Airdrie Astronomical Association
& Airdrie Observatory
Registered Charity Number SC041014
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5 past curators from Airdrie Observatory
5 past curators from Airdrie Observatory
Come and Join us - Visitors Welcome!
Observing the Night Sky
Airdrie Observatory is a fully-functioning and unique facility, and AAA are delighted to manage the facility on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council. It is a great place to visit for all types of groups, societies and clubs and we use it throughout the year. Our dedicated Curators can provide advice, hints and tips on all manner of space-related questions. Whether you are a complete beginner or have an existing interest in astronomy, a visit to the Observatory can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.
What's on
Visit our Observing Page to find out about our observatory open nights and what you can see in the winter skies above Airdrie.
**January 2025**
Date:
Speaker:
Subject:
10th
Andrew Allan
Astrophotography
Tonight we are delighted to welcome Astro photographer, Andrew Allan, to kick start our new year. Allan is a self-taught Scottish Astro photographer with a passion for the night sky. He travels around Scotland photographing dark skies and filming anything celestial from the Milky Way to moon rises and also loves hunting down the Northern Lights.
17th
AAA Members
Short Talk Night
Join us tonight for another short talk night. Be entertained by AAA members as they share their own personal favourites, discoveries or poems inspired by space and astronomy. This is always a great night and you never know what you will learn.
24th
Kirsty Love
*** Due to the Red Weather Warning, tonight's talk has been postponed. ***
Carl Sagan and Me
Carl Sagan visited Glasgow in 1985 and delivered a series of lectures at the University of Glasgow exploring the relationship between science and religion. Tonight AAA member, Kirsty Love, will talk about Carl Sagan's work and her experience of being in the audience in Glasgow.
31st
Dr Christopher Berry
The Secrets of Black Holes
Tonight we are joined by Dr Christopher Berry, Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and gravitational-wave astronomer. Dr Berry studies what we can learn about astrophysical objects like black holes from their gravity. Join us tonight to learn all about black holes and the secrets that they hold.
**February 2025**
7th
TBC
TBC
14th
TBC
TBC
21st
Dr Marcos Pellejero
Dark energy
Join us tonight for a talk from Dr Pellejero who will revise the concept of Dark Energy, how it comes naturally from our scientific ideas of nothingness and why we have sent a telescope to space to get the most precise observations of galaxy positions ever.
28th
Dr Ben Sutlieff
Chasing the Storm: The Search for Weather on Distant Exoplanets with Giant Telescopes
Over the past 60+ years, space probes have revealed the planets of our Solar System to be colourful and complex worlds, with highly diverse atmospheres and weather systems. Now, the largest telescopes on Earth and in space allow us to observe exoplanets, the distant worlds beyond our Solar System. In this talk, Dr Sutlieff will describe how we study exoplanets, what these observations can tell us about their atmospheres and weather, and what it's like to visit and work with professional telescopes.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN AAA?
Our Friday night meetings are a great opportunity to meet like minded people with an interest in astronomy and spaceflight. Enjoy the weekly space news and a range of guest speakers who are experts in their subjects. We also offer the opportunity for members to give presentations on subjects that interest them. You don't need to be a member to come along.
New members are always very welcome so come along, join in and meet like minded people.
We meet at New Wellwynd Parish Church, Wellwynd, Airdrie ML6 0AG.
FRIDAY EVENING AGENDA:
7:30 - 8:00pm - Space News
8:00pm - 8:30pm - Tea Break
8:30pm - 9:30pm - Main Talk
Become an AAA Member
Becoming a member is easy, simply pick up a membership form at any of our weekly meetings.
Benefits of becoming a member include• borrowing books and equipment• opportunity to participate in observing the night sky• access to Airdrie observatory outside library opening hours and many more!
Fees are as follows:
Full Member (Waged / Working) : £15 per annum
Full Member (Unwaged / retired) : £10 per annum
Junior Members (Under 18) : £5 per annum
Family Membership : £25 per annum (Up to 2 Adults and all children under the age of 18)
We ask for a donation towards the room hire of £1.00 from members, £2.00 for visitors, children under 18 are free. We supply tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits for the tea break.
“Fantastic time – thanks for your warm hospitality and enthusiasm!.”
Dr Nicolas Labrosse, Glasgow University
"I was hugely impressed with both your meeting (the Space News section was fantastic!) and with the fabulous observatory"
Dr. David McKee, Strathclyde University
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