Whitby & District Astronomical Society

WDAS members continue to support ‘open door’ days at the Dark Sky Station (DSS) at Danby Lodge - on Wednesdays, and for the time being - Fridays. Sunday afternoon talks will continue until late September.

  [Read more about Danby Dark Sky Station Facility News]

August is usually associated with the Perseid meteor shower on the 12th, the summer’s observing highlight. In 2026, it will be better remembered for two partial eclipses. The question was would we view these events in full, only in part, or not at all. [Read more about August Eclipse - Special Report. ]

Our regular West Cliff star parties have been limited this summer, though we did manage to hold one on Aug 22nd, missing two other opportunities to do so – thanks to the forecast. As the evenings continue to draw in, we hope to host a few more during September. [Read more about Star Party News - Reports and Schedule, Hook's House.]

Society monthly meetings are now in recess, restarting the first Tuesday in October, the 6th. [Read more about Society Meetings Recess]

With another heatwave approaching, the Regatta weekend forecast initially looked highly promising, raising hopes that the full WDAS programme could go ahead. Was it really going to be plain sailing? Well, we are talking about Whitby Regatta…

  [Read more about August Events - Regatta - A retrospective view. ]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights. 
• September Meteors & Nova Sagittae 2026
• Autumnal Equinox.
• September Night Sky.
• September 2026 Sky Charts.

  [Read more about Sky Notes - September 2026]

This summer’s main celestial highlights—the partial solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower—fall within just 10–12 hours of each other on 12/13 August. Weather permitting, we plan to observe both on 12th August. Current details are given below, but arrangements may change, so please check the WDAS website nearer the date for the latest information. [Read more about Solar Eclipse/Perseid Meteor Watch Event Plans. ]

Society monthly meetings are now in recess, restarting the first Tuesday in October.   [Read more about Society Meetings Recess]

WDAS members continue to support the ‘open door’ days at the Dark Sky Station (DSS) at Danby Lodge - usually Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as occasional special event dates. Wednesdays and Fridays – 11am-3pm, Sunday afternoon 2pm-4pm.

  [Read more about Danby Dark Sky Station Observatory Schedule and News]

After waiting for darker skies, August finally brings the full return of our usual Star Party schedule, including events for Whitby Regatta, Folk Week and the Bank Holiday. After such fine weather so far this summer, the question is whether August will stay settled or return to the usual frustrating mix. [Read more about Star Party Schedule (Whitby) - August ]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• Eclipses, Solar & Lunar
• August Meteors - Perseids, T Corona Borealis
• August Night Sky
• August 2026 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - August 2026]

Monthly meetings of WDAS, held at Whitby School have now adjourned for the summer. The next formal meeting being the first Tuesday in October. Scheduled star party events will be limited over the summer this year. Please read main body. [Read more about Star Party – News and Schedule]

WDAS members continue to support the ‘open door’ policy at the Dark Sky Station (DSS) at Danby Lodge - usually Fridays and occasionally others.  

  [Read more about Danby Dark Sky Station Observatory News]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• Meteors, T Cor Bor updates, Conjunction and Noctilucent Cloud reports 
• July Night Sky
• July 2026 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - July 2026]