The Aurora Borealis (also known as Northern Lights) are magical and inspirational phenomena that grace the Northern night skies. What are they and how can you go hunting for them successfully? Aurorae are now very well understood by physicists around the world but for thousands of years and for many communities, they played a part…
In this fascinating and wide scoping talk Graham Edwards will talk about robotics from early day automatons from past, their use in science fiction to their current use through to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The scope of this talk is quite wide so the areas will be covered briefly and Graham hopes light…
Until not too long ago, astronomers often made their own instruments, if telescopes or devices attached behind them. Astronomy nowadays is way too diverse and specialised, and the instruments getting too complicated and large to be developed single handed. Usually a whole group of engineers and scientists is needed to conceive, design and build what…
The Cygnus Observatory is now opening on every Thursday and Sunday evening to SAS Members and Non Members alike from 7 pm – 9 pm. However, this is providing that we have available SAS volunteers (key holders) to open /close the observatory/site and the weather is favorable for astronomy/observing purposes. Not a member yet. Want to join…
There are 2 short talks for our SAS Christmas/festive themed Lectures in December: Star of Bethlehem. A light-hearted look at the Gospel of St Matthew. What are the astronomical candidates for the Star of Bethlehem? How well do they fit the account? Do known events fit the timeline of the nativity? Science of Santa…
Sunderland Astro Xmas Virtual Benker night. Traditionally between Christmas and New Year, but under the current Pandemic Restrictions it’s going to be virtual. 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. Zoom Members Meeting password (begins with…
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. Friday 29th December at the Washington Wetlands Centre, from 7.00pm.
September is the start of our new season (September – August). SAS Memberships start form 1st September 2021 to 31st August 2022. Free Membership Renewal (2021-2022) The SAS committee decided to wave the 2021 membership renewal fee for all existing members. This would normally have become due on 1st September, however as we have…
There are several lines of evidence pointing to the existence of an as yet elusive dark matter which is more abundant in the Universe on average than the ordinary stuff of gas, stars and planets. Despite the persistent lack of a plausible particle candidate, the LCDM cosmological theory has been remarkably successful in describing…
Meteors cannot only be observed in visible light, but also with radio. If you are tuning a radio set to a special radio beacon, you can detect meteors both during the day and at night and during cloudy weather. And with a simple radio receiver, this form of radio astronomy is within reach for…