We are back at our normal venue from 3rd Sept. 2021 |
This page lists our monthly meetings. For other events open to the general public, see our Events page
Dates are set well in advance but the 'content' of the meeting is only updated (from our 'meetings database') when details are entered, so 'blank' or 'TBA' may be shown when data has not yet been entered (please be assured that the meeting will take place and a talk on (some) Subject will be delivered by (some) Speaker ! )
During the COVID-19 restrictions, all meetings are being held on-line using ZOOM. Meetings are normally held at the Church Hall (aka 'The Soltau Center') of St James-the-Less, Stubbings, Maidenhead SL6 6QW, from 7.30 (for a ZOOM link, or map and directions, see the About MAS (Where we meet) page
The Main Topic is usually delivered by an invited guest speaker. We aim to provide a diverse range of subjects linked (in some way) to Astronomy - whilst the 'Second Session' is typically delivered by one of our members. If time allows, the evening concludes with a short 'What to see this month'.
Details of a typical evening (times are approximate) :- 7.30pm. The evening starts with the Chairman delivering any important Announcements and then introducing the main speaker. 7.45pm (latest). Main Topic Speaker gets up and the lights are turned off. If you arrive after 7.45, please enter the Hall by the first door (on the right, after the entrance) and please be extra careful when finding a seat at the back of the Hall as members often setup telescopes there ! 8.45-9pm +. Coffee break during which visitors often chat with members who have set-up their telescopes at the back of the hall. If the weather is good, sometimes members will nip out for a quick look at the sky. Smoking is permitted outside the Hall, however smokers are asked to avoid any 'observers' (smoke particles always seem to get into optical equipment, no matter how well 'sealed' it may be) 9.15pm (at the latest). The 'Second Session' then runs for about 45 mins, typically ending with "What's Up !" (what to look out for in the sky this month) 10pm. We aim to clear the hall by 10pm. Post meeting Observing. If the weather is good, the Observing Organiser then leads the way to our chosen observing site, or (if the weather looks even a slight bit 'iffy) members sneak off to the local Pub instead :-)
Next meeting :
(+) 7 Jun 2024 MAS 67th AGM - (Annual General Meeting)
Meetings Archive |
The meetings archive gives an 'overview' of the Society activities over the past 10 years (see also the Events page).
Members have access to the full 'History of MAS' (including AGM minutes going back to 1957) along with full names and photos
The MAS 'year' runs from September of one year to June of the following. The end of year AGM in June elects the Committee for the following year (there are no meetings in July and August - although often members will meet informally at the local pub - which gives the new Committee time to 'get a grip' on running the Society)
The "short cuts" (in the 'title bar', at the very top of this page) will take you to the June AGM entry for the end of that MAS year
The Maidenhead Astronomical Society meetings archive (last 10 years only)
Missed a meeting, or can't remember when a topic was last covered ? Here is the archive of past MAS meetings.
Note that this list covers only our monthly meetings and AGM's. Reports on Observing and Other Events are separate pages
If notes were taken at the meeting, the date below is underlined and shown with a '(+)' = click to see the notes (if no '(+)' is shown, no notes were taken - or, more likely, the webmaster hasn't found them and posted them up yet :-) )
(+) 3 May 2024 The Exploration of Venus - (Jim House)
(+) 5 Apr 2024 The Visible Universe - (Doctor Max Whitby)
(+) 1 Mar 2024 Water in the Universe - (Prof Jonathan Tennyson)
(+) 2 Feb 2024 The Mechanics of Eclipses - (Sheridan Williams FRAS)
(+) 5 Jan 2024 Telescope Parade - (and the Parker Solar Probe by Arthur White)
(+) 1 Dec 2023 SPECIAL FEATURE Herschels Lunatick Friends - (Andrew Lound)
(+) 3 Nov 2023 Binary Pulsars Einsteins Perfect Laboratories - (Barry Kellett)
(+) 6 Oct 2023 Solar Space Weather SOHO - (Dr Eric Dunford)
