Amateur Astronomy - A Universal Activity?

Take a moment to picture in your own mind the idea of how the typical astronomer might appear to you? Perhaps you might imagine a white-coated figure with a crazy hair do peering into the eyepiece of some gigantic telescope or, possibly, an anorak cloaked academic reciting theory after theory about the universe. Whatever pictures come to mind, one thing is certain - they would all be right!

Astronomy, possibly the oldest science, is an activity available to everybody. With few barriers, the depths and mysteries of the universe act as a magnet to curiosity and present a challenge for the inquisitive mind. Professional astronomers, at the apex of the science, spend a very long time studying small parts of the universe in great detail. The amateur astronomer on the other hand, can roam the universe as a whole, and at their own pace and time. True, the days of new and distant discoveries belong mainly to the professionals, but the amateur astronomer is on a continual odyssey of their own, studying the Moon, stars and planets and the motions of the universe, which always results in more questions than answers.

For every human being, the universe around us features somehow and sometime in our lives and we are all, one way or another, amateur astronomers

Whatever the level of your interest in the stars and astronomy, the Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group will always endeavour to promote and encourage the activity.

Chipping Norton - Area For Outstanding Astronomy.

Situated, as we are, on the edge of the Cotswolds, the Chipping Norton area provides superb vantage points for the amateur astronomer. The high elevations to the East and West of the town allow stargazers and astronomers relatively unobstructed views of the night sky. Clear nights combined with our rural area provide some of the best astronomy opportunities as relatively unpolluted, cool, still air produces stunning, crystal clear images. Just a few minutes travelling away from the glare of the town lights and you can be at a dark, elevated site under starlit skies - an advantage envied by many city/large town astronomers. Light pollution, the enemy of the astronomers is, unfortunately, on the increase. The national Campaign for Dark Skies is the organisation working with local authorities and industry to minimise the amount of light pollution in their areas. CNAAG supports this movement and will monitor the levels of light pollution in and around the area. We have been lucky enough to have permission to use several observing sites within easy reach of Chipping Norton, which have provided successful evenings.

Historically, Chipping Norton’s links to astronomy possibly go back 5000 years to the nearby Rollright Stone circle . There is speculation that the Reverend Stone of Chipping Norton and the discoverer of the root ingredient of Aspirin may also have been an astronomer. More recently, Mr Roy Worvill , author of many Ladybird books on space and eminent astronomer was also linked to the town . CNAAG members are researching all these links.

Chipping Norton , situated between Oxford and Stratford Upon Avon , is a small market town of historic character with a wide range of amenities . Its nationally acclaimed Theatre - www.chippingnortontheatre.com - provides a superb variety of plays, music and film and is renowned for its annual pantomime.

Chipping Norton is an ideal base from which to explore the Cotswolds and at the same time carry out some astronomy. The quality of our night sky is an additional bonus to the scenery of the area and however you find yourself to be in Chipping Norton, or the area, please get in touch.

A Brief History of the CNAAG Group

Following a series of bi-monthly astronomy articles published in the local Chipping Norton News, feedback from readers indicated that there were many people in the local area interested in the fascinating subject of astronomy. Further study revealed that many were keen amateur astronomers with a wide range of equipment, knowledge and skills. A lack of any Astronomical Society within easy travelling distance generated the idea of forming an active astronomy group based in the local area. Consequently, in December 2004, three amateur astronomers got together and founded the Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group (CNAAG) with the first official meeting scheduled for January 2005.

From the outset we agreed that CNAAG would operate on an amateur and informal basis, non-subscribed and with the emphasis on practical observing and promoting astronomy to everyone interested - from raw beginner to astronaut (so far, no astronauts!)

After two years operation, CNAAG has gone from 3 to over 30 registered members. With the high level of interest generated, we have been able to find several indoor venues where, regardless of the weather, we can provide astronomy talks and demos. Although still early days, we hope to be able to feature regular professional astronomers and experts for talks. So far we have had a trip to the National Space Centre in Leicester, a couple of us as members of the Society for the History of Astronomy (www.shastro.org.uk ) have been down to Selsey to Patrick Moores home and there are other excursions being planned for 2007 - Everyone welcome - keep an eye on the website.
At our first meeting in January 2005, comet Malchoz , a naked eye object moving through Taurus , proved to be a good omen for the CNAAG group. With the enthusiasm and interest of its members, CNAAG is now established locally and intends to continually improve its promotion of amateur astronomy in the Chipping Norton area.