People Features

We hold meetings on the second and third Sundays of each month commencing at 7.00pm at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in Washington.

Meetings are free of charge so you can come along and see if the Society is for you before you join up.

Meetings on the second Sunday of the month are "Workshop Meetings" when more experienced astronomers help the newcomers in getting acquainted with new telescopes and equipment and help with finding things in the night sky.

Meetings on the third Sunday of the month are "Lecture Meetings" and feature a talk lasting around 30 to 45 minutes by either a visiting professional astronomer or an experienced amateur astronomer.

Saturn and its rings

Cygnus Observatory

The Cygnus Observatory is located in the Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

From 01 October to 31 March, inclusive, the Cygnus Observatory is open to members of the public every clear-sky Wednesday and Sunday evening from 7.00pm.

Please check with a Society member prior to turning up to make sure that weather conditions will allow observing.

Please wrap up warm, wear a hat and bring a torch with you.

In addition, we welcome group visits which can be arranged for any evening for a small charge.

Members at Derwent reservoir

Schools, cubs, scouts, brownies and guides have all enjoyed visits as have other community groups.

Community project

The Observatory was built as a community project by members of the Society, and was opened by the 14th Astronomer Royal, Sir Arnold Wolfendale, on 2 October 2002.

The new observatory was named after the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan, because of the connection to the Wildfowl Trust.

Inside the dome is a Meade LX200 14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope with full computer control.

The GO-TO system will automatically find whatever celestial object the observer wishes to view.

The double cluster of Perseus

The telescope was purchased thanks to the generosity of the City of Sunderland's SIB grant scheme.

The Cygnus Observatory is run on a voluntary basis and is for the use of members of the Society and the public, with supervision.

Observing

In addition to observing at the Cygnus Observatory, club members also regularly observe at dark sites near Derwent Reservoir and Kielder Forest which are away from the light pollution created by street, domestic and commercial lighting.

Here the full beauty of the night sky unfolds before your eyes.