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)
Wednesday, June 15, Presentation to KS3 Science Club at Newlands School
Present: Andy, Robin, David M, Alan C, Steve
report by Steve, Robin & Andy
Steve It started as a gloriously sunny day, indeed so much so that I decided to put on the Factor 40 before venturing out ! Arriving first, at around 2:15, I managed to grab one of the 3 parking spots reserved for us next to Reception. Dave M. arrived next in his fancy Hybrid followed by Robin and Andy. Alan would arrive later, so he had delivered the Society Solarscope to Reception earlier in the day. We were soon all signed in and ready to unload.
After some debate, it was decided to set the telescopes up on the paved area outside the classrooms at the back. This would require a walk around the buildings or through half a dozen doors, not all of which could be fixed open. Fortunately some of the staff volunteered to assist, so we managed to get all the kit unloaded before school broke up at 3pm.
The students were split into 2 groups, one to hear the talk on Black Holes, the other outside with the telescopes. I was showing my Dob. in solar projection mode, as was Robins refractor. Robin was part of the Black Hole talk, so Alan took charge of Robins refractor as well as the Society hydrogen alpha Solarscope. However the star of the show was Dave M. who had mounted both a Solarscope and refractor with a Herschel wedge eyepiece filter onto his EQ6 tripod.
Robin The indoor presentation began with the Stellarium section to show how to find Polaris, the Pole Star, as the single reference star in the northern sky. The constellations Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia were identified, followed by Cygnus, Lyra and Aquila to show the Summer Triangle of stars, Deneb, Vega and Altair.
Andy The indoor session continued with a description of Black Holes and explanation of how they are formed. He showed the location of Cygnus X, a 6 solar mass Black Hole in a binary system with a Blue Giant star, in the sky and why we have deduced one is present. He also showed the Event Horizon Telescope picture of the supermassive BH at the centre of galaxy M87 and the more recent picture of Sagittarius A*, the BH at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.
The young astronomers were very interested about getting information from these objects which, at this time, is not possible. However, they came up with several schemes as to how it could be done, showing tremendous enthusiasm and imagination. Eventually, we recommended they should study Astronomy at university and then do research to find their own answer to the question.
Steve Meanwhile, outside, needless to say, as the first group gathered for solar observing the clouds started to cover the sun. During the short moments when the sun was visible, we managed to see a projection of two prominent sun spot groups near the equator and at least one near the poles.
The second group was blessed with even fewer opportunities. Needless to say, as soon as the afternoon was over, the clouds thinned and we loaded up our equipment in bright sunshine !
This note last modified: 20th Jun 2022 08:51.