What we’re about
Instead of going out all lonely to see the stars and other things in space, let's share stargazing time and views for safer and more social, better experiences (and learn more)!
How
We do this locally in South West London (with occasional events elsewhere) and as often as the organiser's schedule/weather permits. Events may be at short notice (~2 days or less) sometimes if the skies suddenly clear. Hence our calendar can be somewhat random, but we try for at least one event per month, including: star-parties (in a public common/park), socials (pub/cafe), and occasional trips to exhibitions / observatories / other places of interest to astronomers. But no need to be an astronomer already - everyone welcome, from absolute novices to professionals and experts! (we're mostly amateurs and you won't be left out as a beginner).
We continue to meet in summer. For stargazing, we mostly start by meeting in lit public venues (such as pubs) near a darker location to gather and introduce ourselves; before walking to the darker location for viewing together. I aim to make events reasonably accessible via public transport too. This reduces worries for new members. Its much better than expecting new members to find a small group of unknown people at night in hard to find dark places. Feel free to suggest new events/locations too! (always on the hunt for alternatives in new areas, might you have somewhere to share with us?)
We enjoy sharing views through different telescopes/binoculars, or even with just your eyes; and knowledge about the planets/constellations/galaxies/deep sky objects and how to find them. Several members have telescopes and bring them to some meets, but you don't need anything to come along, just show up. Late evenings are much easier in Winter of course with earlier nights.
Its easy to find talks to go to around/near London to learn and the web always has plenty of news and info, so this meetup group is primarily for meeting up in the evenings to see the stars, the moon, planets or deep sky objects (if there are suitable telescopes around).
When
Note: due to the weather, meetings may come up at relatively short notice or be cancelled if its terrible, but I plan on both weekdays and weekends, and try to set up at least one or two meets per month. I also copy over and post the Baker Street Irregular Astronomers group monthly (but irregular) events in Regents Park to publicise those as they are great events and usually very well attended (can be more than 100). Everyone from novices/beginners to experienced astronomers go, there can be 20-odd telescopes/binoculars on a good (clear) night brought by members, so they are a great way to learn more and see different equipment and accessories at work.
Some meets will fallback to a social evening inside if skies fail us. If a meeting is described (in title or main description) as tentative or unsure, then please check with the organiser whether it is still on, close to the day of the meet (by phone/text/email, allowing at least a couple of hours ideally in case of delayed response). Otherwise you take a slight risk going.
Use the message board to make random invites if you're planning a session a night or two ahead. It feels much safer and more fun sharing the wonders of the night sky with others.
Where
Common meeting grounds might be Tooting Common, Streatham Common, sometimes Wimbledon Common or Blackheath, but we try others too occasionally. Commons/parks mean less streets and lights nearby, we choose the ones publicly accessible at night, and are generally the best places in London for stargazing. I'll try to keep public transport in mind as obviously dark skies tend to be further from public transport. You'd be surprised what you can see on a good night when away from immediate streetlights though, especially through any enhancing equipment (regular binoculars or even a pair of opera glasses will do, telescope even better).
For more about our regular locations, see the locations page I wrote about that (in the "Pages" section on meetup website, not in the app).
Equipment
As I say, you don't need anything but your eyes to enjoy the night skies; there will almost always be at least some binoculars and a telescope brought along by others that will be happy to share views with you (the organiser has some good binoculars, often on a tripod, and a small telescope). But if you do have something you can bring - from as little as a red light torch (which doesn't ruin your natural night-vision so easily), to binoculars (any pair will do!), a camera (better if you can control the exposure manually eg. DSLR/bridge camera), or telescope, then we'd appreciate that and hope you can share views it gives. Even the star-map apps on phones are useful (eg. Google sky map, Stellarium) for finding targets to view. If you can provide transport for others to better viewing locations then thats also very much appreciated.
If you're interested in buying some equipment, do check out my buying advice in the page I wrote about that - but I very highly and strongly recommend you come to an event first (whether ours or another) and see other people's gear and ask questions first because it can easily be an expensive mistake if you don't know what you want, and even put you off for good. Or at least talk to someone in a proper astronomy shop (eg. Widescreen Centre in London, Astronomia in Godalming, or Tring, to name a few near/in London), and read a few reviews so you have a better idea what to expect. Things to consider: time to setup each night, weight/size to carry and put away, what you'll be looking at (planets/the moon? the sun? deep sky objects? everything? daytime use too?), ease of use (type of scope+finder, type/quality of mount, whether computerised/motorised), accessories you'll need/want (and cost of), and how well you know the sky or are willing to learn by hand all play a part - not just the cost and scope power!
