About us
We are a relatively small group of people (currently around 40 members) who have a common interest in Astronomy. Some of us have our own telescope, but this is not essential as the Society has its own equipment and we have the use of our own observatory at Wiveton containing a 12inch Calver Newtonian reflector telescope. We arrange alternate member and guest speaker evenings during the autumn and winter months, and these are held at Binham Village Hall. The talks cover a wide range of topics given by specialists in their field, and to cover cost there is a small entry charge. Member evenings provide an opportunity for members to meet up and exchange ideas and information. We also arrange special viewing nights for events such as meteor showers, comets or eclipses, and we organise a barbecue each year.
History
The Society was founded in 1998 by a group who had been students at a Local Authority evening class on astronomy at the Fieldview Astronomy Centre at East Barsham. Initially the newly fledged society used these facilities, but eventually the speaker evenings outgrew Fieldview and were moved to a different venue. The lecture facilities have been enhanced by acquiring a digital projector and laptop computer for presentations.
Equipment
A landmark for the society was an award by the Millennium Grants Committee which enabled the purchase of a Vixen GP2000L-SM telescope, a Dark Star 7" Dobsonian telescope and a pair of Vixen 10 x 50 binoculars. In 2003 an observatory was constructed to house the Society's restored 12inch Calver reflector telescope, and this was opened in 2006. Re-silvering of the main mirror has improved the telescope further. Recently digital cameras, computers and a solar scope have been acquired by the Society.
Society equipment is available for members to use at the Wiveton Observatory. We also stock a library of useful and interesting books and literature about astronomy.
Outreach Events
If you're not a member but would like to be kept informed about NNAS public events, please leave your email address with us. We use these emails to send out occasional information about upcoming speaker and other public events which you may be interested in attending.
