Welcome to the website of the Derby
& District Astronomical Society. The Derby & District Astronomical Society
(DDAS) was founded in 1974 and is open to all with an interest in
astronomy. We currently number around 30 members from all walks of life and whose knowledge of
astronomy ranges from complete beginner to advanced. The society holds regular meetings on
the first Friday of each month (except July) at 7:30 pm at the Friend's Meeting House on
St. Helen's Street in Derby. Meetings usually involve an outside speaker, but members also give
talks and the society holds a quiz in February.
We are a friendly and, despite our subject, 'down to earth' society. Meetings are a great way for potential new members to see
what we're about in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. The social aspect continues after
most monthly meetings with a visit to, appropriately enough, The Seven Stars.
The society's Flamsteed Observatory near Brailsford houses
a 10-inch Newtonian reflector. The observatory is named in honour of England's first Astronomer
Royal, the Reverend John Flamsteed (1646-1719), who was born in Derbyshire and attended Derby
School. Regular monthly observing sessions are held at the facility and new people are always welcome.
The observatory is also available for use by individual members at any time
after some simple training. We encourage visits from schools and other groups
although these necessarily have to be in the evening or at weekends. A summer barbecue
is held at the observatory on the Saturday following the first Friday in July instead of a meeting at
The Friend's Meeting House that month. Public observing evenings are also occasionally held in
Derby at which members share their
enthusiasm for the night sky and the club's portable 8" Meade LX-90 telescope is used. We also bring this telescope along to cub and
brownie groups, primary schools etc., to which members also give talks. An annual trip provides the opportunity for members to
visit a different site of astronomical or space interest within the UK each
year. Several of our members are highly accomplished astrophotographers and our picture gallery is entirely
comprised of DDAS member's work.
DDAS member Barry Ashforth captured the following images of Mars in February 2008.
More pictures...
Subject to weather conditions our NEXT OBSERVING SESSION will be held
on Saturday, 20th February 2010
from 7:30 pm onwards at the Society's Flamsteed Observatory. A variety of telescopes
will be available, including the Society's 10" Newtonian under the dome and our 8" Meade LX-90, as
well as those that may brought along by members. If you would like more details please email
or
New people are always welcome and you can even bring your own scope!
Our NEXT MAIN MEETING will be held
on Friday, 5th March 2010 at 7:30 pm at the Friend's Meeting House, St. Helen's Street, Derby.
We welcome back Dr Somak Raychaudhury from the School of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Birmingham. His
last visit to the DDAS was two years ago when he gave a fascinating talk on Dark Matter. The
title of his talk this month is to be announced. There will be a raffle with astronomical prizes and coffee
is provided during the break. If it is clear there may even be an opportunity to look through a telescope from the back
garden of The Friends Meeting House.
HUBBLE REPAIR MAN... The 2009 Flamsteed Lecture was given by former shuttle
astronaut Professor Jeffrey A. Hoffman on the subject of The Hubble Space Telescope - Past, Present and
Future. It was held at the Kedleston Road campus of the University of Derby on the evening of Wednesday,
9th December. Professor Hoffman made five flights on the shuttle, including the first mission to repair the Hubble Space
Telescope in 1993. After the lecture the Society had a display stand in the Atrium and Jeff Hoffman added his signature to
our Moon globe. Click here for the photo story.
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A DAME... World famous astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell
delighted our members with her talk 'In Pursuit of Pulsars' on the 4th December 2009. It was indeed most appropriate that
we should have such a distinguished speaker to complete our busy programme of meetings and events during the 2009 International
Year of Astronomy. More details and pictures...
HERSTMONCEUX VISIT DDAS member Chris Newsome paid a visit to the former Royal
Observatory at Herstmonceux on the 25th October 2009 on one if their IYA 2009 Moonwatch
evenings. Click here to
read his article.
A BUSY SUMMER was had by the DDAS during the 2009 International Year of Astronomy! In what in fact must be
the busiest summer in the Society's history the DDAS attended the Derby City/QUAD Well Dressing, the Aston upon Trent Well
Dressing, the Barton Gate Steam Rally, and the Darley Park Concert. Links to full stories and pictures of these
events and more may be found in our Past Activities section.
NIGHTS TO REMEMBER April 2009 blessed us with clear skies for both our 'Spring Moon Watch' at
the main meeting on the 3rd and at our observing session on the 18th. Both were very well attended by members and visitors alike.
Follow these links for pictures from the Moon Watch and
the Observing Session.
A FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE 2009 was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles
Darwin and to celebrate the University of Derby held a Festival of Science from the 9th to 14th March. DDAS members
Graham Ensor, Anthony Southwell, Mike Dumelow and others were there to represent the Society. Graham brought along a
stunning collection of meteorites and Anthony display material and Society info. In total the event attracted around
2000 visitors. There was even a Meteorite or Meteorwrong
competition! Click here for Anthony Southwell's account of the proceedings...
