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Our members are quite flexible and happy to use on-line conferencing systems other than Zoom or Skype, however be aware that most of us are Windows PC based |
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. The Policy Document for 2021 (pdf) is available on request (it can be found in the Members section)
(+) 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
(+) 13 Nov 2032 Transit of Mercury
(+) 7 Nov 2039 Transit of Mercury - (2nd of pair)
(+) 28 Jul 2061 Halleys 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
(+) 2 Dec 2021 Furze Platt Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 16 Nov 2021 Cookham Beavers 2 - (Outreach)
(+) 15 Nov 2021 Cookham Beavers - (Outreach)
(+) 8 Nov 2021 Cookham Dean School - (Outreach)
(+) 4 Sep 2021 Cookham Regatta
(+) 12 Aug 2021 Perseids meteor shower - (Ockwells Park outreach)
(+) 10 Jun 2021 Solar Eclipse - (partial from UK)
(+) 4 Mar 2021 1st Maidenhead Sea Scouts - (Outreach)
(+) 27 Jan 2021 (and 28) Bourne End Cubs (Outreach)
(+) 14 Nov 2020 Public Viewing Event - (White Waltham)
(+) 9 Nov 2020 Cookham Dean Primary School (ZOOM Outreach)
(+) 4 Apr 2020 Stargazing public event - (POSTPONED)
(+) 21 Nov 2019 Central Windsor Scouts (Outreach)
(+) 11 Nov 2019 19th Maidenhead Beavers (Outreach)
(+) 11 Nov 2019 Transit of Mercury (2nd of pair)
(+) 4 Nov 2019 Cookham Dean Primary School - (Outreach)
(+) 10 Oct 2019 Holy Trinity School yr3 - (Outreach)
(-) 7 Sep 2019 Cookham Regatta
Saturday, 7th September 2019 - Members of MAS manned a stand at the Cookham Regatta.
Report by Andy
The Cookham Regatta was held on 07 September and was located on the area behind the National Trust’s Cookham Moor, next to the Thames and a few hundred metres upriver of Cookham Bridge. Stalls were manned by several local charities and organisations as well as food stalls and rides for the children. Throughout the day there was a series of dragon boat races in a knockout competition.
Robin and Andy arrived at 0800h to claim our spot, which was located close to the boating area for the Dragon boat races. They were joined a bit later by Lesley (with a fully loaded car), Sid Haydon, Tony Taylor and Graham Perkins, during the day we were joined by other members including John and Yvonne Vernon, David and Chrissie Hayes and Jim House.
The plan was much the same as for Maidenhead festival. We had the Society’s Solarscope, Robin’s Refractor to project the sun’s image and his Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector. The MAS gazebo provided shelter for our display boards; the Apollo program quiz for younger visitors with prizes of IOP branded goods and some sweets; free magazines and posters and camping chairs for members to rest their weary limbs, standing from 0800 to 1600 is hard on the legs!
A steady stream of inquisitive punters stopped to view the sun, when it was visible, but also to discuss Apollo, where we held our meetings, take part in the quiz, ask questions about the display posters, ask that astronomy question they always wanted to ask or find out who we were and what an Astronomy society does. Visitors normally arrived in family or friendship groups and were greeted by various members and mostly left with our business card and a prize or freebie of some description.
The weather was kind and did not get us wet but opportunities for Sun viewing had to be taken when the clouds cleared, about 40% of the day.
This note last modified: 6th Nov 2019 10:55.