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)
23rd February, 2023 - Bourne End cubs - outreach
MAS team: Adrian (lead), Arthur, Steve & Robin
Report by Adrian
This was our second successive visit to Bourne End cubs, this time with the second pack of 27 cubs.
Amazingly, just as on the previous evening, cloudy skies that had threatened rain suddenly cleared just as we arrived, with good views of the crescent Moon, Jupiter and Venus!
Robin and Steve quickly set up their telescopes (8" SCT and 10" Dobsonian) in the car park and some early arrivals were keen to have a look.
When the hut was opened up, Adrian and Arthur set up the projector and a small telescope indoors.
There was a short delay for an investiture ceremony for several new cubs, then we were under way. The pack was divided into four groups of 6 or seven cubs. Each group went outside in turn to spend about 10 minutes at the telescopes where they enjoyed excellent views of the crescent Moon and Jupiter with its four bright satellites.
Inside, Adrian ran two 10 minute sessions: identifying some easy constellations and a Q&A on the differences between stars and planets. The two sessions were repeated as each group took its turn outside, so everyone got to see both sessions. There was some overlap, so cubs who had already seen both presentations moved to the other side of the hall where Arthur supervised some informal fun viewing through a small telescope we had set up there.
Steve & Robin
The cubs were sent outside in 4 small groups to give them all a chance to see through both our telescopes.
Steve was focussed on the terminator of the crescent moon, which showed up the creator walls extremely well, whilst Robin tracked Jupiter, pointing out the two visible bands and all 4 of Jupiter's moons.
Photo, Darren (Cub leader), taken with his smart phone through the eyepiece of Steve's Dobsonian, showing the prominent crater Mare crisum (Sea of storms)Adrian
As we had started a little late and overrun, there was not enough time remaining for the Solar System scale model activity. Instead, Adrian ran the 'guess the size of the Earth' challenge, whilst Steve held the 20cm balloon-Sun. As usually happens, the cubs chose Earths that were too big, and placed them too close to the Sun. They were surprised to learn that Earth on this scale is only 2 mm diameter! Adrian then paced out the correct scale distance (about 22 m) and the cubs gleefully followed him out of the hall and into the car park, to see where Earth ended up!
There was time then for just a short Q&A on what the cubs had seen on the night before we finished up, with a warm vote of thanks from the cubs and leaders.
This note last modified: 27th Feb 2023 13:00.