| Info | 'Brannel Astronomy' is dedicated to encouraging the study of Astronomy and related subjects for the benefit of its members and the general public. meetings are held in the Staff Common Room at Brannel School, Rectory Road, St. Stephen, St. Austell, Cornwall. The meetings start at 7:30pm
Why Join An Astronomy Club?
* To learn about amateur astronomy and observing techniques. The best way to learn how to observe the heavens is to do it yourself, and the club provides both the training and opportunity.
* Our membership consists of people from all walks of life who all enjoy the beauty and mystery of the cosmos. Our monthly meetings and observing sessions, provide an excellent way to socialise and meet new people.
* The club is primarily a 'hands on get out and view' group and we try to encourage members to attend the group observing and workshop sessions held every month.
* Beginners to Astronomy are especially welcomed, and we regularly hold seminars to get the neophyte up and running.
A number of members are into astrophotography. They are the ones standing in a dark dark field discussing Polar alignment or the latest techniques for capturing that elusive galaxy or cluster. More than likely it's a search for the eye-piece screw one of them has just dropped into the grass.
The club meets twice every month. The 3rd Friday meetings usually involves an in house or an invited speaker, and tends to cover the more cerebral aspects of Astronomy, although not exclusively so, while the 1st Friday meetings is purely practical in nature, where all those that attend can get hands on experience. We also encourage members to bring their own scopes or binoculars to this meeting as we will be out observing if conditions allow.
Our History
Our club started out as the 'Roseland Observatory, by Clive Purchase and Brian Sheen in 1998 to prepare for the Cornish eclipse. It was established at the Roseland Community School and he had an array of half a dozen large telescopes, including a four inch Coheilostat for the study of the Sun. They concentrated on teaching primary schools the basics of astronomy and then bringing the groups to the observatory for night viewing sessions.
Following the eclipse, Clive moved the bulk of the equipment to Callington, forming the 'Space Centre at Callington Community College', and Brian Sheen relocated the 'Roseland Observatory' to Court Farm, nr St Stephen.
From then until December 2004, the 'Roseland Observatory' evolved into a 40 plus group of amateur astronomers, sharing their enthusiasm for visual as well as astrophotography. Unfortunately the club outgrew the facilities at Court Farm, so in January of 2005, the club moved to Brannel School just up the road, and changed its name to 'Brannel Astronomy'.
Facilities
The move to Brannel School is a luxurious improvement from the drafty clubhouse we occupied for 3 years at Court Farm. As well as offering a comfortable and spacious meeting place for our bi-monthly meetings, the school also provides us with an excellent observing site on Club nights. The School also offers us the chance to play our part within the local community, by helping to establish an increased awareness of the wonders of Astronomy with the students of the school.
We also have use of two privately owned observing sites at Chiverton Cross nr Truro and Polgooth nr St Austell. Bearing in mind the close proximity to both these major conurbations, both sites provide excellent dark site viewing for both observation and imaging.
Equipment
The membership are able to muster an vast array of equipment. At the last count in August of 2004, there were Five 8" Cassegrains- both manual and Go-To's and one 10" LX200. An assortment of 60mm, 80mm and 100mm Takahashi and TMB Apochromatic refractors, One 11" Dob, Various ETX 70's , 90's and 105's, Two 8" Newtonians, and a number of 6", 4" and 3" Newtownians. as well as a sprinkling o |
