Images of astronomical objects from ground-based telescopes are blurred by turbulence in the earth’s atmosphere – a phenomenon referred to as “seeing”. The magnitude of the effect depends on the strength of the turbulence, the size of the telescope and the wavelength at which observations are made. This talk will discuss how the earth’s atmosphere…
Visit the Cygnus Observatory based at the Washington Wetlands Centre for an evening dedicated to our nearest celestial neighbour. See the moon in stunning detail through many telescopes and enjoy a tour of the night skies from this welcoming and friendly group of amateur astronomers. Powerful telescopes will be available to view: The Moon. Amazing…
Gravitational waves offer a new way to uncover the universe. General relativity suggested their existence, but even Einstein wasn’t sure about them. It wasn’t until the 1970s that there was evidence of their existence, but it took 40 years to be able to detect them. Now we can detect these ripples in space time, what…
The event is Cancelled due to Weather Conditions. See Beamish Website for Ticket Refund(s). 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 1st February 2019. Times: from 6:30…
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 25th January 2019. Times: from 6:30 pm – 9:30pm. Price: £5 Ticket Entry (tickets can be booked and purchased via the…
Astronomy for Beginners – A simplified view of the universe. How to start observing by finding some of the main stars and constellations. Understand how the stars appear to move across the sky. Why does what we see in the night sky change with the seasons and where does Orion go in the summer? What are…
John Nicol world renowned optics specialist covers the theory behind astronomical spectroscopy and the capture and analysis of spectra using a transmission diffraction grating. This talk is aimed at beginners. So if you don not what spectroscopy is is astronomy and how it can be used now is your golden opportunity.
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; 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…
September is the start of our new season. SAS Memberships will be due from 1st September 2018 (payable throughout September) for this season 2018/2019. 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,…
The Sunderland Astronomical Society AGM will be taking place on Sunday 28th October 2018 from 7:00 pm. 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 15…