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 2022-23 (pdf) is available on request (it can be found in the Members section)
(+) 12 Aug 2026 Solar Eclipse (90% partial)
(+) 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
(+) 9 Jul 2026 Cookham Dean Primary School - (outreach)
(+) 29 Jan 2026 Maidenhead 21st Squirrels - (outreach)
(+) 21 Jan 2026 Pinkneys Green Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 12 Jan 2026 Maidenhead Rangers - (outreach)
(+) 3 Dec 2025 1st Cippenham Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 26 Nov 2025 Oldfield Primary School - (outreach)
(+) 19 Nov 2025 Oldfield Primary School - (outreach)
(+) 12 Nov 2025 13th Maidenhead cubs - (outreach)
(+) 6 Nov 2025 6th Windsor cubs - (outreach)
(+) 2 Oct 2025 2nd Burnham Guides - (outreach)
(+) 6 Sep 2025 Cookham Regatta
(+) 7 Apr 2025 Furze Platt Beavers Overnight Camp - (outreach)
(+) 3 Apr 2025 1st Bourne End Thursday Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 2 Apr 2025 1st Bourne End Wednesday Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 29 Mar 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse - (Ockwells Park)
(+) 21 Mar 2025 Kaizen Explorers - (outreach)
(+) 7 Mar 2025 (and 22) Major Lunar Standstill
(+) 3 Mar 2025 Littlewick Green Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 26 Feb 2025 1st Maidenhead Beavers - (outreach)
(+) 11 Feb 2025 1st Maidenhead Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 20 Jan 2025 Cookham Dean Primary school - (outreach)
(+) 5 Dec 2024 1st Cippenham Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 19 Nov 2024 9th Maidenhead Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 15 Nov 2024 1st Pinkneys Green Guides - (outreach)
(+) 6 Nov 2024 4th Taplow guides - (outreach)
(+) 23 Oct 2024 Manor Green - (outreach)
(+) 2 May 2024 Newlands Girls School - (outreach)
(+) 26 Apr 2024 1st Britwell Scouts - (outreach)
(+) 27 Feb 2024 1st Cookham Beavers(2) - (outreach)
(+) 26 Feb 2024 1st Cookham Beavers(1) - (outreach)
(+) 6 Feb 2024 7th Windsor Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 15 Jan 2024 Cookham Dean Primary School - (outreach)
(+) 12 Jan 2024 1st Cippenham Cubs - (outreach)
(+) 6 Dec 2023 Bisham Brownies - (outreach)
(+) 22 Nov 2023 Furze Platt Cubs (2nd pack) - (outreach)
(+) 21 Nov 2023 Furze Platt Cubs (1st pack) - (outreach)
(+) 10 Nov 2023 Trinity St Stephans School - (outreach)
(+) 2 Sep 2023 Cookham Regatta
(+) 19 Apr 2023 Newlands School - (outreach)
(+) 18 Mar 2023 Highfield Prep School Look to the Stars - (Public Event)
(+) 4 Mar 2023 Maidenhead Big Read - (Maidenhaed Library)
(+) 23 Feb 2023 Bourne End cubs (2nd pack) - (outreach)
(+) 22 Feb 2023 Bourne End cubs (1st pack) - (outreach)
(+) 8 Feb 2023 Western House Academy - (outreach)
(-) 18 Jan 2023 1st Cippenham Beavers - (outreach)
18th January 2023 - 1st Cippenham beavers - Outreach
Adrian (lead), James, Robin, Steve. (Report by Adrian)
The venue for the evening was the Dorney Wood scout camp site. It’s a dark site, well-suited to outdoor viewing if the weather is favourable, which it was on this occasion – an almost cloudless sky! The area around the main car park is unfortunately surrounded by quite high trees that significantly restrict the region of the sky that can be seen, so our plan was to drive a few hundred metres to the far end of the site where there is another parking area and a more open aspect.
We arrived at 5.30 pm, well wrapped up for the cold. After a short delay to get the alternative access gate unlocked, we made our way to the other end of the site. Despite Steve missing the turning (poor directions from me!) we soon had 4 viewing stations set up: James with binoculars, Robin with his refractor, Steve with the big Dobsonian and me with my small Mak-Newt.
The 12 beavers arrived soon after 6pm with their leaders and helpers, and were quickly split into four groups. The groups then did a round-robin of the four stations, spending about 10 minutes at each station. The telescopes showed great views of Jupiter, Mars, the Pleiades and M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, whilst James pointed out several constellations to the beavers and explored Orion’s belt with his binoculars.
At the end, the beavers gathered to ask any last questions, and thanked the team with three loud cheers! We packed up and left the site by 7.15 pm.

A couple of weeks after the event, the Beavers sent us a 'Thank You' card !
Photo taken by James
This note last modified: 7th Feb 2023 19:53.