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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 !!!
Members announcement:
The MAS Members 2017 Photo Competition results can now be found on the Photo Competition page. The 2018 Competition starts now !
Next Meeting |
Friday, 1st September 2017 Gravity Waves (a recap by Martin Dryer)
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 Dryer) |
Friday, 2nd February 2018TBA ( ) |
Friday, 6th October 2017Observing the Sun (by MAS members) |
Friday, 2nd March 2018Jupiter and the Juno Mission (Dr John Rogers) |
Friday, 3rd November 2017Wonders of the Deep Sky (Callum Potter) |
Friday, 6th April 2018TBA ( ) |
Friday, 1st December 2017Xmas Quiz and Social (Quiz Master Tim H) |
Friday, 4th May 2018TBA ( ) |
Friday, 5th January 2018Members Equipment (Parade) |
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
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)
21 Aug 2017 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
Monday, 21 Aug 2017, 19:40 to 20:10 (sunset), a total Solar Eclipse, only partially visible (4%) from UK, and then only just before sunset. The max. 4% is at 20:04 (at London = the Moons shadow will 'travel' across the Earths surface (from west to east) at about 1,000mph, so Maidenhead to London is about 1min, and thus max. here will be at about 20:03)
Report by Steve B.
With the forecast of 'only' 85% cloud (so 15% chance of seeing something), I decided to 'give it a go'. I was first to arrive at the 'trig point' on the Jubilee River, Dorney (the trig. point (a concrete pillar, now missing it's plates) is here, on the hill north of Manor Farm (not the one at Dorney Court). It's a good high vantage point for Sun watching and I have no doubt we will use it again.
I parked in the small car park off Lake End Rd, Dorney and took the foot path toward Windsor. I found the hill with the Trig. Point about 1km from the car park after passing the second bridge over the Jubilee River.
After about 10 minutes, Tim arrived with his camera, however by now the '85%' cloud was 100% with some 'thinner' bits .. and looked to be getting worse. He, of course, had already seen the total eclipse from a live feed by NASA !
Just as we were about to quit, Percy, plus ? and Des (with his dog, Jessie ?) arrived, so we stayed until 'sunset' at about 8:10pm. All we ever saw was a faint orange/red glow through the clouds on the horizon as the sun was going down, with only the usual slow change in the brightness of the (100% clouded over) sky at dusk.
Solar Eclipses occur almost every year, but you have to be at the right place to see them at all (and on the 'solid red line' for totality) = in UK we are lucky to get one total eclipse every 10-100 years (the next total eclipse visible from UK mainland is Sept 23 2090) ! See MAS Eclipse page for other opportunities.
The total eclipse was visible from much of the USA.
To see a total eclipse, you must be on the 'solid red line' (other areas will see only a partial eclipse)
For more details, visit the 'time and date' site
This note last modified: 22nd Aug 2017 17:48.
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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