The South West Astronomy Fair

Saturday 9 August, 2008

Despite a very wet and foggy day, the South West Astronomy Fair, hosted by the Norman Lockyer Observatory in Sidmouth, was extremely well attended by exhibitors and visitors alike. In between four guest lectures by renowned speakers Tim Naylor, Nik Szymanek, Chris Lintott and Allan Chapman, who spoke about star formation, astrophotography, cosmology and Sir Norman Lockyer respectively, visitors could enjoy an extensive exhibition of everything from the latest in telescope technology and hands on meteorite collections to advice in astronomy distance learning and opportunities to join astronomy societies, as well as having the chance to grab a copy of the latest Astronomy Now from our own stand, of course! It was great to meet some of our avid AN readers, too.

Here are some photo-highlights of the day. All images Keith Cooper, Astronomy Now.

Astronomy Now’s Website Editor Emily Baldwin makes another sale of the popular Messier Catalogue poster.

Visitors could admire the telescopes on display from The Widescreen Centre, First Light Optics (top), SCS Astro (middle), and Altair Astro (bottom).

Left: An impressive collection of meteorites from the Moon, Mars and asteroids were available to buy from Space Rocks, along with meteorite-related jewellery. Right: Crowds gather around the Open University and Society for Popular Astronomy stands to learn more about astronomy courses and to pick up some SPA memorabilia.

Altair Astro pros demonstrate the Sky Shed POD (Personal Observatory Dome), the ultimate in permanent or mobile domes.

Despite the clouds that enshrouded the Norman Lockyer Observatory, a good time was had by all!