The Sun may appear placid at first glance, but a closer look reveals an incredibly active atmosphere. Some of the most spectacular eruptions in our solar system occur there every day.
Some of these eruptions are relatively small, whilst others occur on a truly colossal scale.
In this talk, Dr Peter Wyper and will explain a bit about these eruptions and show how researchers such as myself use numerical models to understand them better.
Details
The Kielder Forest Star Camp runs from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 19th March 2018.
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
SAS visits Derwent Sailing Club.
Date: 10th March 2018
Time: From 7 pm
Location
They are located on the North side of Derwent Reservoir (West of our Dark Sky site) just off the A68 between Corbridge and Consett, providing easy access by car from Hexhham, Newcastle and Durham. We also have many members travelling from Northumbria, Darlington and Sunderland.
Driving Directions
For Sat Nav users the post-code DH8 9PT will usually work, however some Sat Nav’s will take you to the otherside of the reservoir with this postcode.
“Exoplanets” or “extrasolar” planets are worlds that orbit stars outside the Solar System.
There are myriad types ranging from the so-called “Hot-Jupiters” to Earth and Super Earth sized planets.
This talk aims to give a brief introduction to exoplanetary science, an exciting field at the cutting-edge of astronomy; describing how we find these worlds and what we can know about them.
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 17th February from 7.00pm till late.
Details
One of the North Easts largest Museums and largest Astronomical Societies have teamed up give the public a truly unique astronomical event, to Inspire, Educate and Inform the public on the amazing show going on above our heads.
Date: Friday 26th January 2018.
Times: from 6:30 pm – 9:30pm.
Price: £5 Ticket Entry (tickets can be booked and purchased via the Beamish website, Beamish Events Bookings).
Event size: 350, so get your tickets asap!
Join local astronomers from across the North East for a fun night of assorted astronomical treats at the several sites at Beamish.
Details
It will be re-schedule for later date.
The SAS are still opening up as normal from 7 pm. It strongly suggested to use the main car park due to the weather conditions.
Einstein’s theory of general relativity famously unified gravity with the geometry of the Universe, making two remarkable predictions, that light-rays take a straight path through space and that mass bends the space surrounding it.
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 2017 (payable throughout September) for this season 2017/2018.
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
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.
Details
On August 21, 2017, millions of people across the United States saw nature’s most wondrous spectacle — a total eclipse of the Sun.
The ‘Great American Eclipse’ as it has been called was a truly spectacular event for millions of people. This much anticipated eclipse was the most watched, most photographed and most televised astronomical event of a generation.
Graham Darke will explain why we have solar eclipses, the different kinds of eclipse and share his experiences from his August 2017 trip to Idaho.
DetailsRegistered Charity No. 1071527. Registered Office: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Tyne & Wear.