UK Astronomy is a registered charity that was started almost by accident by Ross Hockham, a keen astronomer whose passion is to share the skies with others so that they, like him, get that WOW feeling of seeing their first planet, star or nebula!
Humble beginnings
It all started when Ross was asked to do a talk at his local pavilion, and, after pounding the streets putting up posters, people eventually started turning up and UK Astronomy was born. UK Astronomy’s main aim is to get people out looking up at the awesome sights in our UK skies and inspire them to learn more about the worlds around them.
Astronomy outreach
Ross travels the UK in his mobile observatory, a converted VW Crafter van nicknamed the “Space Crafter” teaching community groups, schools, cubs, brownies pretty much anyone who wants to learn about space. With a mobile observatory full of telescopes, Ross brings the skies to you!
UK Astronomy Group
He and his wife Frankie, along with the help of a number of volunteers and supporters, run a very popular FaceBook group made up of a community of beginners, amateur astronomers and families all of whom are willing to help others learn about the awesome hobby that is Astronomy.
The group also shares what is going on in the skies, have a free monthly photo competition, a regular astronomy podcast with TGP Nominal and an events page that lets you know where they are hosting events as well as cool stuff to see in the night skies.
Website
You can find more details about their charity and activities on their UK Astronomy website as well as beginners guides, sky guides, podcasts and kids activity sheets for you to download and go out into your gardens and enjoy the night sky.
Because there are a billion worlds in your back garden!
How to see the Milky Way in the UK
Where and when to see the Perseid meteor shower in 2023
Jupiter and Venus conjunction - March 2023
Stargazing event notifications
See a partial solar eclipse from the UK in October 2022