Author Archives: Martin Kennedy

13th October: Stargazing Event (Northumberland Park)

Back by popular demand, Sunderland Astronomical Society are will visiting Northumberland Park).

• Date: Friday 13th OCtober 2017.
• Time: from 7:00 pm.
• Entry: Free (Contributions to SAS fundraising nonetheless welcomed).

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.

15th October Lecture: The lost art of Visual Astronomy

With everyone wanting to get into astrophotography these days, visual astronomy is becoming the poor relation.

Chris Duffy’s talk provides hints and tips to get the most out of whichever telescope you have, or what to get if you are yet to buy one, depending on the type of astronomy you want to do.

Setting expectations of what you will see at the eyepiece and how to find your way around the sky.

SAS Membership Survey 2017: We need your help

Dear SAS Members,

Another astronomy year is upon us.

As you know, we’re the largest Astronomical Society in the North East.

In considering this, we would like your help to steer the direction of our society going forward for the benefits of our members both current and future.

The first aspect of this direction of travel for the society is to canvass your opinion.
To do this we have designed a short online survey ( 9 questions – using surveymonkey) and we invite you complete this survey asap and add your voice to your society’s progression.

This is your opportunity to offer opinion and suggestions to progress your society.

Each SAS member will be sent an email survey invitation to their membership email address with a link to take survey.

This email will be sent out to all members very shortly, with associated text alert reminders.

The survey will close 29th September, to allow for analysis of results.

17th September Lecture: When Gateshead Ruled the World: The Curious story of the Newall Telescope

In the 1870’s Gateshead was one of the world’s most famed astronomical destinations.

The reason was the 25inch telescope, the largest refractor in the world (at that time), owned and run by the wealthy Scottish engineer and amateur astronomer Robert Stirling Newall  FRS FRAS on his estate located next to the present day Saltwell Park.

Newall’s telescope was a magnet to the most famous astronomers, scientists and artists of the day.

This presentation by our SAS President Dave Newton tells the curious history of the telescope and some of the characters associated with it.

6th August: Image Processing using PaintShop Pro / Lightroom (For Members)

Astro Image Processing using PixInsight.

This is the 4rth SAS members workshop as part of series of workshops/tutorials over the summer period.

Larry Bedigan, renowned Photographer and Sausage maker, will talk us through the use of these two classic Image manipulation packages including the latest features which benefit the Astrophotographer

• Date:  Sunday 6th August 2017,
• Time: 7p – 9pm.
• Instructor: Larry Bedigan
• Venue: Will take place at the Cygnus Observatory (Discovery Room).

This event is free to attend for SAS members. 

30th July: Astro Image Processing using PixInsight (For Members)

Astro Image Processing using PixInsight.

This is the 3rd SAS members workshop as part of series of workshops/tutorials over the summer period.

John Lynch will discuss his experience with the PixInsight software package, its benefits and techniques to deliver exceptional images.

• Date:  Sunday 30th July 2017,
• Time: 7p – 9pm.
• Instructor: John Lynch
• Venue: Will take place at the Cygnus Observatory (Discovery Room).

This event is free to attend for SAS members. 

16th July: Astro Image & Processing Workshop (For Members)

Image Capture & Processing workshop.

Sunderland Astronomical Society is all about giving.

This is the 2nd SAS members workshop as part of series of workshops over the summer period now on the 3rd Sunday of the month, until new season starts in September on Image Capture and/or Processing with instructions, tips & gotcha’s given throughout by some of our more experienced SAS astrophotographers.

• Date:  Sunday 16th July 2017,
• Time: Setup from 6:15pm, workshop(s) starts from 7pm until late, observing/imaging afterwards if weather is favorable.
• Venue: Will take place at the Cygnus Observatory.

The event is free to attend for members.