WHEN it comes to unlikely astronomical associations there are just some things you wouldn’t expect to align in any solar system.

A World War Two bomber found on the moon, for example, courtesy of the Daily Sport in the 1980s.

Or former Saddleworth resident Professor Brian Cox appearing on Top of the Pops in a tartan suit?

And how about Greenfield boasting its own star gazing observatory?

Well, two out of three ain’t bad, unless any lunar explorations have discovered the undercarriage of a Lancaster in recent years.

It may not be as grand as Jodrell Bank but thanks to George Powell the village is indeed home to a lookout for star gazing.

Due to George’s enthusiasm Saddleworth now also has its own Astronomy Club.

The Satellite Centre on Wellington Road was a natural first choice as venue but early closing hours forced George to scan the horizons for another location, eventually settling on Denshaw Village Hall.

The club has been going since early December 2018 and new members to its Wednesday meetings are still being invited.

“I’m also a member of Heaton Park observatory but they are only open from September to March and disband. So, the village hall at Denshaw is ideal,” said George

Oldham-born George’s own love of astronomy started almost by accident.

A former general mental health nurse, he engaged with Oldham Council’s Shared Lives initiative providing accommodation care and support for people with learning or physical disabilities and mental health issues.

“I had a young man living with us with learning disabilities,” he said. “Ask him though about astronomy or the weather and he could tell you anything.”

George’s desire to expand his knowledge of the galaxy led him to building his own observatory in the back garden.

“It’s not a shed like most people have,” he told the Independent. “It’s a proper observatory-two metres across by 2.7 metres high.

“I had a structural engineer come in and obtained planning permission from the council.

“When it went up there were all sorts of comments. Someone even said was it septic tank. Others called it the Greenfield Observatory and the name just stuck.

“There is just loads going in the sky on that people don’t realise,” added George, also a member of Greenfield-based Men in Sheds and an enthusiastic beekeeper.

His favours the study of comets and is excited by the appearance of asteroid Apophis in 10 years’ time.

“That’s the next big one and I’m hoping I’m still around to see it,” smiled George.

Discovered in 2004, Apophis is predicted to pass Earth on April 13, 2029.

“They weren’t sure at the time whether It was on a collision course because it was that far out,” he explained.

“What they can’t predict is whether when it comes back in about 2036 it will hit then.

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“It’s massive and they reckon if it hits water it will send a plume up a couple of miles high.”

At least in his observatory George will be able to see it coming!

• Saddleworth Astronomy Club is open to anyone and membership is not required. No experience is required.

The group meet every Wednesday and for more information email George at georgepowell2312@btinternet.com

*Before becoming a fully-fledged scientist Professor Cox played keyboards with pop act D-Ream whose song ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ reached number one in 1994.

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