Sunderland Astronomical Society was formed in July 1993 by an enthusiastic group of local amateur astronomers. We try to cater for all levels of interest and experience, and are especially pleased to welcome newcomers into the fascinating study of the heavens.
Meeting Dates
We hold meetings on the second and third Sunday of each month at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Washington, in the Discovery Centre and meetings start at 7 pm.
Meetings are free to attend so you can come along and see if the Society is for you before you join up.
Second Sunday of each month: Meetings on the second Sunday of the month are Workshop Meetings when the more experienced astronomers help the those new to the science to get acquainted with their instruments and with finding objects in the night sky.
Third Sunday of each month: Meetings on the third Sunday of the month are Lecture Meetings and feature a talk lasting around 30 to 45 minutes, either by a visiting professional astronomer or an experienced amateur astronomer.
Thursday Evenings: From September 5th 2013, the Cygnus Observatory will be opening on Thursday evenings to the public and members from 7pm till 9pm given available volunteers & weather permitting.
Globular Clusters represent some of the most radiant and enigmatic sights in the night sky. Sunderland Astronomical Society’s Natalie Lowes addresses some of the essential questions surrounding these objects, What they are, How we think they form, and The important role they play in our understanding of stellar and galactic formation. These questions will be…
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Jupiter Nights is part of our annual single night even bigger astronomical extravaganza, which also follows our society’s very successful Jupiter Nights events run at Cygnus Observatory & the Washington Wetlands Centre on 10th/11th January.
Event held on Saturday, 8th February 2014, from 6:00 pm, at & in the grounds of the Nissan Sports & Leisure Complex (NSLC) .
Jupiter Nights is part of our annual two night astronomical extravaganza, which also coincides with the Stargazing Live shows on BBC2, and that also promotes the BBC’s local astronomy events on the “Things To Do” website.
Held on Friday & Saturday, 10th & 11th January, from 6:30 pm at our Cygnus Observatory and inside WWT Washington Wetlands Centre.
We have started to create our member resources on the website. You can find the first instalment of Useful Astro Links at http://www.sunderlandastro.com/useful-astro-links Access is currently open to all. Be sure to become a member of the SAS and join the dark side to support all the ongoing society work. May the force be with…
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Paul Jenkins renowned deep-sky astrophotographer and society member will give an informal talk that outlines what astrophotography is all about and why you should take it up deep-sky astrophotography as a hobby, from imaging constellations using a camera lens, up to using CCD camera and filters, etc.
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We are holding a fundraiser at the Washington Wetlands Trust to help raise funds to replace the dome of the Cygnus Observatory within the grounds of the WWT; the dome is staring to get a bit leaky and is in need of replacing. Whilst doing this we are also looking to upgrade the mount for…
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The Cygnus observatory is open tonight from 6 pm. We are expecting a photographer from the Echo tonight for some SAS Fundraiser Promo. Please bring your best looking telescopes and Binoculars with you.
Observing at Nissan has been cancelled. Members are still welcome to attend and dish out leaflets for the Society.
All that are going to be involved with the event being held at Nissan on the 2nd if November please read the below and then message via Facebook/text/email to Paul Meade so he knows what kind of numbers we will have. It is suggested that we all meet in the WWT car park for 15.30…
DetailsRegistered Charity No. 1071527. Registered Office: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Tyne & Wear.