, 
Welcome to the
West Yorkshire Astronomical Society
(For Information on Bookings and Costs Please See The Education & Outreach Link)
Update 03/01/2021
Happy New Year!!
The Observatory will be re-open Tuesday 04/01/2022 subject to Covid-19 restrictions and limitations. We are going to be restarting our membership and meeting subscriptions from start of January 2022. Membershio details can be found HERE
Our schedule for Jnauary
Tuesday 4th - Public Open Night.
Friday 7th - Members Night
Tuesday 11th - Members Night
Friday 14th - Members Night
Tuesday 18th - Member Night
Friday 21st - Members Night
Tuesday 25th - Members Night
CANCELLED - Young Astronomers Night
Friday 28th - Members Night
For all of the above the fees (per night and per person) are: Members £3.00, Visitors £6.00, Family £10.00
Please if you are going to attend, we kindly request you wear a Covid suitable facemask while in the Observatory and use the hand sanitiser. Also please wear suitable clothing for the conditions, the observatory is kept at outdoor tempratures and limited heating..
Update 15/12/2021
As we draw to the end of 2021 and the closing of the observatory for this year, all the committee members would like to express our sincere thanks to all who have come along to visit us and join us as new members, and for your support and donations during a tough time, it has given us a real boost and the strength to carry on making the observatory a wonderful place to do astronomy and imaging among likeminded people. Also a big thank you to all the lovely families who have brought children to see what we do and to encourage them to take up this hobby. We hope to see you all in 2022 as we continue to grow and increase the facilities that we can offer.
We wish you a happy and joyous Christmas and all the very best for the New Year .
Friday the 17th December will be our last night of the year.. We will be re-opening on Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Update 09/11/2021
Due to popular demand the Rosse Observatory is extending our public nights to all Tuesday and Friday evenings through November and December 2021. These nights are open to all, including families, and our doors are open from 7:30pm. As we head into the winter months, the nights get longer but the temperatures drop, so if you are coming please dress appropriate for the weather as there is no heating in the observatory. Warm drinks and snacks are available to purchase.
There is one exception, Friday 26th November, which is reserved for our first Young Astronomer's night and will be a closed, booking only event. The Young Astronomers night is from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. The topic this month will be 'Let's Observe'. Due to health and safety rules, we have to limit accompanying adults to one per child, this allows more children to attend. To book your place please email either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We look forward to welcoming you to the Rosse observatory.
NOTE: We are constantly monitoring the safety advice on group gatherings due to Covid 19, and reserve to right to change or cancel the opening time and events if we are advised to do so.
Update 15/10/2021
Tonight we are hosting "International Observe The Moon Night" at the observatory in Pontefract, no booking is needed as it is an open night, and entry is free - although we do have donation boxes if you feel you would like to contribute something to the society. Hotdogs, hot and cold drinks will be on sale at the Tuck Shop during the evening. Can I remind everyone who will be attending to wrap up warm and keep your fingers crossed we get a clear sky. Come along and help us make it a fun night!! Our doors open from 7:30pm.
Update 05/09/2021
We are please to announce our phased re-opening timetable over the next couple of month for both WYAS member and also for the public.
September 2021
The observatory will be open Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7.30pm for WYAS members only (Subscriptions will restart in January 2022).
October 2021
The observatory will be open Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7.30pm for WYAS members AND the public. This will be an 'Open Month' where we will encourage the people who made enquiries while we were closed to come along and see what we do.
November 2021 onwards
The observatory will be open Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7.30pm for WYAS members only with one evening a month for a public open night for people to drop in. This will be the first Tuesday of each month. Visitors may join us on a members' evening if an appointment is made.
The last Friday of each month will be the Young Astronomers’ evenings.
We kindly ask non-members not to come to the observatory on Members Only night without a prior appointment. More details about our Young Astronomers evenings will be published in the near future.
