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 2022-23 (pdf) is available on request (it can be found in the Members section)
(+) 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
(+) 5 Dec 2024 1st Sippenham Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 19 Nov 2024 9th Maidenhead Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 15 Nov 2024 1st Pinkneys Green Guides - (outreach)
(+) 6 Nov 2024 4th Taplow guides - (outreach)
(+) 23 Oct 2024 Manor Green - (outreach)
(+) 2 May 2024 Newlands Girls School - (outreach)
(+) 26 Apr 2024 1st Britwell Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 27 Feb 2024 1st Cookham Beavers(2) - (outreach)
(+) 26 Feb 2024 1st Cookham Beavers(1) - (outreach)
(+) 6 Feb 2024 7th Windsor Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 15 Jan 2024 Cookham Dean Primary School - (outreach)
(+) 12 Jan 2024 1st Cippenham Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 6 Dec 2023 Bisham Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 22 Nov 2023 Furze Platt Cubs (2nd pack) - (outreach)
(+) 21 Nov 2023 Furze Platt Cubs (1st pack) - (outreach)
(+) 10 Nov 2023 Trinity St Stephans School - (outreach)
(+) 2 Sep 2023 Cookham Regatta
(+) 19 Apr 2023 Newlands School - (outreach)
(+) 18 Mar 2023 Highfield Prep School Look to the Stars - (Public Event)
(+) 4 Mar 2023 Maidenhead Big Read - (Maidenhaed Library)
(+) 23 Feb 2023 Bourne End cubs (2nd pack) - (outreach)
(+) 22 Feb 2023 Bourne End cubs (1st pack) - (outreach)
(+) 8 Feb 2023 Western House Academy - (outreach)
(+) 18 Jan 2023 1st Cippenham Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 12 Jan 2023 6th Windsor Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 21 Nov 2022 Cookham Dean C of E School - (outreach)
(+) 12 Nov 2022 White Waltham Academy - (outreach)
(+) 8 Nov 2022 1st Maidenhead Sea Cubs (2nd visit) - (outreach)
(+) 1 Nov 2022 1st Maidenhead Sea Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 25 Oct 2022 Partial Solar Eclipse
(+) 3 Sep 2022 Cookham Regatta
(+) 15 Jun 2022 Newlands KS3 Science Club - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Mar 2022 21st Maidenhead Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 10 Mar 2022 Wargrave Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 9 Mar 2022 Wargrave Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 28 Jan 2022 Western House Academy - (Outreach)
(+) 14 Jan 2022 1st Cookham Guides - (Outreach)
(+) 9 Dec 2021 Windsor Cental Scouts 2 - (Outreach)
(+) 8 Dec 2021 Windsor Cental Scouts - (Outreach)
(+) 2 Dec 2021 Furze Platt Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 16 Nov 2021 Cookham Beavers 2 - (Outreach)
(+) 15 Nov 2021 Cookham Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 8 Nov 2021 Cookham Dean School - (Outreach)
(+) 4 Sep 2021 Cookham Regatta
(+) 12 Aug 2021 Perseids meteor shower - (Ockwells Park outreach)
(+) 10 Jun 2021 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
(+) 4 Mar 2021 1st Maidenhead Sea Scouts - (Outreach)
(+) 27 Jan 2021 (and 28) Bourne End Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 14 Nov 2020 Covid19 CANCELLED 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)
(+) 7 Sep 2019 Cookham Regatta
(+) 29 Aug 2019 Maidenhead Library (Outreach)
(+) 19 Aug 2019 Childrens Reading Challenge Maidenhead Library - (Outreach)
(+) 20 Jul 2019 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing - (Maidenhead Festival)
(+) 4 Apr 2019 Newlands School (Outreach)
(+) 28 Mar 2019 Bourne End Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 14 Mar 2019 Furze Platt Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 24 Feb 2019 Furze Platt cubs (Outreach)
(+) 15 Feb 2019 Scouts (Outreach)
(+) 15 Feb 2019 13th Maidenhead Scouts (Outreach)
(+) 7 Feb 2019 Burchetts Green Infant School - (Outreach)
(+) 24 Jan 2019 Sea Scouts (Outreach)
(+) 29 Nov 2018 ALLsorts (Outreach)
(+) 18 Nov 2018 Furze Platt Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 7 Nov 2018 Furze Platt Cubs (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)
(+) 27 Jul 2018 Total Lunar Eclipse
(+) 30 Jun 2018 (end) Maidenhead Week - (Lassell at Heritage Center)
(+) 23 May 2018 Wycombe Abbey School (Outreach)
(+) 12 May 2018 Lassell grave clear up
(+) 11 May 2018 Lassell grave tidy up
(+) 8 May 2018 9th Maidenhead Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 28 Apr 2018 Maidenhead Arts Festival
(+) 18 Mar 2018 1st Furze Platt Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 19 Feb 2018 Winter Hill Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Jan 2018 1st Maidenhead Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 13 Dec 2017 Geminids meteor watch - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 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)
(+) 5 Oct 2017 Harvest Moon - (official)
(+) 22 Sep 2017 Autumn Equinox - (early Harvest Moon)
(+) 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)
(+) 1 Apr 2017 Stargazing Live
(+) 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)
(+) 17 Nov 2016 Taplow Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 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)
(+) 15 Mar 2016 Eton End 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)
(-) 14 Jan 2016 6th Windsor Cubs and Scouts
Thursday 14th Jan 2016 - 6th Windsor Cubs and Scouts
Report by: Steve B
Our first Outreach of the new year was initially 'booked' by the Cubs, however the Scouts (who meet straight after the Cubs in the same hall) got to hear about our visit and asked if we would 'stay over' for them - of course we said 'yes'.
