Society Meetings – Regular Venue

SPA meetings are held on the last Saturday of January, April, July and October in the Khalili Lecture Theatre of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG. Members and their friends are welcome, and entry is free of charge. Members should please remember to bring their membership cards or a copy of Popular Astronomy.

When you enter the SOAS building, please sign in as a visitor to the university at the reception desk, where you will be given a visitor sticker which you should keep visible, adn go through the entry gate. The lecture theatre is downstairs – look for the SPA signs. We also have our own signing-in book before you enter the lecture theatre.

Meetings start at 2.00pm and last until 5.00pm, including a break for refreshments. The first section is generally taken up by a talk from a guest speaker, while the second has shorter items on current astronomical events, and reports from sections. 

When you leave Russell Square station, turn left and cross the road straight away. SOAS is on the far corner of Russell Square. Use the entrance marked, which is opposite the Brunei Gallery. Meeting videos You can now view videos of the main talks at recent meetings on your computer. Just click on the image at right to see what's currently available.

Forthcoming meetings

Saturday 27 July 2013

The main speaker will be our President, Prof. Derek Ward-Thompson on Star Formation – Latest Results from the Hubble Space Telescope. After the break, Robin Scagell will give his round-up of what's in the night sky, and Meteor Section Director Tony Markham will talk about the recent work of the section.

Further meetings will be held at SOAS on

60th Anniversary events

In this 60th anniversary year we are holding special meetings around the country, so make a note of these dates. We hope to meet as many members and friends as possible at these events.

Saturday 15 June Scottish Regional Meeting, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. Speakers to include Dr Duncan Forgan, Dr John Davies, Dr Michele Cirasuolo, Dr Andy Longmore and Dr Alistair Glasse as well as SPA President Prof. Derek Ward-Thompson. Admission is by free ticket only, available to both members and non-members. To attend, download this 400kB PDF about the meeting and either return the slip attached by post or email tickets@popastro.com as required.

Saturday 21 September 2013 Irish Regional Meeting, Queen’s University, Belfast. Details to be announced.

Saturday 12 October 2013 SPA Convention 2013, to be held at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge. The Sir Patrick Moore Lecture will be delivered by Professor the Lord Rees, Astronomer Royal.

Other national events