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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.
Astro related lectures and Astro workshops from 7 pm.
Other meetings from 6 pm over the dark nights (this is subject to volunteer availability and the weather conditions).
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 space & 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 28th December 2019 at the Washington Wetlands Centre, from 7.00pm.
Details
Just over one hundred years ago Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves on the basis of his General Theory of Relativity.
For over 20 years physicists have been trying to catch the first gravity wave without success until February 2016 when the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) announced that they had recorded the ripples from two black holes colliding.
The Dr Pete Edwards talk will focus on this historic discovery, the technology behind gravitational wave detectors and explore the dawn of multi-messenger astrophysics.
There are many wonderful images (public domain) at the LIGO website
https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/images
Gravitational waves offer a new way to uncover the universe.
Details
September is the start of our new season. SAS Memberships will be due from 1st September 2019 (payable throughout September) for this season 2019/2020.
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 Kielder Forest Star Camp runs from Wednesday 30th October 12:00pm to Monday 4th November 2018 12:00pm.
The Kielder Forest Star Camps are run twice a year, in the spring (usually in Feb/March) and in the autumn(usually in October).
Originally setup and organised by members of Sunderland Astronomical Society(SAS), and now organised by the Kielder Forest Camp Site.
All activities on the main day Saturday are free to attend.
Details
Uranus spins on its side. With its spin axis pointing almost at right angles to those of all the other planets, the common explanation is that a proto-planet at least as large as the Earth crashed into the young planet, sending it spinning in this new direction.
Giant impacts like these were common events in the early solar system and help explain many other mysteries such as the origin of the Moon, as well as features of the exoplanets we see around distant stars.
Jacob’s team run supercomputer simulations with millions of particles to re-create and study these cataclysmic events.
In this talk, Jacob will focus on our recent work with Uranus and how this violent impact might also explain the planet’s extremely cold surface, strange magnetic field, and unusual satellite system.
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 Sunderland Astronomical Society AGM will be taking place on Sunday 13th 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 will 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
The Autumn is one of speaker Dave Newton’s favourite times of year for astronomy, thanks in part to the longer, darker nights.
Importantly, in Autumn evenings we are looking away from our own galaxy (the Milky Way) and into the deep space beyond.
The Autumn constellations have a decidedly watery theme, containing Pisces the fishes, Cetus the sea monster, and Aquarius the water bearer amongst other.
While this patch of dark sky is seemingly devoid of bright stars, it is home to some fascinating objects.
Dave will show us some of the sunken treasures that can be found if you are prepared to go diving in this deepest part of the sky.
DetailsRegistered Charity No. 1071527. Registered Office: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Tyne & Wear.
