Ever since the dawn of time mankind has been fascinated with the night sky.

Who has not felt a sense of awe while looking deep into the sky, lit with countless stars on a clear night? Who has not asked themselves if ours is the only planet that supports life? Who has not pondered the nature of the planets, stars, galaxies, and the Universe itself? Astronomy is a science that seeks to explain everything that we observe in the Universe, from the comets and planets in our own solar system to distant galaxies to the echoes of the Big Bang. By studying the cosmos beyond our own planet, we can understand where we came from, where we are going.

So join us on that journey through the cosmos. It is hoped that the sessions will be taken by its members in turn, each on a certain topic.

At our last meeting, member Andrew Smith began a presentation on Planet Nine (sometimes referred to as Planet X) a so far unspotted ninth planet in our Solar System, although there is a large body of evidence such an object must exist.

I supplemented this with a couple of short videos I’d found.

At our October meeting on Monday 7th October, following a look at the October Night Sky, ,we will complete Andrew’s presentation.

Our next topic will be a look at space colonisation and exploration. The legalities, the ethics and the technological challenges.

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