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
(+) 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)
Monday 19 August. Children's Reading Challenge - Maidenhead Library
Present: Andy, Robin, Steve
report by Steve
We were invited to present as part of the Children's Reading Challenge held in Maidenhead Library to commemorate the first Moon Landing by Apollo 11 on July 21st 1989.
With very limited parking at the Library it was decided that we should all squeeze into one car. Robin was good enough to volunteer ! He collected Andy first and then myself at about 9:50. We arrived to set up in plenty of time for the 11am start.
Everything was unloaded into the Children's play area within the Library where it was soon attracting attention. Instead of our usual projector and screen, we used the Library display unit, a huge television screen. We soon had 30 or so chairs arranged in front of the screen whilst I arranged some of the tables in which I clamped the 'slice of sun' for the model solar system layout.
Since the sun was shining when we arrived, Robin assembled both his own telescope in Sun projection mode and the Society Solar Scope. After some delay, the key to the alarmed side doors was found and we were soon inspecting the sunken space outside. Robin expressed concern about the approaching dark clouds, so it was decided to keep the telescopes indoors until needed. This was fortunate because no sooner had we pulled the doors shut than it poured down with rain. It may have only been a short shower, but is was heavy enough to leave puddles on the ground !
Soon the chairs were starting to fill and as 11am arrived the late-comers were searching around for more. We has a very mixed audience, with some as young as 6 or 7 with most in the region of perhaps 10 years old. With parents we soon had over 40 !
Robin kicked off with en explanation of how to find your way around the night sky, running his Stellarium script on finding North and Polaris.
He then handed over to me. This was somewhat earlier than anticipated, so I didn't even have the string scale marked out, however Robin and Andy quickly jumped to the task ! I was happy to discover that the model solar system would fit within the length of the space set aside for us and soon ran through the Planets with questions and answers from the audience. With Andy and Robin laying out the planets - they have both had much practice ! - everything went smoothly.
Next it was the turn of Andy to deliver his presentation about the Apollo program. He talked about the Apollo missions and especially the Apollo 11 Moon landing with the help of slides. At the conclusion of his talk he handed out the quiz, prepared for Maidenhead Festival, to the audience and almost all the youngsters took part.
With Robin and I helping with the marking I'm happy to say that they all managed better than 80% ! Andy had arranged prizes for everyone, with the multi-coloured erasers proving the most popular.
During the presentations there had been at least one more rain shower, and as time was by now pressing it was decided not to move the telescopes outside. We finished on-time, however many of the parents came up to ask questions.
The staff took a number of photos. However the permission slips did not allow reuse so any photos of the event will have to be found on the Library website https://myemail.constantcontact.com/August-Newsletter.html?soid=1110058976461&aid=rIyXBGyAAl0 or or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RBWMLib/.
This note last modified: 28th Aug 2019 15:13.