PART 1: LATEST NEWS
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT PARKING
Parking at the University is now chargeable. All spaces inside the crash barrier must be paid for using the RingGo app using a smartphone. Parking charges always apply. The provider uses ANPR to enforce the regime. If you park here and obtain a fine, the society cannot intervene.
We would recommend parking on the public highway. The bays along The Parade up to the junction with West Grove are operated by Cardiff Council. Charging does not apply after 18:00. There is additional parking along The Parade heading towards City Road. Again, parking charges do not apply. Alternatively, the University is well served by local & regional bus services. Cardiff Queen Street rail station is a short walk away.
NEXT TALK
Thursday 14th December 2023 at 7.30 p.m "TBA"
PLEASE NOTE: The dates of the December talks have changed. Please see Talks. Talk titles will be updated when they are available.
ZOONIVERSE
Zooniverse gives people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to participate in real research with over 50 active online citizen science projects. Work with 1.6 million registered users around the world to contribute to research projects led by hundreds of researchers.
There are many projects to choose from. For Space related projects see here.
Fortnightly CAS Social (Tuesday Evening) via Zoom (Members Only)
Once a fortnight (same week as Thursday talk) on a Tuesday evening from 19:00 to around 21:00 we hold a social get together on zoom where we chat about both astronomical and non-astronomical subjects, have a quiz and have presentations by members. The presentations are usually on either member's hobbies or their travels but can be on anything they think others will find interesting.
Why not come along one week to see what you think. You do not need to stay for the whole session and people often arrive late or leave early because of other commitments. It is very informal!
To register your interest complete the ContactUsForm. Please include your Membership Number and you will be sent a link to the next session.
Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS)
Members of Cardiff Astronomical Society are automatically also members of the FAS.
We receive an online quarterly newsletter from them. The latest copy along with previous versions can be found here
They also publish a list of events that may be of interest to some of you. They can be found here. Please note some of the events incur a charge.
Recent Public Events
Dark Skies Festival 23rd September 2023
Responding to an invite from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park the outreach team made our way to the Visitor Centre at Libanus for one of our regular events.
This was only the second time they held this multi-day Festival to celebrate the dark skies of the Park and we had enjoyed it so much last year that no-one needed persuading to come along again.
Solar viewing till we couldn't see the Sun anymore, then one lot of kit packed up with star gazing kit unpacked: hopefully ready for a clear evening.
And as we made our way along the A470 it was blue sky all the way with some cloud but not enough to dampen anyone's enthusiasm.
Stephen, Phill and Greg gave presentations on Mercury, Dr Who and Artemis to good audiences.
We were kept busy with several telescopes doing SAFE solar viewing, good crowds, newbies looking to get started in astronomy and some for specialised advice on astrophotography.
We had the company of a National Park Vice Chairman and he thanked us for our support which I was able to inform him has been over twenty years in length at that Visitor Centre.
It was a long but very enjoyable day and some visitors were with us from just after 10 am until we packed up at 9pm! One boy in particular had been waiting for the event and I hope we helped to encourage him along the way.
We kept going fuelled by a tub of chocolates courtesy of the BAA! Hopefully this event will be held next year, and if so, I'm certain we'll be there. Please see me to join in the fun!
Theresa Cooper
The night sky this month
(Courtesy of BBC Sky at Night Magazine)
Day-by-day guide to this month's night sky
- text and photos
PART 2: THE SOCIETY'S UPCOMING EVENTS
PART 3: THE CARDIFF ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Introduction to CAS
The Cardiff Astronomical Society (CAS) is a thriving society located in South East Wales. It has been in existence for over 45 years and is one of the largest amateur astronomical societies in the UK. CAS provides a range of facilities for both Society members and the public at large including a varied programme of talks on Thursday evenings (except in August) at the Physics and Astronomy Department of Cardiff University. In addition, regular night sky (and occasional solar) Observing Sessions are held at the Society's own Observatory at Dyffryn Gardens.
Our members come from all walks of life and their knowledge of astronomy ranges from complete beginner to advanced. You don't need any specialist knowledge to join us and neither do you need to own a telescope or binoculars. It's also possible to try us out before joining!
More details about the Society and what it does are available here
We are keen to get more Society members on board to assist with the running of CAS events - please see here how you can Help Us
JOIN OR SUPPORT CAS
Come and join some of the Society's members at one of our talks or observing events. We promise a warm and friendly welcome for all. Only £18/£3/£24 per annum for Adult/Junior/Family membership also means you can make use of our Library
Gift Aid
CAS is registered for Gift Aid. This means that, if you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim back the standard rate tax on subscriptions (and on any donations) giving an effective 25% boost to the amount the Society has received. However, in order to reclaim these monies from HMRC, we need all members who pay tax to complete and return a Charity Gift Aid Declaration form. Please note that if you have paid your subscriptions by PayPal, you will have already been asked if you would consent to those subscriptions being Gift Aided - but we still need a completed Charity Gift Aid Declaration form in order for us to reclaim the tax paid as Gift Aid.
If you are eligible, please take a form (using the button opposite) and then complete it and pass it to us at one of the fortnightly talks or send it to CAS by post or email (see the bottom of the form). Thank you for your help!
Support CAS when shopping online with easyfundraising
Cardiff Astronomical Society outreach for schools, colleges, businesses & organisations.
We welcome all invitations from schools, colleges, businesses, scouts, guides and other organisations in providing outreach. We can host events our our observatory in Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan. We can also discuss events with your organisation to include stargazing, talks and activities. We do not charge a fee for this but would kindly request that expenses are covered as we volunteer our time.
We have a wide range of expertise & can offer events to all ages and knowledge levels.
If you would like to discuss outreach with us please use our ContactusForm and someone will contact you.
It should be noted that CAS has a formal Policy on Child Protection and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults
PART 4: OTHER NEWS
Black Lives Matter in Astronomy
See this update from the Royal Astronomical Society
