Derby and District Astronomical Society

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 25 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.

Jupiter reaches opposition on the 21st September. DDAS member Chris Newsome captured this image of the giant planet in September last year.   More pictures...

Our NEXT MAIN MEETING will be held on Friday, 3rd September 2010 from 7:30 pm onwards at The Friends Meeting House, St. Helens Street, Derby, DE1 3GY. DDAS Chairman Anthony Southwell will give a talk on The Space Shuttle Programme: A Review and Farewell. There will be a raffle with astronomical book prizes and coffee is provided during the break. There is a collection which helps pay for the rental of the room which is £1 for members and £3 for non-members. If it is clear there may even be an opportunity to look through a telescope from the back garden of The Friends Meeting House. Why not join us at the Seven Stars afterwards?

Subject to weather conditions our NEXT OBSERVING SESSION will be held on Saturday, 18th September 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 Mike Lancaster . New people are always welcome and you can even bring your own scope!

WE HAVE IGNITION...  The 2010 DDAS barbecue was held on the evening of the 3rd July at the society's Flamsteed Observatory. Click here for some pictures of the event by DDAS member Chris Newsome.

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.

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The DDAS is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies and in 2004 received a generous equipment grant from Awards for All.

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Last Updated: 1st September 2010. Click here for what's new on the site.