Main Programme

Programme 2018-2019

All meetings start at 7.00pm in St. Peter’s Church Hall, Earley.
The open FridayCLUB meetings are now included in this listing.

If you are a speaker who would like to talk to the society or have a recommendation for a speaker or subject please email [email protected]

please note Meetings are wheelchair accessible unless mentioned otherwise

September 15th 2018

Title

Graham Bryant, FRAS

Chairman, Hampshire Astronomy Group

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

28th Sep – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Want to study astronomy, or just dip your toe in the water?

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics for new members.

We are open to suggestions for subjects at all these Friday sessions.

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

October 20th 2018

A Window through the Universe

Peter Bull FRAS,

Peter’s presentation A Window Through The Universe is a purely scientific resume of our understanding to date.

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

26th Oct – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

November 17th 2018

Title

Speaker

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

23rd Nov – Friday Club

Entry is free and open to the public, this month’s topic…..

Telescopes. (provisional)

Hopefully again this year: Wayne Young (Reading AS)

With the return of the gift-giving season we always discuss telescopes and accessories at the November meeting.

From the simple astronomical amateur instrument to the major international collaborations the design of the telescope is always a compromise with the laws of physics. Wayne is working on new ways of presenting the subject. Don’t forget: Don’t buy a telescope without a sound knowledge of the compromises you have to make, and I am not even thinking of the rest of the family! 🙂

December 8th 2018

(Nb. 2nd Saturday)

Santa’s Grotto

Members’ practical stuff

A telescope is for life not just for Christmas. Come and complain about not getting what you wanted for Christmas and drool over what the others are getting. Tea and cakes provided, no cash machine again this year.

Followed by RAS “Christmas Special” including glass of Vin d’Asda compliments of the committee.

28th Dec – Friday Club

Entry is free and open to the public, this month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

Free mince pie for the early arrivals!!

January 19th 2019

William Henry Smyth

Rob Peeling

At the age of 14 he ran away from home to join a merchant ship. Admiral William Henry Smyth 1788 – 1865 was a Royal Navy officer, hydrographer, astronomer and numismatist. He is noted for his hydrographic charts, astronomical work, and for a wide range of publications. (W)

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

25th Jan – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

Diary Date: Fri ?th, Sat ?th Feb.

Astrofest: The universe comes to London.

February 16th 2019

Title

Speaker

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

22nd Feb – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

Saturday 23rd Feb – Our Open Day

10am to 5pm Lunch to be arranged.

A day for anything!

We will be in attendance from 10am – 5pm at St Peters hall to show, discuss, demonstrate, display all aspects of the society and our enthusiasm for the universe.

Members who would like to consider their material for display, please print them out with a written description. Anything considered, images, drawings or observation diaries.

The usual refreshments avaiable and bringing you own lunch welcome.

Open to the public. We are happy for members to invite others to pop in. Here is an opportunity to showcase the society to other local organisations, schools etc.

Sat ??th March for one week

British Science Week 2019

Support the BSA and their local events.

March 16th 2019

Title

Speaker

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

22nd March – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

BAA Winchester Weekend. Apr7th -9th 2017

The annual conference attended by many local astronomers.

April 13th 2019 (2nd Sat)

Ancient Egyptian Astronomy

Dr Pauline Norris (Egyptology Researcher)

How did the Egyptians used their knowledge of the heavens in their belief systems and their monumental architecture? Pauline has PhD in Egyptology following archaeological investigations in the Egyptian Sahara. Pauline is a member of Newtown Astronomy Society in Mid-Wales. She recently spoke at TVAES.

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

26th Apr – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

May 18th 2019

Title

Speaker

After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities.

24th May – Friday Club

Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm
Entry is free and open to the public, all welcome, all ages.
This month’s topic…..

Regular Friday meeting

Talk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics.

We are open to suggestions for subjects

After the break….

Members’ activities and talks

June 15th 2018

AGM Night

Including the Annual General Meeting.

Have your say in running the society. Stand for election for posts. Lively discussion. Definitely not boring!

Followed by a talk

Talk by guest speaker

AN Other

EAST READING FESTIVAL Palmer Park

Sunday ??th June

Reading Astronomical Society stand.

Exhibition and solar observing.

We will be attending this annual local event with our telescopes suitably filtered for safe observing of sunspots and other activity on our local star.

Images of previous event.

LOCATION MAP

Friday meetings in June/July/August will be notified later

Summer meetings are arranged for members. All will be indoors with the possibility of talks and refreshments

Parking is available in the hall car park.

Typical meeting timings are….

7.00 – 8.30pm :: Announcements and speaker as detailed above.

8.30 – 9.00pm :: Refreshments and an opportunity to chat and browse the library.

9.00 – 9.45pm :: Miscellany of topics by members.

Programme 2018-19

Sept 2018 Guest speaker, Graham Bryant,
Chairman, Hampshire Astronomy Group