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.
SAS are a dynamic, active, open and friendly group of local amateur astronomers.
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 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 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.
Our season runs from September to September each year.
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.
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.
Every Thursday: Open to the Public, all year round.
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.
Every Sunday: Originally informal. Now it’s held all year round.
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 2nd Sunday of each month:
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.
SAS Lecture
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.
The Cygnus Observatory & Society will be open on the following days of each month for observing, workshop meetings. tutorials and lecture meetings.
Thomas Wright was born in a small County Durham village and yet rose through his own genius to enjoy the patronage and even friendship of the country’s aristocracy. However, Wright’s life was also dogged by scandals, financial mishaps and unfortunate associations. which perhaps explains why he remains largely unknown outside of the North East…
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September is the start of our new season. SAS Memberships will be due from 1st September 2026 (payable throughout September) for this season 2026/2027 Joining/Renewing helps support your local astronomical society & community. So come on down to the Cygnus Observatory (based at the Washington Wetlands Centre) to join or renew your SAS membership. The SAS is the largest…
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This year’s Starbeque will be held at our usual venue, the Millshields car Derwent Reservoir on Saturday 12th September 2026. We meet around 3pm for our picnic / barbeque and continue into the night for stargazing. If the weather forecast is for cloud or rain will not stop the event going ahead, but we…
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For this September’s lecture and to kick-off our monthly lecture series with our very own Graham Darke to take us on a journey through ‘The history of the Milky Way’, and outline & discuss: The Scale of Time: We will travel back 13.6 billion years to discover how a simple cloud of gas evolved into…
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John Nichol (renowned Optics expert and maker) will give SAS a talk in in June regarding the Espin Telescope Restoration Group (ETRG) was established in order to rescue and restore the historically important 24-inch telescope made for the Rev. Espin of Tow Law. The original telescope was made for Espin by the famous British telescope…
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The Sunderland Astronomical Society’s Astrophotography Competition will held on Sunday 17th May 2026. The event will be held at the Washington wetlands centre from 7:00 pm, where the best of our SAS astrophotographer images will be displayed and voted on at the event. All members attending the event can vote even if they have not…
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Guest Speaker Professor Colin Steele (Manchester University) will be presenting a talk on Coronal Conundra and Prominence Puzzles. Whilst the “main business” of a star is the production of energy that takes place in the core, there are many interesting processes taking place in the outer layers and atmospheres. The Sun has three layers…
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Emeritus Professor Philip James of Liverpool John Moore’s University will give us a unique perspective and look back over his career of more than 40 years working in astrophysics, covering: the structure of galaxies, star formation, and the nature of stars which undergo supernova explosions. Looking back at the wider field of astrophysics: what were…
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Back by popular demand, Sunderland Astronomical Society are will be hosting a unique Moon Watch and Stargazing event at our base of operations (Cygnus Observatory and Washington Wetlands Centre). Join Sunderland Astronomical Society for this awesome public Moon Watch & Stargazing event. See the moon in stunning detail through many telescopes and enjoy a tour…
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