Welcome to the CDAA
Welcome to the Clacton and District Astronomical Association web site. We are a small informal group, meeting on the first Thursday of the month. CDAA is the only Astronomical Society serving the Tendring and Colchester districts.
Monthly Meetings
These meetings are held at "Christ Church United Reform Church" Carnarvan Road, Clacton-on-Sea at 7.30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (except August). The meetings conclude at 9.45 p.m. Find our Meeting Hall
In addition to the main events, there are also Monthly 'Night Sky' , 'Astro-News' presentations, Seasonal Constellations and a regular raffle.
We are a friendly bunch of amateurs where new members and visitors are always warmly welcomed. Annual membership is currently £15 adults, £6 juniors (under 18 years of age). This covers admission to all of the monthly meetings
Please note that although visitors are very welcome, they are charged an entry fee of £2.00
Outreach
As part of the lottery funded 'Outreach' programme, we offer speakers for local clubs, societies and schools. A small fee may be required to cover travel expences etc. Click the 'Contacts' tab to get in touch with an appropriate representative of our society. Outreach activities are outlined by clicking the 'Events' tab.
Find out more...
Our club secretary David Pugh, should be able to answer most queries about the Association itself, whereas I, Bob Leon can answer questions relating to the web site.
Data Protection Declaration Details
Please note that information given by members to the CDAA (such as email addresses) will not be used for any other purpose than that of providing a means of contact.
On June 5th our secretary David Pugh will give an illustrated talk entitled "Failed Stars, Super Jupiter". This will be a comprehensive talk about the mysterious bodies known as Brown Dwarfs from the original prediction of their existence in the 1960s to the latest discoveries. David will explain how these strange bodies are not true stars burning hydrogen, nor planets, and how they exist in different types. Also that surprisingly we have some as near neighbours to our Sun and its family of planets.
Roger will present a history of the telescope from its earlly beginnings with the telescope used by Galileo to those used in the modern day. There will be examples of the strange and the familiar with a look to the future.
Once more we welcome our Special Guest Speaker Nik Szymanek. He will be presenting his latest exceptional images of deep sky objects. As usual it will be a visual feast and we will have an explanation of how the images were captured and processed.
Mike will present one of his regular round-ups of the most recent astronomical research from various publications and websites.
Our secretary David Pugh is a keen astrophotographer and takes many photos of the night sky during thee year. He favours deep sky objects and these presentations give him an opportunity to show members his most memorable and detailed images.
Our Chairman, Mike Hayes, will give this years 'Brian Cottis Memorial Presentation' in memory of our past treasurer 'Brian Cottis'. The subject this year is 'Asteroids' and Mike will give a basic up-to-date presentation which will include new discoveries made in recent years.It is as Brian Cottis would have wished, a presentation aimed at those new to astronomy and as such intended suitable for beginners.