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Annual Photo Compitition 2020. Entries are now open for the 2020 compitition, winners will be announced at the AGM. You have to be a member to enter. Next closing date May 2020. Further details in the Members section. If you have problems logging in, contact the Membership Sec. or Webmaster
Next Months Meeting |
Friday, 6th September 2019 History of Mars Exploration (Jim House)
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 |
(download printable guide PDF )
Friday, 6th September 2019History of Mars Exploration (Jim House) |
Friday, 7th February 2020Ask an expert Q and A panel (By Members) |
Friday, 4th October 2019Kew Observatory and the origins of modern solar physics (Lee Macdonald) |
Friday, 6th March 2020TBA ( ) |
Friday, 1st November 2019The Origin of the Solar System (James Fradgley) |
Friday, 3rd April 2020TBA ( ) |
Friday, 6th December 2019Xmas Quiz and social (By members) |
Friday, 1st May 2020TBA ( ) |
Friday, 3rd January 2020Equipment Parade (By members) |
Friday, 5th June 2020MAS 62nd AGM ( ) |
(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 |
7 Sep 2019 Cookham Regatta
Saturday, 7th Septenber 2019.
Members of MAS will have a stand at the Cookham Regatta event on 7th September.
This note last modified: 6th Aug 2019 10:47.
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 Aug 2019 Childrens Reading Challenge Maidenhead Library - (Outreach)
Monday 19 August. Children's Reading Challenge - Maidenhead Library
Present: Andy, Robin, Steve
report by Steve
We were invited to present as part of the Children's Reading Challenge held in Maidenhead Library to commemorate the first Moon Landing by Apollo 11 on July 21st 1989.
With very limited parking at the Library it was decided that we should all squeeze into one car. Robin was good enough to volunteer ! He collected Andy first and then myself at about 9:50. We arrived to set up in plenty of time for the 11am start.
Everything was unloaded into the Children's play area within the Library where it was soon attracting attention. Instead of our usual projector and screen, we used the Library display unit, a huge television screen. We soon had 30 or so chairs arranged in front of the screen whilst I arranged some of the tables in which I clamped the 'slice of sun' for the model solar system layout.
Since the sun was shining when we arrived, Robin assembled both his own telescope in Sun projection mode and the Society Solar Scope. After some delay, the key to the alarmed side doors was found and we were soon inspecting the sunken space outside. Robin expressed concern about the approaching dark clouds, so it was decided to keep the telescopes indoors until needed. This was fortunate because no sooner had we pulled the doors shut than it poured down with rain. It may have only been a short shower, but is was heavy enough to leave puddles on the ground !
Soon the chairs were starting to fill and as 11am arrived the late-comers were searching around for more. We has a very mixed audience, with some as young as 6 or 7 with most in the region of perhaps 10 years old. With parents we soon had over 40 !
Robin kicked off with en explanation of how to find your way around the night sky, running his Stellarium script on finding North and Polaris.
He then handed over to me. This was somewhat earlier than anticipated, so I didn't even have the string scale marked out, however Robin and Any quickly jumped to the task ! I was happy to discover that the model solar system would fit within the length of the space and soon ran through the Planets with questions and answers from the audience. With Andy and Robin laying out the planets - they have both had much practice ! - everything went smoothly.
Next it was the turn of Andy to deliver his presentation about the Apollo program. He talked about the Apollo missions and especially the Apollo 11 Moon landing with the help of slides. At the conclusion of his talk he handed out the quiz, prepared for Maidenhead Festive, to the audience and almost all the youngsters took part.
With Robin and I helping with the marking I'm happy to say that that they all managed better than 80% ! Andy had arranged prizes for everyone, with the multi-coloured erasers proving the most popular.
During the presentations there had been at least one more rain shower, and as time was by new pressing it was decided not to move the telescopes outside. We finished on-time. however many of the parents came up to ask questions.
The staff look a number of photos, however the permission slips did not allow reuse so any photos of the event will have to be found on the Library website https://myemail.constantcontact.com/August-Newsletter.html?soid=1110058976461&aid=rIyXBGyAAl0 or or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RBWMLib/.
This note last modified: 21st Aug 2019 10:29.
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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
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