Hover/Click on an image to pause.
Sunderland Astronomical Society (SAS) was formed in July 1993 by an enthusiastic group of local amateur astronomers. We are one of most active and largest astronomical society’s in the North East with lots of things going on (for e.g. observing, related projects, astro events, meetings, lectures, visits, and outreach), so come on down and take a look.
Our aim is to promote, inspire, inform, empower & advance the awareness & education of the public in the science of Astronomy and related subjects.
SAS in one of the largest, if not the largest and most active astronomical society in the North East.
We support the whole of Tyne & Wear community and North East region with anything astronomical.
We are especially pleased to welcome newcomers into the fascinating study of the heavens.
Regularly provide astronomically themed talks, observing sessions, projects & workshops in schools, at other venues/establishments, within the North East region at our public observatory at the Washington Wetlands Centre.
We run outreach projects & programs that are recognised by NASA outreach.
Especially interested in Schools, Cubs, Brownie and Scout groups of all ages to inspire, empower & learn about astronomy and view the night sky.
See our Events Calendar for all our SAS related events, for e.g. visits, lectures, public outreach, local community engagement events, etc.
We hold meetings on:
All at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Washington, in the Discovery Centre.
All meetings start from 7 pm.
Meetings are free to attend, so you can come along and see if the Society is for you before you join up.
Also to socialize and join in the craic on all things astronomical.
Held in the Discovery Room of Wetlands Centre, and in and around our Cygnus Observatory where our members meet and greet members of the public, potential/new members and show them around and what SAS are all about.
Members also help the those new to the science to get acquainted with their instruments and with finding objects in the night sky.
For more information on SAS activities and other events, see our Society News and/or Events Calendar web pages.
Held in the Discovery Room of Wetlands Centre, where our more experienced astronomers help the those new to the science to get acquainted with their instruments and with finding objects in the night sky.
For more information on SAS activities and other events, see our Society News and/or Events Calendar web pages.
Held all year round, Workshop Meetings are held in the Discovery Room of Wetlands Centre, where our more experienced astronomers help the those new to the science to get acquainted with their instruments and with finding objects in the night sky.
For more information on SAS activities and other events, see our Society News and/or Events Calendar web pages.
On the 3rd Sunday of each month: From September to August each year, lecture meetings are held and feature a talk lasting around 40 to 60+ minutes, either by a visiting professional astronomer or an experienced amateur astronomer.
The Cygnus observatory will be open afterwards for observing if weather is permitting.
For more information on lectures, see our Society News and/or Events Calendar web pages.
Astronomy for Beginners – A simplified view of the universe.
Sunderland Astro Xmas Benker night.
Traditionally between Christmas and New Year has been our night (if you attend we will enlighten you on what the Benker Night means?, nothing wrong with an incentive to try to get people to come along.
Saturday 29th December 2018 at the Washington Wetlands Centre, from 7.00pm.
Details
John Nicol world renowned optics specialist covers the theory behind astronomical spectroscopy and the capture and analysis of spectra using a transmission diffraction grating.
This talk is aimed at beginners. So if you don not what spectroscopy is is astronomy and how it can be used now is your golden opportunity.
Details
Einstein’s theory of general relativity famously unified gravity with the geometry of the Universe, making two remarkable predictions:
Together, this means that where there is mass, light appears bent, a phenomenon known today as gravitational lensing and a tool used by astrophysicists to study almost everything in the Universe; from planets on stars neighbouring the Sun to weighing the entire observable Universe.
Durham University’s Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy James Nightingale will give a run-through of the exciting and innovative ways that astronomers are using gravitational lensing to obtain a new and unique view of the Universe and speculate how it may hold our best hope of one day disproving Einstein’s famous theory.
Details
September is the start of our new season. SAS Memberships will be due from 1st September 2018 (payable throughout September) for this season 2018/2019.
Joining/Renewing helps support your local astronomical society & community.
So come on down to the Cygnus Observatory join or renew your SAS membership.
The SAS the largest & probably most active astronomical society’s in the North East, for advice, information, observing the night sky, and get together at various meet-ups, events, visits and join in the ‘Craic’ on all things astronomical.
Details
The Sunderland Astronomical Society AGM will be taking place on Sunday 28th October 2018 from 7:00 pm.
SAS members are invited to attend, listen to chairpersons reports and vote in the election of the committee and nominations are asked from the SAS members.
At the AGM all committee members stand down and members are nominated elected/re-elected.
There are a possible 15 committee places, which includes the named officer posts for the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer roles.
Details
Back by popular demand, Sunderland Astronomical Society are will visiting Northumberland Park).
SAS have been asked by the Northumberland Park (the park in North Shields) to hold a Stargazing event on Friday 19th October 2018 from 7.00pm till late.
Details
The telescope is the most important tool for the active amateur astronomer.
While there are many telescopes on the market, the techniques of using them to their full potential is something rarely explained in their user manuals.
Also, the stargazer will find out quickly that the biggest telescope is not always the best choice due to the effort of setting it up and other factor as portability, cool-down times, maintenance, desired functions and many more.
This presentation given by Dr Jurgen Schmoll will have something for every one whatever your experience level.
Jurgen is amateur/professional astronomer and instrument scientist, covers the bandwidth from simple routines as finder scope alignment and simple maintenance tasks up to what can be done to make observing more frequently and joyful.
At the other end of the spectrum it will be shown how building a full-fledged amateur observatory around the telescope makes observing more joyful.
Details
A series of 22 exciting public talks from world-leading scientists across Durham University’s Science departments, called “Saturday Morning Science” from Saturday 29th September 2018 to the Saturday 11th May 2019, starting at 10:30am.
Talks on every Saturday between dates:
What: Saturday Morning Science Talks
Registered Charity No. 1071527. Registered Office: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Tyne & Wear.
