Our Vision

Since our formation in 1978 we have worked to build and develop our facilities. Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society achieved a major milestone in 1993 with the opening of our own observatory, the J.A.Jones Hoober Observatory in Hoober near Wentworth.

Over the years the Society has delivered a popular, heavily subscribed Community Access Programme offering access to astronomy to a wide range of school and community groups as well as the general public. Since opening our observatory we have attracted approximately 10,000 visitors. We have witnessed and been part of a renaissance in amateur astronomy fuelled by increased media attention, inclusion of astronomy in the national curriculum and readily available technology.

The mechanical deterioration and age of the main telescope has prompted a thorough review of our Society’s development and the services we provide. The only constraint placed on that review was that any future developments should build upon the considerable investment of time and effort which we have made in the Observatory.

The conclusion we have reached in formulating our strategic vision for the further development of the observatory is that the time has come to seek a New Horizon: to enhance and extend our Community Access Programme, to improve still further the quality of the services we offer and to provide astronomical facilities unequalled in South Yorkshire.