Update 09/06/2021
On Thursday 10/06/2021, a partial Solar eclipse will be visible in the UK. The important times are: it begins at 10:07am, reaches its maximum at 11:14am, and concludes at 12:26pm. All time are BST.
Update 24/01/2021
A belated Happy New Year to all. As Groundhog Day in the form of a 3rd national lockdown continues, we are not expecting to be allowed to open our doors until at least March or April time. The refurbishments at the observatory are complete; we cannot wait for you to be able to come and see them (pictures are available on our Facebook page.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday 25/01/2021. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions it is a virtual meeting. If you have anything you would like to be raised please send it via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The ISS is back overhead this week (additional details available on https://www.meteorwatch.org)
| Date | Start and End Times | Type | Brightness |
| 23/01/2021 | 18:31 - 18:35 | Short Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 24/01/2021 | 17:44 - 17:49 | Medium Altitude Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 25/01/2021 | 18:33 - 18:37 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 26/01/2021 | 17:43 - 17:49 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 27/01/2021 | 18:32 - 18:37 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 28/01/2021 | 17:45 - 17:51 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 29/01/2021 | 18:32 - 18:36 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 30/01/2021 | 17:44 - 17:50 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 30/01/2021 | 19:21 - 19:23 | Short Medium Altitude Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 31/01/2021 | 18:33 - 18:38 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 01/02/2021 | 17:45 - 17:52 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 01/02/2021 | 19:22 - 19:25 | Short Medium Altitude Pass | Very Bright |
| 02/02/2021 | 18:34 - 18:39 | Medium Altitude Pass | Very Bright |
| 03/02/2021 | 17:46 - 17:52 | Overhead Pass | Incredibly Bright |
| 03/02/2021 | 19:23 - 19:26 | Low Pass | Faint |
| 04/02/2021 | 18:35 - 18:40 | Low Pass | Bright |
| 05/02/2021 | 17:47 - 17:52 | Medium Altitude Pass | Bright |
As always please keep yourselves and your families safe.
Update 10/11/2020
As the nights get longer, we are desperate to welcome you all back to the observatory for our usual activities and to see the changes we have made. The 2nd Coronavirus national lockdown is due to end on the Wednesday 2nd December and we we are hopeful of being able to open in some format after this date - subject to Government guidelines and restrictions. In the mean time please keep yourselves and your families safe.
Update 02/08/2020
After our committee meeting, we can announce plans are being made for when we can reopen the observatory. At this time the date and nature of our re-opening are still under discussion as we follow Goverment guidelines and the restricitons imposed by the size of the observatory. Any anoucements will be published on here, Facebook and via our members emails.
Tomorrow (3rd August) is a Full Sturgeon Moon. It is named after North America's largest fish, which are easiier to catch in the Great lakes due to their increased numbers at this time of year. Other names include Grain Moon, Green Corn Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon, which are all based on the crops that are harvested in August.
We are currently in The Perseid meteor shower (17 July to 24 August), with the peak estimated on the 12th August, unfortunatly, during daylight hours (14:00-17:00 BST). The nights either side of the 12th August should give the best viewing possibilities - weather permitting. This is one of the best showers of the year with over 100 meteors per hour at it peak. Tips on how to watch this event and taking pictures can be found on the Sky At Night Website.
Update 16/07/2020
We held first committee meeting last week to discuss plans for the future and, more importantly, when we can reopen. We are sorry to say we do not have a date for reopening yet but when this changes details will be available on here, WYAS' Facebook and email.
Memory Lane
It has a year since a number of our members astrophotography images were exhibited at the Science and Media Museum in Bradford. Detail of the exhibition and some of the images can still be found on their STARGAZERS webpage. Our members are still busy producing some amazing imaging during this lock down period so there will be more pictures available later.
Update 24/05/2020
It was a new Moon on the 22nd so if you are furloughed or equivalent then it is a good time to get your telescope out - subject to the weather.
