SOCIETY IN FOCUS

Barry Astronomical Society was formed in 2016 by Dave Powell as a result of his investigations into a society of the same name that had existed in the early 20th century, but had faded away shortly after the First World War. Dave’s research reignited an interest in restarting the society among local amateur astronomers and historians and so – 100 years after its first incarnation – Barry’s Astronomical Society was inaugurated again.

We usually meet at 7:30pm on Mondays, once a fortnight in Barry Island Community Centre, and we recently welcomed our 60th member. Meetings include a guest speaker, often from Cardiff University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, or from other astronomical societies from South Wales and beyond.

Observing sessions are held at nearby Amelia Trust Farm and Porthkerry Country Park. The latter has a Forest Lodge where we hold outreach sessions. In July 2019 we celebrated the Apollo 11 Moon mission with an observing session from a grassed area near our meeting venue on Barry Island. It was the night of the partial lunar eclipse and we had a view overlooking the Bristol Channel, giving passers-by views of the eclipse through giant binoculars and wowing them with the sight of Saturn and Jupiter.

Face to face meetings and group observing sessions haven’t been possible in lockdown so we are keeping members informed and entertained with livestreamed video talks (above) on our website, which also has a growing gallery of astro images sent in by our members. Thomas Easton, society secretary and newsletter editor

www.barryastronomical.wordpress. com