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Public
Outreach |
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Updated Jan 2012
Star
Gazing Live at Braywick Nature Centre
Saturday Jan 21st, 2012
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 The Mayor sees the 3D image display. |
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 Slide show. Images by Martin Andrews |
Another highly
successful evening was organised to partner the BBC2 program. With the
help of the excellent RBWM facilities at Braywick, we held an exhibition
and slide show to which 250+ visitors attended over a three hour period.
Many were families, some with quite young children. Although the weather
was a little cloudy for the first hour or so, the sky completely cleared
to reveal Venus, Jupiter and it's moons. Later Mars and a host of stars
and constellations were seen and even a couple of shooting stars. Nine
telescopes were set up outside.
The Mayor, Asghar Majeed, attended the event and
viewed the exhibition as well as listening to a talk detailing what
could be seen in the sky now and in the next few months.
Organisational Notes:
Set up was from 5.15pm. Hall was opened at 6.15 and closed to visitors
at 9.30. The talk was cycled every 20 min for 25-30 seated. Parking
was at Braywick Heath Nursery (5-10 min walk) which reduced possible
congestion in Hibbert Road car park. The most popular item available
(sold) were Philips Planispheres. Displays: Orrery, 3D images, 4 Stellarium
PCs, Star Maps, Moon Globe, Eclipse Simulator, Camera on Haig Mount,
Society display boards, refreshments, and a kids quiz. Event sponsored
by the Royal Astronomical Society.
Pinkneys Green Scout Camp July 2nd, 2011
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Cubs,
scouts and their families visited an exhibition of astronomy as
part of their organised activity-morning. We had a marquee, tables
and power provided. The exhibits consisted of our display boards,
hands-on planetarium computers, different types of telescope (refractor,reflector,Casegrain,Dobsonian)
and a display of star maps. An Orrery and a talking Darlek were
added attractions. |
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An astronomy quiz gave the exhibition more focus, and 36 entries were passed to the camp organiser. A very successful morning, and we were treated to bacon butties and tea. The weather was also just right.
Images by Tim H. The exhibition was coordinated by Pete O. and helpers.
Telescope Workshop. Saturday March 12th, 2011
..
Photos: Susan Flinders.
Braywick Nature Centre became a show room, when members and visitors brought along their telescopes. Advice was available on how to optimise their use. Visitors could also see what others were using, and gain an insight into choosing or improving an instrument.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this a success - we will probably do another event like this.
Stargazing
Live Event at Braywick.
Saturday Jan 8th, 2011
images: Mrs. D. Herron and Mr V.
Milford
Our
public Stargazing Event prompted by BBC2 programs earlier in the week,
was a huge success.
About four hundred visitors came along (143 were children) to look through
telescopes and visit the astronomy exhibition in the Braywick Nature
Centre, Maidenhead.
Of the 373 officially signed in attendees just over 200 came from the immediate vicinity of Maidenhead.
The Moon, Jupiter (and Uranus nearby), the Moons of Jupiter, and some of the better known astronomical targets such as the Pleiades, Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy were on view.
We were extremely
fortunate with the weather. It was the first clear night for several
weeks.
Earlier in the evening the International Space Station (ISS) passed
over (at about 6pm) and a second passage occurred at about 7.30pm.
Image: Left: The ISS passing above a tree at 6pm as seen from
the BWNC. Right: the BBC banner
The Society would like to
thank all our visitors for making this event so successful.
Christmas Lecture 2010
Prof F.Taylor of Oxford University, spoke to us about the extraordinary discoveries being made by the European Space Agency probe to Venus - Venus Express. Among the many discoveries, he was now able to explain the reason behind Ashen Light which has puzzled observers since it was first seen in about 1680; and why the surface temperature is much higher than early researches had predicted.
Prof. F.W Taylor on the right with members.
Prof. Taylor is principal scientific investigator (Venus Express), and one his objectives is to understand volcanism on the planet and the evolution of the Venusian atmosphere which evidence suggests was similar to Earth's many billions of years ago. The probe, launched in 2005, has exceeded all expectations.
Jupiter Night at Braywick Nature Centre
12
Nov 2010
Giant planet Jupiter was the focus of attention at out autumn public viewing night. Unfortunately Murfy had other plans - but at least it wasn't raining!
