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.
John Wainwright
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of John Wainwright, long-time member and committee member of OASI.
John passed away peacefully in Ipswich Hospital on Sunday 17 November 2024.
John was a regular attendee at Orwell Park Observatory and Newbourne, an enthusiastic member of OASI's outreach team and, in his role as Equipment Curator, always willing to help with telescope repairs and fettling, or to provide advice for beginners. Friendly, likeable, helpful and self-effacing, John will be sorely missed by all at OASI.
Events
Thu 05 Dec 2024, 20:00, The Fox, Newbourne, Xmas meal. Open to members of OASI and their guests. Places must be booked in advance. Menu.
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 19:30, Newbourne Village Hall, Newbourne meeting - beginners and new members welcome!
Festive quiz night - bring the family, drinks and nibbles!
Wed 11 Dec 2024, 20:15, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.
Wed 18 Dec 2024, 20:15, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.
Full events list, with contact details for further information.
[1/10] The Orion Nebula, M42. Paul Whiting, FRAS.
More nebulae.
[2/10] Jupiter shining at magnitude -2.8, presenting a disk of diameter 48 arcsec at altitude 45°. The planet will be at opposition on 07 December. The Galilean satellite Europa is to the right and its shadow is beginning to transit the planet, close to the Great Red Spot. 21 November 2024. Andy Gibbs.
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[3/10] The nearest large galaxy to Earth, the Andromeda Galaxy, M31. 20 November 2024. Stephen McElvaney.
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[4/10] OASI's 2024 open weekend (25-26 October) was organised to celebrate the 150
th anniversary of the commissioning of the observatory. Alas, the event was not blessed with clear skies. Nevertheless, approximately 80 visitors attended, and had the opportunity to see around Orwell Park Observatory and to engage with members of OASI. A lucky few were able to see some celestial objects through the Tomline Refractor and other telescopes during breaks in the cloud. Our next open weekend will be in 2025, exact date TBD.
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[5/10] Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS imaged on an observing trip to La Palma in the Canary Isles. Note the prominent anti-tail stetching apparently in front of the comet, towards the Sun. (The anti-tail is actually old material from the main tail, in a curved path due to the motion of the comet around the Sun.) 14 October 2024. Nigel Evans
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[6/10] A geomagnetic storm triggered a spectacular aurora on 10 October 2024. Images T->B, L->R: Mike Whybray, Martin Cook, Andy Gibbs, Bill Barton, FRAS, Neil Morley, Paul Whiting, FRAS.
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[7/10] The Sword Handle (or Double Cluster) in Perseus and the Andromeda Galaxy (h and χ Persei and M31). 02 October 2024. Martin Cook. Taken from Whitestone near Banchory.
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[8/10] Members of OASI enjoying a curry to celebrate the 150
th anniversary of the commissioning of Orwell Park Observatory. 07 September 2024. Mike Whybray.
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[9/10] OASI observers at Stonham Parva Summer Fete waiting for the Sun to appear so that observing can begin. Alas, they were to be disappointed! 31 August 2024. Neil Morley.
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[10/10] The Sun's disk imaged during OASI's outreach event at Bawdsey Radar Museum. 25 August 2024. Paul Whiting, FRAS.
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