| Timetable of Open Nights - 2023/2024 | ||||
| Dates | Open Time | On View | Moon State | |
| Perseid Opening: Aug Sat 12th No Back-up |
9:30 pm | Perseid Meteor Shower | No Moon |
|
| Aug Primary Dates: Fri 18th, Sat 19th No Back-up Dates |
9:30 pm | Saturn, Star Clusters, Double Stars |
Moon sets: Fri 21:12(6%), Sat 21:33 (11%) |
|
| Sept Primary Dates: Fri 8th, Sat 9th, Back-up Date: Fri 15th, Sat 16th |
8:30 pm | Saturn, Jupiter, Star Clusters, Double Stars, Sagittarius (Tea Pot) |
No Moon Back up Date: No Moon |
|
| Oct Primary Dates: Fri 6th & Sat 7th Oct Back-up Dates: Fri 13th, Sat 14th |
7:30 pm | Saturn, Jupiter, Star Clusters, Double Stars, Andromeda Galaxy |
No Moon |
|
| Nov Primary Dates: Fri 10th, Sat 11th Nov Back-up Dates: Sat 18th Only |
7:30 pm | Saturn, Jupiter, Star Clusters, Orion Nebula, Double Cluster | No Moon Back up Dates: Sat, 30% Moon sets 20:38 |
|
| Dec Primary Dates: Fri 8th, Sat 9th No Back-up |
7:30 pm | Andromeda Galaxy, Double Cluster, Orion Nebula, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus & Neptune |
No Moon
|
|
| Jan Primary Dates: Fri 5th, Sat 6th Back-up Dates: Fri 12th, Sat 13th |
7:30 pm | Andromeda Galaxy, Jupiter, Double Cluster | No Moon
|
|
The club's observatory at Toothill is located in a relatively dark site just outside Southampton, see map below. No need to book, just turn up.
It has reopened to the public on the dates to the left. You will see that weekend sessions are now arranged in pairs, with a "primary" and a "back-up". The primary will take place, weather permitting, but the back-up will only take place if the corresponding primary sessions were both clouded out. Each session is open ended, we stay until we've had enough or the weather closes in.
Members admitted free. Non-members: adults £5, children free.
Cash payments only, please. No cards
Toilets and free parking are available.
The observatory contains:
- 14" Meade telescope
- 8" Meade LX90
- 6" Celestron Nexstar SE
- 20 x 80 binoculars
- Computer with desktop planetarium
The design of the 14" telescope is such that users remain seated, so it is suitable for wheelchair users.