Visitors were
not put off by poor weather and 36 adults and 9 children came along
to our illustrated talks on "Jupiter"
and "What's in the Sky". Everyone
was very enthusiastic and asked lots of questions.
Images: Jupiter with a main cloud belt missing, and visitors listening to a talk.
MADAC
"hands-on" October 30th 2010
at
Heritage Centre
The MADAC exhibition and hands-on workshop with astronomical theme was set up on Oct12 at Maidenhead Hertiage Centre. A photograph was puiblished the Advertiser. MAS members were there at the opening and spoke to the Deputy Mayor who said he would come to our workshop with his nephew.
The exhibition looked very good - and although not many came to the astronomy workshop (Oct 30th), we felt that those who did, enjoyed the afternoon and closer look at the exhibits, telescopes and star maps.
-MAS team
Visit
to Herschel Museum, Bath
15th May 2010
19 New King
Street is the historic house from where William Herschel and his sister
Caroline
discovered the planet Uranus, using a telescope forged in his workshop.
Herschel was well known for the quality of his instruments, and at the
time was building the best instruments available. The exhibition has
been extended to include a new projection room (in the coal cellar)
where Patrick Moore gives a lucid history of the great discovery on
DVD.
Many interesting artifacts are on display in the house which has been careful restored.
. 
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Images contributed by D Mason M Andrews and T Haymes.
Sainsbury
Photo Exhibit 15 Feb 2010
was prepared by David Mason,
and facillitated by Vic Millford of Maidenhead Camera Club
Photo by D.Mason
International Year of Astronomy 2009
Autumn
Stargazing at Braywick Nature Centre
November 20th
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Society
Coach trip to the National Space Centre
Saturday
May 9th
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Soyuz (20th c engineering), Moon exhibit, Beam Engine
(19th c engineering)
Photos by Tim Haymes
Spring Moon Watch
at Braywick Nature Centre
Wednesday April
1st.
Left to right: Poster, Refractor, Reflector, Moon (Afocal
method) and, Introduction by Martin Andrews.
An astronomy exhibition and two talks celebrating the First Man on the Moon 40 years ago (Apollo11), were combined with a Spring Moon Watch as part of the IYA2009 events program. Advertising was "country-wide" via the IYA2009 web site, M'head Advertiser, Telegraph and Mail. The two talks were run twice for a total of 65 visitors; and 7 telescopes gave impressive close-up views of the Moon under a clear sky. Observing conditions were excellent allowing some superb detail to be seen.
Refreshments and a raffle completed another successful evening of astronomy, thanks in large part to the organising committee, and a favourable 6hr break in cloud cover.
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Left: Exploring
with Stellarium. Centre:Apollo
11 revealed. Right: The Moon tonight with Bruce Kingsley.
The Society thanks BNC for use of the room and facilities. Funding for the free-entry event was provided from the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust - Cash for the Community Award (2008).
Photos by Vic Milford
Exhibition
and Saturday Coffee Morning
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Society members provided some additional interest at the regular Coffee Club held in The Methodist Church Hall, King Street, Maidenhead. Display boards, telescopes and other items of interest were on show. This attracted a number of folk and families with children, to come inside and find out more.
Left to right: Coffee Club with exhibition, Eclipse simulator model,
Stellarium PC, Reflecting telescope
Photos by Tim Haymes
2008
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Astronomy Night at Braywick Nature Centre October 10th |
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A successful public astronomy night was held at Braywick Nature Centre with 41 visitors attending the event (10 were children). The weather was fair and mild with a clear sky - ideal conditions.
Telescopes arrived at 7.15 and were trained on the Moon and Jupiter. Visitors heard two talks, a beginners guide to the Autumn night sky, and an informative talk on the four giant planets. At 9pm telescopes were re-directed to Uranus and Neptune, and for many, this was their first glimpse of the outermost planets in the Solar System. The display boards and projector were acquired with the generous donation from O2. |
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Old Greenwich Observatory, Saturday March 15th.
