Announcements
Mid Kent Astronomical Society have Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (discoverer of Pulsars) coming to speak to them.
On 13th November 2026 Mid Kent Astronomical Society have Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (discoverer of Pulsars) coming to speak to them in Bredhurst Village Hall, which is about 35 minutes down the A2.
It is a ticketed event as there is a limit on the number they can accommodate in the Hall. If you are interested there is a link on their homepage to the booking form. https://www.midkentastro.org.uk
Come and join CMHASD stargazing at Hall Place & Gardens, Bexley – Wednesday, 18th November 2026 from 7pm.
Join CMHASD for some Stargazing at Hall Place & Gardens on the 18th November 2026.
Advance booking required.
Please note this is a ticket only event organised by Bexley Council.
Tickets can be purchased at:https://www.hallplace.org.uk/event/stargazing-november-2026/
We will be there from 7pm to 9pm. (Doors open from 6.45pm)
Outdoor activities are weather dependant.
Below is a selection of CMHASD photos from previous Stargazing events held at Hall Place.
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
Crescent Moon & Venus by Jim Burchell
Two images of the crescent Moon and Venus taken in the early morning hours of the 6th October 2026 by member Jim Burchell.
Venus is the white dot at the 7 O’ Clock position from the crescent Moon.
Saturn by Simon Dawes
A superb image of Saturn taken by member Simon Dawes. Details of how and when Simon acquired the image are on the photo.
The Bubble Nebula by Tina Bishop
The Bubble Nebula taken by member Tina Bishop using a Dwarf3 smart scope.
”The Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635, Sharpless 162, or Caldwell 11, is an H II region emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. It lies close to the open cluster Messier 52.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_Nebula
Messier 52 is the cluster of stars to the bottom right of the Bubble Nebula. The Bubble Nebula is in the middle of the image. If you zoom in on the bubble nebula you will see the outline of a bubble shape.
Also in the image is NGC 7538, a diffuse nebula which is the red area to the bottom left of the Bubble Nebula. It is located in the constellation Cepheus and is about 9,100 light-years from Earth. It is a region of active star formation.
Latest images by John Archer
Three great images taken by John Archer using a Dwarf3 smart scope from East Sussex.
The CON western Cyg image is of the western part of the Cygnus Constellation.
”Cygnus is a northern constellation on the plane of the Milky Way, deriving its name from the Latinized Greek word for “swan“. Cygnus is one of the most recognizable constellations of the northern summer and autumn, and it features a prominent asterism known as the Northern Cross. Cygnus was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cygnus_(constellation)
”NGC 281, IC 11 or Sh2-184 is a bright emission nebula and part of an H II region in the northern constellation of Cassiopeia and is part of the Milky Way‘s Perseus Spiral Arm…… Colloquially, NGC 281 is also known as the Pacman Nebula for its resemblance to the video game character.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_281
The Moon image was taken on the 27th October 2026.
The Moon by Neil Webster – 27th October 2026
The Moon taken by member Neil Webster on the 27th October 2026.
It was a waning gibbous moon, 17.22 days old and 96.1% illuminated.
Neil acquired his image using a AA115 Apo, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI 290MM, and a Astronomik pro planet filter (R/IR 642-840 nm).
Then processed in Firecapture, AutoStakkert, and Affinity.
9 frames: each 90s x 32fps. Best 20% selected in AS
Check out Neil’s Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/
New images by George Buckberry plus the 1st astro image taken by his grandson
A selection of images taken by member George Buckberry using his Dwarf 3 smart scope. Details of how George took the images are on the photos.
Also included is the 1st ever astro image taken by George’s grandson Tyler – Well done Tyler 🙂
Congratulations Honor, Simon & Neil
Congratulations to Honor Wheeler, Simon Dawes and Neil Webster for having their images selected and shown at the British Astronomical Association AGM on the 28th October 2026.
Honor’s images were of the Partial Solar Eclipse on the 12th August 2026 & the Partial Lunar Eclipse on the 28th August 2026.
Simon’s image was of the Aurora taken at Kelling Heath on the 10th October 2026.
Neil’s image was of the Moon taken on the 27th October 2026.
The Wizard Nebula by Dr. Mike Rushton
Hot off the press – The Wizard Nebual taken by Dr. Mike Rushton on the 31st October 2026. Mike used his Dwarf 3 to capture the nebula.
”NGC 7380 is a young open cluster of stars in the northern circumpolar constellation of Cepheus, discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. The surrounding emission nebulosity is known colloquially as The Wizard Nebula.” Ref https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_7380
Partial Lunar Eclipse – 28th Aug 2026
In the early hours of the 28th August 2026 there was a partial lunar eclipse and a some members of CMHASD got their telescopes out to view and record the event. Below are their superb images…..all taken locally.
Honor Wheeler
Tina Bishop
Tina made a time-lapse video of the event.
Dave Hill
Dave also managed to image the Andromeda Galaxy and Orion’s Nebula that night too.
Jim Burchell
Messier 92 and 57
Two splendid images by member Tina Bishop taken using a Dwarf 3 smart scope.
Messier 57 which is also known as the Ring Nebula and found in the constellation Lyra.
Meesier 92 which is a Globular Cluster of stars found in the constellation Hercules.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_Nebula
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_92
New Nova in Sagitta
On the 25th August 2026 a new Nova in the constellation Sagitta was discovered.
A few hours after the announcement member Kevin Smith managed to take an image of it using his Dwarf3 smart scope and posted it on the BAA forum https://britastro.org/forums/topic/likely-bright-nova-in-sagitta
The Nova is highlighted on Kevin’s image by the 2 small yellow lines at right angles to each other. The bright star to the left is delta Sagittae.
