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 Solent Amateur Astronomers

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Observatory and Open Nights
Timetable of Open Nights - 2021/2022
Dates Open Time On View
Dec Primary Date: Wed 29
Dec Back-up Date: Thur 30		 7:30 pm The Andromeda Galaxy M31, M13 & M15 Globular Clusters,
Double Cluster, The Orion Nebula M42, Coathanger OC, Uranus & Neptune
Jan Primary Dates: Fri 28, Sat 29
Feb Back-up Dates: Fri 04, Sat 05		 7:30 pm Uranus, The Andromeda Galaxy M31, The Orion Nebula M42
M13 Globular Cluster, Pleiades, Hyades
Feb Primary Dates: Fri 25, Sat 26
Mar Back-up Dates: Fri 04, Sat 05		 7:30 pm Uranus, The Andromeda Galaxy M31, M13 Globular Cluster,
M45, M42, M36, M37, M38, Almach, Beta Monoceros
Mar Primary Dates: Fri 25, Sat 26
Apr Back-up Dates: Fri 01, Sat 02		 7:30 pm The Andromeda Galaxy M31, M13, M3 & M92 Globular Cluster,
M44 Beehive Cluster, Double Cluster, M42 Orion Nebula
Apr Primary Dates: Fri 22, Sat 23
Back-up Dates: Fri 29, Sat 30		 8:30 pm M13 Globular Cluster, M35 Open Cluster, Castor, Leo Triplet,
Double Cluster, M42 Orion Nebula
May Primary Dates: Fri 06, Sat 07
No Back-up Dates: Too Light		 9:30 pm Moon, Izar, M13 & M92 Globular Clusters, Double Cluster
M42 Orion Nebula
Map of Rownhams Observatory Map showing location of Observatory, click on image to enlarge.  Then click on browser back button to return to web page.
Online Map of Toothill

The club's observatory at Toothill is located in a relatively dark site just outside Southampton, see map below.

It has reopened to the public on the dates to the left.   You will see that weekend sessions are now arranged in pairs, with a "primary" and a "back-up". The primary will take place, weather permitting, but the back-up will only take place if the corresponding primary sessions were both clouded out. Each session is open ended, we stay until we've had enough or the weather closes in.

No need to book, just turn up.

Members admitted free.  Non-members: adults £5,  children free.

Toilets and free parking are available.

The observatory contains:

  • 14" Meade telescope
  • 8" Meade LX90
  • 6" Celestron Nexstar SE
  • 20 x 80 binoculars
  • Computer with desktop planetarium

The design of the 14" telescope is such that users remain seated, so it is suitable for wheelchair users.

 


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