Family and friends had a great time at Greenwich, where a new science exhibit was recently opened, including a sophisticated planetarium run by Greg Smye-Rumsby. Members arrived at 1259 to see the time ball drop at 1300 Hrs. All the original exhibits are present, the most important being the meridian transit instrument and time displays, and of course the mighty 28" refractor. The day was completed by a special planetarium show and tour of the 28" dome, and some customary heavy rain !
Photos by Martin
Andrews: Group photo, and inside the Onion dome.
2007
Meteor
Night, Thursday Dec 13th.
Two talks at Braywick
Nature Centre were followed by a Geminid
meteor watch. Eight children and 30 adults attended the public event.
The weather was kind to us (again); although the viewing was cut short
by cloud at 9.45 pm. Visitor reported seeing several meteors, one person
saw five.
The evening started at 8pm with a short talk on "meteors and meteor impacts". This was followed a break and a second talk on "the sky tonight" which was illustrated by a video DVD of meteors kindly loaned to us by Andrew Elliott, a distinguished amateur who's videos have appeared on the BBC Sky at Night.
There was
also a raffle, and the main prize was a piece of genuine meteorite,
and a book. Photo: D. Herron |
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Members with their telescopes were able to point out some of the features of the December night sky: Mars, Orion Nebula, Pleiades star cluster, and comet Holmes in outburst.
'The
lives of stars and people'
Was the title of the public lecture at Maidenhead Town
hall on Saturday 30th June which was attended by about 120 people of
all ages.
Dr Diego, a professional astronomer and educator from UCL, captivated
the audience with his wide knowledge and compelling insight of the known
and unknowns of astrophysics. One questioner asked whether the Sun,
and every other object in the universe were living entities. Given the
evidence, Dr Diego believed that it was extremely unlikely, but admitted
that we have a lot to learn about the universe.
In addition to the talk, locals and astronomers took part in the raffle,
with prizes kindly donated by Oregon Scientific
(Maidenhead), Telescope House,
Aurora Books, and Dr
Chris Lintott.
A
mini exhibition titled "Maidenhead Stargazers" was on display,
which included a scale-model of Lassell’s telescope that used
to be located in what is now known as Lassell Gardens. Aurora Books
provided a book stall and sold pieces of shooting stars, otherwise known
as meteorites, that provide a tangible link between us and outer space.
Maidenhead Astronomical Society would like to thank all local businesses
that helped to promote the success
of the astronomical society's 50th Anniversary events.
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The audience and
Dr. Francisco Diego.
50th Anniversary Dinner.
Was
held on Friday 8th June at the Norden Farm centre for the arts.
The guest speaker was Dr.
Chris Lintott, co-presenter of The Sky At Night.
A great evening & a good time was had by all!
Group photo at Norden
Farm, and Dr. Chris Lintott.
500th Meeting!
Was
held on Friday 13th April and the guest speaker was Guy Hurst (Editor
of The Astronomer) with a talk entitled, "The changing face of
amateur astronomy in the last 50 years"
Left: Guy presenting Life Membership to Brian Sellwood.
Right: Members of the organising committee.
May 1st Exhibition
An exhibition was held at the Heritage Centre, King Street, Maidenhead - with the title "Maidenhead Stargazers". Photographs described the history of the Society from its formation in April 1957 to the present day.
Left: Part of the
exhibition at the Heritage Centre, Right: Outing to Greenwich in ca
1965
Also featured was the story of William Lassell and his great telescopes. A scale model of his 40" Malta reflector could be seen; a smaller version having been build on the Ray Lodge Estate (Maidenhead) in the 1870s. Other displays included star maps, the society's 6" reflector, and images of celestial objects taken my members. The exhibition was generously sponsored by Oregon Scientific.
Scouting100
We were invited to help with cub astronomy badges on May 26th. It rained, but enthusiasm was undampened !
Left: Using a planesphere.
Right: "hands on", viewing distant lights.
Total Lunar Eclipse
An eclipse of the moon was enjoyed by about 80 visitors to Braywick Nature Centre on March 3rd. Two short talks preceded the viewing of the eclipse under cloud free skies. We watched the colour of the moon change from a bright white to dull red, as it passed through the Earth's shadow.
Telescopes and binoculars (large and small) were available for a close-up look at the changing cratered scenery.
Visitors enjoy a
rare evening of uninterupted stargazing !
Updated July17, 2010
