The Bristol Astronomical society

The Bristol Astronomical Society (BAS) is a non profit making charity of amateur astronomers dedicated in educating the public to the splendours of the night sky and all aspects of astronomy. We organise a series of talks and meetings throughout the year (see the programme page) given by professional astronomers and local members. We also organise public viewing events on special occasions (comet watching, solar and lunar eclipses etc), and are active supporters of the UK's National Astronomy Week. The Society is financed entirely from members' subscriptions, with the occasional fund raising activity to boost funds for purchase of books and equipment for use by members. If you wish to join the BAS, or would like to make a donation to the Society please go to our membership page.

We welcome visitors to our meetings, especially astronomers from other Societies/Clubs and have had the occasional foreign astronomer visit us, from places such as Australia, South Africa and the USA. Local visitors are encouraged to join the Society after they have visited us a couple of times.

The society meets at Bristol Grammar School, University Rd, Bristol.
For information on our meetings please go to the programme page

Registered as a Charity No. 299649

Origins of the Bristol Astronomical Society

The Bristol Astronomical Society was formed as a result of the war years in Bristol. During the early days of the Second World War (1939-1945) many people were forced to change their way of life. It was a time when air raids were a regular event at night, so a strict blackout was enforced. Many of the cities factories, offices and shops had a fire watching rota, which meant employees being posted in high vantage points in case of incendiary bomb attacks. As a result of being placed in such unusual positions at such unusual times in total darkness, it is not surprising that many people became aware for the first time of the wonders of the night sky. One group of Bristol's fire-watchers became fascinated by the beauty of the stars and began to study the constellations during their long vigils. Soon they were arranging meetings to discuss their new found interest, and so was born the Bristol Astronomical Society.

The Society has come a long way since the early days, and has had its ups and downs and the occasional financial crisis, but the Society today is thriving with nearly 100 members, and tries to cater for both armchair astronomers and active observers.

60 years of the BAS

The Society was officially formed on the 8th December 1942. To celebrate our diamond anniversary we held a special party meeting on Friday 13th December 2002. A cake was baked and decorated by members Peter and Catherine Spalding. The photograph below shows Cliff Martin, one of the Society's Vice Presidents, cutting the cake. Cliff has now been Treasurer of the Society for over 40 years, an exceptional feat.

Society Vice Presidents

From left to right