2013

Stars & Snowdrops 2013

17th February 2013
Thanks to the hundreds of visitors to Stars & Snowdrops 2013. Everyone who came on the extra Sunday enjoyed the beautiful snowdrops, spectacular views of the sun and the moon and the delicious cake! And a special thanks to everyone who braved the weather to come to Stars and Snowdrops the previous weekend. Despite the rain, over 100 visitors enjoyed the snowdrops, talking to the astronomers and, of course, the tea and cakes by the huge log fire! ...

History at Hanwell

Archeologist Stephen Wass has recently begun a study into Hanwell Castle and it's grounds, where HCO is based. Hanwell Castle, the area's oldest brick building, was built by Henry VII's treasurer, and the park's 16th and 17th century water gardens were visited by royalty. ...

2012

Transit of Venus

On the 6th of June 2012, Venus was seen from Earth to transit across the face of the Sun. While Venus is larger than Earth's Moon, it is much further away from us and much closer to the Sun. During a transit, Venus only eclipses a small part of the Sun's face. Nonetheless, its silhouette is large enough to be easily seen from the Earth. This event happens twice in roughly every century when Venus happens to cross the line between the Earth and the Sun. ...

Fireball over the UK, seen from HCO!

Many people across the UK witnessed a fireball on the Saturday 3rd March. Some HCO members who were gathered together that evening were lucky enough to see it too. (Not the webmaster though, who is a little miffed he wasn't there). ...

Stars & Snowdrops 2012 a success despite the weather!

Thank you to the 600+ who came along this year despite the postponement and the bad weather on Saturday. Sunday's weather made up for the previous day and many visitors were delighted with the the views of the sun through the solar telescope and, later, Venus in the daytime sky! ...