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)
Saturday, 20th October 2018 - Furze Platt Beavers
Outreach team: Robin, Tim, Andy, Adrian
report by Adrian
We joined the Beavers’ sleep-over weekend on Saturday evening with the aim of helping them achieve their Space Activity badges. After a beautiful sunny day, sadly the clouds were rolling in as we arrived at the scout hut at 6.30pm and it was apparent that we would not be able to set up telescopes for outdoor viewing, so we headed indoors. The twelve 5-7 year-old Beavers and their leaders were busy frantically clearing up after a baking/ cooking session but we were soon set up and ready, and were offered tea and biscuits while the Beavers finished their evening meal.
Robin got the session under way with a well-illustrated presentation of ‘what can we see in the sky?’ followed by a discussion about the difference between planets and stars. As often happens, we were surprised by how much the young beavers already knew about space and the Solar System. We could see at the back of the hall the models of the planets they had already started making.
Robin finished with a quick view of some easy-to-identify constellations and we handed out quiz sheets that asked the beavers to identify several constellations and join the dots to make the familiar shapes.
After this, Adrian (ably assisted by Robin with the flashlight ‘Sun’) used a model of the Moon to demonstrate the cycle of changing phases of the Moon.
Tim then led a talk on ‘fun facts’ about the planets in the Solar System, using Steve’s models as props. He played a short video, ‘The Solar System Planets’ Song’, getting the Beavers to join in the song.
Andy finished off the evening by showing the Beavers a mnemonic that would help them remember the names and order of the planets (My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming [Planets]).
The beavers were already getting sleepy and preparing to bed down for the night as we left.
This note last modified: 8th Nov 2018 17:01.