FOR several nights this week many Thurrock residents have taken to their gardens to gaze up at the clear skies and catch a glimpse of an array of satellites passing overhead.

The satellites are the first part of a global network being put in place by American entrepreneur Elon Musk and as they pass overhead while in a low orbit, they have been clearly visible as a chain of lights moving across the sky.

What people in the borough may not know is there is a dedicated group of skywatchers who are regular casting their eyes upwards in a quest for knowledge.

Thurrock Astronomy Society has been going since the late nineties when it was formed by a group of local astronomy enthusiasts.

They meet every month at Horndon on the hill and can also be seen regularly at skywatching events when they invite local people to come and use their telescopes and learn a little more about what out there in the great beyond.

However, while they are grateful that Mr Musk and his satellites have kindled interest in the night skies, they are concerned that if too many are sent into orbit, they will spoilt the potential to see beyond them. Some astronomers have even gone as far as to describe them the 'vermin of the skies'.

Roger Howes from Corringham is chairman of the Thurrock Society who says while there have been fluctuations in numbers over the years, the society is still going strong – through they would welcome new members.

"We've around 18 active members at the moment, at our peak that number touched 40, but the numbers do come and go. As a society we have been grateful for the community fund run by Thurrock CVS which has helped keep us going with a donation and to invest in some equipment.

"It is used by members regularly, particularly when we meet at Thurrock Nature Reserve at Mucking which has become our regular spot - and it's where, working with the Essex Wildlife Trust who run the centre, we are able to put on our open evenings and give talks to people who want to learn about astronomy. Find details here They are suspended for the moment because of coronavirus but we will be back.

"We are also happy to visit schools and scout, guide and cub groups to talk about astronomy and share our knowledge with people.

"I sort of laughingly say 'knowledge, because we are only really a bunch of amateur enthusiasts, we are not experts – though we do regularly have experts who come and talk at our meetings.

"Sometimes I think that people think we are a bunch of boffins 'know it alls' and that puts them off but we are just ordinary people really, amateurs who don't really know much more than they do but we enjoy looking out into the universe to get a look at planets or nebula – or even closer, the moon!"

The Society has a number of telescopes that are available for the public to use when they join in a skywatching evening. The cost of a usable telescope is around £500 but some of the equipment costs several thousands. It's not a cheap hobby, but that's why Roger believes it works as a group so people can share the experience and equipment.

"We welcome people to come along and join us. Unfortunately we can't accommodate young people under 18 unless they are with a parent or guardian. Funnily enough one lady who has just joined us only came along because her daughter wanted to come. In the end the daughter didn't come but she still turned up and found she enjoyed it."

And what of Elon Musk and his Starlink satellites?

"Well you can't deny it's increased interest in what's out there and got people looking up at the night sky but there's really so much more out there. In some circles Mr Musk has been condemned, one American Group, the Society for Popular astronomy has gone so far as to call them the vermin of the skies and the fear is if he puts several thousand up there they will block out the ability to look at the stars from the earth properly.

"We will have to wait and see."

You can find out more about the society and sign up via their webpage here.

And if you want to learn more, take a look at NASA'S daily astronomy update here.