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Observing events
Next public observing session Friday 17 to Sunday 19 November, 6–8 pm
Ruislip Lido, Reservoir Road, Ruislip
Admission is free* and all are welcome!
The crescent Moon will be on view so you can study its craters as if you were flying over the surface! (But please arrive early to see it because it will be low in the sky afrter 7 pm. ) In addition, the ringed planet Saturn and mighty Jupiter with its moons will be on show.
We may also be able to see the famous Andromeda Galaxy, 2½ million light years away, as well as glittering star clusters such as the Pleiades and the amazing Ring Nebula and the Dumbbell Nebula (depending on weather conditions).
To help you know what telescopes are looking at we will place a white light under telescopes pointing at the Moon and planets. If weather permits looking at stars or galaxies operators will wear yellow or red armbands respectively. Just remember when you change telescope to change colour as well!
Bring your family and friends. Members of WOLAS will be on hand with a variety of telescopes and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Don’t forget to wear warm clothing and bring a torch. Please switch it off when asked to. To prevent dazzling observers please limit the brightness of your torch once past the tea room to your phone’s light or equivalent as bright lights can make observing faint objects difficult. Red lights are preferred as they don't destroy night vision.
On nights when observing is possible the Turntable tea room will be open for refreshments, courtesy of the Lido Railway. However, please note that the toilets will not be open.
In the event of poor weather the event will be cancelled, but please check the home page of this website before leaving. We will announce GO/NOGO by 4 pm on each night at the latest.
* Admission to the event is free of charge, but Council parking charges of £3.50 apply to non-Hillingdon First Card holders. Please take care to park in the correct part of the car park, as directed by our marshals, to avoid a fine. Those using the extreme left-hand car park must sign in at the Water's Edge pub on arrival.
How to get there
Ruislip Lido is off Bury Street, and access is via Reservoir Road, HA4 7TY. Park at the car park* at the end of Reservoir Road and be prepared to walk about 200 m along the well-surfaced road to our observing site, which is accessible to wheelchairs. The road is unlit so you may need a torch but please use it with care when people are observing.
If you would like to be notified about future public observing sessions in advance, please contact wolas.outreach@yahoo.com with Subscribe in the subject line.
WOLAS Members' Weekend Observing trips
Spring 2024
The Spring 2024 Wolas Observing Trip will again be to our favourite dark sky location of Llanerchindda Farm in Mid-Wales (www.cambrianway.com) and we have booked the whole place again. The event will run from Friday 3rd May to Monday 6th May 2024.
As the Farm is such a popular place, we have also booked the same venue for the 2025 Spring Observing weekend. This will be held on the weekend of Friday 25th April to Monday 28th April 2025.
Previous Trips
See links below for information and picture galleries for previous observing weekends in the UK and abroad;
Previous WOLAS Weekend Trips
Observing Trips Galleries
Members’ Trips
You can also view some pictures taken on individual observing trips taken by members.
