The SPARTA Astronomy Society's First Summer
The SPARTA Astronomy Society has enjoyed a fantastic first summer.
Back in January, we were little more than a small group of people with an interest in astronomy and a few ambitious ideas. Fast forward a few months, and we now have our own equipment, have hosted fascinating talks from leading experts, built a packed programme of events, and welcomed a rapidly growing membership.
Summer has been particularly busy. We held a series of lunchtime solar observing sessions and spent the Sports and Wellbeing Day sharing views of the Sun through our telescope. These sessions gave members and passers-by the chance to marvel at the Sun's bubbling surface and sunspots, while also providing an easy and enjoyable introduction to astronomy. For many people, it was their very first look through a telescope.
Our "Solar Summer" reached its high point with a fantastic gathering in Hyde Park to watch the best solar eclipse since 1999. The event was perfectly complemented by a talk from guest speaker Matt West of the European Space Agency. Matt, a space weather specialist, explained the science of the Sun, the effects of space weather, and the ESA's Vigil mission, which will help us better understand and monitor solar activity.
The excitement is far from over. We have more guest speakers lined up, including Westminster School's Astronomer-in-Residence and the Curator of the Natural History Museum's meteorite collection. With the darker nights of winter approaching, we are also launching monthly evening stargazing sessions, giving members even more opportunities to explore the night sky.
Over the coming months, members can look forward to witnessing lunar conjunctions and occultations involving Venus, Jupiter and Mars; observing Saturn's rings and moons; studying Jupiter and its Great Red Spot; and watching the changing polar ice caps of Mars. With a little luck, we may even spot comets, shooting stars and other celestial surprises.
We'll leave you with some photographs from a sun-baked Hyde Park, where members gathered with many of the 50 pairs of solar eclipse glasses supplied by the Society, along with our telescope, to enjoy this memorable event.
P.S. The next major solar eclipse visible from the UK is on 2 August 2027. If all this sounds like fun, email astronomy@dft.gov.uk to find out more and join us!
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