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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, 3rd March 2023 Study of our Galaxy in the Era of Gaia (James Binney)
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 2023The Galaxy without a dark side (Barry Kellett) |
Friday, 7th October 2022The Lunar 100 (Dr Lilian Hobbs) |
Friday, 3rd March 2023Study of our Galaxy in the Era of Gaia (James Binney) |
Friday, 4th November 2022Exploration of Jupiter (Dr Mike Legett) |
Friday, 31st March 2023REPLACEMENT APRIL MEETING (TBA) |
Friday, 2nd December 2022Xmas Social Photo Comp and Quiz (set by members) |
Friday, 5th May 2023Pioneers of spectroscopy (Jack Martin) |
Friday, 6th January 2023Telescope Parade (by members) |
Friday, 2nd June 2023MAS 66th AGM (Annual General Meeting) |
(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 |
4 Mar 2023 Maidenhead Big Read - (Maidenhaed Library)
2023 March 4/5 (Saturday / Sunday) - Maidenhead Big Read Festival (BRF) at Maidenhead Library
MAS will be presenting at Maidenhead Library as part of the Maidenhead Big Read Festival.
The Festival is due to take place between 1st and 10th of March with the theme of Outer Space.
MAS will provide a team to talk to the public at Maidenhead Library over the weekend of 4 / 5 March.
Further details will be added here closer to the event
This note last modified: 21st Sep 2022 22:44.
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)
18 Jan 2023 1st Cippenham Beavers - (outreach)
18th January 2023 - 1st Cippenham beavers - Outreach
Adrian (lead), James, Robin, Steve. (Report by Adrian)
The venue for the evening was the Dorney Wood scout camp site. It’s a dark site, well-suited to outdoor viewing if the weather is favourable, which it was on this occasion – an almost cloudless sky! The area around the main car park is unfortunately surrounded by quite high trees that significantly restrict the region of the sky that can be seen, so our plan was to drive a few hundred metres to the far end of the site where there is another parking area and a more open aspect.
We arrived at 5.30 pm, well wrapped up for the cold. After a short delay to get the alternative access gate unlocked, we made our way to the other end of the site. Despite Steve missing the turning (poor directions from me!) we soon had 4 viewing stations set up: James with binoculars, Robin with his refractor, Steve with the big Dobsonian and me with my small Mak-Newt.
The 12 beavers arrived soon after 6pm with their leaders and helpers, and were quickly split into four groups. The groups then did a round-robin of the four stations, spending about 10 minutes at each station. The telescopes showed great views of Jupiter, Mars, the Pleiades and M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, whilst James pointed out several constellations to the beavers and explored Orion’s belt with his binoculars.
At the end, the beavers gathered to ask any last questions, and thanked the team with three loud cheers! We packed up and left the site by 7.15 pm.
This note last modified: 19th Jan 2023 00:04.
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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