MAS events
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).
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)
(+) 7 Mar 2025 (and 22) Major Lunar Standstill
(+) 23 Sep 2090 Total Solar Eclipse - (the next visible from UK)
[top]
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
Note that this page does not include Observing session reports (which have a separate page)
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.[top]
(+) 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)
(+) 30 Jun 2018 (end) Maidenhead Week - (Lassell at Heritage Center)
(+) 23 May 2018 Wycombe Abbey School (Outreach)
(+) 8 May 2018 9th Maidenhead Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Mar 2018 1st Furze Platt Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 19 Feb 2018 Winter Hill Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Jan 2018 1st Maidenhead Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 22 Nov 2017 Cookham Dean CE Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 18 Nov 2017 PUBLIC EVENT Leonids meteor watch - (at White Waltham)
(+) 6 Nov 2017 2nd Woodlands Park Rainbows - (Outreach)
(+) 21 Aug 2017 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
(+) 12 Aug 2017 Perseid Meteor Watch - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 9 Jun 2017 MAS 60th Anniversary Meal - (Members and guest only)
(+) 8 Mar 2017 1st Stoke Poges Guide Unit - (Outreach)
(+) 7 Mar 2017 19th Maidenhead Cubs - (Outreach)
(+) 21 Feb 2017 Furze Platt Cub Pack - (Outreach)
(+) 7 Feb 2017 St Pirans School - (Outreach)
(+) 7 Feb 2017 1st Wargrave Cubs - (Outreach)
(+) 2 Feb 2017 Wildcats Cubs Wargrave - (Outreach)
(+) 19 Dec 2016 Cookham Dean Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 25 Nov 2016 Bayfordbury Observatory - (members visit)
(+) 21 Oct 2016 Lowbrook Academy Science Week - (Outreach)
(+) 17 Oct 2016 19th Maidenhead Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 17 Oct 2016 Holy Trinity School Science Week - (Outreach)
(+) 10 Sep 2016 Pinkneys Scout Camp - (Outreach)
(+) 11 Aug 2016 Perseid meteor watch - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 11 May 2016 1st Datchet Cub Pack - (Outreach)
(+) 9 May 2016 Transit of Mercury - (Public observing at Ockwells)
(+) 9 May 2016 Parkinsons UK at SportsAble - (outreach)
(+) 30 Mar 2016 Claires Court Holiday Club - (Outreach)
(+) 16 Mar 2016 Trinity St Stephens First School - (Outreach)
(+) 14 Mar 2016 Holy Trinity Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 26 Feb 2016 Pinkneys Green and Boyne Hill Altwood Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 11 Feb 2016 Cox Green School STEM - (Outreach)
(+) 4 Feb 2016 Burchetts Green Infants School - (Outreach)
(+) 1 Feb 2016 3rd Cookham Brownies - (Outreach)
(+) 12 Dec 2015 Geminids watch - (at Ockwells Park)
(+) 30 Nov 2015 21st Cox Green Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 26 Nov 2015 Furze Platt Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 21 Nov 2015 A history of the Sun - (St Cross College OXFORD (not by MAS))
(+) 18 Nov 2015 Leonid meteor watch - (canceled)
(+) 12 Nov 2015 1st Cookham Dean Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 24 Oct 2015 Cavendish Lab - (Members coach trip)
(+) 17 Oct 2015 (to 23 Oct) Orionids Meteor Shower
(+) 10 Oct 2015 Solar Observing Ockwells Park - (members only)
(+) 6 Oct 2015 Sequela Foundation - (outreach)
(+) 27 Sep 2015 Super Moon (followed by a Lunar Eclipse)
(+) 29 Aug 2015 Public Solar Observing - (lunchtime at Norden Farm)
(+) 11 Aug 2015 Perseids Meteor watch - (Cancelled due to bad weather)
(+) 18 Jul 2015 St Nicholas School camp - (Outreach)
(+) 23 Jun 2015 Courthouse School - (Outreach)
(+) 27 May 2015 Claire Court School - (Outreach)
(+) 11 May 2015 Finchampstead Brownies (Outreach)
(+) 15 Apr 2015 Exploring the Realm of the Giants - (Cafe Scientifique Henley (not by MAS))
(+) 21 Mar 2015 StarGazing Live 2015 (and Telescope Workshop)
(+) 13 Mar 2015 13th Maidenhead Scouts at Braywick
(+) 10 Feb 2015 21st Maidenhead Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 30 Jan 2015 1st Furze Platt Brownies (Outreach)
(+) 29 Jan 2015 1st Woodland Park Brownies (Outreach)
(+) 26 Jan 2015 Burnham Grammer School (Outreach)
(+) 5 Dec 2014 Comet rendezvous free talk at RAL (booking required)
(+) 20 Nov 2014 1st Maidenhead - (cubs (Outreach))
(+) 15 Nov 2014 Public observing and meteor watch at Braywick
(+) 10 Nov 2014 Pinkneys Green Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 27 Sep 2014 Cubs Space Camp at Stoke Poges (Outreach)
(+) 14 Sep 2014 (week to 21st) MAS at Maidenhead Library
(+) 5 Aug 2014 WINGS 2014 International Scouting Jamboree (Outreach)
(+) 21 Jun 2014 Taplow Primary School family camp (Outreach)
(+) 21 Jun 2014 Big Brownie Birthday (Outreach)
(+) 14 Jun 2014 Greenwich Observatory visit (Members)
(+) 5 Apr 2014 Pop up shop - (Maidenhead Town)
(+) 8 Mar 2014 National Astronomy Week Telescope workshop
(+) 30 Nov 2012 Visit to Altwood School (Outreach)
(+) 8 Mar 2012 Wanborough Cubs - (Outreach)
(+) 25 Feb 2012 Visit to Herstmonceux (Members)
(+) 2 Jul 2011 Pinkneys Green Scout Camp (Outreach)
(+) 30 Oct 2010 Astronomy workshop at the Heritage Centre
(+) 9 May 2009 Visit to National Space Centre
(+) 28 Mar 2009 Coffee with the stars (Outreach)
(+) 31 May 2008 Patrick Moore opens observatory
(+) 13 Dec 2007 Geminid meteor watch at Braywick
(+) 1 May 2007 Exhibition at the Heritage Centre
[top]
![]()
![]()
