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
(+) 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
Saturday, September 3rd 2022 - Cookham Regatta 2022
Present (at various times):- Andy T, Adrian J, Alan C, Dave M, Lesley M, Robin O, Arthur W, Jim H, Sid H, Matt L, Percy K, Tony T, Des O'K, Isabella D.
Report By Andy T.
MAS stand at Cookham Regatta on 03 September 2022
The day started early with Robin and Andy arriving at Cookham Moor around 08:30 to find our pitch. Lesley arrived soon after with the society’s untried, except for a dummy run at one of our Friday meetings, gazebo. After a couple of small problems our shelter for the day was erected and we were able to unload Robin’s car and get organised.

The gazebo was located at the north end of our pitch to allow the telescopes to look south for solar viewing. Dave M. arrived with two solar set ups although conditions did not prove favourable for H-alpha viewing.
Photo right by Lesley M.

The sun was shining before Regatta start time and we were able to use Adrian D’s mobile phone attachment to take a few photos of the sun.
Photo Andy T.

Robin set up his refractor to project an image of the sun onto a screen and we were able to see a couple of sunspots.
Photo Andy T.

Once the event started the clouds rolled in and only gave us a few brief glimpses of the sun, so the mobile phone pictures proved most useful in a "here is one I prepared earlier" mode.
Photo left by Lesley M.

In addition to the telescopes, we had our usual display boards with a wide range of pictures and posters that proved interesting to many visitors. We also had some branded products from the Institute of Physics (IoP) and all young visitors were able to leave with a pen, pencil, rubber and an IoP furry red blob. We also gave away packs of physics experiment cards that could be used at home by parents and grandparents with their young family members. Copies of a booklet called "Understanding Our World" also proved popular and everyone who stopped to talk with us took away a MAS business card.
Photo right by Lesley M.

As well as those already named there were several other members of MAS helping. Isabella D, Jim H, Sid H, Alan C and Percy K all gave up their time to talk to our visitors.
Photo left by Lesley M.
A rough estimate put the number of cards handed out at 50. Most visitors came in family groups so we probably got to talk with around 150 to 200 people. Many of these expressed an interest in visiting one of our meetings. It will be interesting to see how many visitors we get in October and November.
By 16:00 the crowds were starting to disperse and the job of packing up began. Cars were not allowed back on site until 17:00 so it was another half an hour before we were all clear of the site. A long but both successful and interesting day.
This note last modified: 21st Sep 2022 21:46.