South Downs Dark Skies Festival
The South Downs Dark Skies Festival takes place from Thursday 12th to Sunday 22nd February 2026, with lots of great events listed at www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-skies-hub/dark-skies-festival.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this festival, the Lewes Astronomical Society will be at the Gun Brewery Taproom
from 7:30pm to 9:30pm on Saturday 14th February. Come along for an evening of stargazing and star lore. The perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day!
Using telescopes and binoculars, we hope to explore the highlights of the winter sky. Jason Wye will give a short presentation about the Greek legends of some of the constellations, including a famous love story especially for Valentine's Day.
This is a free to attend event. You can book a table or simply turn up on the night. For more information, see
www.gunbrewery.co.uk/star-gazing-evening.
Astronomical Sketching Workshop
The Lewes Astronomical Society is delighted to present a sketching workshop hosted by astronomer and space artist Sally Russell on Saturday 28th February 2026 from 2:00pm to 4:30pm at the Subud Centre in Lewes.
Have a go at drawing astronomical targets using materials suitable for use at the eyepiece - traditional graphite pencils on white paper, and white pastels on black paper.
The workshop will start with a presentation including specific examples to illustrate the techniques involved, plus information on the practicalities of sketching at the eyepiece.
This will be followed by a hands-on sketching session working from a choice of suitable photos of the Moon, the Sun, planets Mars and Jupiter, plus example deep sky targets.
Sally will be on hand throughout to provide help and guidance. No previous drawing experience is required, and all materials will be provided.
Tickets are only £10 each. Please email our Secretary, Jane Penny, at secretary@lewesas.org.uk to book. Tickets are limited for this special event, so please book now to avoid disappointment.
About Us
We're a friendly astronomy group based in Lewes, the county town of East Sussex. Whether you're passionate or just curious about astronomy, an expert or complete novice, everyone is welcome. Our activities are designed to suit all levels of interest, knowledge, and experience within the field of astronomy.
Our heritage dates back five decades as a small group known as the Lewes Astronomers. Astronomy has made significant strides during that time, yet it remains one of the few scientific disciplines in which amateurs can play a useful role.
Relaunched in 2022 as the Lewes Astronomical Society, we now attract about 150 members each year. Yet our ethos remains simple: to promote all aspects of astronomy in a friendly and inclusive environment for people living in and around the Lewes area.
By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookies Policies. New members are automatically subscribed to our mailshots when joining our society.
Next Event
The Quantum Universe
Prof Stephen Wilkins
Subud Centre, Lewes BN7 2DS
4th February 2026 at 7:30pm
Quantum physics is a fundamental theory that describes the behaviour of nature at and below the scale of atoms. Celebrating 100 years since initial developments, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. In this talk, Prof Stephen Wilkins will introduce how quantum physics is essential to our understanding of the Cosmos, focusing on two examples. First, the process of nuclear fusion is responsible for the majority of energy generation in stars, but the temperatures in stellar interiors are too low for this to happen 'classically'. However, the strange phenomenon of quantum tunnelling enables atomic nuclei to fuse even though they don't have the required energies. Second, our Universe is replete with structures in the form of planets, stars, galaxies and clusters. These structures are thought to have been caused by the inflation of minuscule quantum fluctuations present in the very early Universe. Everyone is welcome. Non-members £4.
Contact Us
For general enquiries about our society, please send an email to secretary@lewesas.org.uk. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact any of the team members shown on our committee page.
Join Us
Our membership season runs for 12 months from 1st September each year. Membership includes free admission to our public talks which are usually presented by a guest speaker. These meetings are normally held on the first Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Subud Centre in Lewes.
We also arrange other events throughout the year, such as stargazing evenings. Our events are a great way to meet amateurs and professionals in the field of astronomy and make new friends.
Join us now to enjoy full membership until 31st August 2026. See our membership page for more details.
Find Us
Our monthly public meetings are held in the Assembly Hall at the newly-renovated Lewes Subud Centre, East Sussex BN7 2DS (formerly Lewes New School). Entrance is in Talbot Terrace. Municipal car parks are free after 5pm. The Brook Street car park is just a few minutes easy walk from the venue.
Latitude 50.8765N Longitude 0.00835E /// tripled.collide.flattens