Astronomy in Edinburgh
Because of Covid-19 all our meetings are now online – and we’re doing more of them. Stay involved and keep an eye open here, on Facebook and Twitter. Visitors please join us on our YouTube channel.
We’re aiming to have something happening online at least twice a month – often on Fridays at 7:30pm. We also have the monthly Imaging & Observing Group meetings for ASE members on the Wednesday after the first monthly meeting.
The priority for the ASE is the health and safety of our members and the public but we also want to continue engaging with you all through our love of astronomy.
Follow our Facebook page and Twitter feed for more up-to-the-minute observing ideas, information and results.
If you’re not receiving the regular ASE emails then they may be going to your junk mail. Try whitelisting the webmaster@ email address.
Observing forecast for Edinburgh
A green block indicates a clear sky, orange partially clear, red cloudy. Blue blocks show cloud level – darker blue is clearer. Click on the chart for hourly detail and ISS passes. Forecast provided by clearoutside.com
Featured news
Ron Livesey
Sadly I have to inform members of the death of Ron Livesey who passed away on the 25th Jan 2021. In recognition of Ron’s contribution to amateur astronomy the ASE [...]
Navigating the Night Sky
Watch Alan Pickups brilliant presentation on finding our way round the night sky.
Scotland’s Sky in January 2021
Winter stars sparkle as the days start to lengthen
More news
The ASE Messier project
We've started a new project! ASE members are are going to try capturing all of the objects in the Messier Catalogue and gather them on our website.
Vera Rubin talk and January Sky meeting report
Prof Aaron Roodman from Standford University and Alan Pickup gave us some great talks about the Vera Rubin Observatory and Scotland's night sky in January 2021.
2020 Review: what a year!
2020 started normally but soon became unlike any other year. But we stepped up and were more active than ever.
Imaging & Observing Group 2020 in pictures
We've had a record number of images by more members than ever this year. Here's a sample.
Asteroseismology & Exoplanets with the NASA TESS Mission meeting report
Last night's meeting was a very well attended, fascinating and informative talk by Prof. William Chaplin from the University of Birmingham.
Here come the Geminids – and no Moon!
The reliable Geminids peak on the night of 13/14 December and the Moon won't get in the way. We can expect rates of up to 50 meteors per hour.
Meeting report: Edinburgh to Hawai’i – the short astronomical career of John Walter Nichol
Thank you to Dr Rebekah Higgitt of NMS for this fascinating historical talk. The links to Edinburgh added even more local interest.
Meeting report: Looking for life on Mars with the Rosalind Franklin rover
A very engaging and very well attended talk from Professor Andrew Coates on Looking for life on Mars and also the Sky in November from Alan Pickup.
Explore Auriga the Charioteer
As winter approaches we look forward to seeing the likes of Orion, Gemini and Taurus, but in late autumn Auriga is worth a look and it's already getting high in the eastern sky.
Choosing a telescope
Mark Phillips gave us a talk on what to consider when choosing a telescope as well as examples of different types and options.
International Observe the Moon Night 2020 live stream
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the live stream on International Observe the Moon Night 2020. You can watch the video on YouTube. Because the Moon was so [...]
18 Sept 2020 meeting report
ASE member John Murrell gave us a fascinating insight into the Gaia second data release.
Ask an Astronomer
Is there something you always wanted to know about our universe?
How to observe a planet? Take a photo of the stars? Which telescope to buy? Why is space black? …
Well here’s your chance: just ask your question in the form and we’ll try and get back to you with an answer. The answer may just be: “we have no idea” – but that’s the beauty of astronomy!