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Members Annual Photo Competition 2022 |
Postponed from 2020 due to Covid. Entries are now open for the 2022 competition. You have to be a member to enter. Further details on the Photo Competition page and in the Members section. If you have problems logging in, contact the Membership Sec. or Webmaster
MEMBERS see MAS LOGO Fleeces
Next Months Meeting |
Friday, 2nd September 2022 InfraRed Astronomy (Dr Eric Dunford)
We have now moved back to indoor meetings (starting with the September 2021 meeting). These 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 |
(download printable guide PDF )
Friday, 2nd September 2022InfraRed Astronomy (Dr Eric Dunford) |
Friday, 3rd February 2023TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 7th October 2022TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 3rd March 2023TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 4th November 2022TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 7th April 2023TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 2nd December 2022TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 5th May 2023TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 6th January 2023TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 2nd June 2023TBA ((TBA)) |
(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 |
3 Sep 2022 Cookham Regatta
Saturday, September 3rd 2022- Cookham Regatta 2022
Maidenhead Astronomical Society expects to have a Stall at this event.
Further details will be added when available
This note last modified: 9th Jun 2022 10:08.
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)
15 Jun 2022 Newlands KS3 Science Club - (Outreach)
Wednesday, June 15, Presentation to KS3 Science Club at Newlands School
Present: Andy, Robin, David M, Alan C, Steve
report by Steve, Robin & Andy
Steve It started as a gloriously sunny day, indeed so much so that I decided to put on the Factor 40 before venturing out ! Arriving first, at around 2:15, I managed to grab one of the 3 parking spots reserved for us next to Reception. Dave M. arrived next in his fancy Hybrid followed by Robin and Andy. Alan would arrive later, so he had delivered the Society Solarscope to Reception earlier in the day. We were soon all signed in and ready to unload.
After some debate, it was decided to set the telescopes up on the paved area outside the classrooms at the back. This would require a walk around the buildings or through half a dozen doors, not all of which could be fixed open. Fortunately some of the staff volunteered to assist, so we managed to get all the kit unloaded before school broke up at 3pm.
The students were split into 2 groups, one to hear the talk on Black Holes, the other outside with the telescopes. I was showing my Dob. in solar projection mode, as was Robins refractor. Robin was part of the Black Hole talk, so Alan took charge of Robins refractor as well as the Society hydrogen alpha Solarscope. However the star of the show was Dave M. who had mounted both a Solarscope and refractor with a Herschel wedge eyepiece filter onto his EQ6 tripod.
Robin The indoor presentation began with the Stellarium section to show how to find Polaris, the Pole Star, as the single reference star in the northern sky. The constellations Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia were identified, followed by Cygnus, Lyra and Aquila to show the Summer Triangle of stars, Deneb, Vega and Altair.
Andy The indoor session continued with a description of Black Holes and explanation of how they are formed. He showed the location of Cygnus X, a 6 solar mass Black Hole in a binary system with a Blue Giant star, in the sky and why we have deduced one is present. He also showed the Event Horizon Telescope picture of the supermassive BH at the centre of galaxy M87 and the more recent picture of Sagittarius A*, the BH at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.
The young astronomers were very interested about getting information from these objects which, at this time, is not possible. However, they came up with several schemes as to how it could be done, showing tremendous enthusiasm and imagination. Eventually, we recommended they should study Astronomy at university and then do research to find their own answer to the question.
Steve Meanwhile, outside, needless to say, as the first group gathered for solar observing the clouds started to cover the sun. During the short moments when the sun was visible, we managed to see a projection of two prominent sun spot groups near the equator and at least one near the poles.
The second group was blessed with even fewer opportunities. Needless to say, as soon as the afternoon was over, the clouds thinned and we loaded up our equipment in bright sunshine !This note last modified: 20th Jun 2022 14:35.
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For the latest news, follow us on Twitter (javascript must be enabled for the 'button' below to work). Our latest Twitter postings can also be seen on the Observing page
Follow @MaidenheadAstroIf the fancy Twitter button doesn't appear above, you can exit to Twitter using this old fashioned URL link :-)
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We now have our own Facebook page !
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
Maidenhead Lions, Platinum Award (2022, celebrating the Queen's 70 years on the throne)
O2 goto our O2 award report page
Baylis Trust Cash-for-the-community
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