”The object was picked up on August 25, 2026, by the NMW-TexasTech survey, one of several automated sky-patrol programs that scan wide swaths of sky night after night looking for exactly this kind of change. Within the same day, amateur astronomer K. Yoshimoto in Yamaguchi, Japan, logged a magnitude of 7.42 — a striking brightness for an object that, by all indications, wasn’t visible at all before the eruption. The discovery was formalized through the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT), the Harvard-hosted clearinghouse astronomers have relied on for over a century to rapidly circulate news of transient objects. CBAT assigned it the provisional designation PNV J19450648+1822422, pinning its position at RA 19h45m06.48s, Dec +18°22’42.2″
Provisional designations don’t last long once a spectrum comes in. Follow-up spectroscopy revealed the signature astronomers were watching for: clear P Cygni profiles in the hydrogen-alpha and hydrogen-beta lines, with expansion velocities around 1,500 kilometers per second. That combination — a blueshifted absorption trough sitting next to an emission peak, produced by material blasting outward from the star faster than the speed of a jet engine’s exhaust by a factor of thousands — is close to a textbook confirmation of a classical nova. The object has since been given its permanent variable-star name: Nova Sagittae 2026, or V488 Sge.” Ref:https://www.cosmicherald.com/article/nova-sagittae-v488-sge-2026
http://www.cbat.eps.harvard.edu/unconf/followups/J19450648+1822422.html
https://vsx.aavso.org/index.php?view=detail.top&revid=852445
Moon & Jupiter by Jim Burchell
Moon and Jupiter taken by Jim Burchel on the morning of the 9th Sept 2026.
Jupiter is at the 1 o’clock position north of the crescent moon.
Images of the Moon & Jupiter were taken using a Pentax KP DSLR on a static tripod.
The image of the crescent Moon was taken using a Pentax KP body attached to 102 mm F11 refractor, 1/15 sec and ISO 200.
Total Solar Eclipse – 12th August 2026
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
On the 12th August there was a total Solar Eclipse; details of which can be found on the link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_12,_2026
Several CMHASD members travelled abroad to see the total eclipse as it was a partial eclipse in the UK.
Below are a selection of photos from their trips.
Kevin Smith
Kevin saw the eclipse from the town of Maials in Catalonia, a walled agricultural town, established in the twelfth century, with a population of just 950.
John Archer
Tony Collins & Rose Keen
Tony wrote ”A selection from our experience on the walls of Peniscola castle in Spain on Wednesday. We’re were away in Catalonia, but had booked a few days south of here because we knew Peniscola would have totality.
It was very “touch and go” with the cloud though, but right on cue it disappeared and our efforts and patience were rewarded. Absolutely spellbinding.
One confession however, a couple of photos were taken by an Irish friend more competent with her iPhone than me (and Rose’s hands were shaking with excitement) and so we swapped a few at the after- event celebrations.”
Mike Rushton
Two video clips of the total eclipse taken from Mallorca; however the Sun went behind trees at start of totality!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu-4qd1JOQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ERG44MF-d4
The Sun and Solar Observing presentation by George Buckberry.
On the 20th August 2026 member George Buckberry gave a superb talk about the Sun & Solar Observing. To see a copy of his presentation he gave during his talk click on the link below.
Orion by George Buckberry
Further process of M42 – The Orion nebula on the latest DwarfLab App and Firmware showing improved clarity after star reduction applied by George...
Partial Solar Eclipse Images – 12th August 2026
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely. Below is a fantastic collection of images and timelapse vidoes of the partial solar eclipse taken by CMHASD members on the 12th August 2026. Kevin Langford Images taken using a Canon EOS...
Partial Solar Eclipse – 12th August 2026
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely. Article written by CMHASD Chairperson Mr Gary Hunt. CMHASD Partial Solar Eclipse Public Outreach Event — A Resounding Success On 12 August 2026, the Crayford Manor House...
CMHASD Summer BBQ – 11th July 2026
On the 11th July 2026 CMHASD held its annual BBQ and what a super BBQ it was too – glorious sunny weather, expertly cooked food, cake, music, games galore and fantastic company all made for a great event. A team consisting of Steve Floodgate, Tina Bishop, Diane...
NLC – 29th June 2026
Two CMHASD members spotted Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) in the early hours of the 29th June 2026. It was quite a display and below are some images taken by Diane Clarke and Jim Burchell of them. Diane also put together a timelapse video of the NLC developing and fading...
Congratulations
Congratulations to Simon Dawes for being a co-author on a paper published in the Monthly Notices of the RAS. The title of the paper is ”A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes – XI. Spot Lifetimesand Coverage Distributions.” To read...
Jupiter & Moons
A superb video of Jupiter and Moons Io & Europa taken by Simon Dawes. Taken using a Mesu e200 mount, Celestron Edge 11HDQHY5III 715C colour camera. 2026-04-24 20:45-21:06UT The top moon, moving away from Jupter is Europa and the one moving behind and towards...
CMHASD Solar Observing at Hall Place & Gardens – 2nd August 2026
CMHASD Public Outreach at Hall Place & Gardens – 2nd August 2026. Post written by CMHASD Chairperson Gary Hunt. WARNING: NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Read the page on Solar Safety before attempting any kind of viewing of the Sun! ”A Brilliant Day...
Observing/Informal Night – 23rd July 2026
Thursday 23rd July 2026 was an observing/informal meeting and we were treated to a stunning display of a Sun Pillar. Below are some photos of the evening including 2 photos of member Andy Barber who washed the Dick Chambers Observatory Dome – Thank you...
Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) by Jim Burchell
Two stunning images of rare Noctilucent Cloud taken on the 26th July 2026 by member Jim Burchell from Swanley,...