Norwich Astronomical Society

Norwich Astronomical Society

Lucy and The Chap head to Seething Observatory in Norfolk to meet the Norwich Astronomical Society.

This experience was provided in return for a review.

When The Norwich Astronomical Society invited me along to a talk, I was delighted. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, and where better learn more about the mission than at an observatory?

It turns out that the society runs public events every month, with talks about a variety of subjects. Everyone is welcome to attend, even if you have no previous experience with astronomy. Tickets are just £3 for adults and £2 for children, so it’s excellent value for money!

Anyway, on Saturday evening, The Chap and I hopped in the car and drove half-an-hour into the Norfolk countryside to Seething Observatory, which is just along the road from Seething Airfield.

When we arrived, we received a warm welcome from the Norwich Astronomical Society Secretary Chris Greenfield. He gave us a rundown of the evening, took us on a tour around the site and, most importantly, pointed out where to get a cup of tea.

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We were shown into a small room at the site, where we heard astrophotographer Chris Grimmer talk about the Apollo Missions. While it was technical in places, it was an inspiring talk and Chris is clearly passionate about his subject. Did you know that Saturn V was 363ft tall? That’s taller than Norwich Cathedral!

We especially liked the Q&A session at the end; it was such an unintimidating atmosphere, providing a great opportunity to learn more about the moon landing.

The Chap and I were both surprised by how many people were in the room too. There must have been 50 people in attendance on the evening, including women and children.

Stargazing in Seething

After the talk, Chris Greenfield took us over to The Hershel Dome to look at Saturn through a telescope. I didn’t expect to be so impressed, but I really enjoyed seeing the planet with my own eyes, not on a screen or TV.

We then went to the larger Genesis Dome, where we looked at The Moon. In spite of the clouds, everyone had the chance to see it through the telescope. It’s amazing the detail that you can pick up, with the craters coming into focus.

Again, there were lots of opportunities to ask questions while we waiting for our turn to look through the telescope. Members of the society are passionate about sharing their knowledge and we came away feeling inspired.

I’d highly recommend a visit, especially if you have children. It’s a great way to bring science to life.

Lucy

Hi, I'm Lucy. I've lived in Norfolk since 2001 and in that time I've grown to love this fine county. From the city of Norwich, to the countryside villages and sweeping coastline, there's so much to explore and hope to share my experiences with you here.

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