Huddersfield Astronomical and Philosophical Society make the most of Examiner cash give away

Feb 5 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Examiner’s cash giveaway is helping a community group look to the stars.

Huddersfield Astronomical and Philosophical Society received £900 from the fund, to buy a tripod attachment, which enables them to photograph the movement of the stars.

Secretary Marcus Armitage, 38, said: “We were able to buy a special piece of equipment called an AstroTrac.

“It allows us to track the movement of the stars and take really deep photos of the night sky.”

The observatory is based at a former Second World War Observer Corps post at Crosland Hill.

And having been established for 40 years, the Society is enjoying unprecedented support.

It has run telescope-making classes, courses in O-Level astronomy, and beginners’ courses in introductory astronomy.

It has even been the platform for many members to study astronomy and space science at degree level and beyond.

Marcus said: “At the moment we have around 100 members because we are running an adult education course in astronomy, which is proving very popular.

“We attract a good range of people from all kinds of backgrounds, from 18 to 80.

“On Friday evening we have meetings, sometimes at the observatory or in our clubroom on railway street.

“We often have speakers from universities across the country, they are public and everyone is very welcome.

“The university doesn’t do astronomy as a degree so we are the only way to get involved.

“The big observatory is a key attraction.