| Abbreviation | SHA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2002 (23 years ago) |
| Legal status | Society |
| Purpose | To promote and encourage the study of the history of astronomy. |
| Location |
|
Official language | English |
Chair | Carolyn Kennett |
Main organ | Antiquarian Astronomer |
| Affiliations | Royal Astronomical SocietyBirmingham and Midland Institute. |
| Website | Society for the History of Astronomy |
TheSociety for the History of Astronomy is an organisation based in the United Kingdom that promotes research into the history of astronomy. It publishes a research journal calledThe Antiquarian Astronomer and a regularBulletin.[1]
The Society for the History of Astronomy was founded in 2002 to promote the study of the history of astronomy by hosting talks by members and publishing new research into the field. One main objective was to encourage research into past astronomers who have previously been neglected within the history of science. Some of its members are professional historians of science but most are amateur historians.[1][2]
The honorary president isDr Allan Chapman ofWadham College, Oxford. The honorary vice-presidents areEmily Winterburn (who was chair at the time of foundation) and Prof.Mike Edmunds. Previous vice-presidents have includedSir Patrick Moore,Sir Arnold Wolfendale, FRS, andDr Michael Hoskin.
The society hosts several one-day conferences at venues across the United Kingdom each year. ABulletin is published twice yearly containing articles and news items about astronomical history. The Bulletin includes short reports of original research by members.[1]
The society maintains a library of publications of importance to the history of the science. The reference section is named for SirRobert Ball and the lending section is named for SirPatrick Moore. The library is located at theBirmingham and Midland Institute in central Birmingham.[3] The archives of the society are preserved at the library of theInstitute of Astronomy, Cambridge.
One of the society's major activities is organising a Survey of Astronomical History in the form of lists of historical astronomers and observatories in each of the old counties of Britain and Ireland. This has been motivated by a desire to promote research into local astronomical activities that have previously been neglected.[4]
The society publishes annually a refereed journal calledThe Antiquarian Astronomer containing new research into the history of astronomy, particularly articles written by members. Published papers have discussed activities in major observatories, scientific research by individuals of particular note, scientific instrument makers, and the activities of prominent amateur astronomers.[5][6][7]
The first issue appeared in 2004. Back issues are available through theSAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS).[8] Its current editor isIan Ridpath.
The society publishes an bi-annualBulletin containing news relating to the study of the history of astronomy and the organisation's activities. TheBulletin also includes short research articles and notes by members. It was previously calledNews (editions 1–4, 2002–2004) andNewsletter (editions 5–17, 2004–2008). Articles are indexed in theSAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System but scans are not currently available.[9] Digital versions are available online.[10]
| Emily Winterburn MSc | 2002–2004[11] |
| Gilbert SatterthwaiteFRAS | 2004–2010[11] |
| Madeline CoxFRAS | 2011–2015[12] |
| Bob BowerFRAS | 2015–2018[13] |
| Gerard Gilligan | 2018-2023[14] |
| Carolyn Kennett | 2023-date |
One feature of this society is an annual summer picnic. Past picnics have been held at:-
5 July 2003Wadham College, Oxford
3 July 2004Woolsthorpe Manor
6 August 2005Wadham College, Oxford
8 July 2006 ‘Farthings’, Selsey
16 June 2007 Pendrell Hall, Staffordshire
2 August 2008Marlborough College, Wiltshire
4 July 2009 Hanwell Community Observatory
17 July 2010Stonyhurst College
16 July 2011 Orwell Park, Suffolk
9 June 2012Carr House, Much Hoole
29 June 2013 Mill Hill Observatory
12 July 2014National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
4 July 2015Woolsthorpe Manor
2 July 2016 Hanwell Community Observatory
1 July 2017Liverpool City Centre
30 June 2018 Seething Observatory, Norwich
29 June 2019Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, Devon
2020 and 2021 no picnic held
25 June 2022 19 New King Street, Bath (to coincide with the bi-centenary of the death ofWilliam Herschel)
1 July 2023 Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory,Moor Park,Preston
21 June 2024Rugby School
27 June 2025Jodrell Bank Observatory
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