On Wednesday 27th May, there is a launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 from carrying astronauts to the ISS for the first time. The launch is scheduled at 21:45 (UK time) and can be watched on NASA's youtube channel. 15 minutes after the launch you will be able to see the craft pass over the UK. See https://www.meteorwatch.org/ for details
The ISS is back overhead this week.
| Date | Start and End Times | Type |
| 24 May 2020 | 22:07 - 22:14 | Overhead Pass |
| 24 May 2020 | 23:44 - 23:48 | Medium Altitude Pass |
| 25 May 2020 | 22:56 - 23:01 | Medium Altitude Pass |
| 26 May 2020 | 22:08 - 22:15 | Overhead Pass |
| 26 May 2020 | 23:45 - 23:48 | Medium Altitude Pass |
| 27 May 2020 | 22:57 - 23:02 | Medium Altitude Pass |
| 28 May 2020 | 22:09 - 22:15 | Overhead Pass |
| 29 May 2020 | 22:58 - 23:02 | Low Pass |
| 30 May 2020 | 22:10 - 22:16 | Medium Altitude Pass |
Update 03/05/2020
This week sees a both a full moon and supermoon (last one of 2020) on the 7th May. The peak scheduled to occur at 11:45, during the day. This full moon is named the Flower Moon, but also goes by the names "Milk Moon", "Corn Planting Moon", "Grass Moon" or "Mother's Moon". The name relates to the time of the year when wild flowers traditionally come into bloom. More details can be found here.
Before dawn on the 6th May is the peak of the annual η-Aquariids (Eta-Aquariids) Meteor Shower. The meteor shower runs from the April 19 and concludes on the 26th May. The source point is Aquarius, which will lie just above the southeastern horizon, close to the planet Mars.
Update 26/04/2020
This week sees the 30th anniversary of the Hubble telescope. The anniversary picture can be at https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/2020/news-2020-16 with view of the Comic Reef (NGC 2014) in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
It was a new Moon on the 23rd of April and is predomidally above the horizon during daylight and evening hours. This should make early morning viewing of the planets good this week subject to the weather - which is not looking too good.
The Moon and planet rise and set times for next week can be found in the table below (note some of the set times are the following day)
| Planet | Monday 27th | Tuesday 28th | Wednesday 29th | Thursday 30th | Friday 1st May | Saturday 2nd | Sunday 3rd |
| Moon | 08:00 - 01:22 | 08:44 - 02:18 | 09:41 - 03:02 | 10:50 - 03:37 | 12:09 - 04:04 | 13:33 - 04:26 | 14:59 - 04:46 |
| Mercury | 05:33 - 19:35 | 05:32 - 19:44 | 05:31 - 19:53 | 05:30 - 20:02 | 05:28 - 20:11 | 05:27 - 20:20 | 05:26 - 20:30 |
| Venus | 06:37 - 00:54 | 06:35 - 00:53 | 06:33 - 00:51 | 06:30 - 00:49 | 06:28 - 00:48 | 06:26 - 00:46 | 06:23 - 00:43 |
| Mars | 03:43 - 12:39 | 03:40 - 12:39 | 03:38 - 12:39 | 03:35 - 12:39 | 03:33 - 12:40 | 03:30 - 12:40 | 03:28 - 12:40 |
| Jupiter | 02:40 - 10:37 | 02:36 - 10:33 | 02:33 - 10:29 | 02:29 - 10:26 | 02:25 - 10:22 | 02:21 - 10:18 | 02:17 - 10:14 |
| Saturn | 02:53 - 11:05 | 02:50 - 11:01 | 02:46 - 10:57 | 02:42 - 10:54 | 02:38 - 10:50 | 02:34 - 10:46 | 02:30 - 10:42 |
| Uranus | 05:41 - 20:18 | 05:38 - 20:15 | 05:34 - 20:11 | 05:30 - 20:08 | 05:26 - 20:04 | 05:22 - 20:00 | 05:18 - 19:57 |
| Neptune | 04:31 - 15:44 | 04:28 - 15:40 | 04:24 - 15:36 | 04:20 - 15:33 | 04:16 - 15:29 | 04:12 - 15:25 | 04:08 - 15:21 |
Update 18/04/2020
While we are closed and social isolating due the Corona-virus it is a perfect time to try some backyard astronomy. If you do not have access to a telescope or binoculars there are a few items that you can still see.
