MAS events
All Outreach and Events have moved on-line due to Covid 19
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The Society is using the ZOOM conference system to present material on-line for classes and organisations who ask for our Outreach presentations. Please contact the Society for available dates as normal.
Our members are quite flexible and happy to use other on-line conferencing systems, however be aware that most of us are Windows PC based
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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).
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.
Our Policy Document for 2019-20 is available as a PDF download here
(-) 10 Jun 2021 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
10 June 2021, 10:12, annular Solar Eclipse of which only 23% is visible from UK
The full annular Eclipse will be visible from Canada and Siberia
This note last modified: 22nd Mar 2015 16:00.[top]
(+) 4 Sep 2021 Cookham Regatta (to be confirmed)
(+) 7 Mar 2025 (and 22) Major Lunar Standstill
(+) 7 Nov 2039 Transit of Mercury - (2nd of pair)
(+) 23 Sep 2090 Total Solar Eclipse - (the next visible from UK)
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Reports from our Outreach & Event activity
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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
Note that this page does not include Observing session reports (which have a separate page)
(-) 4 Mar 2021 1st Maidenhead Sea Scouts - (Outreach)
4th March 2021, 1st Maidenhead Sea Scouts
Presenters:- Robin, Andy and Adrian (report by Adrian)
Like many other groups, the Sea Scouts have moved their regular meetings on-line using Zoom. The Outreach team joined their meeting on this occasion to give short talks aimed at helping them earn their Astronomer Activity badges. 16 scouts and several leaders attended.
After introductions, Robin started with a presentation using Stellarium to explain the idea of the Celestial Sphere that we use to visualise the night sky (since we have no perception of the true distances of objects.) Robin described the ecliptic, the celestial equator and poles, and how we use right ascension and declination to navigate the celestial sphere in a similar way that we use longitude and latitude on Earth. He then demonstrated what we mean by circumpolar stars and concluded by illustrating some of the constellations visible in the sky at the moment.
Andy then gave a slide presentation to explain how the gravitational pull of the Moon causes the bulges and dips in the oceans that we experience as high and low tides. He showed how the tides appear to move around the surface of the Earth as the Earth rotates while the bulge in the oceans remains aligned with the Moon. Andy went on to explain why the tides are 50 minutes later each day at any one place, due to the Moon's changing position as it orbits the Earth. He then described the additional (smaller) influence of the Sun and how that causes spring and neap tides at different phases of the Moon.
There was a short break during which the scouts showed the astronomy projects they had been working on at home. They were impressive and ranged from paintings and models of the Solar System, to a working telescope!
Adrian concluded the evening with a talk about why we see seasonal changes in the constellations visible in the night sky. He demonstrated the effect using Stellarium then used slides to show how the Earth's orbit around the Sun explained it. He also showed how this gives rise to the idea of solar time and sidereal time. Adrian went on to explain the (astronomical) significance of the zodiac constellations, showing why the Sun and planets always appear to be 'in' one of the 12 constellations and not in other parts of the sky.
We allowed plenty of time for questions at the end of each talk and, as always, we were challenged with some interesting and tough ones!
This note last modified: 9th Mar 2021 14:29.[top]
(+) 27 Jan 2021 (and 28) Bourne End Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 14 Nov 2020 Public Viewing Event - (White Waltham)
(+) 9 Nov 2020 Cookham Dean Primary School (ZOOM Outreach)
(+) 4 Apr 2020 Stargazing public event - (POSTPONED)
(+) 21 Nov 2019 Central Windsor Scouts (Outreach)
(+) 11 Nov 2019 19th Maidenhead Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 11 Nov 2019 Transit of Mercury (2nd of pair)
(+) 4 Nov 2019 Cookham Dean Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 10 Oct 2019 Holy Trinity School yr3 - (Outreach)
(+) 19 Aug 2019 Childrens Reading Challenge Maidenhead Library - (Outreach)
(+) 20 Jul 2019 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing - (Maidenhead Festival)
(+) 14 Mar 2019 Furze Platt Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 15 Feb 2019 13th Maidenhead Scouts (Outreach)
(+) 7 Feb 2019 Burchetts Green Infant School - (Outreach)
(+) 5 Nov 2018 Cookham Dean Primary School (Outreach)
(+) 20 Oct 2018 Furze Platt Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 10 Oct 2018 WILLIAM LASSELL by Kenlem England (MAS) - (Maidenhead Heritage Centre)
