Draft:Breckland Astronomical Society

The Breckland Astronomical Society   was founded in November 1993 at Hingham Primary School with the aim to promote and to advance public education in the science of Astronomy and all branches of scientific research.

In 2000 the society moved its activities to the Great Ellingham Recreation Centre where darker skies prevail. The site is a registered Dark Sky Discovery Site. Shortly after moving the opportunity to build an Observatory presented. This was built and equiped with a dome and a 20-inch computer-controlled telescope. It is still used and maintained by the membership.

The society continues to hold meetings once a month, as well as free public open evenings at the observatory except during the height of summer where it isn't dark enough for observing.

Monthly Meetings
Meetings, usually with a speaker, occur on the second Friday of each month

Public Observing Nights
The society holds free public observing nights at the Observatory on the last Friday of the month when it is dark enough. This usually excludes the months of May, June and July.

Outreach
The society runs pre-arranged group visits to the observatory for local organisations, including the Scouts and other local clubs. Lectures have been given at local schools.

Publications
Every two months, the society publishes a newsletter - Extra Terrestrial. This is a mixture of society news, members' articles, photographs and other astronomy related information. Since mid 2000s this has been an electronic only publication.

Affiliations

 * British Astronomical Association
 * Federation of Astronomical Societies
 * Registered Charity No. 1044478