OASI is a society for people interested in astronomy. We are based at Orwell Park Observatory and Newbourne Village Hall, both situated near Ipswich, Suffolk. Members enjoy a wide range of interests in astronomy and include armchair astronomers, casual observers, and dedicated amateurs with specialist skills in visual and photographic observing, constructing telescopes, public education in astronomy and the history of astronomy.

Night Sky Notes

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Comet MAPS is coming!

The comet may be visible to the naked eye in daytime skies in early April 2026. How to find and observe the comet.

Observatory Visits

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Other opportunities to visit Orwell Park Observatory and see the historic Tomline Refractor.

Membership

Join OASI or renew membership.

Information for members:

Dr Allan Chapman (1946-2026)

Obituary of OASI's Honorary President, 2001-26.

Events

Wed 18 Mar 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.

Fri 20 Mar 2026, 19:45, St Augustine's Church, The Lantern Room (church annex), Lecture Meeting. Nik Szymanek, A Centaurus A Case Study. Nik will demonstrate, using the Centaurus A galaxy as a case study, how to make amazing astro-photographs. He will also showcase powerful new imaging software which will be of particular interest to astrophotographers.
This lecture is in-person only; due to technical issues, attendance via Zoom will not be available.
There is parking at the front of the church and additional spaces just across Bucklesham Road at the Saint Augustine's Community Hub. Poster.

Mon 23 Mar 2026, 19:30, Newbourne Village Hall, Newbourne meeting - beginners and new members welcome!
19:30 Doors open.
19:45 Sky Notes by Bill Barton, FRAS.

Wed 25 Mar 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.

Full events list, with contact details for further information.

Recent activities and observations

[1/10] The carrier rocket for NASA's ESCAPADE mission, which lofted two small but well-equipped spacecraft, Blue and Gold, en route to Mars, imaged at a distance from Earth of 5 milllion km. 11 March 2026. Nigel Evans.

[2/10] Spiral galaxy M106, at a distance of approximately 25 million light years, together with some of the surrounding galaxies. 11 March 2026. Steve McElvanney.

[3/10] A sketch of the solar disk compared with an Hα image. 05 March 2026. Sketch: Neil Morley; image: Steve McElvanney.

[4/10] An aurora seen while enjoying a Saga cruise on the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea. 02 March 2026. Paul Whiting, FRAS.

[5/10] Chairman Andy Gibbs introduces the Q&A session at the end of OASI's first lecture of the 2026 season. Lecturer Tom Boles provided a fascinating introduction to the topic Are we Alone in the Universe? The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life. 20 February 2026. Photo by Martin Cook. Our next lecture is by Nik Szymanek on 20 March 2026. Nik will demonstrate, using the Centaurus A galaxy as a case-study, how to create amazing astro-photographs. See our Events list for details.

[6/10] The giant planet Jupiter and Galilean satellite Io (shortly to move behind the planet). 16 February 2026. Andy Gibbs.

[7/10] A spectacular aurora was widely visible throughout the UK on the evening of 19 January 2026. Many members of OASI observed the phenomenon. L: Mike Such. Top row, L-R: Nigel Evans, Stephen Olley, Jack Gleed, Alexander Lloyd, Martin Cook. Bottom row, L-R: Andy Gibbs, Adam Honeybell, Chrissi Nunn, Richard Knowles, Steve McElvanney.

[8/10] OASI has organised a Christmas meal for members and their guests annually since 1987. The 2025 event, held at the Newbourne Fox on 18 December, was enjoyed by all who attended.

[9/10] The Orion Nebula (M42), captured with a Seestar S50 telescope. 13 December 2025. Martin Cook.

[10/10] Two images of spiral galaxy M33 in the constellation Triangulum. Both captured with a Seestar S50 telescope. LHS: Martin Cook, 21 November 2025. RHS: Andy Gibbs, 23 November 2025.

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