Flamsteed Astronomy Society

Name: Flamsteed Astronomy Society
Address: Membership Office, National Maritime Museum, Park Row, London, SE109NF, GB
Telephone: +442083126678

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The Flamsteed is the amateur astronomy society based at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London. It is named after the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed.

We are an amateur astronomy society based at the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London SE10. It has about 350 members who represent the full range of interests and experience in astronomy. Beginners are very welcome!

31/10/2026

🎃 Halloween Stargazing on Blackheath: PROVISIONALLY ON, weather permitting 🔭

Tonight's session (Saturday 31 October) is provisionally on, but the sky is keeping us guessing! The forecasts can't agree. Some show clear skies from 7pm until about 9.30pm, while others have high or low cloud drifting over Blackheath. It should be dry and calm, but mist and fog are likely to roll in from around 10pm.

If we go ahead, it'll be a shorter session than usual, roughly 7–9.30pm, north of Talbot Place. Come early for the best chance of Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Double Double and, of course, Algol the Demon Star 👹. Our smart telescopes will be trying for the Witch's Broom Nebula too.

Sorry the final decision is later than usual. We'll confirm whether we're ON or CANCELLED by 3pm today, so please check back here or on flamsteed.info before you set out.

Fingers crossed for clear skies! 🤞

29/10/2026

🌙 Water, water everywhere… on the Moon?

Once thought to be completely dry, the Moon has revealed a rather different story: water ice in permanently shadowed polar craters, and traces of water within lunar rocks and glass beads.

At our recent meeting, Pranjal Garg explored how decades of research and space missions have transformed our understanding of lunar water. His enthusiastic talk covered where it comes from, what it tells us about the Moon’s history, and how it could support future astronauts and exploration further into the Solar System.

📷 A few pictures from the evening below. For the full story, visit our website and select “Reports” to read “Lunar Hydration: Discoveries & Impact”.

25/10/2026

🎃 Halloween Stargazing on Blackheath! 🦇

Join the Flamsteed Astronomy Society on Saturday 31 October for a free evening of stargazing on Blackheath, from 7pm until around 11pm. You'll find us north of Talbot Place.

Our volunteers will have telescopes trained on three planets in one evening. There's Saturn and its rings, the blue-green disc of Uranus, and (if you're up for a challenge) faint Neptune. The Moon rises around 9pm.

There's plenty beyond the Solar System too. You can see the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies, the Pleiades, the globular cluster M15, and the beautiful double stars Almach and the Double Double. And for Halloween, Algol, the Demon Star! 👹

Our smart telescopes will be building up live images of the Witch's Broom and the Bubble Nebula on screen as you watch.

No booking needed, and all are welcome. Dress warmly, and costumes are optional! If the weather's against us, we'll try again on Sunday 1 November.

To get updates on whether we're on, visit flamsteed.info, open the Blackheath event and tap "Add Reminder".

22/10/2026

Why was the Moon so low over Blackheath? 🌙

We were asked this at our observing session on 17 October. Even at its highest, the Moon reached only about 11° above the horizon.

The answer involves Earth’s tilt, the seasons and the Moon’s phase. Our short video explains how they fit together, and why the same lunar phase takes a much higher path through our spring evening skies.

Have an astronomy question? Come and ask us on Blackheath! Our next session is planned for Halloween, Saturday 31 October, with Sunday 1 November as the weather back-up. 🎃🔭

Check the Flamsteed website for confirmation before travelling.

18/10/2026

More than 200 visitors joined us on Blackheath last night, including our returning friends from the UCL Space Society and plenty of people who had discovered our events through social media.

There was rather more cloud than forecast, and a cold northerly wind, but those who stayed through the interruptions were rewarded. Saturn was once again the main attraction, with its rings and moons drawing enthusiastic reactions at the eyepieces. The Moon, the Pleiades and the golden-yellow and blue double star Almach also provided some lovely views.

Between the clear spells, there was plenty of time to chat about telescopes, galaxies and astrophotography. Even the Flamsteed Fox joined us once the crowds thinned!

Thanks to all our volunteers for another busy evening, and to everyone who came along.

You’ll find the full report, “Saturn Between the Clouds”, under Meeting Reports on our website, flamsteed.info.

Our next session is planned for Halloween, Saturday 31 October, with Sunday 1 November as the weather back-up. Details and confirmation will be on flamsteed.info.

17/10/2026

🔭 Stargazing on Blackheath is CONFIRMED ON tonight, Saturday 17 October!

Join us from 7.30pm until around 11pm for views of the Moon, Saturn’s rings and moons, galaxies, star clusters and more.

📍 North of Talbot Place, Blackheath, London SE3 0TZ
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Free and all welcome! Bring your telescope or binoculars if you have them. Equipment and experience aren’t essential - our volunteers will guide you through the views.

Some passing cloud may interrupt observing, and it will feel cold in the northerly breeze. Wrap up warmly - hats, gloves and plenty of layers!

Full details at flamsteed.info.

13/10/2026

Could everything around us be a computer simulation? 💻🌌

Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, explored that unsettling question with a packed lecture theatre at the National Maritime Museum.

From simulated galaxies and the mysteries of dark matter to the possibility of coding consciousness, her Flamsteed lecture combined science, philosophy and plenty of humour.

Her conclusion? A simulated reality cannot be ruled out, but she considers it highly unlikely. And philosopher David Chalmers offered a reassuring thought: “If you feel real, then you are real.”

The evening began with Yvonne Jacobs’ entertaining eclipse-chasing adventures, from frustrating clouds to the joy of seeing totality.

Read the full report at flamsteed.info.

13/10/2026

Could our Universe be a computer simulation? 🤔

That was the question Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, explored at last night’s Flamsteed lecture, “The Universe: Reality or Simulation?”

With warmth and humour, Catherine took us from dark matter and neutrinos to consciousness and virtual worlds. Her conclusion? We cannot rule out a simulated reality, but she considers it highly unlikely. And, as philosopher David Chalmers reassured her, if you feel real, then you are real!

The evening began with Yvonne Jacobs’ entertaining talk, “Under the Shadow”, recounting her eclipse-chasing adventures: clouded-out trips, an emotional glimpse of totality in the Faroe Islands, and clear skies in northern Spain this August.

Thank you to Catherine and Yvonne, and to everyone who helped run the evening.

Read the full report in the Meeting Reports section of our Flamsteed website.

Address

Membership Office, National Maritime Museum, Park Row
London
SE109NF

Telephone

+442083126678

Website

http://www.flamsteed.info/

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