Draft:Breckland Astronomical Society


Breckland Astronomical Society
AbbreviationBAS
FormationNovember 1993
Legal statusSociety, Charitable organization
Purposestudy of celestial objects
Location
Region
Norfolk
Official language
English
Chairman
Dr Daniel Self
AffiliationsBritish Astronomical Association, Federation of Astronomical Societies
Websitehttp://brecklandastro.org.uk

The Breckland Astronomical Society[1][2][3][4] was founded in November 1993 at Hingham Primary School with the aim to promote and to advance public education in the science of Astronomy and all branches of scientific research.

In 2000 the society moved its activities to the Great Ellingham Recreation Centre where darker skies prevail. The site is a registered Dark Sky Discovery Site.[5]

Breckland Observatory in use on a clear night

Shortly after moving the opportunity to build an Observatory presented. This was built and equiped with a dome and a 20-inch computer-controlled telescope. It is still used and maintained by the membership.

The society continues to hold meetings once a month, as well as free public open evenings at the observatory except during the height of summer where it isn't dark enough for observing.

Monthly Meetings

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Meetings, usually with a speaker, occur on the second Friday of each month[6]

Public Observing Nights

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The society holds free public observing nights at the Observatory on the last Friday of the month when it is dark enough. This usually excludes the months of May, June and July.[6]

Outreach

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The society runs pre-arranged group visits to the observatory for local organisations, including the Scouts and other local clubs. Lectures have been given at local schools.

Publications

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Every two months, the society publishes a newsletter - Extra Terrestrial. This is a mixture of society news, members' articles, photographs and other astronomy related information. Since mid 2000s this has been an electronic only publication.

Affiliations

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References

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  1. ^ Bliss, Charles (2022) [25/08/2022]. "I signed a disclaimer saying I wouldn't make nuclear weapons". Norwich Evening News. p. 24.
  2. ^ "Splendor in the sky - the northern lights in Norfolk". Kings Lynn 'KL' (138): 12. February 2024. ISSN 2044-7965.
  3. ^ Sugar Beet Moon: An Artist's Study of the Sky. Tor Falcon. 2025. ISBN 9781399987912.
  4. ^ "Breckland Astronomical Society | Norfolk Astronomy Clubs". www.astronomyclubs.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  5. ^ "Dark Sky Discovery Sites". www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  6. ^ a b "Meetings - Breckland Astro". 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  7. ^ "BAA Affiliated Societies – British Astronomical Association". Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  8. ^ "Members Location by County". Federation of Astronomical Societies. 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  9. ^ "BRECKLAND ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY - Charity 1044478". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-11.