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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 |
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. Our Policy Document for 2019-20 is available as a PDF download here
(+) 10 Jun 2021 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
(+) 4 Sep 2021 Cookham Regatta (to be confirmed)
(+) 25 Oct 2022 Partial Solar Eclipse
(+) 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
(+) 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)
(+) 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 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)
Saturday, 11th August - Ockwells Park, 10pm onward (free entry).
Bad weather = 100% clouds with rain forecast later - means that this event has been CANCELLED.
MAS Members will be setting up their telescopes at Ockwells Park, Ockwells Road, Cox Green, Maidenhead SL6 3AA on Saturday 11 August, from 10.00pm to observe the annual Perseids Meteor Shower. This years shower is predicted to be one of the best with peaks of perhaps 100 per hour on Saturday (and Sunday) night. They will be especially easy to see as the 11th is the first night of the new Moon, so there will be no moonlight at all. Earlier this day there is a partial solar eclipse, however it will not be visible from UK
Entry is Free and all are welcome !!
You don't need a telescope or binoculars to see the meteors, although MAS members will be using both to look at the stars and planets. Indeed, Saturday 11th is a rare opportunity to view all 8 planets in one night (those wishing to see Venus before it 'sets' below the horizon will need to arrive early, those wishing to see Mercury will need to be up just before dawn on Sunday) !
Planet rises sets
Venus Sat 10:05 Sat 21:45 Great visibility
Jupiter Sat 13:48 Sat 23:12 Fairly good visibility
Saturn Sat 17:55 Sun 01:50 Perfect visibility
Mars Sat 20:25 Sun 03:24 Perfect visibility
Neptune Sat 21:18 Sun 08:17 Difficult to see
Uranus Sat 22:36 Sun 12:44 Average visibility
Mercury (5am Sun) Extremely difficult to see
For meteor observing, it's always a good idea to bring along a ground sheet or a garden chair (that can be laid back) so you can look up at the sky, as the ground may well be wet.
This note last modified: 12th Aug 2018 10:45.