• Monthly Meeting Programme 2024

  • 4th January 2024
    'William Herschel'
    by David Pugh
    David will give a comprehensive account of the life and times of William Herschel. It will detail his achievements and discoveries using telescopes that he made himself. He carried out systematic surveys of the northern night skies with the help of his sister Caroline.
  • 1st February 2024
    'Brian Cottis Memoriall Lecture' -

    'The Lives of Stars'
    by Mike Haynes
    Our Chairman, Mike Hayes, will give this years 'Brian Cottis Memorial Presentation' in memory of our past treasurer 'Brian Cottis'. He will give a comprehensive story of the lives of stars. The night sky presents many stars that are at different stages of their lives. Astronomers have pieced together the sequence of their lives from Birth to Death.
  • Presentation Postponed
  • 7th March 2024
    Presentation Postponed
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'Monsters in the Dark'
    by Dr Mathew Bothwell
    This will be the second time that Dr Bothwell has given us a presentation. On this occasion the full title is 'Monsters in the Dark - Searching for the Universe's mose extreme Galaxies'. It is now known that Black Holes lurk in the center of most, if not all galaxies. However, the galaxies themselves can be varied in the extreme. Matt will present many examples and discuss their unusual features.
    In its place:
    Astronomy News

    by Mike Haynes

  • 4th April 2024
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'Cosmology Overview'
    by Jonathan Clough
    This will be the fist time that we have had this speaker so we welcome Jonathan Clough. He will give an overview of cosmology. Cosmology is the study of the origin, structure and evolution of the universe as a whole.
  • 2nd May 2024
    'Latest Astronomical Research'
    by Mike Haynes
    Once more, our Chairman Mike Haynes will present the latest in astronomical research taken from various sources. He will highlight new findings and give us an overview of current investigations into the world of astronomy.
  • 6th June 2024
    'Elements and the Periodic Table -
    Where do the Elements come from? '
    by Bob Leon
    T.B.A.
  • 4th October 2024
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'Monsters in the Dark'
    by Dr Mathew Bothwell
    Postponed from 7th March - This will be the second time that Dr Bothwell has given us a presentation. On this occasion the full title is 'Monsters in the Dark - Searching for the Universe's mose extreme Galaxies'. It is now known that Black Holes lurk in the center of most, if not all galaxies. However, the galaxies themselves can be varied in the extreme. Matt will present many examples and discuss their unusual features.
  • 5th September 2024
    'The A.G.M.'

    Followed by
    'Members Night -
    A Series of Short Talks '

    by Members
    T.B.A.
  • 3rd October
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'The Moon'
    by Jerry Workman
    Once more we welcome our regular Guest Speaker Jerry Workman. On this occasion he will be giving a general talk on the subject of 'The Moon'. We have little doubt that It will be an interwsting and informative presentation.
  • 7th November 2024
    'Southern Night Sky Wonders'
    by David Pugh
    T.B.A.
  • 5th December 2024
    'Christmas Social and Quiz'
    by CDAA Members
    Our host for the evening is Roger Sidwell. He will challenge the members to a test of their astronomical knowledge. It should be a fun and social event.

  • Special Guest Speakers

  • 7th March 2024
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'Monsters in the Dark'
    by Dr Mathew Bothwell
  • 4th April 2024
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'Cosmology Overview'
    by Jonathan Clough
  • 4th July 2024
    'Special Guest Speaker' -

    'The Moon'
    by Jerry Workman

  • External Events

    • T.B.A.

  • PROVISIONAL Monthly Meeting Programme 2025

    • 6th February 2025
      'Shooting for the Stars'
      by David Pugh
    • 4th December 2025
      'Annual Christmas Quiz'
      Hosted by Roger Sidwell

Outreach

In 1984 CDAA organised the first East Anglian Astronomical Convention with the assistance of Tendring District Council and guestspeakers included Patrick Moore. Today the society still attracts several guestspeakers each year to its meetings. CDAA is also keen to promote astronomy education through outreach activities in the local area.

Presentations and activities involving members of the public

Presentations to other Clubs and Societies

Some of our society's equipment has been provided by Lottery Funding. We endevour to give presentations and arrange activities that involve members of the general public outside of our normal CDAA club meetings. It is intended that we offer entertainment and education to the community as a whole.

