Welcome
A brief note on news and upcoming events, updated 10th September 2026
Sorry to have to announce that we have had to cancel the planned rocketry start to our first regular Darsham Village Hall meeting of the new season as the Village Hall field is undergoing reseeding and hence is out of commission. The observing part of the meeting will still go ahead, however, but at a later start time. This takes place on Sunday 13th September at 7:30pm. You are all welcome to join us and try out our telescopes. Bring along your own if you wish.
Our next public event will be at the Henham Steam and Country Show on 19th and 20th September. We do hope you will be able to join us.
Following that, on Sunday 27th September, we will be joined by the science journalist Tereza Pultarova, who will be giving a talk about the satellite constellations. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7:30pm start.
Teas, coffees and other refreshments will be available and non-members are welcome to join us for a fee of £3 at the door, please.
At this year's AGM, held on 3rd May 2026, the Jim Slight Memorial Trophy was awarded to another of our younger members, Joshua Clackett, in recognition of his excellent contributions to our society through the year.
Here's Josh receiving the award from Dr Sandro Tacchella of the Kavli Institute for Cosmology, University of Cambridge.
Well done Josh!
At our meeting, held on 2nd November 2025, our Chair, Chris Mead, was delighted to announce that Dr Matthew Bothwell (who was our guest speaker that evening) has accepted our offer to become the Honorary President of DashAstro. He follows in the footsteps of David Gwynn, who is now our Vice-President. Matt is the Public Astronomer of the University of Cambridge and has been a regular presenter at DashAstro. He brings with him an abundance of knowledge about astronomy that he shares in an exceptionally engaging and informative manner. We look forward to learning much more from Matt in the coming years.
On observing evenings, we will also be in the Hall, where there will be workshops to help those with new scopes as well as tea, coffee and a chat on all things astronomical.
Why not join us, and have a look at the heavens using specialist equipment, and learn what's going on in our galactic neighborhood?
We have an inventory of donated telescopes that members of DashAstro are welcome to borrow for the evening and to take home if they wish. Doors open from 7pm.
Please see the Events page for details of other dates and locations.
With the aid of Westleton Parish Council, we are pleased to
have been of assistance to help obtain Dark Sky Discovery Site Status
for Westleton Common.
Notice
In order to get the most out of our observing sessions it is important that visitors and members avoid using torches unless they have a red, low intensity filter fitted. We will endeavour to separate the electronic devices from the conventional telescopes, too, as a further step to reduce the impact of the light from the viewing devices used by the electronic telescope users.
We will endeavour to give as much notice as possible of any changes to the advertised schedule.
DASH Astro
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