Join us for a great day exploring the history, current state and future of astronomy at the 2025 FAS Convention!
With the Astronomer Royal.
Saturday, 31 May 2025
The 2025 FAS Convention is taking place at The Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge on 31 May 2025. (Please note the new date)
Thanks to the generosity of the IoA we are not being charged for the venue.
We are delighted that First Light Optics are the Gold Sponsor for the convention.
“We are the UK’s largest supplier of astronomy equipment to amateur astronomers and professional/academic institutions.
Seventeen colleagues work from our warehouse, workshop and manufacturing facility in Exeter and remotely from homes across the UK.
As a specialist supplier, we provide reliable advice based on experience. We also design and develop astronomy products and manufacture several of them in-house.”
Astronomy Past, Present, and Future
Our theme for the 2025 convention is astronomy past, present, and future.
Speakers include:
Lord Martin Rees – The Astronomer Royal
“The future of astronomy – Will this next century be our last?”
Dr Matthew Bothwell – Public Astronomer, Institute of Astronomy
“The Invisible Universe – The search for dark matter”
Simon Banton – An independent researcher on Stonehenge
“Archeoastronomy of Stonehenge”
Dr Paul A Daniels FRAS – Member of RAS Megaconstellations Working Group (Optical)
“Threats and Challenges to Astronomy”
Dr Louise Devoy – Senior Curator of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich
“The History of the Greenwich Meridian”
Doors will open at 9 am, with the programme running from 10am to 6pm.
There will also be conducted tours of the IoA during the lunch break.
Tickets are now on sale
There is a discounted price for members of FAS affiliated societies. A promo code will be sent to all societies so their members can purchase tickets for the low price of £10 per person, £5 for under-16’s, £20 for families (plus bookings fee). Public tickets will be made available later if space permits.
To keep costs down, we are asking you to bring your own lunch. We will provide hot and cold drinks, and biscuits.
Tickets are limited to 150 places, so book early.
If your society hasn’t sent you the promo code to unlock the special price, please contact them directly.
The Council looks forward to welcoming you to this event.
Jerry Stone Clare Lauwerys
Meetings Organiser FAS President
Thank you to our sponsors
Gold Sponsor
First Light Optics
The UK’s largest supplier of astronomy equipment to amateur astronomers and professional/academic institutions.
Silver Sponsors
The British Astronomical Association
Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890
Sponsor Name
Sponsor Name
Bronze Sponsors
The UK Radio Astronomy Association (UKRAA)
The UK Radio Astronomy Association (UKRAA) promotes the science of radio astronomy and all branches of radio astronomical research by designing, manufacturing and selling radio astronomy equipment for amateur astronomers.
Mission Astro
Astronomy courses, talks, workshops and more for the Space-curious.
Sponsor Name
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, exhibitor or advertiser, contact Jerry Stone at meetings@fedastro.org.uk
Location Details
The Institute of Astronomy
Madingley Rise Site,
Madingley Road,
Cambridge CB3 0HA
It is just over 3 miles from Cambridge station, about 30 minutes by bus.
Date and Time
31 May 2025. Doors will open at 9 am, with the programme running from 10am to 6pm