Open University Astronomy Club

Last updated 11 April 2025

Next meeting 6 May 2025

7:30pm at Robert Hooke Building

May's talk is by Gary Poyner

"The Monster in the Crab - The story of the largest black hole yet discovered - OJ287"

Gary details its discovery, Pro-Am campaigns to observe it since the 1990s and the results of these campaigns up to 2019 and the association with gravity waves.

Gary joined the BAA in 1978, and served as Director of the Variable Star Section for five years - 1995 to 1999. He was also Variable Star editor for 'The Astronomer' magazine from 2000-2018. He is primarily a visual observer, and have been observing Variable Stars since 1975 following 10 years of general observing (mainly Jupiter) from my first telescope bought for me in 1965. My main interests are Cataclysmic and Eruptive Variables, which I observe at every opportunity with my 51cm and 22cm reflectors from my observatory in North Birmingham. I also use AAVSOnet remote telescopes in New Mexico and Arizona for CCD observations of Variables. Over the past few years I have mentored a number of observers in the UK and abroad in the art of VS observing, and I give VS related talks to Societies around the country. Mentoring and talking to clubs about different aspects of Variable Stars is something I greatly enjoy, and get lots of personal satisfaction from. On the local society side of things, I was a junior member at the Birmingham AS in the early 1970's, past President of Wolverhampton AS and recently retired chairman of the Heart of England AS, where I have been a member for over 45 years.

Meetings take place in the Robert Hooke Building

Stargazing locations, events and astronomy groups in the UK

Links to local astronomical clubs/societies/activities/STEM

OU Fusion - the Open University Physics and Astronomy Society (You might need to open this link in a new window)
FUSION was formed in 2001 by students who recognised the need to create a society for OU students and graduates whose primary interest is in physics & astronomy. We have over 150 members many of whom are studying at various levels of the physical sciences study program. We organise regular events of interest to members, have a regular newsletter, a Facebook group. We welcome current and past students or anyone with a general interest in physics and astronomy.

New link

The evolution of satellite communication, starting with the launch of Sputnik, improving with NASA's developments and continuing to evolve with SpaceX's Starlink

https://www.ooma.com/blog/telecommunications-satellites-and-space-exploration/

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Sky Notes for April 2025

BAA Lunar Section Circular - April 2025

BAA Historical Section Newsletter 31 - Spring 2025

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The club now uses groups.io for club messages, and photos. To send a group email send to: ouastro@groups.io

Please help Michael with his Space News by sending him anything you find that may be of interest. See Contact Us for his email address.

Meetings of the Open University Astronomy Club are normally held from 7:30pm - 10:00pm on the first Tuesday of every month from September to June at the Robert Hooke Building of the Open University, Milton Keynes. A map showing the location of the Robert Hooke building in the OU campus can be found from the link Where we meet above.

Meetings are open to all (not just OU students and staff) and please do not worry if you are a beginner, our speakers are chosen to be of interest to all, and our members will be only too pleased to help you.

Click on Meetings' Programme above to see a list of speakers.

Latest postings:

Members' images now on: https://groups.io/g/ouastro if you haven't got an account please let me know.

Astronomy Apps for smartphones

New additions:

I've been contacted by Ms. Stephanie Cooper a home school Teacher https://studentsforresearch.org/ on behalf of Kiel,

who has a keen interest in data science. Kiel discovered an excellent resource on the role of Data Science in Astronomy and Interstellar Exploration at

 http://datascienceprograms.com/learn/the-role-of-data-science-in-astronomy-and-interstellar-exploration/

Personnel

Chair: Vacant (please address all correspondence to the Vice Chairman Peter Hudson)

Vice Chairman: Peter Hudson

Treasurer: David Baines

Secretary: Adrian Rawlings

Observatory visit and Outreach: Sheridan Williams

Webmaster: Sheridan Williams

To contact any of the above click on Contact us.

 

Web site created and maintained by Sheridan Williams. I need help, so if you are willing and able, please contact me.