The Observatory
The repairs to damage caused by storm Darragh are progressing well. We hope to open soon…. once there’s a clear sky on a Friday.
If the weather permits there are observing sessions open to the public on a Friday evening.
Opening times and location details can be found on the Observatory page.

The observatory also opens on the first Sunday morning of the month from 10am until 1pm in support of Abbey Leys Farmers’ Market – again, weather permitting
Images of the month


Two images of the same subject but processed differently. The Horsehead nebula (discovered by Williamina Fleming in 1888)
Meetings
HLCO holds meetings on the second Thursday of each month in St John’s church room (location details here). Talks in astronomy and space research are given by invited experts or members of the HLCO team themselves. A small charge is made for these events. See below for details of future meetings.
We are always on the lookout for speakers. If you have an astronomy-related topic you’d like to share with a group of like-minded individuals, please get in touch by emailing hlco.steering@gmail.com
Upcoming HLCO Meetings
- March 13th 2025
Cosmic Rays
We welcome back Dr. Steve Barrett from the University of Liverpool for another of his mind-blowing and fascinating talks.
High-energy charged particles are continually raining down on the Earth. Where do they come from and how do they gain so much energy?
This talk includes a demonstration of a cloud chamber that allows cosmic rays to be seen
- April 10th 2025
The Parker Solar probe – ‘touching’ the Sun
Launched in 2018 and having already completed several close approaches, the probe came within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface on December 24th, 2024… and survived!
John Anderson will outline the story of this remarkable spacecraft.