2026 Activities

Welcome to Shoalhaven Astronomers. We are a group of over 40 local amateur astronomers who gather regularly to share our love of the stars and all things astronomical. We meet on the third Friday of each month at the UOW Nowra campus (George Evans Rd, West Nowra). Meetings run from 7pm to 9pm and usually include a quick preview of the coming month’s sky plus two presentations (talks, videos, demonstrations) by members on astronomical topics of interest. The topics can cover anything from practical to theoretical astronomy; from telescopes and astrophotography to the latest theories about cosmology and astrobiology, and everything in between. This year’s schedule of meeting dates and topics can be found under Calendars/ Association Events. Non-members and guests are very welcome to join us at our meetings to discover, or rediscover, the wonders of our cosmos. We hope to see you at our next gathering.

We also have an onsite observatory which houses a Global Skywatch Optics (GSO) 14” Ritchey-Chrétien telescope and a Skywatcher Esprit 100mm refractor telescope, both of which are mounted on a common iOptron CEM120 equatorial mount. Once trained, members may use these instruments for private observation and/or photographic sessions. Group observation sessions are also organized for members and guests at various times throughout the year depending on the weather and the lunar phases. In addition, there are several smaller telescopes that may be borrowed by members, depending on availability.

If you would like to become an official member of Shoalhaven Astronomers, you will find more information on this website under “Join”. You don’t have to be an experienced astronomer or even own a telescope. All that you need is a curious mind and an interest in the sky above!

Meanwhile, please feel free to explore this website in more detail. It contains information on the annual parade of constellations, planetary movements, eclipses, meteor showers, etc for this year (see Calendar of Astronomical Events and Astronomical Data); spectacular photographic images of astronomical objects by our own members (see Gallery); occasional articles by members on various astronomical topics (Articles); and introductory information for beginners (Education).