SPA Meeting on Saturday 30 January 2027 at the Chadwick Lecture Theatre, B05, University College London, WC1E 6BT, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Please note change of room within UCL for this meeting. See below for how to get there.
The meeting begins with the Annual General Meeting. Please see the November–December Popular Astronomy for details.
Following this we have the regular quarterly meeting of the society. The main speaker is Dr Seshadri Nadathur, on A History of the Universe in 60 Million Galaxies
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI, is a survey using a telescope on a desert mountaintop to create a precise map of the positions of 60 million galaxies.
This map has been used to measure the faint remnants of ripples imprinted at the Big Bang itself, and these measured patterns allow astronomers to deduce how the Universe has been expanding at different points in its history, stretching back to over 11 billion years ago.
This provides a mine of information – and has told us something very unexpected and exciting about “dark energy”, the mysterious substance that has been driving this expansion to get faster with time.
Following this, and after a break, Robin Scagell will describe what’s in the sky for the next three months, then David Arditti will talk about the latest developments in planetary imaging. New cameras and techniques are providing amateurs with the tools to make images of unprecedented quality.
Admission
Attendance is free for members and their friends.
How to get to the Chadwick Lecture Theatre for the January 2027 meeting
Follow the instructions below for the entrance to UCL, then instead of crossing the quadrangle, turn immediately right up steps to the Chadwick Building. To the left of glass doors marked CEGE take steps down to the lower floor and turn left to the Chadwick Lecture Theatre B05.Take a look at this video which shows the route from the centre of the quadrangle.
In conjunction with the BAA and Orwell Astronomical Society
Saturday 5 December, 9.30 am – 5 pm, Ipswich, Suffolk. Back to Basics Aurora special
The theme of this meeting, aimed at beginners, is the Sun and the aurora, but many other topics will be covered by a range of speakers.
Topics include
Observing and photographing the night sky
Solar, lunar and planetary observing
Aurora and space weather
Choosing binoculars and telescopes
Activities include
Hold pieces of the Moon and Mars
Try astronomical sketching
There will also be the chance to see a range of telescopes and equipment up close, courtesy of First Light Optics.
There is a charge for attending this event, and booking is essential, via britastro.org/event/back-to-basics-aurora-special-ipswich
The SPA discount code is shown on the Society Pages in Popular Astronomy.
Further SPA meetings will be held on Saturday 30 January 2027, when the main speaker will be Prof Seshadri Nadathur, and 24 April 2027 at UCL. Details to be announced.
How to get to the Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre for SPA meetings
The nearest tube station is Euston Square (Circle and Metropolitan lines). Turn left on leaving the barrier, which brings you to the top of Gower Street. Walk 150 m down Gower Street and the entrance to UCL is on your left.
At certain times the security guards may ask your purpose but you should say that you are going to the SPA meeting at Gustave Tuck. Then cross the quadrangle to the door on the far right.
Climb the stairs to your right to the 2nd floor, or take the nearby lift.
The Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre is nearby, with its main entrance through double doors. There are a few steps up to this, but there is a wheelchair lift should it be needed.
About the meetings
The first section of each meeting is generally taken up by a talk from a guest speaker, while the second has shorter items on current astronomical events, and possibly reports from sections. Meetings start at 2 pm (doors open 1:30 pm) and continue until 5 pm.
Here is a Google map of the venue to help you with directions:
BAA meetings
In a reciprocal agreement, SPA members are welcome at meetings of the British Astronomical Association. Forthcoming BAA meetings are as follows:
Saturday 3 October, Radio Astronomy Section Day Meeting.
Sherwood Observatory, Sutton-in-Mansfield, Notts.
Bookings: £10 to SPA members. For details and booking visit britastro.org/events. The discount code for SPA members is given in the Society Pages of Popular Astronomy.
Wednesday 28 October, 17:30–20:00. BAA Meeting and AGM.
Institute of Physics, 37 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9BU.
Main topics: 2026 Eclipse results; Presidential address by Janice McClean.
Saturday 12 Dec 2.30 pm – 6 pm, BAA Christmas Meeeting
Institute of Physics, 37 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9BU. Free admission.
Main speakers: Prof David Alonso – Understanding the Universe on multiple wavelengths; Sanjeev Gupta – 5000 sols on Mars with the Curiosity rover; Nick James – Sky Notes.
For further details visit britastro.org/events.
Meeting videos
You can view videos of the main talks at previous meetings on your computer. Just click on the image at right to see what’s currently available. There are videos of talks about all aspects of astronomy there – they’ll keep you entertained for hours!