Flamsteed Astronomy Society

The Flamsteed is an amateur astronomy society, based at the Royal Observatory Greenwich

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Workshop recap - our recent Citizen and Amateur Science event covered solar spectroheliography, stellar spectroscopy, and cloudspotting on Mars using NASA MAVEN data. Discover how amateurs contribute to real research.

Full report: https://t.co/nRCOl6Pm4P

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Another successful solar viewing session at the Royal Observatory Greenwich!

Despite high haze and contrails, the Sun stayed visible and over 400 attendees saw sunspot groups, prominences, plages and filaments through the H-alpha telescopes and Sunspotters.

Read Alec’s report:

https://t.co/WLBLjMRgsC

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Another excellent day of solar viewing at the Royal Observatory Greenwich!

Despite the high haze, the Sun stayed visible for much of the session and around 450 visitors were able to view it through three solar telescopes.

Huge thanks to all our volunteers, including five first-timers who got stuck in brilliantly.

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Solar viewing at the Royal Observatory Greenwich is going ahead tomorrow, Saturday 30 May, from 11am.

Location: Dolphin Sundial area, just inside the main entrance.

There may be some high-altitude haze/cloud, but we’re hoping for clear spells. Please bring water and sun protection.

Normal admission charges apply.

https://t.co/oIH85HrP80

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Packed lecture hall, black holes, gravitational waves, Hawking radiation, spaghettification… and marshmallows.Yvonne Jacobs reports on Dr Ed Bloomer’s lecture, plus Thomas Obitz’s members’ talk on data-driven astronomy. Read more:
https://t.co/QreTYeZPsa

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Our latest History of Astronomy meeting explored the famous clash between Eddington and Chandrasekhar over the fate of collapsing stars.

Bobby Manoo’s talk covered the science, the personalities, and the 1935 confrontation that shaped modern astrophysics.

Read the full report:
https://t.co/pgBsRMt79g

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Solar viewing cancelled - Saturday 16 May

Unfortunately, tomorrow’s public solar viewing session at the Royal Observatory Greenwich has been cancelled due to the forecast cloud cover from late morning onwards.

Full details:
https://t.co/4dAUVcPgt8
Our next planned session is Saturday 30 May, with Sunday 31 May as the weather back-up date.

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

A forecast-shortened solar viewing session at the Royal Observatory Greenwich turned into a full day, running from around 10.30am until just before 4pm.

Around 500 visitors viewed prominences, filaments, sunspots, and a rarely seen detached solar prominence.

Read Clive’s report:
https://t.co/dgALrYiEcA

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Well, that wasn’t quite the short solar viewing session we were expecting!

The clouds mostly stayed away, and we kept going at the Royal Observatory Greenwich until 3.45pm. Around 500 visitors joined us, helped by 11 Flamsteed volunteers.

Plenty of sunspots, prominences, and even a short-lived detached prominence on display.

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Solar viewing at the Royal Observatory Greenwich is planned to go ahead tomorrow, Saturday 2 May, from 11am.

Location: Dolphin Sundial area, just inside the main entrance.

Best chance of clear skies is earlier in the day, so please arrive early. Normal admission charges apply.

https://t.co/M3XyeAJfHo

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

At our latest History of Astronomy meeting, Dr Emma Perkins explored the life and legacy of Tycho Brahe - whose meticulous observations helped transform astronomy and influenced Kepler and Flamsteed.

Read Clive Inglis’s report here:
https://t.co/X0xyks879B

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Three solar telescopes, plenty of solar detail, and a beautifully atmospheric solargraph from Yvonne - our solar viewing session at the Royal Observatory Greenwich on Saturday 18 April was a great success.

Full report: https://t.co/vx1DWNYWqK

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

☀️ Solar Viewing Going Ahead Today – Sat 18 April ☀️

We’re running at the Royal Observatory Greenwich today as planned. Some cloud expected, but we’re hopeful of clear spells.

📍 Dolphin Sundial area
🕚 From 11am (to ~4pm)
🎟️ Normal entry charges apply
Details: https://t.co/cEiQEzLAXV

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

From Artemis II and the Moon to the hidden mysteries of Enceladus, our latest Flamsteed lecture evening was a fascinating journey through some of the most exciting destinations in the Solar System.

Read the full report here: https://t.co/BHDbwJ1Jt7

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

☀️ Solar Viewing Rescheduled – Sat 18 April ☀️

Our first 2026 solar viewing session at the Royal Observatory Greenwich has been moved to Saturday due to cloud on Friday.

📍 Dolphin Sundial area
🕚 From 11am (to ~4pm, weather permitting)
🎟️ Normal ROG entry charges apply

Details: https://t.co/HCieUXlVZ7

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Final Blackheath session of the 2025/26 season on Sunday - and somehow we stayed dry despite being surrounded by rain during set-up.

Jupiter and Venus were the main highlights, with plenty of smartscopes in action too.

Full report:
https://t.co/JuQEjHfDo7

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

We’re going ahead with Blackheath observing this evening (Sun 12 April).

Forecasts are mixed, but current indications suggest conditions should improve from around 8pm onwards. There is still some risk of showers around set-up time.

Final session of the 2025/26 season.

Details:
https://t.co/2qcCP1hqXA

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Due to the latest weather forecasts, we have taken the decision to move this weekend’s Blackheath observing session to Sunday 12 April.

Saturday is expected to be too windy for practical observing, despite some clear spells, while Sunday currently offers a better chance of usable conditions – although there is still some uncertainty around exactly when skies will clear.

We will issue a further go/no-go update on Sunday morning.

Event details:
https://t.co/vfDzkB2ikq

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

Enjoyable Easter Sunday session on Blackheath, with improving skies and around 70 visitors.

Jupiter and Venus were the highlights, with a mix of visual observing and imaging – plus an unexpected firework display to the north.

Full report and images:
https://t.co/QQlIauvcrR

[Flamsteed Astronomy Society @Flamsteed]

CONFIRMED ON – Blackheath observing (Sun 5 April)🕗 8pm start

🌤️ Some high cloud early, improving through the evening
Targets: Venus, Jupiter (GRS early), Orion Nebula, Beehive, plus Leo & Virgo galaxies
📍 Blackheath (north of Talbot Place)

Details:
https://t.co/5pDJfUvUjB