When Does the Astronomy Section Meet, and Can Visitors Attend?

The Astronomy Section of La Société Guernesiaise meets weekly on Tuesdays at 8pm through most of the year, and visitors are welcome — both at scheduled open events and at meetings, which the section describes as beginner-friendly. The one condition to plan around: observing sessions depend on the weather, so a clear forecast is what turns a talk-and-discussion evening into a telescope evening.

Meeting schedule at a glance

"Most of the year" is the section's own phrasing, so if you are travelling to Guernsey specifically for a Tuesday meeting, check the current newsletter or contact the section beforehand rather than assuming a session every week of the calendar.

What a Tuesday evening involves

Meetings are not a single fixed format. Depending on the week, you might get a talk from a member or an invited speaker, a discussion, a hands-on practical activity, or an observational session — the last of these only when the sky cooperates. That mix is useful if you are new: you can attend several weeks and see talks, practical work and observing without committing to equipment or prior knowledge.

The section explicitly frames its meetings as beginner-friendly, which matches its stated membership position: it welcomes everyone with an interest in the night sky, "from absolute beginners to experienced astronomers."

Can visitors attend?

Yes, in two distinct ways:

• Scheduled meetings and open events. The section states that visitors are warmly welcomed to its scheduled meetings, and it opens the observatory for visiting groups and open events. A listed example is a Halloween evening at the Observatory on Friday 30 October.
• Group visits. The site has a dedicated group visits route, so organised groups (schools, clubs, societies) can arrange a visit rather than simply turning up.

As a charity, the section appreciates voluntary donations from visiting groups to help with costs. Note that this is described as a donation toward running costs, not a ticket price — the site does not publish an admission fee, so do not assume entry is either free or charged.

Practical points before you go

1. Confirm the week. Because meetings run "through most of the year," verify the date on the Newsletters page or via the contact form before making a trip.
2. Check the weather if you want observing. Talks and discussions go ahead regardless; telescope time does not. If observing is your main goal, a cloudy Tuesday will not deliver it.
3. Know what is on site. The observatory houses a research-grade 16-inch Meade telescope and a 5-inch Takahashi refractor on a computer-controlled mount, inside a timber-framed building with a roll-off roof — so there is serious equipment to look through when conditions allow.
4. Consider membership if you become a regular. Section membership costs £15.00 per calendar year (starting 1 January) and requires membership of the parent organisation, La Société Guernesiaise. Members get regular emails about upcoming activities and the annual Sagittarius Newsletter. For occasional visits, the visitor route is the simpler starting point.

The short answer

Turn up on a Tuesday at 8pm during the active season, or watch for open events like the Halloween observatory evening — visitors are explicitly welcomed, sessions suit beginners, and the only real variable is whether the weather allows observing that night.