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Welcome Welcome to OASI, the Orwell Astronomical Society (Ipswich). We are a society for anyone who has an interest in astronomy, telescopes, space travel and related matters. Members of OASI span a wide range of interests and abilities, from the interested layman to the advanced amateur. Current membership of OASI numbers around 100, most members living in the areas of Ipswich, south-east Suffolk and north-east Essex. OASI is based at Orwell Park Observatory in the village of Nacton, near Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. Orwell Park Observatory contains our main telescopes, our library of astronomy magazines, books and videos, and a club room. The facilities of the Observatory are open to members of OASI. OASI was founded in 1967 and is a UK registered charity, no 271313. Our Honorary President is Dr Allan Chapman, MA, D.Phil, FRAS. OASI tries to cater for all our members' interests in astronomy. Our web site gives an overview of our main activities. If you have any queries or would like more information about OASI please contact us at ipswich@ast.cam.ac.uk. Image shows the the Orwell Park Observatory tower. |
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Joining OASI - Taster Evenings
We welcome new members. If you are interested in joining OASI, please consider attending one of our "taster evenings" which are designed to give potential new members a personal tour of the Observatory and an opportunity to meet members of OASI and to find out from them more about the Society. Dates for our next taster evenings are as follows:
Taster evenings start at 8:00 pm. If you are interested in attending a taster evening, please notify us in advance via the following email address: ipswich@ast.cam.ac.uk. (It is helpful if you can provide a contact telephone number as well as an email address.) Because of security requirements at Orwell Park School you must make an appointment with us and receive confirmation before attending a taster evening. Please advise us if you need to cancel/rearrange your appointment. Image shows the Tomline Refractor. Click here for images of all OASI's main telescopes. |
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Visiting Orwell Park Observatory
Individual visits: Individuals are welcome to visit Orwell Park Observatory on our Open Days. Our next Open Day will be held in early 2010, details TBC. It is not necessary to book in advance for an Open Day - simply turn up! Group visits: We also host group visits to Orwell Park Observatory. Please email us in good time if you want to arrange a group visit. We ask for a donation of £2 per adult and £1 per under-18 from each visiting group to assist with the running costs of the Observatory. Image shows a discussion about a member's 200mm Meade LX50 telescope at our 2001 Open Day. |
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International Year of Astronomy 2009 The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. The aim of the Year is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme The Universe, Yours to Discover. Click here for details of OASI events to mark IYA2009. |
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Observing at Orwell Park Observatory Telescopes at Orwell Park Observatory available for use by members of OASI include the 26cm f/15 Tomline Refractor dating from 1874, a 7.5cm transit telescope also dating from 1874, a 48cm Dobsonian reflector constructed by members of OASI and several smaller, modern instruments. We encourage observing at weekly Club Evenings and other scheduled times, using the telescopes at Orwell Park Observatory and members' own telescopes, binoculars and the naked eye. Click here for observing reports by members of OASI. Image shows observers using the Tomline Refractor at Orwell Park Observatory to project an image of the transit of Venus on 08 June 2004. |
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Observing Field trips We organise occasional field trips to observe meteor showers, grazing lunar occultations and other astronomical phenomena. Image shows members of OASI on 30 December 2007, off a minor road west of Ipswich, following a successful observation of a grazing lunar occultation. |
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CCD Observing Several members of OASI own CCD (Charge Coupled Device) cameras which enable stunning electronic images to be captured even of very faint astronomical objects. Image shows the Horsehead Nebula, IC434, imaged by OASI member Mike Harlow on 26 February 2008 using a homemade 16cm f2.5 Schmidt camera and MX916 CCD camera. |
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Lectures We host lectures on a wide range of astronomical topics by external speakers and members of the society. Click here for details of our lecture programme. Image shows our Honorary President, Dr Allan Chapman MA, D.Phil, FRAS and members of the audience after his presidential lecture, 04 May 2007. |
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Workshops During each winter season we hold informal discussion workshops on topics of astronomical interest. Click here for details of our workshop programme. Image shows a montage of photos taken during informal discussion workshops. |
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Telescope Making Several of our members are keen amateur telescope makers. We have constructed a 48cm, f4.5 Dobsonian telescope (known as the Millennium Telescope) and several smaller instruments for use by members of the Society. Click here for details of our Millennium Telescope. Click here for details of our other telescope making activities. Image shows the mirror for the 48cm Millennium Telescope undergoing coarse grinding. |
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History of Astronomy Members of OASI have carried out extensive research into the history of astronomy in the East Anglian region and more widely in the UK. Click here for some of our research into historical aspects of astronomy. Can you provide any new information on the founding and early years of Orwell Park Observatory? Click here for a description of the type of information that we would like to obtain. Image shows the only known photograph of Colonel George Tomline, founder of the Orwell Park Observatory. |
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Social Events Our Christmas Meal and Summer BBQ are firmly established in the Society's calendar. We also undertake excursions to conventions, places of astronomical interest and neighbouring astronomy societies. Click here for details of all our forthcoming events. Image shows the 2008 summer BBQ. |
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Restoration & Maintenance of the Observatory Orwell Park Observatory dates from the Victorian era. A wealthy Victorian luminary, Colonel George Tomline, purchased the Orwell Park Estate in 1848, and retained ownership until his death in 1889. During 1848-1878, he remodelled and extended the Orwell Park Mansion. Astronomy was a popular hobby at the time, and Tomline was a keen astronomer. During the last phase of work to extend the mansion, Tomline built Orwell Park Observatory. He installed the 26cm refractor (now known as the Tomline Refractor) and 7.5cm transit telescope in 1874. The Tomline Refractor and its massive equatorial mounting together cost £1,679. Following Tomline's death, the mansion and observatory passed through a variety of ownership. The Orwell Park School (an educational trust) now owns both the mansion and observatory, and licenses use of the observatory to OASI. OASI is responsible for the care and maintenance of the facilities and equipment at Orwell Park Observatory. Many members of OASI have contributed much time and effort to the restoration of the Observatory and have found the task thoroughly rewarding. Image shows the 7.5cm Transit Refractor, dating from 1874, after being stripped and cleaned in 2002. |