Richard Deighton
Apollo 8

11/12/2025 Quizmaster Ken Harrison
LAS Christmas Quiz

12/12/2025 AstroKyds Junior Section
AstroKyds is the Junior section of the LAS. 6:30pm at St Mary's Church Hall

18/12/2025 No formal meeting
Social meeting in the Cricket Club

25/12/2025 No meeting
Merry Christmas

01/01/2026 No meeting
Happy New Year

08/01/2026 Malcolm Zack and Jonathan Daniels
Winter Skies

15/01/2026 LAS Members leading Public Observing
Join LAS members looking at the night sky through binoculars and telescopes. Scope Doctor: bring your scope to get the best out of it. Alternative programme if cloudy.

22/01/2026* Professor Colin Steele
Astronomy in Flatland

A number of LAS members are skilled in capturing images of the night sky; sketching or astrophotography. They are always ready to share ideas and techniques. Here is a selection of some of their latest images.
Please go to our Gallery page for a full display.

Attending a meeting

The LAS meets 8 - 10pm every Thursday evening. If you would like to join us, please complete an email from the Contact us page. If after a few visits you would like to become a Member, then our Secretary will be delighted to help.
Our programme covers a varied range of topics: scientists and astronomers presenting their latest research, cosmology, observing, the history of astronomy, equipment and software functionality, and much more. We always continue our discussions after the main talk in the bar of the local cricket club.
We use digital media such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Zoom to hear from astronomers across the world, give weather updates for observing, what is happening in the sky, or the latest developments in space flight and astronomy.

Everyone is welcome to join us on one of our public family Open Observing evenings, to look through Society telescopes with the help of an experienced astronomer. Bring your own telescope to gain some hints and tips to get the most out of your instrument. If cloudy there is always an alternative programme.

The LAS meets 8 - 10pm every Thursday evening. If you would like to join us for a Thursday evening, complete an email from the Contact us page. If after a few visits you would like to become a Member, then our Secretary will be delighted to help.
Our programme covers a varied range of topics: scientists and astronomers presenting their latest research, cosmology, observing, the history of astronomy, equipment and software functionality, and much more. We always continue our discussions after the main talk in the bar of the local cricket club (currently virtual).
We use digital media such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Zoom to hear from astronomers across the world, give weather updates for observing, what is happening in the sky, or the latest developments in space flight and astronomy.

Benefits of Membership

A varied programme of Thursday meetings and a library of past talks provides for all interests. Being part of an active group means experience is shared and help or support is always available.
We also have affiliated membership of the FAS, the BAA, the SHA and the SPA and their newsletters are distributed to members.
The Society owns a number of telescopes and mounts for use by members; a 16 inch Dobsonian plus a number of smaller telescopes including a specialised Solar Scope.
If you want to be with like-minded astronomers in a friendly environment, if you are looking for some observing or imaging tips, an appreciative audience for your astronomical photographs or just some company while observing then why not join us.

Membership is on a sliding scale, up to £30 per annum. Please email us on the Contact us page.

Autumn Equinox Sky Camp

A major event in the LAS calendar is the Autumn Equinox Sky Camp. This takes place every September or October (depending on the new moon) at Kelling Heath, a dark site in North Norfolk. The Saturday includes visiting lecturers, trade stands, tour of the telescopes as well as the usual observing all week. There are bars and restaurants if the weather is cloudy. For more information visit Equinox Sky Camp.

Other Events

As well as the Equinox Sky Camp, we also organise weekend observing trips, solstice meals and visits to astronomical sites. Orion over UoH Bayfordbury

Autumn Equinox Sky Camp

Other Events

As well as the Equinox Sky Camp, we also organise weekend observing trips, solstice meals and visits to astronomical sites. Orion over UoH Bayfordbury

AstroKyds

For our younger observers (6-14 years) we have a junior section that meets on the second Friday of each month.
We ask that a responsible adult or carer stays with the child.
Visit AstroKyds for full details or email us on the Contact us page for more information.

History of the Society

The Society was formed in 1968 from a telescope mirror making class at Loughton Hall in Debden. Since then it has grown into a thriving Society and is one of the few in the UK to hold weekly meetings.
The best way to see the night sky is from a dark site. Theydon Bois has been our venue for meeting and observing for many years. It retains its village charm but importantly, it is a reasonably dark sky.