The Cotswold Astronomical Society serves amateur astronomers in the Cotswold area centred on Cheltenham and Gloucester. Local membership reaches to Swindon, Evesham and Worcester too. We welcome anyone interested in astronomy. Our members come from all walks of life and range from beginners just starting out to experienced amateurs with a wealth of knowledge. Members have varied interests from cosmology to telescope making, from lunar and planetary observing, to supernova hunting. Not all members are active observers, and the society caters equally well for the armchair or internet astronomer.
Our main event is a monthly meeting; in the first half a guest speaker talks on a topic of astronomical interest, followed by a break for tea or coffee and biscuits. The second half is generally ‘open house’ often with a “what’s up in the sky” talk, display of members photographs, or discussions about equipment or observing techniques.
The main club meeting occurs on the second Saturday of every month – please see the home page for full information and directions. For telescope workshop dates and times please see the full list of meetings.
Mercury was the society’s newsletter published every two months. In 2022 post COVID pandemic it was decided to discontinue publishing Mercury as a single document and instead publish articles written by members and regular astronomical events on a more frequent basis directly to the website.
From time to time star parties are organised, and members often meet together for observing opportunities and other events.
The Cotswold Astronomical Society is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS).
The Society’s constitution (April 2022) can be downloaded as a PDF.