Astronomy Groups: Essex

Castle Point Astronomy Club (CPAC), originally founded in 1969 as the Rayleigh Astronomical Society (RayAS).   Members meet weekly (Wed.) at St Michael and All Angels´ Church, St Michael´s Road, Daws Heath, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Essex.

Chelmsford Astronomical Society (ChefAS), active from late 1960s. The society had the use of the Vince Telescope, a 6-inch Merz refractor now at the Bayfordbury Observatory. Active during the mid 1980s the society existed up to the late 1990s.

Clacton and District Astronomical Association (ClaDAA), founded 1969.  In 1974 the society built a club observatory that last 21 years before being vandalized.  Members (20) meet monthly (3th Tues.) at Christ Church United Reform Church, 6 Carnarvon Road Clacton-On-Sea (CO15 6PH).

East Essex Astronomy Club (EEAS), founded (2014). Members meet monthly (Sat.) at Village Hall, Arcadia Road, Burnham on Crouch (CM0 8EF).

Havering Astronomical Society (HavAS), founded 1994.  Members (40-2018) meet monthly (3rd Wed.) at Thames Chase Forest Centre, Pike Ln, Upminster  (RM14 3NS) – first met at Cranham Community Centre, Cranham.

Loughton Astronomical Society (LoAS), founded 1968 from a telescope mirror making class at Loughton College.  Members (70-2016) initially met at Loughton Hall (Debden Community Association) where the group established an observatory with a 16-inch reflecting telescope – now remounted as a Dobsonian telescope.  They also provide junior astronomy outreach, Theydon Bois AstroKyds (TBAK). The society also hosts the Autumn Equinox star camp at Kelling Heath in Norfolk.  Weekly meetings are now held at the Scout Hall, Theydon Bois (CM16 7EJ).

North Essex Astronomical Society (NEAS), originally founded as the Braintree   Astronomical Society (BraiAS) – name change 2000.  Members meet  at The Henry Dixon Hall, Henry Dixon Road, Rivenhall End (CM8 3HR). Observing sessions are held at their Munday-Sayer Observatory, located near Wakes Colne, that houses a 11-inch Celestron SCT reflecting telescope.

South East Essex Astronomical Society (SEEAS), founded by Peter Laycock (1974), members first convened at the Central Library Lecture theatre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-On-Sea, meetings 1st Thurs. each month (Sept to May). Membership peaked at 200 during 1980s and then dwindled to 70 when it closed in 2004.

South Essex Astronomy Group (SEAG), founded 2017.  Members meet monthly (2nd Wed.) at Hawkwell Village Hall, Main Road, Hawkwell and at the Horndon Methodist Hall, High Street, Horndon-on-the-Hill (SS17 8LN) – not active 2019.

Thaxted Astronomical Society (TAS), founded (2019) active 2023. Members meet fortnightly (2nd & 4th Wed.) at the Swan public house, Bull Ring, Thaxted, Dunmow (CM6 2PL).

Thurrock Astronomical Society (ThAS), founded 1997 by a keen group of people who met at evening classes whilst studying for their GCSE in Astronomy.