Outreach - Stagazing in the Community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
With 12th Swindon (Old Town) Air Scout group 23 March 2023

Credit: Paul Newton-Smith
Marlborough Dark Skies Fest 25th to 31st October 2021
We were set up at Avebury on time for Mercury to commence it's journey across the face of the Sun. The weather was not great and earlier in the morning there were actually a few spots of rain. It was very over cast, but now and then the Sun did shine through. The Sun did manage to burn through to allow us to see the first ingress of Mercury. Although I have seen this before, back in 2003, I was still surprised how small Mercury appeared. The Sun exhibited two sunspots, which Mercury seemed smaller than.

For the next few hours the clouds taunted us with breaks every now and then. When a breakthrough happened we all frantically tried to line our scopes up. But once we did we ended up spending more time allowing passing public to view, than getting the chance to observe ourselves! MORE
Stargazing Event at Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve nr. Cricklade 14 December 2015
Originally conceived as an event to watch the Geminids Meteor Shower, the clouds closed in unfortunately and our plans changed to an indoor event for adults and children with activities and presentations by members of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Swindon Stargazers. Far from being a washout, it is true to say that everybody enjoyed the activities and learning about space. One presentation consisted of 'the sky at night around Blakehill Farm' (what we might have seen!), whilst another explained how meteor showers occur.
Transit of Mercury viewing event at Avebury 9th May 2016
Highworth - Basic Astronomy Day 13 May 2023