Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Enjoyable Easter Sunday session on Blackheath, with improving skies and around 70 visitors. Jupiter and Venus were the highlights, with a mix of visual observing and imaging – plus an unexpected firework display to the north. Full report and images: flamsteed.info/post/easter-pl…

CONFIRMED ON – Blackheath observing (Sun 5 April)🕗 8pm start 🌤️ Some high cloud early, improving through the evening Targets: Venus, Jupiter (GRS early), Orion Nebula, Beehive, plus Leo & Virgo galaxies 📍 Blackheath (north of Talbot Place) Details: flamsteed.info/event-details/…

Our latest Astronomy Art workshop saw members and guests take on the Orion Nebula using oil pastels - with 19 very different (and colourful!) interpretations. Not the easiest subject to draw… Full report: flamsteed.info/post/astronomy…

This weekend's Blackheath observing session has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday evening (5 April), as the forecasts suggest this will be the better evening for observing. Start time 8pm. Further go/no-go message tomorrow. See flamsteed.info/event-details/… for details.

Black holes, galaxies, and the structure of the universe - our March lecture with Professor Derek Ward-Thompson took us from cosmic scales down to the heart of the Milky Way. Full report: flamsteed.info/post/the-scien…

Busy night on Blackheath on Saturday, with clear skies, plenty of telescopes, and a steady stream of visitors enjoying views of Jupiter, the Orion Nebula and more. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it such an enjoyable evening. Full report and images: flamsteed.info/post/jupiter-n…

Blackheath observing confirmed on for Sat 14 March. 🕢 7.30pm start (some scopes from 7.00pm) 🔭 Jupiter (Great Red Spot), Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, Auriga clusters, Beehive – plus Leo galaxies for smart scopes. Details: flamsteed.info/event-details/…

Our final Exclusive Access evening before the Royal Observatory’s First Light renovations took us behind the scenes one last time. Clouds outside, but history inside - Flamsteed House, Harrison’s clocks, the Greenwich meridian, and the great 28-inch telescope made for a fitting finale. Full report: flamsteed.info/post/closing-t…

Dr Sian Prosser took us inside the Royal Astronomical Society Library and its extraordinary collection of early astronomical works - including rare pre-1501 incunabula and volumes by Euclid, Ptolemy and Regiomontanus. A fascinating look at how astronomy was recorded and preserved. Read more: flamsteed.info/post/history-o…

Clear spells and gusty winds made for a memorable return to Blackheath. The Moon showed remarkable detail, while Jupiter stole the show with Ganymede emerging from eclipse and Io’s shadow crossing the planet. A great night for visual observing. Full report: flamsteed.info/post/eyes-at-t…

Clear spells and gusty winds on Blackheath tonight, but plenty to enjoy. Jupiter stole the show with Io’s shadow transit and Ganymede emerging from eclipse, while the Moon revealed stunning detail along the terminator. Around 30 visitors joined us for another relaxed evening under the sky.

The moon looking spectacular at the start of our observing event this evening. Some cloud around, but plenty of gaps!

CONFIRMED ON – Blackheath observing tonight (Sunday 22 Feb) Cloud may interrupt views early on, but clearer skies are expected later. After recent cancellations, we think it’s worth a go. 📍 Blackheath (north of Talbot Place) 🌐 what3words.com/deed.sample.ba… 🕖 From 7pm Look forward to seeing you on the heath.

Blackheath observing is rescheduled to Sun 22 Feb due to unsettled weather. We’re hopeful of improving skies through the evening — fingers crossed for some clear gaps. 🕖 7pm start 📍 deed.sample.basket 🔭 All welcome Details: flamsteed.info/event-details/…

Great comets, great disappointments, and everything in between ☄️ Nick James guided us through some of the Solar System’s most unpredictable visitors, with short talks on the 2026 solar viewing season and Cherenkov telescopes on La Palma opening the evening. Read the report: flamsteed.info/post/great-com…

Blackheath observing session (Sat 14 Feb) has been rescheduled to Sat 21 Feb (weather back-up Sun 22 Feb). Cloud moving in this evening and unsettled conditions tomorrow mean no viable observing window. Details: flamsteed.info/event-details/…

Our Smart Telescopes Masterclass at the National Maritime Museum was well attended and very well received. Presented by Mike Meynell, with Flamsteed members sharing hands-on experience of a range of smart scopes – honest, practical, and thought-provoking. Full report here: flamsteed.info/post/exploring…

Tonight’s Flamsteed Masterclass: Exploring the World of Smart Telescopes at the National Maritime Museum was very well attended and warmly received. Presented by Mike Meynell, with six Flamsteed members bringing smart telescopes and sharing honest, real-world experience. A great evening of discussion on where smart scopes fit into modern amateur astronomy. 🔭✨ 📸 Photos below

Our report from this week’s lecture on the most distant quasars and the first super-massive black holes is now live. An excellent evening with Yvonne Jacobs and Professor Daniel Mortlock (Imperial College London). Read more: flamsteed.info/post/the-most-…

This weekend’s Blackheath observing session has been cancelled due to unsettled weather and an unreliable forecast. Our next session is planned for Saturday 14 February 2026, with weather back-up dates of 15, 21 and 22 February. Details: flamsteed.info/event-details/…