Plaque to be unveiled in Winchester in memory of well known astronomer Alfred Curtis

It will be in memory of Alfred Curtis at the property in Stoney Lane, Weeke, where he had his own observatory in the back garden.

The plaque will be unveiled on August 26, at 3pm.

Mr Curtis lived at the property from 1936 to 1976. The observatory was known as the 'Nath' and he conducted research from it as a founder member of the Southampton Astronomical Society. He was also was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society for his research. 

Sir Patrick Moore was a friend and regular visitor to Stoney Lane from his home in Selsey. 

READ MORE: Letters: Memories of Ron Allison

Malcolm Perrins currently lives in the house and commissioned the plaque. He said: "My wife and I think it is important that his achievements are recorded for posterity and have commissioned a 'blue plaque' that will be unveiled by John Glasgow. John was a close friend of Alfred and his daughter Mira. The unveiling will also be attended by Dr Lilian Hobbs and her brother Michael Hobbs representing the Southampton Astronomical Society."

Mr Curtis was born in Portsmouth in 1901 and moved to Winchester when he was ten and developed an interest in astronomy. He joined the British Astronimical Association in 1920 and published a paper on lunar craters.

SEE ALSO: Nice flowers, shame about the bins and trolley

He joined the Soputhampton Astronomical Association in 1924, shortly after its formation. At the time of the society's 50th anniversary, he was one of the only founding members still fully active in astronomy. He was president of the society until his death in 1976.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Mr Curtis helped to organise Winchester weekend courses in obversational astronomy. The course increased in popularity with participants rising from 56 in 1967 to 242 in 1976.

The plaque will be unveiled in Stoney Lane on Friday August 26, at 3pm.