With one week to go I started to get excited - the weather forecast did show some rain in the afternoon but it looked like we might get some clear skys in the early evening just as we would be visiting the Cubs - so, observing at last ! However that was the good news - the bad was that neither our Outreach Co-ordinator nor Vice-chair would be able to attend. So I sent a quick message to the 'usual suspects' (Committee and those who had helped out at previous events) begging for some assistance.
With 24 Hrs to go the weather forecast had improved - with a solid 4 hours of clear sky and, even better, Jim H answered my pleas and even volunteered to bring along the Society's' ancient 6" Newtonian on it's old 'pillar stand'.
On the night it was 'anti-TARDIS' time as I packed the car with two 'full sized' telescopes (my usual Dob. plus a 6" refractor on a Celestron mount I had won on eBay over Xmas) in addition to all the presentation kit ('anti-TARDIS' ? well, it turns out my car is "smaller on the inside" :-) )
Arriving at 5.30 the Sat Nav dropped me outside a residential house, so I drove on down the street until I spotted a hall laid back from the road that looked a possibility - I asked the man maneuvering a wheelie-bin outside 'Do you know where the Cubs meet ?' and he replied 'Here !' - so in I drove. As I started to unpack the first Cubs arrived and were instantly 'volunteered' to help (many thanks, guys) as the car contents exploded over the driveway. Soon the Dob. was set up and the early arrivals had the chance to observe the crescent moon.
Whilst I was setting up the 6", Jim arrived in his van and unpacked the Society reflector - I left him to complete the set-up and went inside to prepare the talk / Solar-system demo. Soon the car park was full of Cubs queuing to have a look, however the queues never seemed to get any shorter - after a while I noticed that having had a peek through one telescope, each Cub would go and join the queue for one of the others !
After much coffee (many thanks to the 'Leader') and intermittent adjustment of the 'scopes (we were in too much of a hurry to properly align anything, so the Moon soon drifted out of view) and half an hour or so, we called a halt. Next it was everyone (and the telescopes) inside for the 'Finding Polaris' presentation. Benches had been arranged behind the projector and they quickly filled with the 30 Cubs.
Of course I had all the usual hic-ups = PC going to sleep, Stellarium covering the screen with reams of details on each star and (naturally) the mouse playing up (those clever 'red LED' types are just fine on a mouse mat, but on a bare table-top surface give me an old 'roller ball' mouse any-day).
We then went into the Solar System 'layout' with Jim assisting with the 'string'. Once again Pluto was not forgotten (as usual, I kept Earth back so I could ask 'Which Planet haven't we done ?' ... and Pluto was the firm favorite !). After the Planets were laid out, I actually had a keen volunteer willing to take Proxima Centauri to Slough (I realised later that as we were in Windsor, Slough was just a couple of miles away, on the other side of the M4 = the correct position should have been the other side of Heathrow) !
After taking a few questions, we ran the 'Solar System to real scale' movie which some of the Cubs had already seen in their Physics class at school. Of course the PC decided it was 'low battery' time about one minute in, but a quick re-plug of the power block managed to get it going again.
As we handed out the Star Gazing Live 'constellations' leaflet the 'Leaders' added a newsletter and a couple of forms to the paper-work stack whilst the parents started to queue-up to collect their offspring and we sat down for a rest.
Scouts
With the Scouts starting to arrive, the telescopes were taken outside again and set up for Moon observing. Of course Orion was rising (as the Moon set toward the street lights) so we quickly got ambitious and tried to 'get' the nebula in Orion's 'sword'. Needless to say, with neither 'go-to' nor spotter scopes correctly aligned this turned out to be almost impossible - Jim may have caught it in the Society scope however I had to settle for Betelgeuse. We spend rather longer outside with the Scouts - maybe as much as 40 mins ..
Back inside I counted 15 scouts with 5 'Leaders' (although the lack of uniforms on some made me suspect a couple of the parents were 'standing in' for the show). I ran the Stellarium 'Polaris' and 'day in the life' scripts successfully, after which we took questions - and they had many ! Fortunately Jim was able to assist by answering all the harder ones :-)
Soon our time was almost up, so I dug out a slide of ISS transit times and warned them that the 'best' chance for the rest of the month to spot the ISS would be tomorrow at 7.20am (especially as the weather was predicted to be clear). One of the Leaders pointed out that "there's an app. for that", however I'm guessing it was an American app. because it was telling him '5.40am' (so he would be up in plenty of time :-) )
After a long evening I got home about 9.30 and managed to unpack before raiding the fridge for a beer and sitting down to watch Star Gazing Live (fortunately I had set up the recording before leaving, as it had started at 9pm).
This note last modified: 15th Jan 2016 13:34.