Croydon Astronomical Society

12/10/2026

This is a special message about our public talks program concerning this week, Friday 16th October.

We normally provide a programme of talks on the first and third Fridays of the month at Shirley Methodist Church Hall in Shirley. These talks are open to the public.

But this week , Friday 16th, we are moving our talk program to the observatory for this week only. We will be there, whatever the weather, from 7,30 until 9.30. If it is clear we will also allow anyone who turns up to look at, and use, our telescopes. If it is not clear we will have a chat and show members & public around our facilities.

As usual, you don't need to book - just turn up. "Talks" are free but we invite donations of £3 if you are able.

Please see www.croydonastro.org.uk/observatory for details of how to find us. The highlights are no toilets, it will be cold, and please don't drive into, or try to park in, Waterhouse Lane.

Information about the location of our observatory in Kenley and events for the public and members

10/10/2026

Hello all, I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather today!

So as i mentioned in the post last night, we have recently had a lot of work done on the Observatory domes. They were in quite rough condition and needed some TLC that we couldn’t realistically provide. But Darren and Kenneth of the Build and repair and restore YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ were able to help with that!

Since July they have been working hard to repair, resurface, reinforce and paint both the Main dome and the Alan Treays dome.

It took some time due to weather issues and supply/scheduling issues, but the work has been completed, and I'm sure you will agree with me, the results are absolutely stunning.

This is the most obvious of the repair works we are currently working on with the observatory as a whole, and we are looking forward to completing more work and upgrades to make the observatory even better.

Once more, huge thanks to Darren and Kenneth, your work has been incredible.

I look forward to seeing people this evening.

All the best

Stefan

09/10/2026

Kenley Observatory Saturday 10th October.

WE'RE OPEN!

It looks like we will be having clear weather at the observatory so we are calling OPEN for our public evening! We will be observing from 7:30pm until 10pm, possibly later if our members want to stay. But it will be getting cold, so please bare that in mind.

While it may be a bit dark, everyone will also have the opportunity to see our beautiful freshly painted Domes! (Proper FB post on that tomorow)

Please be aware there is no parking space at the observatory so people will need to park on Hayes lane near the RAF Tribute and walk up.

Also we have no toilet facilities, so please bare this in mind.

Also when making your way to the observatory please PLEASE keep the use of bright white Torches to a minimum, as it ruins people's night vision.

We look forward to seeing people!

Stefan

03/10/2026

So sorry. It had looked promising but the forecasts have changed. Almost all of them predict solid cloud. So we will not open the observatory tonight (Sat 3rd October). We will try again next week.

02/10/2026

Still no decision about opening tomorrow. Weather predictions are not that good which is a shame as they were predicting clear skies eaflier in the week. Decision by Saturday lunchtime

26/09/2026

SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2026.

OBSERVATORY CLOSED.

A pleasant mild autumnal day with gentle sunlight will turn into a pleasant mild cloudy evening and as we can’t see through cloud we will be shut tonight.

This is the third Saturday in a row that the weather has been too poor for us to operate, but this won’t continue the whole season!

Please look here or on the website for updates for next week.

22/09/2026

Just checked the forecast and it's improving. Fingers crossed for Saturday.

18/09/2026

Saturday 19th September:

OBSERVATORY CLOSED.

Poor weather means we can’t operate, we can’t see through cloud!

Our next opportunity to open will be next Saturday, 26th September and we will post here and on our website if we can open then.

04/09/2026

OBSERVATORY OPEN! This Saturday (5th September) is the first time we will open our observatory this season for the public to visit. The weather is a little uncertain but we will open anyway.

Because it still doesn't get dark until later we will open at 8:30pm. we will close at 11:00pm, or maybe earlier if the clouds come in.

Please be aware that at that time on Saturday there isn't much to look at. There is no moon and no interesting planets in the sky. But we will try to find something to show you either with our main telescope of one of our members' "smart telescopes".

All the details are on https://www.croydonastro.org.uk/observatory. But the highlights are: No booking, just turn up. Entry is free (though donations are always welcome). It will be colder than you think and note that we have no toilets on site.

Also, important, please don't try to drive down Waterhouse Lane; you will get stuck. There is no parking on site, we suggest you park safely on Hayes Lane.

Information about the location of our observatory in Kenley and events for the public and members

04/09/2026

This coming Friday September 4th at 7:30pm at Shirley Methodist Church in Croydon we will be having a couple of short talks by members of the Society.

First off we have Graham Cluer will be giving us a Summary of the Persied Meteors, and then Tony Roberts will be giving us a briefing on what to expect from Saturn and the upcoming season.

Then we will break for Tea and Coffee, then we will be hearing from Konrad Malin-Smith who will be talking on "Stars in the Cosmic Ladder"

All welcome, no need to book. Free, though there is a suggested voluntary donation of £3.