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)
(+) 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
(+) 7 Apr 2025 Furze Platt Beavers Overnight Camp - (outreach)
(+) 3 Apr 2025 1st Bourne End Thursday Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 2 Apr 2025 1st Bourne End Wednesday Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 29 Mar 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 21 Mar 2025 Kaizen Explorers - (outreach)
(+) 7 Mar 2025 (and 22) Major Lunar Standstill
(+) 3 Mar 2025 Littlewick Green Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 26 Feb 2025 1st Maidenhead Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 11 Feb 2025 1st Maidenhead Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 20 Jan 2025 Cookham Dean Primary school - (outreach)
(+) 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)
2022, March 10th, Wargrave Cubs (outreach)
Presenters:- Adrian, Robin, Steve (report by Steve)
The second visit to Wargrave Cubs, this time to the larger of the two Packs. Unfortunately, another cloudy night, so no outside observation.
I arrived about 5 minutes before 7 to find Robin and Adrian had managed to get past the parents collecting their offspring from the previous meeting whilst the newly arriving Cubs were gathering outside for their 7pm meeting and were already moving kit from the Store Room. It didn't take long to move everything into the meeting hall, during which time 24 Cubs collected at the far end of the Hall.
I finished laying out my 'Sun' segment and Planets 'distance marker' whilst Adrian delivered his two clips and talks about the formation and evolution of the Moon.

Adrian delivered his two clips and talks about the formation and evolution of the Moon (photo right) whilst I finished laying out my 'Sun' segment and Planets 'distance marker'.

Robin then delivered his Moon phases demonstration (photo, left) whilst Adrian was on the spotlight torch at the back of the hall acting the part of the Sun.

With 24 in the group, Adrian took the decision to split them into two teams for his Astronomical Quiz and my Solar System talk and layout. So we both went through our material twice. Robin helped with the layout of the Planets, once again placing Neptune at it's scale position in the store room at the far end of the Hall (photo right) !

Then it was a 3 way split for Robins safe Sun observation, my Newtonian (Dobsonian) talk (photo left) and Adrian's How telescopes are Made talk and demonstration.
We managed to overrun a little, however no-one seemed too worried. The Cub leaders helped us carry our equipment back to our cars parked the other side of the field in the public car park, which was very much appreciated.
All photos taken by Richard B., shown with kind permission of parents
This note last modified: 18th Mar 2022 12:48.