CAA: Anglo-Saxon Astronomy

The Anglo-Saxon period is often known as the Dark Ages because of the lack of information we have about this period of time, but astronomically it could not be more interesting. During this time there were several major events with global effects. It was a time of diverse views about the heavens in Britain, with Celtic, Greek, Saxon and Viking ideas all competing with each other.

Martin studied for his degree in astrophysics whilst working as a guard on British Rail in the 1970s. From 1989 until 2011 he was Curator of Astronomy at the Yorkshire Museum in York, where he helped organise large educational events for children. In 1998 he was presented with an MBE for services to astronomy and education. Until the pandemic he had a mobile planetarium which he took to hundreds of schools in the north of England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and currently sits on the council. He presents lectures on cruise ships all over the world, and to various clubs and societies at home. He has his own weekly Astronomy Show on a community radio station called Drystone Radio, which can be heard on line. He also writes a monthly ‘What’s in the night sky?’ feature for the Craven Herald newspaper which covers the Yorkshire Dales. In 2020 he was a guest on an episode of the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip, talking about Thomas Cooke, Instrument Maker of York.