




Announcements
The Dick Chambers Observatory – Status
The observatory and telescope are ready to use by members for visual observing. The telescope is fitted with an eyepiece. However, the dome MUST be opened and closed MANUALLY. Any questions please direct them to Keith, Steve, Simon and Andy.
Face-to-Face Meetings Every Thursday
Face to face meetings every Thursday plus we are live on Zoom*
As a courtesy to others please stay at home and attend via the zoom if you are feeling unwell – coughs, sniffs and sneezes etc.
* zoom will only be available with the lecturer’s consent.
Gallery
A selection of images, photos and observations taken by CMHASD members
Other Images
Sun | Comets | Mercury | Venus | Atmospheric Optics | Meteors | Auroa and NLC | Moon | Minor Planets | Mars | Jupiter | Saturn | Uranus | Neptune | Messier | Caldwell | All Deep Sky | Conjunctions | Transits | Solar Eclipse | Lunar Eclipse | Wide Field |ISS & Space Junk | Exo-Planets
Society News
BAA Winchester Weekend – 11th to 13th April 2025
The CMHASD crew 2025
Member Diane Clarke wrote ”Over the weekend of 11 – 13 April 2025 several members of the CMHASD attended the BAA Winchester weekend at Sparsholt College. The event was well attended with approximately 120 members of the BAA. The weekend started with a talk about the BepiColumbo mission from Professor David Rothery and ended with a presentation of “The Winchester Report” by Crayford’s very own ‘Men in Brown Coats’.
The Alfred Curtis memorial lecture “We are made of star stuff” was given by Professor Dame Joycelyn Bell Burnell. The Professor’s presentation included same exam answers from American students such as – “H20 is hot water” & “CO2 is cold water” as well as – “Water is composed of two gins Oxygin & Hydrogin” Oxygin is pure gin, “Hydrogin is water & gin”
After the lecture She took some questions, and is seen here answering a two-part question from member John Archer, the first part of John’s question – “How does one address Dame Jocelyn” to which the reply was “Jocelyn”.
Before Joycelin gave the lecture the BAA president Ms Janice McClean read from the late Storm Dunlop’s appreciation of the life of Alfred Curtis 1901 -1976 to give the attendees an illustration of who he was.
Alfred “Alf” Curtis lived in Winchester, he was a fellow of the RAS and started the BAA “Winchester Weekend” which was originally held at King Alfreds College now known as The University of Winchester. The first weekend taking place in 1967 with 56 attendees. The weekends proved so popular that by 1976 the number had risen to 242, so the BAA relocated from King Alfreds to Sparsholt Collage in 2007.
There were also presentations from:
Professor Tony Freeth talking about the Antikythera Device.
Prof Mike Edwards delivered a lecture on the chemical makeup of other worlds.
Prof Boris Gänicke spoke about how Worlds will end including the end of the Earth when the Sun swells to become a red giant.
There was also a talk about the current range of “Smart Telescopes” given by Mr Steve Knight.
Professor Lucie Green gave a presentation about observing solar eclipses from space with the ESA PROBA 3 pair of satellite’s that were launched on the 05.12.24 and is currently going through various test phases before first light is received.
During the members session on Sunday afternoon, there were several contributions including:
Mark Radice’s presentation about stargazing in Namibia.
Nicky Fleet asking when is a Shower “not a Shower” related as to how the popular press promote meteor events such as the Perseid’s
“The Winchester Report” given by CMHASD members David Grist, Steve Floodgate & Gary Hunt.
All in all, a very varied and packed Winchester weekend.”
Below is a slideshow of photos and images members took of the weekend.
The Moon – April 2025
Below are a super selection of images by CMHASD members of our Moon between the 2nd and 8th April 2025.
The Moon – April 8th 2025 by Neil Webster
Waxing Gibbous at 82% illuminated.
Check out Neil’s flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/
The Moon – 6th April 2025 by Neil Webster
Waxing Gibbous at 64% illuminated.
Check out Neil’s flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/
The Moon – 5th April 2025 by Diane Clarke
First Quarter at 54% illuminated.
Diane took her image using a Seestar S50 smartscope
The Moon – 2nd April 2025 by Simon Dawes
Waxing Crescent at 22% illuminated.
Details of how Simon took his images are on the photos.
Our Sun – by Jim Burchell
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
A superb collage of images showing our active Sun over a 4 day period (31st March to 3rd April) taken by CMHASD member Jim Burchell.
