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EnglishWhere and how does CUAS hold its observing events?
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CUAS observing happens at the Institute of Astronomy on Madingley Road in Cambridge (CB3 0HA). There are two main formats: ObsNights, which are weather permitting and combine practical astronomy tips with actual observing at the telescopes, and ObsDemos, which train members to use the telescopes on their own. Members also have access to visual observing and astrophotography equipment.
The two observing formats
ObsNights
ObsNights are the society's regular observing sessions. According to the CUAS website, they are held at the Institute of Astronomy (Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA) and are weather permitting — meaning a session only goes ahead if conditions allow.
Each ObsNight combines two things:
- Practical astronomy tips — guidance on how to observe, what to look for, and how to get the most out of a session.
- Observing at the telescopes — time actually looking through the instruments on site.
The site describes the Freshers' social on 10th October as being "followed by an obsnight if weather permits," which illustrates the pattern: observing is often attached to another event and always conditional on the sky.
ObsDemos
ObsDemos are the training side of observing. CUAS runs them at the Institute of Astronomy, and their purpose is to train people to use the telescopes in their own time. In other words, an ObsDemo is not just a viewing session — it is instruction that lets you operate the equipment independently afterwards.
The site notes "Thorrowgood ObsDemos throughout term," so these run across the academic term rather than as one-off events.
Where exactly
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Institute of Astronomy |
| Address | Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA |
| ObsNights | Held here, weather permitting |
| ObsDemos | Held here, for telescope training |
Equipment available to members
CUAS states that "lots of fantastic visual observing and astrophotography equipment" is available for member use. This covers both:
- Visual observing — looking through telescopes directly.
- Astrophotography — imaging the sky.
The training provided through ObsDemos is what makes this equipment usable independently, so the two things work together: you learn the telescopes at a demo, then use the society's gear on your own.
How to find out when observing is happening
Observing sessions are announced through the society's channels rather than being fixed solely by the calendar, because weather decides whether an ObsNight goes ahead. The site points to:
- The mailing list — join it to be notified of events.
- Instagram — used for upcoming events, member astrophotography, and society news.
- A stargazing WhatsApp group — for sharing what you've spotted and picking up tips.
The mailing list sign-up is at lists.cam.ac.uk/sympa/subscribe/soc-cuas.
Practical points to keep in mind
- Check the weather and confirm before travelling. ObsNights are explicitly weather permitting, so a scheduled date is not a guarantee.
- ObsDemos are the route to independent telescope use. If your goal is to use CUAS equipment yourself, the demo is the step that gets you there.
- Talks are separate and free to attend for everyone, but observing and equipment access are framed around membership. If you want to use the telescopes and gear, look at joining as a member rather than only attending talks.