Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Exciting news! Work is now well underway on the new observatory facility located in the grounds of Danby Lodge. It is hoped the works will be completed by the end of autumn.

  [Read more about Danby Lodge Observatory Work Commences]

Monthly meetings of WDAS will recommence on Tuesday October 7th from 7:30pm, room H1, Whitby School (again). [Read more about Society Monthly Meetings - Recommence]

We have a busy October Star Party schedule, with events being held in Westerdale, and two events at Whitby Youth Hostel - Weather permitting of course.  

  [Read more about WDAS October Star Party Schedule ]

Late summer/early autumn is the most favourable period to view the most southerly group on the Zodiac, Sagittarius, a constellation extremely rich in deep sky objects but not seen at its best from UK shores. In this second part feature on the 'Archer' we look at those deep sky objects visible to observers from the UK. [Read more about The Archer - Part 2]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• October Meteors & Lunar Eclipse Report
• October Night Sky
• October 2025 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - October 2025]

Always one of the highlights on the WDAS observing calendar, the initial scheduled visit to Hooks House was postponed due to the knock-on effects of the Moors fire, although as it turned out the night in question was wet and so no observations would have been possible anyway. Did the rescheduled date fare any better?   [Read more about Hook’s House Event - 2025]

Monthly meetings of WDAS will recommence early Autumn, the next formal meeting scheduled to be Tuesday October 7th from 7:30pm, room H1, Whitby School (again). [Read more about Society Monthly Meetings - ]

Having had settled conditions for the first half of August, would they continue post Regatta weekend allowing our scheduled Star Party itinerary to go ahead, or would normal service resume? [Read more about Star Party Event Reports - Aug 16th & 23rd & Hooks House]

Early September is perhaps the best time to view one of the most southerly groups on the Zodiac, Sagittarius - the Archer, a constellation not fully visible from UK shores but arguably the richest constellation in the heavens in terms of deep sky objects.  [Read more about The Archer]

With predominantly settled conditions for much of August, did the weather over the Regatta weekend also follow suit, or did mother nature have a trick up her billowing sleeves.  

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

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights. 
• September Meteors 
• Lunar Eclipse, Venus and Pleiades lunar Occultations 
• Autumnal Equinox.
• September Night Sky.
• September 2025 Sky Charts.

  [Read more about Sky Notes - September 2025]

An unexpected opportunity arose at short notice for a society member to accompany John McCue to visit the Dark Matter lab down Boulby Mine. Read how the day unfolded.  [Read more about An Unexpected Journey]

After a summer kicking our heels waiting for objects and darker skies, August will finally see that wait come to an end, with our usual Star Party events schedule including those for Whitby Regatta, Folk week, Bank holiday and Hooks House. The big question is, will August weather be the usual frustrating mixed bag, or something more settled. [Read more about Star Party Schedule - August ]

In this month's edition:

• Planetary Skylights
• August Meteors - Perseids
• August Night Sky
• August 2025 Sky Charts

  [Read more about Sky Notes - August 2025]

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]