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
**March Talks**
Date:
Fri 3rd
Speaker:
Subject:
Richard Shaw
The HR Diagram Revisited
Perhaps the single greatest contribution to the study of stars, The Hertzprung Russell Diagram lets us compare billions of stars from which we can draw conclusions about the evolution and eventual fate of our Sun. This talk will explain how the HR Diagram provides information about other stars too and perhaps explain why we haven’t heard any signals from intelligent life.
Fri 10th
Isabel Morrison
A Whistle-stop Tour Of Our Solar System
Join us tonight as Isabel tells us all about our Solar System, stopping off at the planets and visiting the major moons. Our Sun is compared with other stars to give us a sense of scale but asteroids, comets and the Kuiper Belt all get a mention too. This is where you live so come along and find out why Pluto isn’t a planet and lots of other fascinating details about our own astronomical backyard.
Fri 17th
Dr. Matteo Ceriotti
Solar Sailing in Space: From Imagination to Reality
The concept of solar sailing in space is very similar to traditional sailing: using a large foil to propel a vehicle using the pressure generated by the wind. However, since there is no air in space, solar sailing does not use traditional wind, but pressure from the light of the sun.
In this talk, Dr Ceriotti will describe how solar sailing works, starting from its basic principles, which have their roots here in Scotland. Despite its simple idea, great technological challenges have prevented its implementation on a real spacecraft until 2010, when finally Japanese mission IKAROS successfully deployed and demonstrated a solar sail. Find out about this spacecraft, as well as future missions, specifically enabled by solar sailing. He will also explain why, throughout this time, research and interest in solar sailing has never stopped, by showing the enormous benefits that it could bring to space exploration in the near and far future.
Fri 24th Feb
Aileen Malone
The Airdrie Observatory Mural
Join us tonight for a fascinating talk all about the Airdrie Observatory staircase mural! If you have ever visited the Observatory, then you will have seen our wonderfully bright stairway to the stars!
From the earliest cave art to the political murals of Northern Ireland, murals have always had their own stories to tell. Tonight, AAA secretary, Aileen Malone, will explain how ours came about, who painted it and what secrets are hidden in the designs.
Fri 31st
Albert MacKenzie
The Great American Eclipse
In August 2017, a total solar eclipse was seen by millions of people in the USA and Canada, when the Moon’s shadow made landfall in Oregon and proceeded at 600 miles an hour across the US to North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean. Many people travelled to the shadow line to experience totality and Albert MacKenzie will explain how he ended up in Wyoming as one of them.
Winter Observing Sessions
Our Winter Observing Sessions are back after a two year break due to Covid restrictions.
Join us in the Observatory, use our historic telescope to observe the night sky and meet our curators who will answer your questions and make you feel very welcome.
Our open observing sessions will run on Tuesday evenings from 1st Nov till 13 Dec inclusive and
10th Jan till 28th Feb inclusive from 5:30pm - 7pm (last admission 6:45pm)
If you would like to visit us or bring your group to our historic Observatory and use our telescope, click on the button below for more Information!
Visit our Observing Page and check out our handy Observatory Calendar to check if there is a group booked in on the night you plan to visit us.
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!.”
"I was hugely impressed with both your meeting (the Space News section was fantastic!) and with the fabulous observatory"
Dr Nicolas Labrosse, Glasgow University
Dr. David McKee, Strathclyde University
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