Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society
Encyclopedia
History
There have been classes on astronomy at Crayford since the 1950s, the advanced astronomy course was originally run by Percy WilkinsHugh Percy Wilkins
Hugh Percy Wilkins was a Welsh-born engineer and amateur astronomer.He was born in Carmarthen, where he received his early education, then lived near Llanelli prior to moving to England...
and the society was subsequently estabilshed in 1961, by Gordon Taylor who travelled from Herstmonceux (former site of Royal Observatory Greenwich) to lecture on Astronomy at Crayford Manor House, he set-up the society to co-ordinate student activities with an emphasis on serious practical work .
Distinguished members
- John Wall, inventor and telescope maker and member of Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society, named the popular zero backlash Crayford Eyepiece MountCrayford focuserThe Crayford focuser is a simplified focusing mechanism for amateur astronomical telescopes. The design replaces the complicated rack and pinion drive normally found in this type of device with a smooth spring-loaded shaft which holds the focus tube against four opposing bearing surfaces...
after the area. - Roger Pickard, Past president of the British Astronomical Association 2008 & 2009
- Gordon Taylor, Founder, Past President of the BAA, Past Director of the Computing Section of the BAA
Current activities
The Advanced Astronomy course is administered by Bexley college but all lectures are organised by the Society.As well as weekly Lectures in term time, outside term time the society meets at the societies observatory which houses a 24 inch (60 cm) telescope. Members of the society are actively interested in most areas of Astronomy
Membership
Membership to the society is open to all astronomy students past and present who have attended lectures at Bexley college, Belvedere, LondonBelvedere, London
Belvedere is a suburban and largely working class area and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley in Southeast London.-History:The area which is today known as Belvedere was originally part of Lesness Heath, which originally stretched from the area of Lesnes Abbey to Erith and constituted...
, England. Memberships is free to current astronomy students.
Events
In term time we have lectures from visiting professors. Once per month there is a 'society Night' where society members show their latest activities. Occasionally (~6 times per year) we meet for local observing sessions. As a group we attend many astronomical events such as Astrofest, BAA Winchester Weekend, Kelling Heath Star Party (Spring and Autumn).Publications
Members of the society have published many papers, including papers in the following journals...Journal British Astronomical Association (29 Papers as of 2010)
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Soiciety (1 paper as of 2010)
Astronomy Now (4 articles as of 2010)
Sky and Telescope (4 articles as of 2010)
Practical Astronomy (1 article as of 2010)
Observatory (1 article as of 2010)
IBVS (1 article as of 2010)
Society members have also produce a number of shorter articles and book reviews a full list is available here
Location
The Observatory and Class are located at 51°27′30.2868"N 00°10′20.316"E.Mayplace Road East,
Crayford,
DA1 4HB
Travelling to the society
CMHAS is located in the London Borough of BexleyLondon Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
in south east London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Closest rail stations
BarnehurstBarnehurst railway station
Barnehurst railway station serves Barnehurst, London Borough of Bexley: it is 13.9 miles from Central London on the Bexleyheath Line...
Southeastern Trains
Southeastern (train operating company)
London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise...
(Bexleyheath Line)
Crayford
Crayford railway station
Crayford railway station is in the London Borough of Bexley in south-east London, in Travelcard Zone 6. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southeastern....
Southeastern Trains
Southeastern (train operating company)
London & South Eastern Railway Limited, trading as Southeastern is a train operating company in south-east England. On 1 April 2006 it became the franchisee for the new Integrated Kent Franchise , replacing the publicly owned South Eastern Trains on the former South East Franchise...
(Crayford Line)