Details of the phases of the moon can be found on the time and date website.
The bright object in the North Western sky is the planet Venus. This is the second planet from the Sun and a mere 101.41 million km (63.38 Million miles) away. More details of Venus can be found on the NASA's website.
Jupiter, Saturn and Mars can be seen in the early morning sky looking South close to the horizon.
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International Space Station Sightings.
There are no major sightings in our area for the period of:
Monday Apr 13, 2020 through Wednesday Apr 29, 2020.
Other Events:
23/04/2020 - New Moon
25/04/2020 - Venus reaches 30% phase
27/04/2020 - 20% lit waxing crescent Moon just above Open Cluster M35 in Gemini.
28/04/2020 - Venus will be at its maximum brightness
30/04/2020 - Moon at first quarter phase.
COVID-19.
If the situation changes with Corona Virus then we will provide updates both here and on our facebook site.
Simon
Website Administrator.
Update 18/4/2020
Welcome from the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society, Pontefract.
Conceptualised in 1973 a group of 20 people came together and formed the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society (WYAS).
Set within the grounds of The Carleton Community Centre, Pontefract building started in June 1977 and over a period of 6 years the initial building was completed and opened by Sir Patrick Moore on the 25th September 1983.
An extension specifically built for disabled access housing a computer room, kitchen, toilet and an equipment store were added later, along with two outdoor observing pads making up our current building.
The society aims to promote the science of astronomy to its members and general public, we are keen to promote astronomy to all ages and particularly people with special needs and disabilities.
Whether you are a complete beginner or a veteran astronomer, young or mature, male or female you will be welcomed by the society.
We are a friendly group of people who all share a common interest in the universe and its many wonders, whatever your interest may be, and whether you are an expert or a complete beginner you will be made most welcome.
The WYAS members have worked tirelessly since its inception to bring astronomy to the wider community, their work is unpaid and together with arranged group visits, the Society regularly attract up to 2,000 people per year.
The society opens every Tuesday and most Friday nights, and the observatory also opens for arranged visits, it regularly host guest speakers from both the amateur and professional astronomical communities who are invited to talk to both Society members and the general public.
The Society has a range of instruments, including a Celestron 14” Edge, a 14" Meade LX 200, a 10" Meade LX 90, a Televue 4" refractor with solar filters and various accessories. All primary telescopes are available for use by arrangement and smaller telescopes are available for use by members on any night of the year.
A large amount of research grade imaging equipment has been purchased and computer networking installed, we have an automated dome to provide people with disabilities a facility where they can carry out their own projects with the minimum of help by able-bodied people.
Other activities involve talks by Society members, Imaging trips to places like Kielder Forest in Northumberland and practical sessions which may be held either in the clubroom or at a venue suitable for the occasion such as Meteor Shower observing in a darker sky location.
If you are contemplating the purchase of a telescope - we can provide honest advice about the ‘Pros and Cons’ of the various types or seek advice about setting up or buying your first piece of observing equipment or new equipment such as cameras, telescopes, mounts etc.
You can come along and ask questions about using telescopes, if you have a telescope and want to know how to use it better - we can help.
How to take pictures of the Moon, Planets or Deep Sky Objects we have members who can help.
The Society members have a wealth of astronomical knowledge and experience, they have gained knowledge by learning and listening from other Professional/Amateur astronomers and are happy sharing this with members and visitors alike.
If you want to know more about what can be seen in the night sky, we have a very active observing/astro-photography section of the society who are always on hand to help out, so don’t just sit back on the sofa of an evening come and experience what we have to offer…
”Astronomy is looking up”
Terry Dobson
Acting Chair.
