Welcome to
Croydon Astronomical Society
Learn all about us; our history and what we do.
Croydon Astronomical Society. Part 1. History and Background.
Croydon Astronomical Society. Part 2. A Visit to the Norman Fisher Observatory.
Why we're here
Our objectives are to advance education in the science of astronomy and related subjects for the public benefit in Croydon and the surrounding area by:
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encouraging a popular interest in astronomy and allied subjects;
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helping beginners, irrespective of their age, to acquire a knowledge of astronomy and allied subjects; and
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providing facilities for practical work and active participation in astronomical observation.
Croydon Astronomical Society is based in Croydon, just a few miles south of London. We hold public talks approximately every two weeks during school term time and aim to open our observatory to the public every Saturday evening. The society was founded in 1956 and operates through the donation of time from its members and donations of money from its members and visitors. If astronomy is your thing, please consider joining us as a member.
Summer daytime openings of the observatory.
So sorry that we had to cancel the solar viewing event planned for Sunday 21st. But there will be other opportunities.
We intend to rearrange today's solar viewing event in the very near future. Watch this feed here and on Facebook as we look for a day when we have a good chance of clear skies.
But there will also be two additional events that you can put in your diary. On Wednesday 12th August there will be a partial solar eclipse. If there is any chance of seeing this we will be present to observe the eclipse from the following sites:
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The Kenley Airfield, near the RAF tribute
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The School Common, Warlingham
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and from Bingham Recreation ground in Addiscombe.
In each case we will be there from 6 - 7:30 pm.
In addition we will be on the airfield from 10pm until the early hours of 13th to watch the Perseid meteor shower. This event depends on clear skies.
We will also be open for the Open House event on Sunday 13th September. We will be at the Observatory from 1 - 4pm whatever the weather. If skies are clear we will also do some solar observing.
We will start our regular Saturday night observatory openings from 3rd September, whenever the skies are clear.
Public talks
The Society holds public talks, see the Talks tab for further details. Talks will be held in the Small Hall of Shirley Methodist Church, Shirley. Wel meet on the first and third Fridays of each month.
Talks are open to all, there is no charge, but we have a suggested donation of £3 towards society funds. Refreshments priced at 50p are available during the break.
Shirley Methodist is within walking distance of Trinity School and is easily accessible by bus from East Croydon. The postcode is CR0 8SD. There is parking on site but, if it is full, there is ample parking on nearby roads.
Partial solar eclipse of 29th March 2025
Veil Nebula
May Aurora - Evie Faith Harvey
October Aurora - Graham Cluer
Free talks at Shirley Methodist Church, Croydon.