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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 |
Saturday, 30th June 2018 Summer break (no meeting)
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, 7th September 201813 Journeys through space and Time (Colin Stuart FRAS) |
Friday, 1st February 2019TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 5th October 2018TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 1st March 2019TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 2nd November 2018TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 5th April 2019TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 7th December 2018TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 3rd May 2019TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 4th January 2019TBA ((TBA)) |
Friday, 7th June 2019TBA ((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 |
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)
23 May 2018 Wycombe Abbey School (Outreach)
Wednesday, 23rd May 2018 - Wycombe Abbey School
Present: Robin O, Tim H, David M. (report by Tim)
Originally a private home (not an Abbey) is now home to 850 girls at a private school in extensive grounds.
They were hosting St Peter's School (Windsor) for a master class at 10am (aged 10-11). Our section was on the Sun, and although it started with cloud this soon broke up, and by mid day we all had good views from a lawned area near the common room.
David M: 6" refractor with Herschel wedge, and pig-backed solar scope (double stack on a refractor)
Robin O: 80mm Refractor with white light projection, and the MAS solar scope on EQ
Tim H: 120mm refractor with Herschel wedge and continuum filter.
Good news there was a small sunspot group with 5 spots, and then another very small (developing?) group with just 2 spots. In Ha there was good surface detail and some small proms. Some pupils had difficulty looking into eyepieces, but other were more proficient. Those with microscope experience tended to do well and were able to discern the solar surface details more easily.
We entertained 5 groups of supervised pupils (mixed ca 50/50) at 30 min intervals, and treated to a very nice "canteen" lunch at mid-day. Afterwards we had the last group and then some more teachers, including those from Physics and Chemistry departments of Abbey school. Very appreciative setup and well organised.
This note last modified: 5th Jun 2018 12:50.
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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