We are here to make astronomy accessible to everyone
Who We Are
Your Gateway to the Stars
We began as a small but passionate community in Blackheath Village, London, under the name “The Alpha Astronomical Society“. Through this group, we organized star parties and meet-ups, creating a space for locals to experience the beauty of the night sky together. As our community’s interest grew, we expanded our activities to include astronomy-themed birthday parties and interactive astronomy stalls at local summer fairs.
Building on this enthusiasm, we launched our first after-school club as a pilot program at John Ball School in Blackheath Village, introducing young students to the wonders of astronomy. This milestone marked the beginning of our journey to bring astronomy education to learners of all ages and backgrounds. StellaR Inspire is all about making science fun and hands-on. We mix Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) into activities that spark curiosity and creative thinking. You’ll get to dive into the scientific process—ask questions, gather info, and make discoveries just like real scientists. We’re here to build your critical thinking skills and show that science isn’t just about facts, but about exploring the why and how behind everything. With StellaR Inspire, you’re not just learning; you’re rolling up your sleeves and getting involved in projects and experiments that bring ideas to life. Whether you’re a curious learner or just love to explore, we make sure the excitement sticks with you long after the experience is over.
About the Founder
I’m Srilakshmi Ramakrishnan (Sri), 26 years old. I grew up in a small town in South India blessed with clear skies; my exposure to astronomy was limited, but I always felt a deep desire to explore the universe. Being the first girl in my family to follow the path of science and to attend university, I was involved in various science projects at school, where I was awarded the Young Scientist Award in 2015 by state science board.
This passion led me to successfully pursue my undergraduate degree in physics, marking the initiation of a journey that has only intensified over the years. I chose to intern at the Ooty Radio Telescope affiliated to Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India (TIFR), where I learned about the complexities of celestial phenomena, learned about radio telescopes, and got involved in a project understanding pulsars. My dedication to advancing scientific understanding led me to undertake research at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh, measuring atmosphere transparency at 220 GHz .
In November 2023 I visited the observatory to understand the workings of various active telescopes, ranging from the 2.01 metre optical-infrared Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), the GROWTH-India telescope, the Cassegrain telescope, and a High Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope (HAGAR) at an altitude of approximately 4,500 metres.
I also learned to study galaxies and exoplanets, which always fascinated me using different software like IRAF, etc. Read more…
