|
|
Our members are quite flexible and happy to use on-line conferencing systems other than Zoom or Skype, however be aware that most of us are Windows PC based |
Laser Pens |
Maidenhead Astronomical Society may use Laser Pens as a pointer during outreach events and talks. Any such use will comply with our Laser Pen Policy, which may be downloaded from here (.pdf)
Essentially, only responsible adults pre-approved by MAS are allowed to use a laser pointer at an outreach event. Children under the age of 18 and non-approved adults are not permitted to use the laser pen at any time. Any member of the public bringing their own device (without pre-approval) is asked not to use it during one of our events (and will be asked to leave if they are not willing to comply with this request).
Future Public Events |
This page is dedicated to events promoted by Maidenhead Astronomical Society aimed at bringing an awareness and appreciation of astronomy to the general public. Almost all of the Events listed here are run by MAS (the few that are not are plainly marked)
Details of future planned events are limited to those open to the general public (Members should look in the Members Only section for details of future events not open to the public - which includes most of our local Outreach activities (schools, cubs, brownies etc)).
Future events are listed in date order, next planned first. Be aware that events can change (usually due to the weather :-) ) so please check nearer the event before making a journey
Note. MAS holds Public Liability Insurance via our membership of Federation of Astronomical Societies. The Policy Document for 2021 (pdf) is available on request (it can be found in the Members section)
(-) 25 Oct 2022 Partial Solar Eclipse
25 October 2022, 09:57, partial Solar Eclipse of which only 16% is visible from UK
This note last modified: 9th Mar 2015 15:07.
(+) 7 Mar 2025 (and 22) Major Lunar Standstill
(+) 29 Mar 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse
(+) 12 Aug 2026 Solar Eclipse
(+) 26 Jan 2028 annular Solar Eclipse
(+) 1 Jun 2030 annular Solar Eclipse
(+) 13 Nov 2032 Transit of Mercury
(+) 7 Nov 2039 Transit of Mercury - (2nd of pair)
(+) 28 Jul 2061 Halleys Comet returns
(+) 23 Sep 2090 Total Solar Eclipse - (the next visible from UK)
Reports from our Outreach & Event activity |
Here you will find reports of MAS events held in the last 10 years or so (i.e. since the MAS web site effectively 'took over' from printed newsletters as the primary means of 'reporting back' to the membership). Some details have been removed to allow for public viewing
The Members Only section contains details of MAS History going back to our formation in 1957
(-) 18 Mar 2022 21st Maidenhead Scouts - (outreach)
18th March 2022 - 21st Maidenhead Scouts - outreach
Presenters:- Andy, Adrian, Robin, Steve (report by Steve)
We all arrived before 6:30 for the 7pm start only to find the hall still in use by the previous users. Noting that the sky was clear, although not quite dusk yet, Adrien convened a quick meeting to decide if it was worth observing. Since our visit would contribute to the Scouts Astronomy Badge, and actual use of a telescope was part of the requirements, we decided we should do so if at all possible.
Step one was to decide where the telescopes might be sited. In front of the hall was a small car park, overlooked by the public road and street lights, less than ideal. The small outdoor area to one side of the building was little better, with the hall on one side and tall trees on the other 3 sides.
Launching Stellarium on my smart-phone I discovered that Orion would rise above the main entrance, whilst there was little of note to be seen from the area beside the hall. The Moon was near the horizon to the east, to the left when looking towards Orion, but hidden by the trees on that side of the car park.
Both Robin and I were keen to place our telescopes at the front, so Adrian put together a slightly revised program.
As Robin set up his telescope, we gathered with the 21 Scouts in the hall for the raising of the flag.
They then split into two groups, one inside with Adrian and Andy and the other outside for observing. The indoor group watched a short presentation explaining the idea of the celestial sphere, equator and poles. This was followed with a demonstration of why the constellations change with the seasons, then a quick game to help understand the scale of the Solar System.
Meanwhile, outside, Robin did a quick talk about constellations, using his laser pointer to indicate the Pole star, pointing out Ursa Major, Cassiopia, Gemini, Tarus and Orion. They found it just about about possible to see the nebulosity of the Orion Nebula. Of course it was too dim to activate the colour receptors of our eyes, so Robin urged the scouts to look at images on the internet to show the red colouration.
As he was doing so, I noted that the Moon was just starting to become visible behind the trees, so quickly moved my Dobsonian into a new position. The outdoor group then split into two halves, with one observing Orion's belt through Robins telescope and the other the Moon through mine. The two sub-groups then swapped over.
It seemed to be only a few moments before the two main groups were swapped over and Robin went through his talk again. This time he was a little quicker, giving the Scouts more time for observing.
I moved my telescope out of the way as Robin started to pack up. I got back inside just in time for Adrian to announce the Solar System layout challenge.
The Scouts split into their their 4 sections and I handed each section leader the scale chart. This lists the scale of the planets by size and orbital radius, relative to the Earth.
Before I knew it, they were all selecting Planets from the box of balls on the table and using various ways to measure orbital distances along the length of the hall.
I am pleased to say that all the sections selected a good set of planets to reasonable relative scale sizes,, although one section had to be prompted to check the size of the baseball representing Jupiter before they realised that it was 22 cm not 11, so the Earth would be 2cm rather than 1cm.
All got the correct relative orbital distances, although the end section, next the main door, chose a greater scale than the others so shud have placed Neptune outside the door in the car park !
Amazingly we finished early, something that was even more unusual than getting weather good enough for observing. As soon as the planets were packed away, I nipped outside to pack my telescope whilst the the Scouts had a quick game of a slightly revised version of Musical Chairs using carpet tiles.
The evening ended with a group photo (see at top) !
This note last modified: 28th Mar 2022 20:48.