(+) 1 Sep 2023 The Changing Climate of Mars - (Peter Read)
(+) 2 Jun 2023 MAS 66th AGM - (Annual General Meeting)
(+) 5 May 2023 Two talks by members - (LATE CHANGE)
(+) 31 Mar 2023 Overview of telescopes and mounts - (Dave Hayes)
(+) 3 Mar 2023 Study of our Galaxy in the Era of Gaia - (James Binney)
(+) 3 Feb 2023 The Galaxy without a dark side - (Barry Kellett)
(+) 6 Jan 2023 Telescope Parade and Workshop - (by members)
(+) 2 Dec 2022 Xmas Social Photo Comp and Quiz - (set by members)
(+) 4 Nov 2022 Exploration of Jupiter - (Dr Mike Legett)
(+) 7 Oct 2022 The Lunar 100 - (Dr Lilian Hobbs)
(+) 2 Sep 2022 InfraRed Astronomy - (Dr Eric Dunford)
(+) 10 Jun 2022 MAS 65th AGM - (NOTE 2nd Friday)
(+) 6 May 2022 Gravitational Waves - (Joshua Pooley)
(+) 1 Apr 2022 Saturn - (Michael Foulkes)
(+) 4 Mar 2022 Update on the Exploration of Mars - (Jim House)
(+) 4 Feb 2022 What Astronomy Tells Us About The Origins of Life On Earth ? - (James Hough)
(+) 7 Jan 2022 Telescope Parade and Workshop - (by Members)
(+) 3 Dec 2021 Christmas Quiz set by members - (followed by Social Evening)
(+) 5 Nov 2021 CANCELLED - (Hall closed)
(+) 1 Oct 2021 Dark Nebulae - (Owen Brazell)
(+) 3 Sep 2021 How we reached the Moon - (Jerry Stone)
(+) 4 Jun 2021 63rd AGM (ZOOM on line meeting)
(+) 7 May 2021 Milestones in Astronomy - (Rod Hine (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 2 Apr 2021 The Red Sun - (Lyn Smith (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 5 Mar 2021 Tour of the Universe - (Jane Green (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 5 Feb 2021 Space Vehicles - (Graham Bryant (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 8 Jan 2021 The Astronomer's Toolkit - (Dr Lee Anne Willson (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 4 Dec 2020 Xmas Quiz - (set by members (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 6 Nov 2020 The Monster in the Crab - (Gary Poyner (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 2 Oct 2020 Is there anyone out there ? - (Bob Mizon (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 4 Sep 2020 Two eyes are better than one - (Stephen Tonkin (ZOOM on line meeting))
(+) 5 Jun 2020 COVID19 Postponed MAS 62nd AGM
(+) 1 May 2020 COVID19 Postponed The Monster in the Crab - (Gary Poyner)
(+) 3 Apr 2020 COVID19 meeting CANCELLED
(+) 6 Mar 2020 Recent Developments in Gravity Wave Research - (Martin Dyer)
(+) 7 Feb 2020 Ask an expert Q and A panel - (By Members)
(+) 3 Jan 2020 Equipment Parade - (By members)
(+) 6 Dec 2019 Xmas Quiz and social - (By members)
(+) 1 Nov 2019 The Origin of the Solar System - (James Fradgley)
(+) 4 Oct 2019 Kew Observatory and the origins of modern solar physics - (Dr Lee Macdonald)
(+) 6 Sep 2019 History of Mars Exploration - (Jim House)
(+) Aug 2019 Summer break - (no meeting)
(+) Jul 2019 Summer break - (no meeting)
(+) 7 Jun 2019 MAS 61st AGM - (and Photo Competition prizes)
(+) 3 May 2019 13 Journeys in Space and Time - (Colin Stuart)
(+) 5 Apr 2019 Space Weather - (Dr Colin Forsyth)
(+) 1 Mar 2019 The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) - (Dr Aprajita Verma)
(+) 1 Feb 2019 Ask the Expert - (members panel)
(+) 4 Jan 2019 Equipment exhibition - (and EGM)
(+) 7 Dec 2018 Christmas Quiz and Social
(+) 2 Nov 2018 Short talks - (by members)
(+) 5 Oct 2018 The Future is out of this World - ( Dr Stuart Eves FRAS)
(+) 7 Sep 2018 13 Journeys through space and Time - (Postponed new date TBA)
(+) Aug 2018 Summer break - (no meeting)
(+) Jul 2018 Summer break - (no meeting)
(+) 1 Jun 2018 MAS 61st AGM - (and Photo Competition prizes)
(+) 4 May 2018 Using Video and an Aurora Encounter - (by members)
(+) 6 Apr 2018 Berkshire Astronomers - (Kenelm England FRAS)
(+) 16 Mar 2018 NEW DATE Jupiter and the Juno Mission - (Dr John Rogers)
(+) 2 Feb 2018 Talks by Members
(-) 5 Jan 2018 Telescope and Equipment workshop - (Q and A with members)
Friday, 5th January 2018 - equipment workshop
Report by Steve
Both at the start of the meeting and after the 'break', I noted at least two visitors being assisted with the set-up and use of their telescopes. There were about 10 telescopes being 'shown off' by members at the back of the hall (Percy took photos of most - no doubt we will be seeing some of these in a future meeting).
