Northumberland Astronomical Society
Encyclopedia
The Northumberland Astronomical Society was founded in 2000 by local amateur astronomers in Northumberland
, UK. The society is informally known among its members as "Nastro". The first formal meetings of the society were held in the village hall at Low Hauxley but increasing membership and the support of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust
saw meetings move to the visitor centre in the nearby Hauxley Nature Reserve in 2002. The Nature Reserve was burned down in an arson attack on June 29, 2010 so now society meetings are held in the Beehive function room at The Trap Inn until the new building is completed which is expected to be in 2012.
Nastro's mission is to encourage astronomy and science education in the North East of England.
The society has an active public outreach programme.
The society secured funding for a 14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
in 2005 and an observatory
was built to house it in 2008.
In January 2011 Nastro are partnering with BBC2 as part of Stargazing Live
hosted by Brian Cox (physicist)
and Dara Ó Briain
. Nastro will be holding free events at Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, UK. The society is informally known among its members as "Nastro". The first formal meetings of the society were held in the village hall at Low Hauxley but increasing membership and the support of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Northumberland Wildlife Trust was established in 1971 to help conserve and protect the wildlife of Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside in the UK...
saw meetings move to the visitor centre in the nearby Hauxley Nature Reserve in 2002. The Nature Reserve was burned down in an arson attack on June 29, 2010 so now society meetings are held in the Beehive function room at The Trap Inn until the new building is completed which is expected to be in 2012.
Nastro's mission is to encourage astronomy and science education in the North East of England.
The society has an active public outreach programme.
The society secured funding for a 14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
The Schmidt–Cassegrain is a catadioptric telescope that combines a cassegrain reflector's optical path with a Schmidt corrector plate to make a compact astronomical instrument that uses simple spherical surfaces.-Invention and design:...
in 2005 and an observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
was built to house it in 2008.
In January 2011 Nastro are partnering with BBC2 as part of Stargazing Live
Stargazing Live
Stargazing Live is a live television programme that was broadcast in 2011 for three evenings on BBC Two in the United Kingdom between 3 and 5 January, and will be returning in 2012 on 16-18 January. In 2011 it featured scientist and TV presenter Brian Cox, comedian and amateur astronomer Dara Ó...
hosted by Brian Cox (physicist)
Brian Cox (physicist)
Brian Edward Cox, OBE , is a British particle physicist, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and a professor at the University of Manchester. He is a member of the High Energy Physics group at the University of Manchester, and works on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at...
and Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain is an Irish stand-up comedian and television presenter, noted for hosting topical panel shows such as The Panel and Mock the Week....
. Nastro will be holding free events at Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland