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! WELCOME TO THE MAS WEB SITE !
*** updated = MEMBERS PHOTO-COMPETITION = updated *** |
You have to be a member to enter. Closing date Monday 7th May 2018. Further details in the Members section. If you have problems logging in, contact the Membership Sec. or Webmaster
Next Meeting |
Friday, 1st June 2018 MAS 61st AGM (and Photo Competition prizes)
All our indoor meetings run from 7.30 to 10pm in the Church Hall, St James-the-Less, Stubbings, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW (for directions, see our About & Contact page)
Meetings are normally on the first Friday of the month, September to June. There are no indoor meetings in July or August (unless indicated)
Beginners and visitors are always welcome at our indoor meetings (you don't have to join, however a £2 contribution toward the costs of the hall hire would be most welcome !)
To contact the society between meetings, please complete the on-line General Enquiry form
If you would like to receive, by email, advanced notification of our free public events, or you would like further information about the Society please use the Enquiry form mentioned above - or just turn up at any meeting and speak to any member of the Committee.
We also have a page on the Maidenhead Arts Council web site (where you will find details of other local clubs and societies if, for some inexplicable reason, Astronomy fails to fire your imagination and seize your interest :-) )
This seasons meetings |
Friday, 1st September 2017Gravity Waves (a recap by Martin Dyer) |
Friday, 2nd February 2018Talks by Members ( ) |
Friday, 6th October 2017Observing the Sun (by MAS members) |
Friday, 16th March 2018NEW DATE Jupiter and the Juno Mission (Dr John Rogers) |
Friday, 3rd November 2017Wonders of the Deep Sky (Callum Potter) |
Friday, 6th April 2018Berkshire Astronomers (Kenelm England FRAS) |
Friday, 1st December 2017Xmas Quiz and Social (Quiz Master Tim H) |
Friday, 4th May 2018Using Video and an Aurora Encounter (by members) |
Friday, 5th January 2018Telescope and Equipment workshop (Q and A with members) |
Friday, 1st June 2018MAS 61st AGM (and Photo Competition prizes) |
(Table: http://www.maidenhead-astro.net/public/Home/index#2_bm)
Members :- Please log-in to the Members Only section for details of our next members only Event
Next Public Event |
27 Jul 2018 Total Lunar Eclipse
Friday July 27 2018 - Total Lunar Eclipse
After the almost perfect seeing of the 2015, Sept. 28 eclipse we can hope for more good weather this time ! Unfortunately, from UK, the Moon will be below the horizon when the eclipse starts at 6:15pm.
At totality, 9:21pm, the Moon will be only 3.5 degrees above the horizon (you will need to be on a hill looking SE for a decent view) - and on these summer nights it still won't be very dark as totality ends at 10:13pm, so the 'blood moon' effect will be rather less striking than the 2015 event. The (partial) eclipse ends at 11:19pm so at least we will get to bed rather earlier this time !
This note last modified: 29th Sep 2015 11:31.
See our Events page for more information about all our Events
Click here for MAS Facebook page
Monday, 9 May 2016: Transit of Mercury, members of MAS gathered in Ockwells Park to show the Transit to the public. For more details, see report on Events page
WARNING: never look at the Sun through a normal telescope !!
Doing so, WILL BLIND YOU !!!
Most recent Event Report |
Details of all our planned and past activities can be found on the Events pages.
Note that Outreach events are not usually open to the public, so are reported here only AFTER the event (Members can see planned Outreach dates in the Members Only section, Activity planning pages)
12 May 2018 Lassell grave clear up
Saturday, 12th May 2018 - Lassell's grave clear-up
Present: Percy, Lesley, Kenelm, Steve, report by Steve
A number of Members turned out for the final clear-up. Everyone else arrived before I, along with various gardening implements. I noted Percy had enough equipment to clear the complete Church Yard ! I felt that Lesley had taken the more sensible approach, opting to bring a garden chair instead.
As I arrived a few drops of rain were starting to fall. I quickly found everyone working around the grave stone, which was protected from the rain drops by over-hanging tree branches. A little after 2pm the Maidenhead Advertiser photographer arrived and was directed to the site by Rev. Sally.
The photographer had us pose by the stone and took a few photos. I grabbed the chance to have him take one using my camera (see above).
The light was not the best and it was very difficult to make out the inscription, so I took a few close-ups before we left. Even so, a lot of manipulation in photo-edit software was required to get even the poor results below.
Left: the complete inscription. Lassell's lead inscription is almost complete, with only parts of a couple of characters missing. His wife's inscription, made some two years later, is in much worse shape with almost all the lead missing. This, however, makes it easier to read (as the carved recessed letters show up better than the almost flat with the surface lead lettering)
Right: a close up of Lassell's inscription (click the image for higher resolution). You can see the middle bar of the 'E' in 'DIED' has become lost, however the rest is almost perfect.In the Members area, History pages, 'The 90s', 1995 bookmark, members can find a .pdf download of the full text of Tim's request, on behalf of MAS, for a Blue Plaque commemorating William Lassell on the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Neptune and (by Lassell) it's moon Triton. The request was, unfortunately, turned down.
This note last modified: 14th May 2018 12:00.
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exit to: Maidenhead Astronomical Society on Facebook
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 pointer at an outreach event. Children under the age of 18 and non-approved adults are not be allowed 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).
Links
Robotic Telescopes (MAS Links page)
Where we meet (MAS About page)
'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQ, MAS Beginners page)
exit to: Maidenhead Arts Council (MADAC) MAS web page
exit to: Tim's list of Asteroid Occultation observation opportunities
exit to: European Asteroidal Occultation Network
exit to: Space Weather
exit to: Heavens-Above - times of everything passing overhead, especially ISS, satellites and Iridium flares
exit to: The Astronomer on-line - magazine for the advanced amateur
exit to: BAA (British Astronomical Association)
exit to: SPA (Society for Popular Astronomy) - especially suitable for younger stargazers !
Benefactors and supporters
O2 (award report)
exit to Cash-for-the-community (Baylis Trust)
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Lottery grant
RBWM-Education Directorate
Mr B.Smith of Shottesbrooke
Mrs P.Haymes
The Telegraph newspaper
exit to Oregon Scientific
exit to Telescope house