Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Work on the new observatory at Danby Lodge is almost complete, with fixtures and fittings, instrumentation and display features in sittu. Training and open dates to follow this month.  

  [Read more about Danby Lodge Observatory - Almost There! ]

Time gives the appearance of flowing faster with age, and so we gathered for the 2025 Christmas meal, another year older, another year having slipped by under the celestial bridge.   [Read more about Society Solstice Celebration Meal 2025]

December's meeting saw Steve Bowden RO FRAS JP, astro-photography and STEM ambassador, give a wonderful presentation on astrophotography.  At this month's Richard Randle will be showing images of his Icelandic aurora odyssey. [Read more about Society Meetings - Report]

Time again for our monthly round-up of Sunday open nights at the Bruce Observatory - Whitby School.    [Read more about Bruce Diary]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• January Meteors 
• Aurora Report & T Cor Borealis Update
• January Night Sky
• January 2026 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - January 2026]

Work on the new observatory at Danby Lodge is nearing completion, with the external weather marquee now removed. Fixtures and fittings are being installed with instrumentation soon to follow!

  [Read more about Danby Lodge Observatory - Work Update ]

WDAS members who have attended society meetings and star party events over the last 15 years or so will be saddened to learn of the passing of Victor Holdsworth.  [Read more about Victor Holdsworth ]

Time again for our monthly round-up of Sunday open nights at the Bruce Observatory - Whitby School.    [Read more about Bruce Diary]

The 2025 WDAS Christmas meal has now been booked for December 6th, 7pm at the Hare and Hounds - Hawsker. If you are a member and would like to come along and haven’t already contacted Mark - don't delay places are limited. [Read more about Society Christmas Meal 2025]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• December Meteors & Comet 31/ATLAS
• Winter Solstice 
• December Night Sky
• December 2025 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - December 2025]

Monthly meetings of WDAS have now recommenced, the next meeting being Tuesday December 2nd from 7:30pm, room H1, Whitby School.  Astro-photographer Steve Bowden RO FRAS JP will be giving a presentation. Please attend if you can, should be a terrific evening. [Read more about December Society Meeting - Steve Bowden Presentation]

Monthly meetings of WDAS have now recommenced, the next meeting being Tuesday November 4th from 7:30pm, room H1, Whitby School. Richard Randle will be giving a presentation on the Journey to the Centre of the Earth, well the trip down Boulby Mine...and his travels to Iceland. Dark Matter and Aurora in one evening - not to be missed! [Read more about November Society Meeting - Richard Randle Presentation]

The two events hosted at Whitby Youth Hostel during half term week unexpectedly allowed more observations outside than in previous years - lady luck favouring our efforts for once. [Read more about Whitby Youth Hostel Events - October 26th and 29th]

Always a highlight, our annual visit to Westerdale proved to be a great success with clear skies overhead instead of the fog and mist experienced last year. The journey to Westerdale proved less than straight forward, however.  [Read more about Westerdale Star Party 2025]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• November Meteors, Comet Lemmon
• T Corona Borealis
• November Night Sky
• November 2025 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - November 2025]