Mansfield & Sutton Astronomical Society
Welcome to the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society. We are a non-profit
making registered charity dedicated to furthering interest in astronomy within
the local community.
Forthcoming Events
| 06 Jun 2012 | 12:00 | Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower |
| 06 Jun 2012 | 00:00 | Transit of Venus, only partially visible from the UK |
| 28 Jul 2012 | 12:00 | Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower |
| 29 Jul 2012 | 12:00 | Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower |
| 12 Aug 2012 | 00:00 | Perseids Meteor Shower |
| 14 Aug 2012 | 12:00 | Perseids Meteor Shower |
| 07 Oct 2012 | 12:00 | Draconids Meteor Shower |
| 21 Oct 2012 | 00:00 | Orionids Meteor Shower |
| 04 Nov 2012 | 12:00 | South Taurids Meteor Shower |
| 16 Nov 2012 | 12:00 | Leonids Meteor Shower |
Public Open Evenings
From October through April, the society holds Public Open Evenings once a month. Activities on offer include:
- A talk on an astronomical topic.
- Opportunities to view the moon and astronomical objects through the societies’ main 61cm Newtonian reflector and a variety of smaller telescopes (weather permitting).
- An introduction to finding your way around the night sky with the naked eye and binoculars (feel free to bring your own binoculars along).
- Short video presentations on astronomical topics.
- Displays on the solar system and beyond, astrophotograhy, and the society.
- Meteor detection by radioastronomy.
- Opportunities to ask questions about astronomy.
- Refreshments.
| Upcoming dates |
| March 31st 2012 |
For more information see our Public Open Evenings page.
Dark Skies
MSAS has often been an advocate of keeping our skies dark as much as possible and the expansion of Ashfield and Mansfield over the years has reduced the quality of viewing from our observatory substantially.
We have recently found out that Ashfield District Council is planning to build initially 1000 and up to 3000 properties in due course and that the greenfield site within the area bordered by Coxmoor Road, Lowmoor Road Industrial Estate and the rear of Coxmoor housing estate has been earmarked for this development.
There are precious little dark sky sites in this locality and astronomy is a popular pastime by many local people and the members of this society. It is felt that so many houses so close to Sherwood Observatory would severely restrict our viewing conditions and as such, we are against the development and we are asking for any members of the public who feel the same way to write to ADC and to object to the proposed development.
There is also a webpage at which anyone can leave their comments and that is http://www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/WP_Development_Framework/
Thank you for your help.
"The Night Sky" Evening Course
The course run by the members of the Mansfield & Sutton Astronomical Society covers all aspects of modern astronomy, with a bias towards hands-on practical sessions whenever the weather permits.
For more details, or to register an interest in future courses, please ring 01623 643722.
@SherwoodObs on Twitter
Society Patrons
The society is pleased to count the 13th Astronomer Royal Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith F.R.S. and Professor Michael R. Merrifield, from the University of Nottingham School of Physics and Astronomy as its patrons.
Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith held the position of 13th Astronomer Royal from 1982 to 1990, and also officially opened the Sherwood Obervatory in 1986.
Mike Merrifield primarily studies the properties of nearby galaxies using telescopes at radio, infrared, optical and even X-ray wavelengths.
Sherwood Observatory,
Coxmoor Road
Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts,
NG17 5LF, England
Telephone (+44) 01623 552276
Lat.: 53° 06' 50" Long.:01° 13' 20.7"
Altitude above sea Level 187.9 m
The Mansfield & Sutton Astronomical Society is a
registered charity (No. 518183), devoted to promoting and advancing public education in astronomy.