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 laser pointer at an outreach event. Children under the age of 18 and non-approved adults are not permitted 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).
Future Public Events |
This page is dedicated to events promoted by Maidenhead Astronomical Society aimed at bringing an awareness and appreciation of astronomy to the general public. Almost all of the Events listed here are run by MAS (the few that are not are plainly marked)
Details of future planned events are limited to those open to the general public (Members should look in the Members Only section for details of future events not open to the public - which includes most of our local Outreach activities (schools, cubs, brownies etc)).
Future events are listed in date order, next planned first. Be aware that events can change (usually due to the weather :-) ) so please check nearer the event before making a journey
Note. MAS holds Public Liability Insurance via our membership of Federation of Astronomical Societies. Our Policy Document for 2017-18 is available as a PDF download here
(-) 11 Nov 2019 Transit of Mercury (2nd of pair)
11 November 2019: Transit of Mercury, start 12:35, mid 15:19, ends 16:015 (all times for Reading)
Like Transits of Venus, these occur in pairs, this being the second of the 2016/19 pair. Although Transits of Mercury are less rare than a transit of Venus, the next Mercury pair will not be until 2032/39 (see wikipedia).
For more on this transit, visit the time and date website
This note last modified: 27th Feb 2016 11:09.
(+) 10 Jun 2021 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
(+) 25 Oct 2022 Partial Solar Eclipse
(+) 7 Mar 2025 (and 22) Major Lunar Standstill
(+) 29 Mar 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse
(+) 12 Aug 2026 Solar Eclipse
(+) 26 Jan 2028 annular Solar Eclipse
(+) 1 Jun 2030 annular Solar Eclipse
(+) 28 Jul 2061 Hallys Comet returns
(+) 23 Sep 2090 Total Solar Eclipse - (the next visible from UK)
Reports from our Outreach & Event activity |
Here you will find reports of MAS events held in the last 10 years or so (i.e. since the MAS web site effectively 'took over' from printed newsletters as the primary means of 'reporting back' to the membership). Some details have been removed to allow for public viewing
The Members Only section contains details of MAS History going back to our formation in 1957
(-) 18 Nov 2018 Furze Platt Cubs (Outreach)
Sunday, 18th November 2018 - Furze Platt Cubs
Outreach team: Adrian, Robin, Steve
report by Steve
This is the new 'Sunday' group, meeting at 4:30. With the forecast looking good, we suggested that observing should be planned and it was decided to use the Scout's Camping site in Cookham. The plan was to observe the Moon, Mars and Saturn before it set an hour or two after sunset.
On arrival the gates had already been opened, so we drive straight in and parked up. It was immediately apparent that the trees dotted around the site would obscure the horizon, making it very difficult to observe Saturn before it set.
However, after walking around a bit, we discovered that from the top end of the site we could get a good view of the Moon. So we moved the cars up and uploaded. Robin chose a prime position for his telescope and I set up my Dobsonian close by. We also had a number of pairs of binoculars and I set up the heavy pair on a tripod.
Soon the Cubs had arrived, a total of 12, I think. After the Cubs Code practice, they were split into 3 groups and we immediately started them observing the Moon. As they looked at the Moon we talked about the Moons features, the craters and plains or 'seas', and how these were formed.
After all 3 groups had used all 3 instruments, it was back to the Scout Hut for Adrian's Earth orbiting the Sun demonstration and explanation of the seasons talk. Robin assisted with the flashlight ‘Sun’.
I then laid out the Solar System models (My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming [Planets]) and did a very quick interactive talk about the scale of the planets.
Then it was Robins turn to point out the common constellations. The weather was still fine, so this was conducted outside.
As the evening ended, the telescopes were pointed at Mars and most of the Cubs had a chance to see a little 'not quite white' blob near the somewhat misty horizon in the eyepieces !
This note last modified: 23rd Nov 2018 09:07.