Northumberland Astronomical Society

The Northumberland Astronomical Society, informally known as NASTRO, is a volunteer astronomy group based in Northumberland, in the northeast of England, dedicated to public astronomy education.

About Northumberland Astronomical Society

NASTRO's mission is to encourage astronomy and science education across North East England, and the society runs an active public outreach programme with several volunteer-led events a year.

History

Founded in 2000 by local amateur astronomers, the society first met in the village hall at Low Hauxley before growing membership and support from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust led it to the Hauxley Nature Reserve visitor centre in 2002. After an arson attack destroyed that reserve building in June 2010, meetings moved to the Beehive function room at The Trap Inn. In January 2011, NASTRO took part in BBC2's Stargazing Live, hosted by Brian Cox and Dara Ó Briain, holding free public events at Druridge Bay Country Park.

Telescopes & research

The society secured funding for a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope in 2005, and built its Hauxley Observatory in 2008 to house it, later adding a 14-inch Meade LX200 telescope.

Location & getting there

NASTRO is based in Northumberland, in northeast England, a rural coastal county that gives its outreach events comparatively dark skies.

Visiting Northumberland Astronomical Society

The society holds regular volunteer-led public outreach events; check its current schedule before travelling, as meeting venues have changed over the years.

See your named star from here

NASTRO's volunteers regularly point their telescopes at requested targets for the public, including the coordinates of a star you have named through Star Register. Find your star's position in the star catalogue before an event.