If you are interested in Astronomy and Space Science then the Loughton Astronomical Society will be of interest to you and your family. We welcome all levels of experience, whether you are serious and want to learn more, or are just curious to fill an evening. The LAS is a friendly and approachable group with both a regular and a junior section, AstroKyds.
If you are interested in Astronomy and Space Science then the Loughton Astronomical Society will be of interest to you and your family. We welcome all levels of experience, whether you are serious and want to learn more, or are just curious to fill an evening. The LAS is a friendly and approachable group with both a regular and a junior section, AstroKyds.
What's coming up
All meetings are currently being held on Zoom
* Denotes external speaker.
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18/2/2021 LAS Members Image Sharing to celebrate Perseverance Landing on Mars (via Zoom)
25/2/2021* Dr Aayush Saxena Galaxies and Black Holes in the Early Universe (via Zoom)
4/3/2021 LAS Members only 53rd Annual General Meeting (via Zoom)
11/3/2021* Dr Mike Leggett Astronomical Instrumentation before the Telescope (via Zoom)
18/3/2021* James Fradgley Three short talks followed by a discussion (via Zoom)
25/3/2021 Jonathan Daniels Spring Skies (with Malcolm Zack) via Zoom
1/4/2021* Dr Elizabeth Pearson The Evolution of Planetary Rovers - Dr. Elizabeth Pearson is BBC Sky at Night Magazine's news editor. She has a PhD in extragalactic astronomy.
6/5/2021* Bob Marriott The Silver on Glass Revolution
13/5/2021 Steve Ringwood Through the Looking Glass - The Story Behind Eyepieces
20/5/2021 LAS Members Club night miscellany - projects, images, members anecdotes, etc.
27/5/2021* Dr Steve Barrett Two talk evening: 'Building a Tellurion' and 'A Week Above the Clouds'
3/6/2021* James Blake Monitoring the Mess of Near Earth Space
10/6/2021* Bob Baldwin Spacecraft in Astronomy - Airbus
17/6/2021 Jonathan Daniels/Malcolm Zack Summer Skies - A view of what cab be seen in the night sky via binoculars and telescopes.
24/6/2021* Dr Beth Healy TBA - Dr Healy spent a year at Concordia Station, Antarctica, researching effects of psychological and physical isolation on a small group
1/7/2021* Dr Tim Wetherall Adventures in Victorian Astronomy; Building a great Refractor and Observatory in the 19th Century Style.
8/7/2021* Mary McIntyre Astronomy Sketching Workshop
15/7/2021* Howard Parkin Mr Hubble and his Amazing Telescope
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.
The LAS meets 8 - 10pm every Thursday evening, currently on Zoom. 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.
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, currently on Zoom. 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.
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.
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 £25 per annum. Please email us on the Contact us page.
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 £25 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 click 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. You can find details of these in our full programme.
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 click 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. You can find details of these in our full programme.
AstroKyds
For our younger observers (6-14 years) we have a junior section that meets on the second Friday of each month (currently on Zoom).
We ask that a responsible adult or carer stays with the child.
Click AstroKyds for full details or email us on the Contact us page for more information.
For our younger observers (6-14 years) we have a junior section that meets on the second Friday of each month (currently on Zoom).
We ask that a responsible adult or carer stays with the child.
Click 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 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.
