Visit the Herschel Museum of Astronomy to witness the breathtaking display of amateur astrophotography in Bath. The exhibition, “Capturing the Cosmos: Astrophotography by the Bath Astronomers,” showcases the mesmerizing night sky through the lenses of talented local stargazers.
Unveiled on April 5th, the exhibition presents an array of captivating images captured by the Bath Astronomers, featuring nightscapes, planetary close-ups, and deep space photography. The remarkable aspect is that these striking visuals were taken using a range of equipment, from simple smartphones to digital and planetary cameras, demonstrating the accessibility of astrophotography to all enthusiasts.
Visitors can delve into the fundamentals of astrophotography and juxtapose modern images with historical observations made by William Herschel and his son John. The exhibition seamlessly integrates digital drawings provided by the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Society, presenting a compelling evolution of astronomy technology and techniques over two centuries.
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Complementing the exhibition is a year-long series of stargazing events, offering budding astronomers the opportunity to learn the art of capturing the cosmos under the guidance of the Bath Astronomers.
Patrizia Ribul, director of museums at the Bath Preservation Trust, expressed, “With its breathtaking visuals and strong ties to local heritage, we hope that this new exhibition will encourage even more people in Bath and beyond to ‘capture the cosmos’.”
Izzy Wall, curator at the museum, highlighted the contrast between the past and present, emphasizing how technology has revolutionized the capturing of celestial phenomena since William and Caroline Herschel’s era.
The exhibition will run until January 4, 2026, and is included in the standard museum entry price of £12.50 for adults, with free entry for children.
The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, located at 19 New King Street, stands as a testament to William Herschel’s groundbreaking discovery of Uranus in 1781, which significantly expanded the known universe at the time. The museum building, a Grade II* listed townhouse, has been meticulously restored to reflect the authentic Georgian period in which Herschel lived and worked.