“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our President, Allan Chapman. He was a founding member and a central figure in the formation of the Society for the History of Astronomy, whose vision and enthusiasm were instrumental in bringing the Society into being. Allan remained active throughout the Society’s history, giving talks and writing booklets for our members. His generosity, warmth, and dedication shaped the Society into what it is today, and he will be greatly missed.”

Carolyn Kennett : Chair

‘If you wish to contribute to, or find out more about the History of Astronomy, then I would strongly encourage you to join the SHA’

Dr Allan Chapman SHA President

Acceptance Article Nov ’02

Picture Credit: Helen Fairweather

Welcome to the our Website. Our President, Allan Chapman, states above the main aim of the Society. This is achieved in a variety of ways:-

By Providing a range of publications both printed and electronic which provide a broad range of topics, all to do with the History of Astronomy
By Organising Meetings throughout the year where you can listen to a range of talks from expert speakers on a wide variety of topics related to the History of Astronomy
By Providing access to, and conservation of, a world-class collection of books related to the History of Astronomy
By Undertaking a survey of astronomical history in the UK

If what you see here interests you, then please consider joining the Society by following the ‘Membership’ Tab above, or to the right, where you will find details on how to join.

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Introduction from the Chair, Carolyn Kennett.

Hello and welcome to the Society for the History of Astronomy (SHA). As I step into the role of Chair, I am continually amazed by our society’s resilience and vibrancy and I’m proud to be the face of a robust and active organisation. For over 22 years, the society has sustained its commitment to bringing members together, both in person and virtually, to engage with our love of the History of Astronomy.

We publish a number of booklets, a magazine, a journal, and electronic newsletters each year on the topic. Our library in Birmingham, the Sir Robert Ball library, is one of the largest single-subject libraries in Europe, and has grown richer with new acquisitions and remains a cornerstone of our resources.

This past year, we’ve enjoyed successful events like the Spring Conference held at the BMI in Birmingham and our summer picnic at the Rugby School. Looking ahead we are planning a joint conference with the Société Astronomique de France in 2025 as well as an Autumn conference in Birmingham.

Our online survey of the history of British astronomy has continued to expand, thanks to the diligent work of our volunteers. Membership has remained strong, with new members joining from around the world. We aim to maintain this momentum, fostering a deeper connection among members through webinars, face-to-face meetings, and our rich array of publications.

I look forward to another year of shared discoveries and continued passion for the history of astronomy. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the SHA.

July 2024

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Information Sheet about the SHA

SHA Constitution

SHA Data Protection Policy

SHA Safeguarding Policy