Posted by KeighleyAstro on Feb 19, 2022 in Main |

This month will give you a few reasons to celebrate. Spring is on its way. On the 20th we have the vernal equinox. After that date the days become longer than the nights. This is followed on the 27th of March when British summer times stars and it will be around 8 pm before it becomes dark. The constellations:- The evening sky is transitioning to the...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Jan 31, 2022 in Main |

It was a welcome return visit By Dr Sue Bowler from the University of Leeds at the First society meeting of 2022. The title of her presentation was titled ‘The Next big thing’. The subject matter was the James Webb Space telescope and the line up of future telescopes to be based in space and on the Earth. Dr Bowler explained that the James Webb Space...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Jan 24, 2022 in Main |

The evenings this month are quiet on the planetary front, but there are the first signs of spring in this month’s night sky even though the winter constellations are clearly on display. The Plough is now higher in the north east, with its handle pointing in the general direction of the horizon. If you follow the curve of the handle you will come to a...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Dec 28, 2021 in Main |

The New Year opens with a tableau of dazzling stars. Betelgeuse and Rigel in Orion, with glorious Sirius in Canis Major, (the Great dog) to its lower left. Forming a giant arc above, there is Procyon, Caster and Pollox (the celestial twins of Gemini), Capella and the red giant Aldebaran. We are also treated to the bright planets Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Dec 16, 2021 in Main |

The guest speaker at the December society meeting was Mr Philip Barker from neighbours, Bradford Astronomical society. Mr Barker explained that as a child he was trilled and excited to see the first Moon landing of Apollo 11. It was this that propelled his interest in astronomy, astro-photography and space exploration. Mr Barker gave a detailed...