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Join "Baker Street Irregulars" (other group)The Hub, London
Baker Street Irregular Astronomers is a (separate) much larger London group, with good events - only postponed/cancelled under the worst weather.
Typically 20-100 attend - depends on sky clarity. Cloudy days can still have clear nights sometimes; check the forecast!
The Hub cafe (on a mound nearer North side of park) opens specially at 6.30pm in winter, and in summer continues through the day until ~10pm for us. Please use for drinks/snacks so they can afford to stay open.
First time?
If clear skies, its colder than you expect after the sun sets (even in summer); dress warmly for standing still in large open spaces at night. Wear +1 layer more than you think (+2/3 in autumn/winter), & warm socks/footwear (maybe hat/headwear too) for anything except hot summer nights to make the most of the telescopes/people there. Ignore at your peril! Or warm up slowly & chat in the cafe if open, but you'll miss gazing time.Beware tripod legs & don't stand in front of a scope's view. Ask permission/advice before using someone else's kit. Queue as needed. Don't look directly at the sun. Don't shine bright lights/phone screens around, so we can keep our eyes dark-adapted. Don't touch scopes when using them, just hold your eye next to the eyepiece (which may move, very slowly, if automatically tracking; or quite quickly when made to change targets). Ask/find the owner if view empty/out of focus (or adjust eye position).
Travel
Monkey gate (next to Zoo) is nearest & only gate open for the Hub cafe in winter. Description+map via their site.
Public Transport/Walking
Tube: Baker Street/St. Johns Wood, or Regents Park with a longer walk across the park - only in summer as open later (9pm).
In winter, gates are locked until the meet starts - enter via Monkey gate.
From Baker St. its a fair walk; nearest bus stop: Primrose Hill (274 route, every 10mins).
From Camden direction/towards Baker St: Wells Rise bus stop (also 274).From Primrose Hill stop: cross zebra-crossing behind you, take path almost-aligned with the crossing, away from the road towards the Outer Circle road; cross Outer Circle to park gate.
In park, keep almost-straight-on into the park. Ignore path heading off almost immediately nearer the fence to the far left; take the left of the other two paths that fork inside the park, walking at right-angles to the road.Driving?
Do NOT drive into Park (prohibited; risks their permit). Officials will notice (wardens office just down the road and they patrol/can join us).Parking outside Monkey Gate is allowed - free on the Outer Circle after 6.30pm.
Notes for All
All park gates open til sunset; after sunset only one park gate is open (usually Monkey Gate, near the zoo, to the right of it when looking from outside the park). From the gate (iron, but plain & at chest-height fence level - maybe a custom BSIA lit sign nearby) on the "Outer Circle" road, its ~150m walk to The Hub along a path with a low-lit section further in (knee-height wooden posts with low-level lamps, not always lit).
Arrive when light/leave with a small group from the meet if nervous in the dark, people come and go through the evening.
Only use open gates. Never climb fences, for safety/security/their continued use of the park. If Monkey Gate is accidentally locked by a warden early, check you have the right entrance (rarely, events might switch gates for post-sunset entry/exit), then call/message the BSIA "unofficial force" organisers on Facebook/email/twitter to fix it.
Once there...
See planets (surface detail on some), their moons; and from outside our solar system, stars, nebulae, galaxies and clusters. Many colours (not just white!). We can explain lots - no such thing as a stupid question! Saturn/Jupiter (and its moons) are always highlights when visible.
In good weather, expect many binoculars & scopes outside the cafe; plus owners sharing views (do ask), teaching how to use them/what to expect/which types are best for what, learning from others. Maybe astro-photography too.
When very cloudy, the social aspect makes a (geeky) fun night and chat in the cafe; but maybe only 10-25 enthusiasts, and a few telescopes instead of 20-30ish.
Other meetup.com groups may attend too.
More Info
Group's website: bakerstreetastro.org (& mailing list).
RSVP on Facebook event (via their group, or more directly the events list page).
To check for cancellation in bad weather, message Eric (host) by email at ericemms AT aol DOT com, but short of solid rain it goes ahead (always socialising opportunities inside the cafe).Meetings are irregular, like ours 😉; chosen by moon/planet/star rising times, celestial events, & Hub availability.
Why Go?
It's large, well-attended, friendly. Occasional competitions/raffles. Companies sometimes attend to demonstrate products. Great way to learn, see/try out equipment. Hang out with amateur astronomers!
