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.
Observatory Visits
Other opportunities to visit Orwell Park Observatory and see the historic Tomline Refractor.
Membership
Join OASI or renew membership.
Information for members:
Dr Allan Chapman (1946-2026)
It is with immense sadness that we note the passing of the President of OASI, Dr Allan Chapman (1946-2026), FRAS, of Wadham College, Oxford.
Allan was a delightful and erudite individual, and a tremendous supporter of OASI. He is greatly missed.
RAS obituary.
Events
Mon 02 Feb 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, Taster evening. Places must be booked in advance by email: tour@oasi.org.uk.
Wed 04 Feb 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.
Mon 09 Feb 2026, 19:30, Newbourne Village Hall, Newbourne meeting - beginners and new members welcome!
19:30 Doors open.
Wed 11 Feb 2026, 20:00, Orwell Park Observatory, General observing for members of OASI.
Full events list, with contact details for further information.
[1/10] The giant planet Jupiter, situated in Gemini, imaged ten days after opposition. The Galilean satellite Ganymede is about to be occulted by the planet. 24 January 2026. Andy Gibbs.
More.
[2/10] A spectacular aurora was widely visible throughout the UK on the evening of 19 January 2026. Many members of OASI observed the phenomenon. L: Mike Such. Top row, L-R: Nigel Evans, Stephen Olley, Jack Gleed, Alexander Lloyd, Martin Cook. Bottom row, L-R: Andy Gibbs, Adam Honeybell, Chrissi Nunn, Richard Knowles, Steve McElvanney.
More.
[3/10] A stack of images reveals the motion of asteroid 433 Eros sweeping past M33, the
Triangulum Galaxy. 05 January 2025.
More.
[4/10] The
Pleiades star cluster (M45), captured with a Seestar S50 telescope. The Merope nebula is clearly visible (nebulosity around bright star near bottom of image). 19 December 2025. Andy Gibbs.
More.
[5/10] OASI has organised a Christmas meal for members and guests annually since 1987. The 2025 event, held at the
Newbourne Fox on 18 December, was enjoyed by all who attended.
[6/10] The
Orion Nebula (M42), captured with a Seestar S50 telescope. 13 December 2025. Martin Cook.
More.
[7/10] Two images of spiral galaxy M33 in the constellation Triangulum. Both captured with a Seestar S50 telescope. LHS: Martin Cook, 21 November 2025. RHS: Andy Gibbs, 23 November 2025.
More.
[8/10] A spectacular aurora seen from Kvaløya, west of Tromsøya, Norway. 18 November 2025. Mike Whybray.
More.
[9/10] Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) imaged from Orwell Park Observatory on 25 October 2025, during the second OASI open evening of 2025. Paul Whiting, FRAS.
More.
[10/10] Our 2025 open evenings (held 24-25 October) were a great success! Approximately two hundred and fifty visitors attended on the first evening, and a further 200 on the second and enjoyed views of Saturn, Comet Lemmon (C/2025A6), Comet Swan (C/2025R2), the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and star clusters (M11 and others) through a variety of telescopes.
More. Our next open evenings are in 2026 TBC.
