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Little Ness Observing?
We at the SAS conclude National Astronomy Week with a cloud infested gathering. Full of enthusiasm and expectation a dozen stargazers braved the elements with optimism and expectation. All wrapped up and nothing to see we spent time chatting and exploring the virtues of using binoculars. One member brought a selection of his library for us to recycle while surplus instruments found new homes with a range of young stargazers.

Exploring Space Rocks at Southall School
The focus for this half-terms astronomy club was space rocks. Regular visitors from Shropshire AS, brought along a wide variety of rocks and meteorites. With samples originating from from Mars and other Solar System objects, some up to 4.5 billion years old, inspired the budding young scientists into asking lots of questions. Complementing the space rocks a range of terrestrial samples attracted equal attention especially the gem stones, and polished fossils.
January 2025

Home at the Grange Primary School
Accepting an invite to spend an evening inspiring future 'stargazers', four hardy committee members turned out to be greeted by a hall full of wide eyed pupils, with their parents in tow. A noisy and enthusiastic evening followed with table top activities interspersed with presentations and demonstrations. Throw in a range of space related refreshments and a 'design a rocket' competition and the room was full of smiles. Nyx, the goddess of night, was not kind to us, it was only the late departees that caught a glimpse of Jupiter and Mars.

'New' Scouts Space Activity Badge
A keen party of SAS outreach providers visited the Shawbury Air Scouts base to be met by an accommodating and friendly group of eager stargazers. All aiming to work towards their new Space Award, the evening was filled with a variety of activities including; presentations, Q&A, and the obligatory observing session. and yes we did manage to view Jupiter and Mars through a telescope. We also managed to identify a wide range of constellations and asterisms that we have previously met. The evening finished with the opportunity to handle and discuss a range of space rocks.
January 2025

Stargazing at Rodington Village Hall
The first meeting of the year saw 4 dozen eager stargazers gather at the home of the SAS for its first meeting of the year. Looking forward to catching a glimpse of the planets through a telescope, efforts were thwarted by the heavy cloud. However bookending tea and cakes was a presentation exploring which telescope is best for 'me'. Everyone agreed that the best advise was to 'try before you buy'. Lots of discussion followed as visitors perused the astro-jumble and book stalls. We will try again early next month as we participate in National Astronomy Week.
January 2025

Little Ness Village Hall 'Observing'
The clear cold weather of the first week of the year dictated lots of warm layers as a handful of intrepid stargazers ventured to Little Ness Village Hall. Only to be greeted with the obligatory cloud cover, associated with all SAS events, we chatted and drank warm insipid tea. After an hour or so or dreaming of what might have been, we dispersed into the murk to live another day.
January 2025

SAS Summer & Autumn Activities
Following a hectic summer social ‘event’, the diary has been overflowing for SAS members. August offered the opportunity for a group meteor watch which was clouded out, again. However the autumn looked promising starting with a live stargazing event in September, but all we managed was a lot of cloud watching. Throughout the autumn, members stood in and gave talks on the Artemis Mission as well as an insight to the Celestial Sphere before the year ended with the anticipated AGM. Members were encouraged with the offering of Christmas nibbles and a quiz. It was pleasing to see individual members making the most of sporadic clear skies especial John who ‘won’ the image of the year competition.
December 2024

Huston: We have a Problem!
It was a pleasure to host an evening with Bonnie Huval, former Space Shuttle/Spacelab (NASA) engineer. After several years since her last visit, the two dozen or so members, and guests, were treated to an informative and entertaining presentation on the role she performed over various NASA programme’s. Her talk, titled ‘Upside Down and Sideways’ addressed a wide range of issues by applying unusual perspectives. If someone opens the door for you then walk through it!
May 2024

SAS Return to RAF Cosford
The Cosford Space, Race & Fly (STEM) event over Easter, came and went. We hosted three Stargazing evenings as well as four days of activities in the ‘Cold War Museum’. The hordes of visitors’ ranged between 3 and 83 and were treated to a wide variety of presentations, demonstrations, displays and craft activities. The feedback, as usual was very positive and we all look forward to being invited back in the future.

Chasing Voyager
The March gathering of the SAS were treated to an enthusiastic and informative presentation by the fervent presenter Paul Money. Paul is an experienced astronomer, BBC Sky at Night Magazine's Reviews Editor and author of the annual stargazing guide Nightscenes. With the cloud heavy and dampness in the air, the 30 plus members and guests were more than happy to hear Paul's reflections on NASA's Voyager mission. The regular muffled giggles at Pauls jokes, interspersed with the clinking of tea cups and cake plates, provided for a delightful evening. Pity those who joined us on Zoom could not enjoy the same. After some interesting questions we resumed chatting and demolishing the refreshment before heading off into the gloom.
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