The Presenters

Mike Haynes is the Chairman of CDAA and lives in Stutton, Suffolk






David Peachey has also been a member for many years and was a Chemistry teacher



David Pugh is the club's secretary and is a keen astrophotographer





  • Outreach 2020

    • Mike Haynes - Sands Friendship Club in Jaywick - Astronomy 10th January 2020
    • Mike Haynes - Talk to Stutton cubs 22nd January 2020
    • Mike Haynes - Talk on Voyager mission to U3A Science and Technology group in Woodbridge 28th January 2020

  • Outreach 2019

    • Mike Haynes - Year 5 of Whitehall Academy - Space and the Night Sky 15th January 2019
    • Mike Haynes - Sands Friendship Club in Jaywick - Astronomy 24th May 2019
    • Mike Haynes - Suffolk U3A, Woodbridge - "Extreme Explosions" 24th September 2019
    • David Pugh - Frinton Philatelic Society - "Other Collecting Interest" - Collecting photons of light from across the Universe i.e astrophotography. November 2019
    • Mike Haynes - Clacton Beaver Group - Astronomy Badge" 24th November 2019

  • Outreach 2018

    • Mike Haynes - East Suffolk U3A Group - Women in Astronomy18th September 2018

  • Outreach 2017

    • Mike Haynes - Holbrook Scouts - Stars 1st February 2017
    • Bob Leon - Walton Friendship Club - The Solar System - A Local Perspective 29th June 2017

  • Outreach 2016

    • Mike Haynes - Malden U3A - Gamma Ray Astronomy - 18th January 2016
    • David Pugh and Bob Leon - Tendring Technology College Astronomy Evening - Demonstrations of equipment, short presentations and practical session - March 17th 2016 CANCELLED
    • David Peachey - The Solar System - Fuchsia Society - June 2016
    • Naze Centre, Walton-on-the Naze Stargazing Event with telescopes by CDAA Tuesday 8th November 2016 19.30-21.30. Alternative indoor illustrated lecture programme in the Naze Centre Education Room if cloudy. Contact Essex Wildlife Trust 01621 862960 for tickets nearer the time
    • Mike Haynes - Introduction to Astronomy - Holbrook Scouts - 9th November 2016

  • Outreach 2015

    • Mike Haynes - East Suffolk Humanist Society - Title unspecified - 14th July 2015
    • David Pugh and Bob Leon - Tendring Technology College Astronomy Evening - Demonstrations of equipment, short presentations and practical session - February 26th 2015

  • Outreach 2014

    • Brian Cottis - Frinton Probus Club, Masonic Hall, Kirby Cross - Hubble Telescope - 6th May 2014
    • Brian Cottis - Ladies Probus Club, Stour Valley - Distant Worlds - 19th June 2014
    • Bob Leon - U3A Astronomy Group Monthy Meeting - The Taurus Constellation and Concepts in Astronomy - 7th October 2014

  • Outreach 2013

    • Mike Haynes - Stutton Village Society (Stutton, Suffolk) - A Short Tour of the Cosmos - 25th January 2013
    • David Peachey - U3A Astronomy Group Monthly Meeting - 5th February 2013 (First Tuesday of the Month)
    • Mike Haynes - Easton Village (Suffolk) - A Short Tour of the Cosmos - 11th February 2013
    • Brian Cottis - The Tendring Ladies Group - The Solar System - 4th March 2013
    • David Peachey - U3A Astronomy Group Monthly Meeting - 5th March 2013 (First Tuesday of the Month)
    • Brian Cottis - Holland Men’s Social Group, Holland Public Hall - Hubble Telescope/Solar System - 15th October 2013
    • Brian Cottis, David Peachey and Bob Leon - U3A Astronomy Group Monthly Meeting - Demonstration of 'Stellarium' software plus review of CDAA website - 5th November 2013
    • Brian Cottis - Stour Valley Probus Club, Masonic Hall, Manningtree - Hubble Telescope - 6th November 2013









  • Outreach 2012

    • David Pugh - 1st Weeley Beavers - Leap Years, Stars and Solar System - January 17th 2012
    • Mike Haynes - Local School (Stutton, Suffolk) - Planets and Stars - 27th February 2012
    • Mike Haynes - Scouts Group (Stutton, Suffolk) - Planets and Stars- 12th March 2012
    • Brian Cottis - U3A - Solar System - 3rd April 2012
    • Brian Cottis - Frinton Probus - Distant Worlds - 3rd July 2012
    • Brian Cottis - Clacton Probus - Hubble Space Telescope - 6th November 2012
    • Mike Haynes - Clacton Brownies - Planets and Stars - 13th November 2012
    • Mike Haynes - Hasketon Village Society (Stutton, Suffolk) After Supper Talk - A Short Tour of the Cosmos - November 2012









  • Outreach 2011

    • Brian Cottis - Friends of Westcliffe - Space Shuttle - April 2011
    • Brian Cottis - Frinton Probus - April 2011
    • Brian Cottis - Frinton Probus - 6th November 2011
    • David Peachey - Frinton Probus - November 2011
    • David Peachey - Retired Masons - November 2011
    • David Peachey - Retired Masons - November 2011
    • Brian Cottis - U3A - 6th December 2011










  • Outreach 2010

    • CDAA Members - Beaumont - Star Party, Observing Evening - 1st November 2010
    • David Peachey - Clacton Probus - Novemeber 2010
    • Brian Cottis - Clacton Probus - November 2010









  • Outreach 2009

    • David Peachey/Brian Cottis - Jaywick Ladies - 2009