Explore the culture of the stars…
Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences, but also the one in which amateurs still play an active role, contributing to many recent important astronomical discoveries.
If you have a passion for stargazing, space, and the universe, or are ‘wowed’ by images produced by the Hubble and James Webb telescopes, you are far from alone. Of course, we know that astronomy is a highly respected science that has produced some of the most amazing accomplishments of the twentieth century. In addition to that, it continues to be an endless source of fascination and captivation for both young and old, with hundreds of astronomy clubs across the UK and tens of thousands of amateur astronomers watching the stars every night just like we do.
Our Astronomy Section provides a programme of talks and, occasionally, a visit to an observatory or other site of astronomical importance!
Some of our guest speakers include those from external organisations, members of the Society or members of other astronomical societies. We are fortunate to have had many well-known public speakers giving talks, for example Dr David Whitehouse, retired BBC Science Correspondent, and Dr Allan Chapman, a well-known historian of astronomy at Oxford University.
We also contribute to Open Days with solar telescopes and other equipment to be seen and used, as well as supporting Young Explorers sessions with hands-on activities and a planetarium show.
BNSS welcomes the regular and on-going support of Wessex Astronomical Society
Reports on Talks
2024
Monitoring the Environment from Space
Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Inside Stars – Cooking Pots for the Elements
Short Talks
Artificial light at night, environmental impact, dark sky places preservation
Astronomical Causes of Climate Change
2023
Astronomical Oddities
Venus – Earth’s Evil Twin
Tides – How do they really work
Lighting, Biodiversity and Health
The Wabar Meteorite Craters in Saudi Arabia
The Story of Radio Astronomy
Solar System Walk
Arrokoth and the Sentinels
Astronomy in Prehistory
Left in Space
New Views of the Universe with the James Webb Telescope
Upcoming Astronomy events
Talk: Gravitational Waves
12th May 2026 at 7.45pm (zoom only)Speaker: Prof Nils Andersson A talk on how gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime caused by massive accelerating objects like merging black holes and neutron stars. Nils Andersson is Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Southampton. He is an expert on Einstein’s relativity and a wide range of related problems in astrophysics, known […]
Talk: Comets: What are they and where do they come from?
19th May 2026 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: James Fradgley James Fradgley looks at comets – what they are, where they come from, where they are now, types of orbit, some history and the effects of collisions with Earth. James Fradgley, M.Sc, FRAS, MInstP, is past chair of BNSS astronomy & several other societies, and lectures widely on astronomy related topics. He […]
Talk: How far away are the stars? Climbing the cosmic distance ladder
2nd June 2026 at 7.45pm (zoom only)Speaker: Dr Matthew Boswell This talk explores how astronomers measure the vast distances to stars and galaxies by using a series of interconnected methods—known as the cosmic distance ladder—where each technique builds on the previous one to reach farther into the universe. Matt is Public Astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, where […]