Tim was showing off a number of Standard Time (radio) receivers at the front of the hall, oncliding a DCF77 receiver only finished in the last week (as, in his words, the first effort was a 'lash-up' :-) ! He will be explaining the importance of knowing the exact time in astronomical observations in Feb's meeting.
Both Tim and Percy were taking photo's (those shown in this report were provided by Tim)First half mini-talk
David H. delivered a very interesting talk on 'Binoviewers'.
This consists of an 'adapter' that fits into the normal 1.25" eyepiece position and splits the light into two paths. A pair of identical eyepieces is then fitted to deliver an identical image to each eye. The brain** then 'interprets' this to deliver "a sort-of 3D effect" - however, more to the point, 2 eyes are always better than one, so 'seeing' is always better !
David has the William Optics Binoviewer Package (it comes with 2x20mm Eyepieces and an OCS (a screw-in 'optical correction' lens that's needed for some telescopes to achieve focus) which can be found for less than £150 (but be warned - you can also find them for more than £280, so you need to 'shop around').
A major advantage is reduction in 'eye strain' as it allows you to keep both eyes open whilst observing = David reports that "once you use them you will never go back" !
** Note that, like those '3d optical illusion' printed images, it seems that not everyone's brain is 'wired up' to produce the '3d effect'. As a result you can often find virtually unused Binoviewer's for sale on eBay where they hold their price really well (Ed. expect to pay upward of £120 for a complete set - but watch out - some sellers separate out the eyepieces and OCS lens !)
Of course there are a few disadvantages, the first of which (for most of us) is the cost (remember = you will need to buy duplicate eyepieces !)
The next is the Optical Correction lens. When a Binoviewer is used with some telescopes (especially 'pure' Newtonian reflectors eg Dobsonian) you can't achieve focus without the OCS lens. This acts as a 2x 'Barlow' (which turns the 20mm eyepieces into 10mm ones). To 'compensate' for the reduced field of view, you will be tempted to go find a pair of 40mm eyepieces - and that's when you discover the next problem :-
A Binoviewer, especially with the OCS in place, doesn't have a very 'wide' light path. This means 'vignetting' at the edges of wide FOV eyepieces (the kit comes with 20mm for a reason :-) ). Of course the point at which vignetting occurs will vary by telescope, so a (pair of) 'click stop' zoom eyepieces can be the way to go (Ed. these are not cheap - you can expect to pay over £200 for a single 'click stop' zoom eyepiece)
Weight can also be a problem - especially if using some of the more 'up market' eyepieces ! Dobsonian users in particular may have to add 'counter-weights' (or find some method of increasing the mount axis friction) to avoid the OTA 'sinking' under the added weight :-)
One final point to note is that dividing up the light means less than half the 'brightness' to each eyepiece - however because you are using both eyes, your brain typically delivers a better view (things like 'floaters' in your eyeball are 'averaged out' better).
An alternative to a Binoviewer (for those with smaller aperture telescope) would be 'giant binoculars'.
During the break
Members were showing off their telescopes and answering questions about use and setup. Both Tim and Percy took a number of photos (some of Tom'e are shown here).
Percy used the beamer to run a 'slide show' of photos taken at last years public events at Ockwells Park and the two at White Waltham airfield (some of which can be seen in previous reports)After the break, "Whats Up?" by Alun. Alun's full report in PDF can be downloaded from here (Right click and 'Save link as')
Most of the planets are morning objects, however Ceres is approaching opposition and during January will be well placed at mag 6 near the 'sickle' of Leo.
Comet 2017 T1 Heinze can be seen from 6-11 Jan near Cassiopeia (nearest approach on 9th ?)
Alun showed a number of DSLR photos of Taurus in the December sky taken by Matt L, including the Pleiades (10-15s f3.5 approx 180mm zoom lens). Although 'unguided' the images were very impressive (and shows what modern DSLR sensors are capable of), two of which can be seen here.
(click on the image to view a more detailed (higher resolution) version)Finally, Alun focused on the constellation of Orion and challenges members to submit their images for the next meeting !
He would especially like to see Barnard's Loop (this is a faint gas cloud, so will need long exposure times and expect tracking will be needed with a DSLR)
All our indoor Meetings are open to the public, however non-members are asked to make a contribution of £2 toward the hall hire costs (this may be collected by Fred, our Membership Secretary, at the door on arrival, or left at the 'Tea hatch' at half time).
This note last modified: 11th Jun 2019 09:21.