My name is Keith Venables. I live in Surrey, UK.
My interest in astronomy started at school (Eltham College), and I later took a degree in Astrophysics (Sussex University).
Then I started an engineering job in industry, got married (to Jan), and that was me kind of busy for the next 20+ years. When the children (Mel & Andy) left home I had more time and was amazed to find how much amateur telescopes and equipment had advanced. Plus now with some engineering skills I have really enjoyed building and using telescopes. The Camberley Observatory is my biggest project to date.
In 2000 I was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
One of the things we like best about our house is the garden lined with mature trees. These trees obscure a good part of the sky, but most of it is tainted orange by street lighting anyway. There are two solutions, one - look straight up at whatever happens to be passing, and the other is to travel to dark sky sights. Combine this with my love of travelling and you see why I go to so many star parties.
So far I have clocked up 20 consecutive years attending the Texas Star Party where in recent years I have led their Amateur Telescope Making program. Some how along those 20 years I got hooked on Mustangs, renting one each year and making the trip a bit of a holiday road trip. Longest drive was Washington DC to the Star Party, about 2000 miles! When RHD Mustangs were available here I jumped at the chance to own one. It can now be often spotted at UK star parties full to the roof lining with camping gear and my 18” dobsonian.