The latest Exoplanet Transits by Simon Dawes
Below are the latest Exoplanet Transit observations carried out by CMHASD member and trustee Simon Dawes for the ExoClock project.
TOI-1259 A b is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits a K-type star. Its mass is 0.441 Jupiters, it takes 3.5 days to complete one orbit of its star, and is 0.0407 AU from its star. Its discovery was announced in 2021. Ref: https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/toi-1259-a-b/
HAT-P-56 b is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits an F-type star. Its mass is 2.31 Jupiters, it takes 2.8 days to complete one orbit of its star, and is 0.0423 AU from its star. Its discovery was announced in 2015. Ref:https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/hat-p-56-b/
Qatar-9 b is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits a K-type star. Its mass is 1.19 Jupiters, it takes 1.5 days to complete one orbit of its star, and is 0.0234 AU from its star. Its discovery was announced in 2019. Ref:https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/qatar-9-b/
Qatar-8 b is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits a G-type star. Its mass is 0.371 Jupiters, it takes 3.7 days to complete one orbit of its star, and is 0.0474 AU from its star. Its discovery was announced in 2019. Ref:https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/qatar-8-b/
WASP-92 b is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits an F-type star. Its mass is 0.805 Jupiters, it takes 2.2 days to complete one orbit of its star, and is 0.0348 AU from its star. Its discovery was announced in 2016. Ref: https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/wasp-92-b/
The Sun – 21st March 2025 by Jim Burchell


Total Lunar Eclipse from Arizona, USA – 14th March 2025
Member Richard Bohner who lives in Arizona, USA took these two lovely photos of the Total Lunar Eclipse on the 14th March 2025.
Partial Lunar Eclipse – 14th March 2025
On March 14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse, visible as a partial eclipse in the UK occurred during the early morning hours. Below are a selection of images that members took of the event from the UK.
By Jim Burchell
By Jo Southgate using an iPhone
And by CMHASD trustee Keith Rickard using a camera phone
Sunspots by Simon Dawes – 16th March 2025
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
A splendid selection of Sunspot images taken by CMHASD trustee Simon Dawes on the 16th March 2025. Details of how Simon took his images are on the photos.
An Active Sun – 16th March 2025 by Jim Burchell
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
Two superb images of the Sun today taken by member Jim Burchell. As you can see the Sun is very active with lots of sunspots.
Jim’s 1st image below, a single shot; was taken using a 102 MM refactor with a Pentax KP body attached set at F11, 320 sec and iso 100 plus a solar filter.
Jim’s 2nd image, which is just a single shot; was taken using a SeeStar S50 smartscope.
Below is an image taken from Spaceweather.com showing all the sunspots with their labels. As you can see there are lots!!!!!
Moon Craters by Simon Dawes – 9th March 2025
Three fab images of the Moon’s craters taken by CMHASD trustee Simon Dawes on the 9th March 2025 from Bexley, Kent. Details of how Simon took the images are on each photo.
Soul Nebula (IC1848) by Kevin Langford
A superb image of the Soul Nebula (IC1848) in Cassiopeia taken by member Kevin Langford from Bexley, Kent.
This image was captured over three nights from the 2nd to the 4th March 2025.
Number of images taken = 130 x 180sec
Kevin took this image using an ES102ED APO with 0.7x focal reducer corrector, Pegasus NYX-101 mount, ZWO asi071, Orion NMAG and a L-enhance filter.
The image is a total of 6.5hrs of exposures.
Software used:
Nina to capture data.
Sirilic to stack images.
Siril to processes image.
Affinity Photo 2 to finish.
Check out Kevin’s Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/77708720@N08/54380781459/ .
Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter by Honor Wheeler – 1st March 2025
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
A superb selection of astro images taken by member Honor Wheeler on the 1st March 2025 of the Sun, Moon and the planetary parade.
Details of how Honor took her images are written above each image.
Venus phase – Canon M6II with Tamron 18-400mm lens, ISO400, f6.3, 1/16000sec.
Even when Venus is a fine crescent, the albedo of Venus is still high.
Sunset Sunspots – Canon M6II with Tamron 18-400mm lens. ISO100, f29, 1/16000sec.
