The cosmos beckons once again as the Newtown Astronomy Society gears up for its upcoming meeting on the 9th of December.

This event promises a delightful blend of education and entertainment, featuring a hands-on astrophotography activity, a quiz, raffle, and a pizza feast for all attendees.

The highlight of the evening will be a practical astrophotography session conducted by the talented Bob Stuart, a member of the Newtown Astronomy Society. Bob will guide participants through the process of setting up a camera in SharpCap and capturing images that will later be processed using AS3! and Registax, followed by refining touches in Photoshop. Enthusiasts can anticipate creating stunning images of the Moon and LRGB images of Jupiter.

Bob's unique approach involves not just theoretical knowledge but hands-on experience. Participants will have the opportunity to stack and process their Moon and Jupiter images, with Bob storing the processed images and providing prints for comparison at the next meeting. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own laptops with the necessary software, though Bob will also make his equipment available for those without.

The meeting is taking place at the Newtown Catholic Church Crypt, located at Long Bridge Street, SY16 2BJ. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the event will run until 9:30 pm. Entry is £4 at the door, or astronomy enthusiasts can enjoy free entry to all 10 meetings throughout the year by becoming a member for a nominal fee of £25. Membership can be secured at any meeting or by reaching out to [email protected].

The Newtown Astronomy Society encourages young stargazers to join the cosmic exploration. Entry to monthly meetings is free for individuals under 18, provided they are accompanied and signed in by a responsible adult who is either a member or pays the door fee.