Back to Basics – Aurora Special – Ipswich
Saturday 5th Dec 2026 9:30 - 5:00
Do you have an interest in astronomy? Would you like to know more?
The why not join us on 5th December 2026 for an all-day astronomy event to be held in
Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre
Twelve Acre Approach,
Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 1JF
The British Astronomical Association (BAA), the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), and Orwell Astronomical Society(OASI) have put together a programme of talks and activities that has something for everyone, whatever your level (if any) of astronomical knowledge.
TICKETS
Adults £10
Members of BAA, SPA, and Orwell Astronomical Society £7.50 (using discount code)
Under 18s accompanied by an adult £5
Prices include refreshments but not lunch
The discount code for BAA members is shown here if you are logged in.
The event is an Aurora Special
For many people seeing the Aurora/Northern Lights is on their bucket list of things to do. Over the last few years, during higher levels of solar activity, there have been some spectacular solar storms leading to Aurora being visible even down to lower latitudes like the UK.
Would you like to know more about: What causes Aurora? How to improve your chances of seeing them? How to observe and photograph them? And even How you can help the scientific study of Aurora? Then the event being held in Ipswich on 5th December is for you!
Members of the partner organisations will be delivering accessible talks, hands-on activities, and (weather permitting) live observing of the Sun during the day and planets, galaxies, nebula and stars in the evening. The aim is to provide something for everyone, whatever your level of astronomy knowledge (or total lack of knowledge). There will be lots of opportunities to chat and ask questions to the friendly, knowledgeable speakers and organisation members.
Topics for talks in the morning include an introduction to the night sky, observing the solar system, taking pictures of the Moon, planets and other night sky objects, and choosing and using a telescope.
In the afternoon we’ll explore more about our main topic, the Aurora, along with other elements of ‘Space Weather’ such as solar storms, and noctilucent clouds, including how you can contribute to the science through making and submitting visual observations, and how you can even make observations while its cloudy using radio equipment!
In the final session we’ll look back at a huge solar storm – the Carrington Event – and look forward to the next Solar Eclipse in 2027 – the rare time when you can see the solar corona directly.
During lunch and breaks there will be a range of hands-on activities, including:
- trying out different telescopes (got one at home you are not sure how to use – bring it along!),
- handling space rocks,
- learning about radio astronomy,
- observing the Sun safely,
- scheduling observations with big remote telescopes to help observe comets.
There will be helpful experts on hand to discuss any questions you may have, advise you on equipment for astronomy, and to talk about how local and national astronomy societies can help you on your astronomical journey of discovery.
In the evening (from 8pm), there is an invitation to visit the society’s observatory.
Programme
09:30 Registration and Coffee
10:00 Welcome & Housekeeping – Helen Usher, BAA Education and Outreach (E&O) Section and Orwell Astronomical Society (Ipswich) (OASI)
10:15 Introduction to Night Sky – Robin Scagell (SPA)
10:45 Observing the solar system – (BAA)
11:15 Refreshments, chat to speakers, and informal hands-on activities including: Investigating comets and asteroids, handling meteorites
11:45 An Introduction to Lunar, Planetary and Deep Sky Imaging – Andy Gibbs (OASI) and Q&A Session (OASI)
12:15 Choosing your first telescope* – Neil Morley / Q&A (OASI)
12:45 Lunch (solar viewing weather permitting, hands-on demos (radio astronomy, meteorites etc), remote observing scheduling
13:45 The Cosmic Ballet: The sights and sounds of the Aurora – Paul Whiting (OASI)
14:15 Noctilucent clouds & reporting of Aurora and NLCs – Sandra Brantingham (BAA)
14:45 Radio astronomy – Andrew Thomas (BAA)
15:15 Be part of something bigger – join a society (short advert for BAA, SPA, local society) – OASI local society, David Grist BAA and Robin Scagell SPA
15:25 Break – Refreshments, chat to speakers, and informal hands-on activities
15:45 The Carrington Event ~ The Biggest Bang Since the Big Bang– Bill Barton (OASI & BAA)
16:15 How to see the solar corona – planning for next year’s solar eclipses – Nick James (BAA)
16:45 Raffle, thanks and wrap up.
20:00 Invitation to visit the Orwell Park Observatory (OASI)
Venue
Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF