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)
(+) 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
(+) 29 Nov 2018 ALLsorts (Outreach)
(+) 18 Nov 2018 Furze Platt Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 7 Nov 2018 Furze Platt Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 5 Nov 2018 Cookham Dean Primary School (Outreach)
(+) 20 Oct 2018 Furze Platt Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 10 Oct 2018 WILLIAM LASSELL by Kenlem England (MAS) - (Maidenhead Heritage Centre)
(+) 11 Aug 2018 CANCELLED Persieds Observing - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 27 Jul 2018 Total Lunar Eclipse
(+) 30 Jun 2018 (end) Maidenhead Week - (Lassell at Heritage Center)
(+) 23 May 2018 Wycombe Abbey School (Outreach)
(+) 12 May 2018 Lassell grave clear up
(+) 11 May 2018 Lassell grave tidy up
(-) 8 May 2018 9th Maidenhead Brownies - (Outreach)
Tuesday, 8th May 2018 - 9th Maidenhead Brownies (Outreach)
Present: Andy, Robin, Adrian, Tim
Report by Andy
We all arrived at 5.30 to set up for a 6.00 start time. We had an audience of 15 Brownies and three helpers to keep entertained. We donated a couple of build your own cardboard Galilean refractors for the leaders to use as prizes in the future.
Robin used Stellarium to talk about the constellations with emphasis on using the Plough to locate the North Star and why this was important for navigation in the days before GPS. He also demonstrated how the stars all seem to circle the pole during a day and was able to point out other significant constellations.
Adrian then demonstrated why the Moon appears to change shape, during a month, with both pictures and a hand-held torch shone onto a ball. Whilst doing this he was able to name the phases of the moon, although the Brownies already knew some of these.
Andy then helped them to build a scale model of the Solar System. This was done on two scales; one for the relative sizes of the planets and Sun; another larger scale for the distances between them. The Brownies showed a good knowledge of the planet names and their relative positions. As usual the name Pluto came up as a planet and we tried to explain that it had been demoted to a dwarf planet.
We took along the Society’s Solarscope, and Newtonian reflector, Tim had a 120mm refractor and Robin’s motorised Schmidt-Cassegrain. Tim Organised these to be set up outside the hall and had them focused, where possible, on terrestrial objects such as trees. With the Brownies split into small groups they were able rotate to the different instruments and get an explanation of the basic principle as well as a look at some trees. Regrettably, by the time we emerged from the hall clouds had built up to the West and we were not able to view the Sun.
Report by Tim
My part was help set up the string Solar System and a telescope. In all we had a 4 scopes. Adrian tried to find Venus with his mobile phone app but the sky was too bright to ID it. Robin set up the Solar scope and I had a view of two small prominences and a filament (a darker absorbing area like a string on the surface of the photosphere) but no sunspots. I set up my 120mm refractor on a nearby fir tree and discovered it was a good spot for the black bird and crows which the Brownies found interesting. Andy brought the 4.5" Celestron, Robin his Schmidt-Cassegrain
All the scopes were used at the end of the meeting on land based objects, in groups of 3/4 Brownies. So about 15 in all I think. The Sun disappeared into a cloud front, so no solar view for the Brownies. We were treated with coffee and biscuits - very nice.
This note last modified: 15th May 2018 08:04.