CLUB NEWS

October 2026

Dear All,

As autumn firmly takes hold across the UK, observers can look forward to a dramatic expansion in nighttime dark hours. With the end of British Summer Time later this month, dark, crisp nights arrive much earlier, giving us extended windows for observing deep-sky targets long before midnight. October typically brings crisper atmospheric transparency following late-summer haze, though cooler ground temperatures mean damp conditions and dew management become key considerations for equipment. The evening sky carries a unmistakable seasonal shift, with summer's familiar constellations slipping toward the western horizon while rich autumn fields of stars, open clusters, and distant galaxies rise prominently in the east. It is a fantastic time of year to get outside, wrap up warm, and enjoy the beauty of dark autumn skies. 

Don't forget to send us any images you have taken or post them on the Facebook Group!

This months talk 1st October 2026 delivered by Ian and Ellie:

This month's talk is presented in person by our Club members Ellie and Ian following their recent visit to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. 

The facility's primary function is the construction and operation of planetary robotic spacecraft, including the Mars Rovers and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. 

Look forward to seeing you all!

Warm Regards,

Walsall Astronomical Society