We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources this month
PICK OF THE MONTH
Introduction to Astrophotography
Learn how to capture the night sky with expert tips on getting started, from 1 November
If you’ve ever admired beautiful images of galaxies, nebulae, planets and stars, and wondered how to capture them yourself, get started with the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Introduction to Astrophotography course. Classes cover basic knowledge and techniques, from camera settings to processing, and also touch on using telescopes and guiding for deep-sky photography.
Taught every Monday, 7–9pm via Zoom, the course runs for six weeks from 1 November. It costs £96 and you can book places at bit.ly/3AuIhaa.
Live: Haw Wood Farm Astronomers’ Week
Saxmundham, Suffolk, 1–8 November Enjoy a week of stargazing and astrophotography at Haw Wood Farm, a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. The camp pitches are £12 per night and you can book by phone (01502 359550) or email (info@hawwoodfarm.co.uk).
Live: Is Anybody There?
Grindon Parish Hall, Thorpe Thewles, North Yorkshire, 10 December, 7:30pm Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society hosts David Ettie’s talk on the question of intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe, and the risk that aliens may be as unpleasant as humans! New members welcome. www.cadas-astro.org.uk
Live: Stargazing evenings
Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, 12 and 27 November, 6:30pm and 11pm Come and look at some exciting night sky objects through some of the largest telescopes in the country. Other activities will be scheduled if the weather is cloudy. Tickets are £8.75 for adults and £6.75 for children. www.the-observatory.org
Live: Life After Skylark
Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, Devon, 18 November, 7:30pm Torbay Astronomical Society hosts Roger D Cooper, former senior experimental officer with the University of Leicester Space Research Group, for his talk on Skylark, the British sounding rocket project that operated from 1957 to 2005.
Non-members are welcome: £3 for adults, £1 for under 18s. torbayastro.org.uk
Online: Binoculars talk
26 November, 8pm All are welcome to Mid-Kent Astronomical Society’s Zoom talk where Steve Tonkin gives a guide to different binocular types and buying pitfalls to avoid. Non-members £3; contact membersec@midkentastro.org.uk (36 hours ahead) to join the talk.
Live: Chesterfield stargazing
Chesterfield Observatory, East Midlands, Fridays during November, 8pm View the night sky through Chesterfield’s huge 18-inch telescope. Non-members welcome on Fridays: £2 adults; under 16s are free. chesterfield-observatory.co.uk
Live: Lights Out for Our Darker Skies Exhibition
PK Porthcurno museum, Cornwall, until 31 December This exhibition – part of a push for International Dark Sky status for the West Penwith peninsula – explores the issues of light pollution and celebrates dark night skies. Expect astrophotography, films and art by local artists. pkporthcurno.com