A friendly bunch of people interested in astronomy and space. We've been meeting since 1924. Come along to one of our meetings.
Visitors are welcome to join us in person at our physical meetings or live on our YouTube channel. The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh (ASE) has been holding meetings in Edinburgh to inform members and the general public about astronomy since 1924. We currently meet at least twice a month, physically on the first Friday of each month, broadcast on Zoom, for ASE members, and YouTube for visitors. The talk on a Friday round about the middle of the month will be online.
21/06/2026
☀️ Happy Summer Solstice! ☀️
The longest day of the year is here. From Edinburgh, we’ll enjoy over 17 hours of daylight as the Sun reaches its highest point in our sky.
Take a moment to enjoy the extra daylight—and remember that from tomorrow, the nights slowly begin to grow longer again.
Clear skies!
17/06/2026
Close approach of the Moon and Venus
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 at 21:30 BST
The Moon and Venus will make a close approach, passing within a mere 16.2 arcminutes of each other. From some parts of the world, the Moon will pass in front of Venus, creating a lunar occultation (not from Edinburgh). The Moon will be 2 days old.
From Edinburgh , the pair will become visible at around 22:37 (BST), 12° above your western horizon, as dusk fades to darkness. They will then sink towards the horizon, setting 2 hours and 22 minutes after the Sun at 00:23. The Moon will be at mag -10.3; and Venus will be at mag -4.0. Both objects will lie in the constellation Cancer.
(Using data from Dominic Ford’s in-the-sky.org )
15/06/2026
Observe the eclipse safely this August
On 12 August 2026 you will be able to see a partial solar eclipse from the UK. If the weather cooperates it’s going to be an amazing spectacle with about 90% of the Sun covered as seen from Edinburgh. But please make sure you watch it safely.
The easiest way to see it for most people is by using eclipse glasses. But be careful – not all are safe! You can buy them directly and confidently from suppliers such as Go Stargazing and First Light Optics.
See the link in the first comment about our observing plans at Calton Hill and more information on where to source eclipse glasses.
09/06/2026
Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter Tue, 09 Jun 2026 at 20:48 BST
Venus and Jupiter will share the same right ascension, with Venus passing 1°38′ to the north of Jupiter. From Edinburgh , the pair will become visible at around 22:30 (BST), 12° above your western horizon, as dusk fades to darkness. They will then sink towards the horizon, setting 2 hours and 23 minutes after the Sun at 00:18.
Venus will be at mag -4.0, and Jupiter at mag -1.9, both in the constellation Gemini.
(Using data from Dominic Ford’s in-the-sky.org)
05/06/2026
Scotland’s Astronomer Royal Professor Catherine Heymans Nature article on proposed funding cuts to astronomy research has prompted a number of us to write to our MPs encouraging them to attend the June 15 meeting.
For more details https://www.astronomyedinburgh.org/2026/06/05/proposed-funding-cuts-to-astronomy-and-astrophysics/
01/06/2026
Sky Diary for June 2026
A very close approach of the Moon and Venus next month - less than a Moon-width apart.
London
Sky Diary June 2026 - Astronomical Society of Edinburgh Venus & Jupiter, Venus & Moon, Summer solstice & Noctilucent cloud season by Mark Phillips Using data from Dominic Ford's in-the-sky.org and other sources Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter Tue, 09 Jun 2026 at 13:35 BST Venus and Jupiter will
28/04/2026
Sky Diary May 2026
Venus & Jupiter and the Crescent Moon, Halley's Comet meteors and a Blue
Sky Diary May 2026 - Astronomical Society of Edinburgh Venus & Jupiter and the Crescent Moon, Halley's Comet meteors and a Blue Moon by Mark Phillips Using data from Dominic Ford's in-the-sky.org and other sources Venus at highest altitude in evening sky Thu, 14 May 2026 As seen from
13/04/2026
🌟 Image of the Quarter Winner! 🌟
Congratulations to Bryan, whose Orion Mosaic was the winner of our Image of the Quarter competition. This is a two panel mosaic using ASI2600MC OSC camera. Long exposures capture the vast bubbling cauldron of dust and Ha in this region and then some short 60sec and 120sec to capture M42 core and get some colour saturation for the RGB stars
30/03/2026
Sky Diary April 2026
Venus, Jupiter, Lyrid meteors and some close approaches.
Sky Diary April 2026 - Astronomical Society of Edinburgh Venus, Jupiter, Lyrid meteors and some close approaches by Mark Phillips Using data from Dominic Ford's in-the-sky.org and other sources Venus in the evening Venus will be an unmistakeable, dazzling object low in the west in the evening throughout April and on into the summer. Its separation from
