China's Long March rocket crashed today - not the first of their rockets to do so. We at Keele Observatory deplore the reckless, inconsiderate use of space and call for stricter international law and tough sanctions.

In the darkest hour on a sun-drenched day, the moon is watching over you. It judges not and wants no words to know the earth will rise again. #worldmentalhealthday

Back from the dentist just in time for this:

The Sun as seen from Keele Observatory today

Dr. Allan Chapman public lecture "Astronomical observatories through the ages", Keele 22 January

The Green Comet of 2023... find it in binoculars between the big and small dipper.

Women and Girls in Science Day Saturday 11 February Newcastle-under-Lyme (23 High Street) 11am-3pm, lots of fun activities with scientists... and artists! (free)

Fantastic to see a woman fly on a Moon mission, but still just one in a crew of four - to make up for the all male Apollo crews shouldn't the Artemis crews be all non male?

Pint of Science comes to Stoke-on-Trent 22-24 May! Book your tickets now for lots of entertainment, science and live art, while enjoying a pint (not compulsory): pintofscience.co.uk/events/stoke #pint23 Pint of Science UK

Free science and art event: Women and Girls in Science Day, Newcastle-under-Lyme (opposite Guildhall), Sunday 11 February between 11am-3pm. All gender identities welcome!

"What on Earth?!" at Keele University saw 300 visitors at the observatory today. We are open tonight from 9pm till 11pm to view the Moon, and tomorrow from 11am till 3pm for an amazing light and sound installation and lots more - appetite.org.uk/event/what-on-…

Spectacular aurora above Audlem (Southern Cheshire) midnight 10/11 May 2024. Will be talked about at Pint of Science in Crewe on Wednesday 15 May - pintofscience.co.uk (look under Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe)

Wow, that was something! Just saw SpaceX's Super Heavy return, caught by chopsticks on its launch platform! Mars is coming ever closer!

Finally got a clear evening before comet Tuschinshan-ATLAS will have faded away - just about visible with the unaided eye, with a 4-degree tail in 15x70 binoculars.

Come and join us at the Science Fair at The Glebe pub in Stoke (on Trent), Sunday 3 November between noon and 5pm, for a chat and maybe a pint. Free of charge (except the pint), all nice people are welcome.

Keele Observatory's giant telescope is 150 years old! Originally from Oxford, many thousands of people have looked through it since it arrived at Keele in 1962. We're celebrating its birthday on Tuesday 17 December, 8pm - 10pm. All welcome, free of charge.

Come celebrate UN International Women and Girls in Science Day at "Keele in Town" (53 Ironmarket, Newcastle-under-Lyme) on Saturday 8 Feb 11am-3pm and Tuesday 11 Feb 10am-5pm and at Keele Observatory Tuesday 8-10pm. Free entry, all ages and gender modalities welcome. #February11

We're open for the partial solar eclipse this Saturday 29 March, from 10am (maximum eclipse is around 11am). Free entry, suitable for all ages. Parking is free, behind the Observatory or elsewhere on the Keele campus (or take a bus) and then just walk up.

Come and join us at the second Science Fair at The Glebe pub in Stoke (on Trent), Sunday 4 May between noon and 5pm, for exhibits, activities and maybe a pint. Free of charge (except the pint). Theme is "Star Wars" - you're welcome to dress accordingly!

Engaging and intriguing science near you: Pint of Science in Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent / Newcastle-under-Lyme has mostly sold out but there are still some spaces left on Monday 19 May and Tuesday 20 May: pintofscience.co.uk