Our aim is simple, we want people to enjoy Astronomy and feel welcome to join in our activities and meetings. Meetings are held at St Mary's School and College, Bexhill-on-Sea (How To Find Us) We meet on the first Thursday of each Month (excluding August - see below ) at 8:00 – 10:00 pm the meeting takes form of a Main speaker, break for coffee then short talks by members and a sky diary
We have members, of all ages, and a good percentage of women, many are beginners wanting to learn about using telescopes and our night skies. ESAS is a members led society and encourages everyone to take part in some way. Further Information can be gained from any of our Committee members.
We do not meet on the first Thursday in August save for a barbecue usually held on the first Saturday in August.
Non Members are welcome at our meetings where they will also get a copy of Albedo (ESAS magazine) If you would like a copy of Albedo anyway, please email
for details...
ESAS is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies, British Astronomical Association and Southern Area Group of Astronomical Societies.
Last Updated ( Jan 15, 2010 at 07:03 AM )
Forthcoming Events
ESAS Events
Other Event
4th Feb 2010 ~ X-Ray Astronomy ~ Dr Darren Baskill (University of Sussex)
On the 4thFebruary 2010 we welcome Sussex University’s Dr Darren Baskill who will talk about the advances in X-Ray astronomy (note that this is a programme change and it is hoped that Dr Seb Oliver will talk about the Herschel Telescope later this year). X-Ray astronomy is about high energy physics embracing black holes, neutron stars and much else. Research in this area has flourished over the last 40 years with the advent of space based telescopes. This astronomy cannot be done from the ground.
Darren views his job as “inspiring people of all ages” about science. He currently works half of his time as Outreach Officer at the University of Sussex's Department of Physics & Astronomy, and also as a freelance Astronomy Educator for the Royal Observatory Greenwich (ROG). At the ROG, Darren predominantly teaches in the Peter Harrison Planetarium, and during the winter he leads a large number of observing evenings. For the observing evenings Darren uses a variety of instruments, from off-the-shelf telescopes to the ROG's huge and historic 19th-century refracting telescope.
Dr Baskill gained his PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Leicester in 2002. He researched into "X-rays from Cataclysmic Variables"
4th March 2010 ~ Simon Allen "Galileo, 400th Anniversary of the Astronomical Telescope"
At last you have your first telescope and are ready to set out for an evening's star gazing only noone has done this before. You are the first. In this lecture Simon Allen recreates what Galileo saw 400 years ago. Galileo's contribution though was not just the discoveries he made in January 1610. You will have to see the talk to find out more.
11th February 2010~ De La Warr Pavilion ~ Contact
ESAS has been asked to host an evening of discussion and film starting at 7 pm. The discussion, led by Simon Allen, with the audience will be about making contact with extraterrestrial life. At 8 pm there will be a showing of the film “Contact” staring Jodie Foster based on a book by astrophysicist Carl Sagan. Your support at this event is most welcome. Further details can be obtained from Simon Allen.
Late February/March ~ BexhillHigh School Astronomy Disco.
This is in support of fundraisingfor the Bexhill High School astronomy project. ESAS will have a stand and telescopes. Timing will be a weekday from 6 pm to 8pm. Volunteers required to man the stands.
11th - 15th March 2010 ~ Isle of Wight Star Party
Details to follow
22nd March 2010 ~ Bexley SE London~ Bexley “Amazons” Cub Pack
ESAS are giving a talk to the Bexley Cub Pack inaid of their Astronomy Badge. Furtherdetails can be obtained from David Pulley.
10th April 2010 ~ SAGAS Meeting
24th April 2010 ~ National Astronomy Day.
An event set up in the US but becomingand international event. The Society hasto agree whether we will organise an event but members who are interested intaking part, or could possibly help organise the event, should contact an ESAScommittee member as soon as possible
19th. May 2010
If you missed the talk on the Space Elevator then you can catch Simon Allen giving this talk to the Wadhurst Astronomical Society. It will contain updated material. Ask Simon for details.
31st May 2010 ~ Bexhill Horse Show
ESAS have a stand at the Bexhill Horse Showbeing held at the Polegrove. Volunteersare required to man the stand during the day.
10th July 2010 ~ SAGAS Summer Event
4th/5th September 2010 ~ Herstmonceux AstronomyFestival.
This is the annual gettogether and we will need about four members each day to man the ESASstand. If you are amongst the lucky fewhelping out your admission is free! Please contact Lester or Rosemary Selmes or a committee member.
16th October 2010 ~ SAGAS Meeting
10th December 2010 ESAS XMAS Dinner
This year we will be returning to the Cooden Beach Golf Club for our annual Christmas Dinner. Last year we had a very enjoyable evening at this venue so hope that those that went last year will return and those that could not make it last year will come this year.
New Items For Sale ~ visit "For Sale"
10" f4.5 mirror set (Primary and secondary) ideal for making your own Dobsonian or Newtonian telescope. Mead field tripod for 12" scope. Phone Andy 01424 819450 for details.
On the 4thFebruary 2010 we welcome Sussex University’s Dr Darren Baskill who will talk about the advances in X-Ray astronomy (note that this is a programme change and it is hoped that Dr Seb Oliver will talk about the Herschel Telescope later this year). X-Ray astronomy is about high energy physics embracing black holes, neutron stars and much else. Research in this area has flourished over the last 40 years with the advent of space based telescopes. This astronomy cannot be done from the ground. 
At last you have your first telescope and are ready to set out for an evening's star gazing only noone has done this before. You are the first. In this lecture Simon Allen recreates what Galileo saw 400 years ago. Galileo's contribution though was not just the discoveries he made in January 1610. You will have to see the talk to find out more.