Birmingham Astronomical Society

27/11/2025

On behalf of the Birmingham Astronomical Society (BAS) and 1000 Trades On the Park, Tearoom, Pub and Kitchen, we warmly invite you to join us for a special Star Gazing Evening!

📍 Location

1000 Trades On the Park (Tearoom, Pub and Kitchen)

Lightwoods House,

Adkins Lane,

Bearwood,

Birmingham.

B67 5DP

⏱️ Time

Starts at 6:30 PM

What to Expect

Weather Permitting: Outdoor Observation 🔭

we will be set up on the Pub’s patio area, which offers a fantastic open view across the park to the heavens above.

Tonight's Celestial Highlights:

The Moon (always a favourite "wow factor")

Saturn

Jupiter (if it has risen enough to be visible)

Whatever the Weather: Indoor Social ☕

We will be there whatever the weather! If the clouds roll in, we will be tucked up on a table inside the Bar with:

Picture albums of celestial objects

Astronomical equipment displays

A warm, friendly atmosphere and a willingness to chat

Important Notes

Wrap up warm! It can get very cold as an Astronomer!

The outdoor element is a public event.

The 1000 Trades terms and conditions apply to all indoor activities.

Hope to see you there!

John Young Chair, Birmingham Astronomical Society

18/11/2025

The Sad Earth

The Earth feels so sad, sad so sad.

To start with it was born from the cast off rejects
left it from its father, the Sun.

Then not long, relatively, after birth,
It had been assaulted by a rogue planet.
Struck when least expected.
Floating quietly in the Universal nursery.

When wham, rocked by a massive impact,
a huge chunk thrown off, that remained nearby.
Gravity and forces yet unknown,
merged, amalgamating till whole again.

At least there was company now,
the chunk blasted away in the impact,
had formed into a similar, but smaller,
about a quarter as big.

This “Moon” for a better description, was a Mickey taker,
copying, its shape the same, taunting,
spinning around but never touching.
It was a comfort but made him sad,
only seeing one face.

The Earth stayed in touch with his father the Sun,
staying, attracted towards him.
As the Moon was attracted too.

Quiet solitude, floating, spinning,
a slow awakening, an awareness of others, similarity, siblings.
It was saddening that it was a never ending chase,
along a constant, a phrase, ecliptic was thought appropriate.

Earth was sad, a sibling known as Mercury was closer to the sun,
followed by Venus. Then itself, Earth.

Earth was sad as those closest to Father Sun, seemed too hot,
and those further away seemed colder.
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Eons passed and suddenly Earth was sad,
troubled by an invasion of “Life.”
The Earth was sad as the Man element of Life,
was destructive, manipulative, murderous.

In what seemed like seconds, compared to existence.
The man of Life, was overruning,
Earths ability to feed and nurture its “Life.”
Earth was sad, “Life” was destroying not only itself but earth too.

Earth was getting too hot, too crowded, too troubled
as the factions of man constantly bickered and warred.
Man was greedy and greed would destroy everything,
Earth was sad as it too was endangered.

Earth was Sad, so sad, as given a will
that many possessed,
But the majority blindly, blatantly
ignored.

Sad so sad.

Wake up people!

John Young.

This a personal view poem written by myself and does not represent the views or beliefs of Birmingham Astronomical Society.

14/11/2025

I produced a comic of the Orion Myth.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SZRDJd4qY_mYuV4ryFLVEWj5bscHzjGtXAxf4gltLbk/edit?usp=drivesdk

Interested in what you think.

The Myth of Orion. Produced as an outreach Comic by John Young Chair :- Birmingham Astronomical Society . Orion, a giant and a mighty hunter, boasted that he could defeat any beast on Earth. The goddess Hera, angered by his arrogance, sent a scorpion to humble him. The scorpion stung Orion,...

