Agnes Mary Clerke was born in Skibbereen in Co Cork in and grew up in the midst of the horrific Irish Famine. Her mother Catherine was one of the talented and wealthy family of the Deasy’s and her father John Clerke was a talented amateur astronomer and general scientist who ran the local bank. She […]
In the first of our History of Astronomy sessions for this season, we were presented with a talk by Bill Barton. Bill is a founding member of the Society of the History of Astronomy and the Deputy Director of the British Astronomical Association Historical Section. He is also a member of a number of other […]
“I have no idea what time is and I am not going to attempt an explanation.” This was the opening line for Eddie Yeadon’s talk for the fourth session of the History of Astronomy talks this season. Eddie has a PhD in physics from Manchester University and has had a long career largely focused on […]
Who actually invented the refracting telescope? This was the opening question which was put to the audience in our second session for the History of Astronomy group this season. The presenter was Tony Sizer, a former teacher of Chemistry, Science and Astronomy at Warwick School and Chigwell School and is currently one of the astronomers […]
In our first talk for this season, we were taken back to the Royal Observatory during the period 1890 to 1895 to explore the work of five women who were employed as ‘Lady Computers’. Isabella Clemes, Alice Everett, Harriet Furniss, Edith Rix and Annie Russell all have very intriguing history relating to their work at […]
“We live in very exciting times for Astronomy but what we know now was built on the discoveries of the seekers of knowledge of the past who pushed the boundaries of what was known in their time”. This was how Mona Evans opened her presentation for the evening as she began her talk about the […]
“Where else to start but at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.” This was quite an appropriate introduction to Malcolm’s talk at the 2nd meeting of the History of Astronomy group for this season. Malcolm has been a member of the Flamsteed Astronomy Society for over 10 years and served as Chairman for four (4) years. He […]
It was a late Friday night many years ago that Andy Sawers stood in front of the National Portrait Gallery in London, awaiting the night bus to get home. He glanced around and saw a man standing in front of a telescope offering passers-by a view of the Galilean Moons for 50p. Andy took him […]
The exhibition called Observatory Life in the ‘astronomer’s apartments’ at the ROG has been under development for some time. It tells the stories of two of the Astronomers Royal and their families who lived and worked at the Observatory. The curator of the Royal Observatory, Dr Louise Devoy, generously agreed to show us round the […]
Bobby Manoo gave an excellent talk about “amazing astronomical alignments”. Bobby was inspired during a visit to Egypt when he saw the pyramids and especially the temple at Abu Simbel. He began with a short introduction to the equinoxes and solstices, and a look at the ‘analemma’ pattern traced out by the position of the […]
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