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.
Events
Wed 24 Jun 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.
Sat 27 Jun 2026, 10:00-15:00, Christchurch Park, outside Christchurch Mansion, Solar observing. Booking not necessary.
Tue 30 Jun 2026, 11:00, The Hold, Fore Street, Ipswich, A presentation by Bill, The Other Side of Basil Brown, about Suffolk archaeologist Basil Brown (1888-1977), concentrating on his work in astronomy. The talk is in association with Suffolk Archives' summer 2026 exhibition The Moon: Our Nearest Neighbour. Details.
Wed 01 Jul 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.
Full events list, with contact details for further information.
[1/10] Globular cluster M12 in the constellation Ophiuchus lies some 16,000 light years distant. It is visible in binoculars. Gabriela Crane, 21 June 2026.
[2/10] The OASI solar observing stand at the East Suffolk Wireless Rally (The Ipswich Radio Rally) on 21 June 2026 attracted much interest. Photo by Neil Morley.
[3/10] A sketch of the solar disk compared with an image for the same day from the US National Solar Observatory Global Oscillation Network Group (NSO GONG). 10 June 2026. Neil Morley.
[4/10] A montage of solar images taken in Hα light light, with insets showing close-ups of sunspots, prominences and filaments. At the 11 o'clock position there are some tree-shaped prominences "dancing" on the surface, and at the 4 o'clock position a filament becoming a prominence as it is carried towards the limb by the Sun's rotation. Martin Cook. 09 June 2026.
[5/10] The Sun in Hα light with close-ups of some prominences on the limb. Captured with a Skywatcher Heliostar 76 telescope and ASI 585 MM camera. Steve McElvanney. 26 May 2026.
[6/10] A trail of flares (highlighted) created by 2025-010D, the second stage of a Space X Falcon 9 launch vehicle which sent two probes en route to the Moon in 2025. Latest predictions indicate that 2025-010D will crash into the lunar surface on 05 August 2026. The white lines are satellite trails. Nigel Evans. 12 May 2026.
[7/10] Chairman Andy Gibbs introduces Chris Mead, speaker at OASI's final lecture of the 2026 season. Chris provided a fitting climax to the season, with a rivetting acount of astronomy in the region, from the blood-soaked era of the fourteenth century to the modern day, part travelog, part history of astronomy. Photo by James Appleton, 24 April 2026.
[8/10] The Moon and Venus in the evening sky. 14 April 2026. Martin Cook.
[9/10] Comet C2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) heading towards perihelion on 19 April 2026. Left: Louise Manning, 12 April 2026. Centre & right: Nigel Evans, 14 April 2026.
[10/10] Markarian's Chain, a group of galaxies in the Virgo Cluster lying along a smooth curve. 07 April 2026. Steve McElvanney.