Sunset – Canon M6II with Tamron 18-400mm lens. ISO200, f10, 1/800sec
Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Moon and Mercury – Canon M6II with Tamron 18-400mm lens. ISO500, 1/2sec taken using Samyang 8mm fish-eye lens.
Venus, Earthshine and Mercury – Canon M6II with Tamron 18-400mm lens. ISO640, f5.0, 1/3sec.
Earthshine – Canon M6II with Tamron 18-400mm lens. ISO640, f6.3, 1″1/3sec
Venus & Mercury – Arizona – By Richard Bohner
Venus and Mercury taken at 7:03 pm MST Arizona on the 3rd March 2025 by CMHASD member Richard Bohner.
Mercury is just above trees in center.
Richard took the image using a Canon 6D, 105mm f5.0 lens, 1/100 sec exposure, at ISO 10K.
The Rosette Nebula by Neil Webster
A stunning image of the Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) in the constellation Monoceros by CMHASD member Neil Webster taken on the 2nd March 2025.
Neil acquired his image using a WO GT71 Apo, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI 294MC Pro, Astro Essentials 50mm guide scope, ZWO ASI 290MM guide camera and an Optolong L Enhance filter.
Processed using APT, PHD, Nebulosity, Gradient Xterminator, Star Xterminator, and PS (Camera Raw)
52 x 240s Subs, 12 x Darks, 45 x Flats/ Bias.
Check out Neil’s Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/ to see more of his brilliant images.
Our Sun by Simon Dawes
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely. A selection of fantastic images of our Sun taken on the 4th March 2025 by CMHASD trustee Simon Dawes from Bexley. Details of how Simon took his images are on the...
Daytime Moon by Diane Clarke – 6th March 2025
A lovely image of the Moon taken by CMHASD member Diane Clarke on the 6th March 2025 in the afternoon. Diane used her Seestar S50 smartscope to take the image. The image is made up of 30 sec AVI (RAW) and stacked in the S50. Original TIFF file edited with...
The Moon by Neil Webster – 4th March 2025
Another stunning image of the Moon taken by CMHASD member Neil Webster on Tuesday evening; 4th March 2025. The Waxing Crescent Moon was 30.0% illuminated and 4.84 days old. Neil acquired the image using an AA 115mm Apo, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI 290MM, and a Astronomik R/IR...
Plane transit of Orion by George Buckberry – 27th Feb 2025
CMHASD member George Buckberry caught this plane transit across the sky below Orion on Thursday 27th February from Dartford. George used a Canon EOS 760D and Samyang 14mm wide Angle lens at F4. The camera was set to ISO 3200 and Bulb with Intervalometer set at 10 Sec...
Sun, Moon, Mercury & Venus by Jim Burchell – 1st, 2nd and 3rd March 2025
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely. A lovely selection of images taken by member Jim Burchell. Details of how Jim took the images are on most of the photos. 1st March 2025 2nd March...
Moon & Mercury – 1st March 2025
CMHASD trustee John Howarth spotted Mercury with a crescent Moon on the 1st March 2025 and quickly took these 2 photos from Bexley. The first photo shows the Moon top right and Mercury, very faint but clearly visible, halfway down the roof line, just above the cloud...
CMHASD visit to Meopham Academy – Fri 8th Feb 2025
Last night, Wed 8th February, a group of us returned to Wentworth Primary School, not far from Crayford, to educate and entertain the pupils. There were telescopes on display, activities in the gym & hall as well as a presentation on the night sky and member...
CMHASD Society Meal – 15th Feb 2025
On Saturday 15th Feb 2025 CMHASD held their annual Society Meal. A large contingent of members ventured to the Chequers in the drizzle, to be met with a warm welcome and a splendid evening of food, drink and merriment. Credit to the Chequers team front of house...
IC 434 The Horsehead Nebula by Neil Webster
A wonderful widefield image of the Horsehead Nebula (IC 434) in Orion; taken on the 3rd Feb 2025 by member Neil Webster. Neil acquired his image using a WO GT71 Apo, EQ6 R, 0.8x Reducer/Flattener, ZWO ASI 294 MC, 50mm Guide Camera, ZWO 290MM Guide Camera, and a...
SAO28567: One that got away – BAAVSS circular
CMHASD Trustee John Howarth has been thanked for his help in a paper called SAO28567: One that got away published in a recent edition of the BAAVSS, written by Chris Lloyd of the RAL. John said ”Chris originally suggested to Roger Pickard and Malcolm Gough that...