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...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Dec 1, 2021 in Main |

The guest speaker at the November meeting of Keighley Astronomical society was Mr Derek Barker from Bradford University of the 3rd Age. His talk was titled Leviathan The telescope that Shipley and Heaton bought (The 3rd Earl of Rosse and the Great telescope at Birr) Mr barker commenced his presentation with a short history of the field family of...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Nov 27, 2021 in Main |

To end 2021 there is a parade of planets after sunset and an impressive display of shooting stars, as well as the brilliant winter constellations. The Plough is now standing on its handle in the north. Capella, the bright yellow star, is not yet at the overhead point but it is very high up and cannot be missed. The twins of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, are...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Nov 1, 2021 in Main |

The guest speaker at the October meeting of Keighley Astronomical Society was Mr Peter Reynolds from neighbouring Bradford Astronomical Society. Mr Reynolds opened his presentation with favourite painting of his. A Philosopher Giving that Lecture on an Orrery, in which a Lamp is put in the centre in the Place of the Sun The artist Joseph Wright first...

Posted by KeighleyAstro on Oct 19, 2021 in Main |

The Milky Way rises overhead on these dark November nights, providing a stunning inside perspective on the huge Galaxy that is our home in the cosmos. After your eyes have adjusted to the dark you should be able to see that it’s spangled with fuzzy glowing diadems. Better still, sweep the band of the Milky Way with binoculars or a small telescope, and...