All observing sessions are subject to weather conditions so please check this website to confirm that the observatory will be open before you travel.  Information will be posted in the right-hand column of the site under the heading JSL Observatory.

If you want to bring along your own equipment here is an observing guide to help you plan your session (Friday and Saturday).  What you will actually be able to see will depend on sky condtions on the night and the capability of your equipment.  Here is  a simple guide for main monthly astronomical events and easier targets.

We are located next to the NTS Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre.

MARCH MONTHLY MEETING

Tue 2nd March - Smithton & Culloden Free Church

7:30pm until 10:00pm

 "The History and Evolution of Astrophotography"

by Eric Walker (HAS)

Welcome to the website of the Highlands Astronomical Society!

We hope you enjoy your visit. You can use  the buttons to the left hand side to visit the different sections on the site, including our popular reviews section, members-mods page, and wonderful gallery section.

The Society has members all over the Highlands, and even some who are further afield! We have a new observatory sited at Culloden Battlefield. The Jim Savage-Lowden observatory houses a computerised Meade LX200R 14 inch telescope, which gives outstanding views of galaxies, nebular, planets -  in fact anything we point it at! Details of public observing sessions can be found on our Programme and Events page. Please be sure to visit the Observing Etiquette page before joining us - it will help you to get the most out of your observatory visit!

Seeing Stars.  In association with The Inverness Courier, members of HAS write a 'sky column' which is published on the first Friday of each month. After publication, the articles are also uploaded to our site, and they can be viewed here. The first article of 2010 is by Pauline Macrae and focuses on the search for extrasolar planets.

Gallery Update.  Click the thumbnail to left to see the latest addition to our Gallery pages: This beautiful picture of Noctilucent Clouds taken by Douglas Thomson on the Orkney Islands back in 2007. The image is on Douglas's own page and on the Earth's Atmosphere gallery.  

Reviews.  The latest addition to our ever-expanding reviews section is a write-up on a specialist hydrogen alpha solar telescope that is taking the world by storm: the Lunt LS60THa. Read all about Antony McEwan's experiences with the 'scope here.

Space News.  A regular series of articles by John Gilmour, that give us all the latest information about the various space missions blasting off on their amazing adventures, or the latest scientific discoveries being made. You can read them all here.