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)
8th November 2022 - 1st Maidenhead Sea Cubs - Outreach
Adrian J (lead), Andy, Robin, Steve (report by Steve)
Our second visit to the group, this time to cover topics which we had skipped during last weeks visit. Again the weather was variable, with some prediction of rain to the north. On arrival the sky was patchy, with some whispery high level clouds, although the moon was quite visible behind the Scout Hut. After a quick discussion it was decided to 'stick to plan' which was to cover the Moon and Solar System topics not covered last time.
The group of 21 cubs was split into two, one half starting with the Adrians' presentation of the Moon with focus on the Artemis Mission, now planned for launch on November 16th. Artemis 1 is an uncrewed Moon-orbit and return mission, designed to prove the new Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft. Artemis 2 will be the first crewed flight, another lunar orbit return, due for launch 2024. The first lunar landing is planned for Artemis 3 in 2025.
The second half of the group started with my Solar System Quiz and layout, followed by questions and answers which I addressed with Andy's help.
After around 25 mins the groups changed over and the talk and Solar System layout was run again.
When all the cubs were back in the main hall, we split them into 3 groups, rotating every 5 mins, for the telescope talk. Adrian showed off his 80mm refractor, Robin a similar telescope but fitted with a cardboard display hood for 'solar projection'. Andy and I demonstrated the operation of Newtonian reflector. I was showing off my full-size Dobsonian, whilst Andy had a very nifty mini-version with removable side panel allowing the optical path to be better seen. This is the Acuter Newtony 50 (mail order from Harrison Telescopes or Grover Optics, sorry I was unable to find it on Amazon) and comes with a smart-phone adapter with which Andy took a photo of Jupiter and it's moons at last weeks event. Whilst Jupiter was somewhat blurred, the moons showed up very well !
At the end of the evening, we managed to pack up and again leave in time to avoid blocking the parents access to pick up their offspring. Whist loading I noted that the sky had clouded over, and by the time I was home it had actually started raining !
This note last modified: 26th Nov 2022 10:00.