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
(+) 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)
Friday, November 10th 2023 - Trinity St. Stephan's School - PTA Space event 6pm - 8pm
MAS Team Andy, Adrian J, Robin, Steve, James, Sid (assisted by Sheila), Arthur and Jim, plus Adrian D (arriving 6.30).
The first Outreach of the new MAS season, this was a major event for us organised by the PTA of Trinity St. Stephan's First School with pupil ages from 4 to 9 years.
Various demonstrations and presentations were delivered, with telescopes set up outside in the playground. Our School contact, Kim, took many photos during the evening some of which are shown below.
School Hall
In the Hall the PTA served refreshments, with our model Solar System set up along the far wall. Scale planets were set at scale distances from the Sun. Two free running presentations were running on portable screens, one at each end of the Hall, explaining how the planet scale differed from the distance scale, this being the only way to see the size of the planets whilst fitting them in the same room. A photo-frame display (old 4x3 20 inch computer screen driven by a Raspberry Pi) was showing a selection of astro-images taken by MAS members.
It was noted during the evening that the model Solar System layout was not self evident and generated little interest. No doubt it would have benefitted from an explanation of the two differing scales of planet sizes V orbit differences. Difficulty in interfacing HDMI equipped laptops with the Schools VGA 'beamer' in the Hall prevented the 'Black Rock Desert' YouTube clip "To Scale: The Solar System" being shown directly above the model which would have provided the necessary explanation.
Year 4 classroom
A series of three different talks were delivered in sequence, and then repeated.
First session
6.15 - 6.30 Adrian J, Solar System Planets.
6.35 - 6.50 Adrian J, Exo Planets.
6.55 -7.10 Andy, The Night Sky
Second session
7.15 - 7.30 Adrian J, Solar System Planets.
7.35 - 7.50 Adrian J, Exo Planets.
7.55 -8.10 Andy, The Night Sky.
Each talk lasted some 15 minutes, a 10 minute presentation followed by questions for 5 minutes. A 5-minute gap between talks was allowed for the audience to change before the next one. When not speaking, Adrian J helped out in the Year 2 classroom, whilst Andy assisted in the Year 3 classroom.
The talks were very popular and well-received with plenty of questions from the children and some nice feedback from the adults who attended and from the teachers. The early runs were to a packed house, with standing room only. The later iterations were a bit quieter, with more adults in the audience.
Year 3 Classroom
Year Three's room was staffed by Andy, Sid and Sheila, Sid's better half, and featured several tasks for this First School's pupils who are aged between four and Nine. There were Solars System planets to name and colour; constellation outlines to join up the stars and complete the Plough, Cassiopeia and Orion; paper and sticky stars for pupils to create their own constellation; a true or false quiz about the Solar System. Free educational resources form the Institute of Physics proved very popular with pupils and their parents as did pens, pencils, rubbers, sharpeners, diffraction goggles and IOP tote bags.
Year 2 classrooms
Manned by James, Arthur and Jim, plus Adrian J (when not giving a talk)who hosted various demonstrations and displays. This included Earth/Moon model to scale, explanation of why it is warmer in winter, demonstration of the mini Newtony reflector (small telescope suitable for children that is reasonably priced) Andy to bring props for all of these. Adrian J delivered an explanation of 'Why the Moon has phases' using his flip chart together with 'sphere and torch' (model moon and sun) demonstration of how we see light falling on the Moon as the Moon rotates around the Earth.
Arthur and Jim used posters to illustrate the huge range of sizes of objects in the Universe and explained why a single scale can not be used to show them all at the same time. At times they had around a dozen people hanging on their every word as they talked through the various posters, and there were a number of selfies taken with the boards in the background.
In the demo half of the room, the Newtony was a big hit with a several (adults and children alike) making a note on their Christmas lists. The earth/moon scale model also proved popular. The moon phases and seasons models were less so - becoming a lightsabre and volleyball respectively before being packed away
Outside
The Telescope team, Robin, Steve and Adrian D focussed on Saturn, Jupiter and various double stars.
The weather was almost perfect, the rain earlier having 'washed' the atmosphere, with not a cloud in sight. Very long queues, especially at Robin's telescope showing Saturn, soon developed, with the parents just as keen as the students.
Indeed, the outside observing continued past the official end time of 8:00pm with many reluctant to leave !
This note last modified: 13th Nov 2023 12:32.