Given the
darkest possible natural conditions – midnight at midwinter,
with the Sun at its lowest point below the northern horizon –
the sky is filled with stars here in Inkpen, one of the 14
darkest places in the UK. Join us in our star count 2025.
Our Next Meeting is on the 21st of March, 2025
ABOUT US
We are just local
enthusiasts, in awe of the spectacle of the night sky. We have come
together in order to find out more about it. Some of us have our own
telescopes, some want to do photos of the night sky, others want to
look - see the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. All we need
is someone who can keep the rain and clouds at bay.
Inkpen (and the UK) was represented at US Space Camp 1990 by
a pupil from the John O'Gaunt School. Only two
youngsters, one under 16 and the other under 18, were chosen.
If you are at a local school and want to be involved in our
stargazer group, get in touch below.
EQUIPMENT
SeeStar S50
Thanks to the North Wessex Downs
management, we have received funding allowing us to buy this
state of the art piece of kit which takes amazing photos of
deep sky objects.
Celestron NexStar 102SLT
A local resident has donated a Celestron
NexStar 102SLT to the group. This provides an important
additional resource for those new to astronomy.
Andromeda
An 11 minute exposure of Andromeda with the
Seestar produced a classic view of the galaxy that is racing
towards us - but it's got a long way to go yet.
UP CLOSE
Look at the moon up close and in such
detail. See it as you've never seen it before, and watch it
move - you won't believe how fast it moves across the sky!
Our Sun
This is an image taken with the Seestar,
using the solar filter that is included - hence the orange/red
colour. The sunspots mark explosions on the sun's surface.
