About

CONTACT: – Roger Humm (Publicity Officer) – rogerhumm “at” btinternet.com

HISTORY: - The Society was originally founded in 1980 as the Braintree and District Astronomical Society, but later became the Braintree Astronomical Society. The change to the present name was made in 2000, to better represent the wide geographical area it’s membership covers.

PUBLIC MEETINGS: – The subjects at meetings range from cosmology, to life on other worlds, to astrophotography and more. Monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month (apart from August and December) and the doors are open from 19:30hrs for the talk or other activities to start at 20:00hrs. A door charge is made at public meetings of £2 to £3 to cover speaker costs and hall hire. Public meetings are held at the Henry Dixon Hall, Rivenhall End, Witham, CM8 3HR. A prize raffle is also held.

MEMBERSHIP: - The membership currently consists of around 40 members, some more active than others, covering a range of interests and abilities. The annual subscription is £25 per person or £35 per couple/family. This fee entitles members to the full use of the observatory at their leisure and attendance to  committee meetings that are normally held one week after after the Wednesday public meeting. A newsletter is sent to you in the week before the public meeting (via email or post) and you also get a reduced door charge at public meetings.

You can download a membership application form here.

FACILITIES: – The society has its own darksite observatory called The Munday-Sayer Observatory which is located near Wakes Colne. It houses a Meade LX200 12” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, complete with computerised tracking and “goto” system. The award of a lottery grant in 2004 allowed the Society to extend the observatory building and improve the facilities. The Society is currently in the process of considering new projects and funding. The Society possesses a number of books and videos which are loaned free-of-charge to members.

A further lottery grant in 2008 enabled the purchase of further telescope technology for the observatory – William Optics 3″ refractor, EQ6 Skyscan mount, Lunt LS60 solar telescope – which will also be used for outreach activities and further embolden the resources of the site.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: - The Society is active in the local community, often taking part in “sidewalk astronomy” observing events, running evenings for Scout/Brownie groups, and seeking to educate and improve the knowledge of the general public.

NEWSLETTER:- The Society publishes a monthly newsletter – PULSAR – which is sent to all Society members. You can read a sample copy here.