13/11/2025

✨ A Free Night of Stargazing! ✨
Join us at 1000 Trades on the Park
Gaze into the cosmos and explore the wonders of the night sky! Whether you're an avid astronomer or just curious about the stars, this is a free, open public event for everyone.
Bring your friends, family, and a sense of wonder—there's no need to book, just turn up and look up!
Event Details
• What: Open Public Night of Stargazing
• Where: 1000 Trades on the Park
• Address: 2 Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Smethwick B67 5DP
• Cost: FREE! (Just turn up)
Important Note (Weather Dependent)
This event relies on clear skies. We can't see through the clouds!
Please note: If the weather doesn't cooperate and the sky is overcast, we will still be on site to stick around for a friendly space-related chat, so you won't miss out completely!
We look forward to seeing you under the stars!

07/11/2025

Just a reminder of our Star Gazing event on the 27thNov

In conjunction with 1000 Trades at Lightwoods House, Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Birmingham, B67 5DP.

05/11/2025

Hi thought you may be interested in Star Gazing ( weather permitting ) at 1000 Trades at Lightwoods House, Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Birmingham, B67 5DP

04/11/2025

Hi, if you are an astronomer, you know all about the challenge of our weather. If you are looking forward to some observations, it almost certain what happens the moment your scope or camera is prepared for the night ahead..

I produced this comic as I sat frustrated waiting the skies to clear.

04/11/2025

It was a clear start to the night of Sunday , apart from dodging Fireworks so I got out the faithful Seestar S50 and gave both comets a go.

A short 10/20 second exposure, slightly tweaked using the iPads photos software. The first comet C2025 A6 came out well. The2nd was innthe right are but missed the Comet. C2024- E1

22/08/2025

Birmingham Astronomical Society is pleased to Announce a special lecture to help us celebrate our 75th Year as an Astronomical Society .

Help us celebrate our 75th Year.

John Young
Chair Birmingham Astronomical Society
Registered CIO Number 1192429

It is our great fortune to invite you to a special on line event, a Zoom lecture “Our Accidental Universe “ by Chris Lintott.

“Our Accidental Universe”

Exploring a cosmos as vast as ours is bound to result in a few surprises. In this talk, Chris Lintott (BBC Sky at Night/University of Oxford) explains how astronomers stumble across their discoveries. From the rich diversity of worlds in our Solar System to the edge of the observable universe, he will explain what we know about the cosmos is usually the result of happenstance. Along the way, we get a whistle-stop tour of cutting edge science and encounter sometimes profound, sometimes amusing but always thought-provoking stories from astronomy’s past.

Our talk starts at 7.30, tickers are still available click link to purchase, we charge a nominal £3.00 to help with Society costs and our Outreach Program.

Exploring a cosmos as vast as ours is bound to result in a few surprises. In this talk, Chris Lintott (BBC Sky at Night/Univers...

17/07/2025

Birmingham Astronomical Society is pleased to Announce a special lecture to help us celebrate our 75th Year as an Astronomical Society .

Help us celebrate our 75th Year.

John Young
Chair Birmingham Astronomical Society
Registered CIO Number 1192429

It is our great fortune to invite you to a special on line event, a Zoom lecture “Our Accidental Universe “ by Chris Lintott.

“Our Accidental Universe”

Exploring a cosmos as vast as ours is bound to result in a few surprises. In this talk, Chris Lintott (BBC Sky at Night/University of Oxford) explains how astronomers stumble across their discoveries. From the rich diversity of worlds in our Solar System to the edge of the observable universe, he will explain what we know about the cosmos is usually the result of happenstance. Along the way, we get a whistle-stop tour of cutting edge science and encounter sometimes profound, sometimes amusing but always thought-provoking stories from astronomy’s past.

Exploring a cosmos as vast as ours is bound to result in a few surprises. In this talk, Chris Lintott (BBC Sky at Night/Univers...

26/06/2025

The Society received a number of books as a bequest from passed member of the Society. They are on sale on Vinted.

29/03/2025

Today the society held an outreach event for the partial (in the Uk) solar eclipse. We set up in Centenary Square outside the Central Library . The society had three methods of Solar viewing on display sharing the eclipse. As it evolved. Four if you count the 200 Solar Glasses we gave away.

A traditions
A Coronado Hydrogen Alpha Solar scope.

A DWARF III smart scope and a Seestar S50 another variety of smart scope.

For ease of viewing attached is a slide show of images from the S50.

A big thank you to all that chatted with us and enjoyed sharing the eclipse with us.