This image was photographed by CAS member Graham Cluer. With a clear night, those coming to the star-gazing evening at Kenley Observatory might see something similar
Fifty years since man first stepped on to the moon, and Inside Croydon’s intrepid explorers are invited to join us for an evening of star gazing at Kenley Observatory on Saturday March 16.
We are delighted to be teaming up with the Croydon Astronomical Society to give our loyal reader a personal introduction to astronomy, and to the Kenley Observatory, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Numbers for this event are strictly limited, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority being given to Inside Croydon’s Patrons. Children are welcome, but each child under-16 must be accompanied by an adult.
UPDATED Mar 1: Places for this visit are now fully booked. Any applications received after midday on March 1 can only be held on standby, on a waiting list in the case of cancellations. Thank you for all your interest in this so far. We may consider organising another visit in due course.
The cost of attending our evening at Kenley Observatory is a far-from-astronomical £3 per person, which all goes as a donation to the Croydon Astronomical Society, a registered educational charity which receives no funding from any public body.
Kenley Observatory, a little-known treasure
With expert guidance from members of CAS, and with luck a clear evening, we hope to meet at the observatory at 7pm, and spend time gazing skyward. Kenley’s position, south of the city and elevated, provides a night sky with relatively reduced light pollution, enabling stars to be spotted which often cannot be seen from more urban locations.
Those wishing to attend should make their own travel arrangements to the observatory, and if driving are asked to park their vehicles considerately around Kenley aerodrome. They also need to come dressed for what could prove to be a very chilly night.
In the event of adverse weather conditions – which includes a very cloudy night – the Observatory’s website will advise earlier in the day if the event has to be cancelled. The Observatory answerphone (020 8668 9642) will also be updated during the afternoon.
The Observatory website lists protocol about visiting. The Observatory is dark and cold so the notes are worth reading.
You can ensure you get priority booking for this event by becoming an Inside Croydon Patron.
For £5 per month, Inside Croydon’s Patrons provide vital financial support for the award-winning, campaigning journalism which this website delivers daily. For more information about how you can become an Inside Croydon Patron, and sign up to qualify for money-off offers and privilege passes, please click here.
In taking part in the star-gazing evening, participants agree that they do so at their own risk, and no liability is taken by Kenley Observatory, Inside Croydon or its publishers
To register your name (and anyone who might accompany you) for the Inside Croydon Observatory visit on March 16, please email inside.croydon@btinternet.com, with the words “Observatory March 16” in the subject field, and include your name and daytime contact number in the body of the email.
And take a look at our other current Reader Offers:
- Back stage passes for the guitar masterclass at The Front Room, Apr 5
- Ken Towl’s Magical Mystery Tour ramble, Apr 6
Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network- Inside Croydon works together with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and BBC London News
- Inside Croydon named Journalist of the Year at 2018 Anna Kennedy Online Autism Heroes Awards
- ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: For two consecutive years, 2017 and 2018, Inside Croydon has been the source for two award-winning nominations in Private Eye magazine’s annual celebration of civic cock-ups
- In 2018, Inside Croydon had 1.6million pages viewed by more than half a million unique visitors
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or what to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
