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SAS are a dynamic, active, open and friendly group of local amateur astronomers.
We support the whole of Tyne & Wear community and North East region with anything astronomical.
We cater for all levels of Astronomy interest and experience.
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 and at our public observatory at the Washington Wetlands Centre.
Run outreach projects & programs that are recognised by NASA.
Especially encourage Schools, Cubs, Brownie and Scout groups of all ages to inspire & learn about astronomy and view the night sky.
Our season runs from September to May each year.
See our Events Calendar for all our SAS related events, visits, lectures, etc.
We hold meetings on the second and third Sunday of each month at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Washington, in the Discovery Centre and all 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. Also to socialize and join in the craic on all things astronomical.
On the 2nd Sunday of each month: Held all year round, Workshop Meetings are held in the Discovery Room of Wetlands Centre, 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.
On the 3rd Sunday of each month: From September to May each year, lecture meetings are held and feature a talk lasting around 30 to 45 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.
Now held all year round, the Cygnus Observatory is open on Thursday evenings to the public and members from 7pm till 9pm, given available volunteers & weather permitting.
For for any changes to the above meetings you can also see updates & join our Facebook SAS Group page.
Astronomize yourself with our Introduction to Stargazing & Astronomy event.
Join local astronomers for a 2 fun nights of assorted astronomical treats at our Cygnus Observatory based at WWT Washington Wetlands Centre, on the Friday the 23rd and Saturday 24th January from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm .
Details
80% of the world’s population live in towns and cities. Anyone living in these places, who has an interest in the night sky, must contend with industrial and light pollution among other challenges. In this lecture, seasoned observer & prevous chairman Graham Darke (SAS) explains how to get the most out of astronomy if you…
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The Big Science Event at Sunderland College (at Bede Campus) is now a well established annual event.
This event will be on Wednesday 11th February 2015 (4pm – 7pm) at the Bede Campus, and they are hoping that it will be bigger and better!
As part of our Sunderland Astronomical Society outreach SAS has been invited to attend. Bring your scopes, astro kit, yourselves and enthusiasm.
Details
SAS commitee member Natalie Lowes will be taking about Exoplanets 2012-2015.
Talk details are To Be Confirmed nearer the date.
In the mean time, to wet your appetite, see
On the morning of 20th March 2015 we will witness a partial solar eclipse, though we won’t see totality in the UK. Recent total eclipse observations have enabled stunning images of the Sun’s corona to be recorded, spectacularly demonstrating that the magnetic field is the primary structuring force in the solar atmosphere. Fortunately, we no…
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A new generation of giant telescopes is being designed. They will have primary mirrors with diameters ranging from 25 metres to 39 metres. Professor Richard Myers of the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, Duyrahm University) will look at the new astronomy that these systems will be able to do and some of the new technologies that…
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2014 Grubb Parsons Lecture – Ripples from the Big Bang
Presented by Professor Jo Dunkley (University of Oxford).
At Durham University, Appleby Lecture Theatre (W103 Geography Department).
From 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Free Entry.
Details
The Sunderland Astronomical Society AGM will be taking place on Sunday 16th November 2014 from 6:00 pm, prompt before the lecture.
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 12 committee places, which includes the named officer posts for the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer roles.
DetailsRegistered Charity No. 1071527. Registered Office: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Tyne & Wear.