(+) 11 Aug 2018 CANCELLED Persieds Observing - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 30 Jun 2018 (end) Maidenhead Week - (Lassell at Heritage Center)
(+) 23 May 2018 Wycombe Abbey School (Outreach)
(+) 8 May 2018 9th Maidenhead Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Mar 2018 1st Furze Platt Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 19 Feb 2018 Winter Hill Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Jan 2018 1st Maidenhead Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 22 Nov 2017 Cookham Dean CE Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Nov 2017 PUBLIC EVENT Leonids meteor watch - (at White Waltham)
(+) 6 Nov 2017 2nd Woodlands Park Rainbows - (Outreach)
(+) 21 Aug 2017 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
(+) 12 Aug 2017 Perseid Meteor Watch - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 9 Jun 2017 MAS 60th Anniversary Meal - (Members and guest only)
(+) 8 Mar 2017 1st Stoke Poges Guide Unit - (Outreach)
(+) 7 Mar 2017 19th Maidenhead Cubs - (Outreach)
(+) 21 Feb 2017 Furze Platt Cub Pack - (Outreach)
(+) 7 Feb 2017 St Pirans School - (Outreach)
(+) 7 Feb 2017 1st Wargrave Cubs - (Outreach)
(+) 2 Feb 2017 Wildcats Cubs Wargrave - (Outreach)
(+) 19 Dec 2016 Cookham Dean Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 25 Nov 2016 Bayfordbury Observatory - (members visit)
(+) 21 Oct 2016 Lowbrook Academy Science Week - (Outreach)
(+) 17 Oct 2016 19th Maidenhead Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 17 Oct 2016 Holy Trinity School Science Week - (Outreach)
(+) 10 Sep 2016 Pinkneys Scout Camp - (Outreach)
(+) 11 Aug 2016 Perseid meteor watch - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 11 May 2016 1st Datchet Cub Pack - (Outreach)
(+) 9 May 2016 Transit of Mercury - (Public observing at Ockwells)
(+) 9 May 2016 Parkinsons UK at SportsAble - (outreach)
(+) 30 Mar 2016 Claires Court Holiday Club - (Outreach)
(+) 16 Mar 2016 Trinity St Stephens First School - (Outreach)
(+) 14 Mar 2016 Holy Trinity Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 26 Feb 2016 Pinkneys Green and Boyne Hill Altwood Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 11 Feb 2016 Cox Green School STEM - (Outreach)
(+) 4 Feb 2016 Burchetts Green Infants School - (Outreach)
(+) 1 Feb 2016 3rd Cookham Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 12 Dec 2015 Geminids watch - (at Ockwells Park)
(+) 30 Nov 2015 21st Cox Green Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 26 Nov 2015 Furze Platt Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 21 Nov 2015 A history of the Sun - (St Cross College OXFORD (not by MAS))
(+) 18 Nov 2015 Leonid meteor watch - (canceled)
(+) 12 Nov 2015 1st Cookham Dean Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 24 Oct 2015 Cavendish Lab - (Members coach trip)
(+) 17 Oct 2015 (to 23 Oct) Orionids Meteor Shower
(+) 10 Oct 2015 Solar Observing Ockwells Park - (members only)
(+) 6 Oct 2015 Sequela Foundation - (outreach)
(+) 27 Sep 2015 Super Moon (followed by a Lunar Eclipse)
(+) 29 Aug 2015 Public Solar Observing - (lunchtime at Norden Farm)
(+) 11 Aug 2015 Perseids Meteor watch - (Cancelled due to bad weather)
(+) 18 Jul 2015 St Nicholas School camp - (Outreach)
(+) 23 Jun 2015 Courthouse School - (Outreach)
(+) 27 May 2015 Claire Court School - (Outreach)
(+) 11 May 2015 Finchampstead Brownies (Outreach)
(+) 15 Apr 2015 Exploring the Realm of the Giants - (Cafe Scientifique Henley (not by MAS))
(+) 21 Mar 2015 StarGazing Live 2015 (and Telescope Workshop)
(+) 13 Mar 2015 13th Maidenhead Scouts at Braywick
(+) 10 Feb 2015 21st Maidenhead Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 30 Jan 2015 1st Furze Platt Brownies (Outreach)
(+) 29 Jan 2015 1st Woodland Park Brownies (Outreach)
(+) 26 Jan 2015 Burnham Grammer School (Outreach)
(+) 5 Dec 2014 Comet rendezvous free talk at RAL (booking required)
(+) 20 Nov 2014 1st Maidenhead - (cubs (Outreach))
(+) 15 Nov 2014 Public observing and meteor watch at Braywick
(+) 10 Nov 2014 Pinkneys Green Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 27 Sep 2014 Cubs Space Camp at Stoke Poges (Outreach)
(+) 14 Sep 2014 (week to 21st) MAS at Maidenhead Library
(+) 5 Aug 2014 WINGS 2014 International Scouting Jamboree (Outreach)
(+) 21 Jun 2014 Taplow Primary School family camp (Outreach)
(+) 21 Jun 2014 Big Brownie Birthday (Outreach)
(+) 14 Jun 2014 Greenwich Observatory visit (Members)
(+) 5 Apr 2014 Pop up shop - (Maidenhead Town)
(+) 8 Mar 2014 National Astronomy Week Telescope workshop
(+) 30 Nov 2012 Visit to Altwood School (Outreach)
(+) 8 Mar 2012 Wanborough Cubs - (Outreach)
(+) 25 Feb 2012 Visit to Herstmonceux (Members)
(+) 2 Jul 2011 Pinkneys Green Scout Camp (Outreach)
(+) 30 Oct 2010 Astronomy workshop at the Heritage Centre
(+) 9 May 2009 Visit to National Space Centre
(+) 28 Mar 2009 Coffee with the stars (Outreach)
(+) 31 May 2008 Patrick Moore opens observatory
(+) 13 Dec 2007 Geminid meteor watch at Braywick
(+) 1 May 2007 Exhibition at the Heritage Centre
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