Amateur Astronomy in Berkshire, UK
Main Programme
Programme 2018-2019All meetings start at 7.00pm in St. Peter’s Church Hall, Earley. 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
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September 15th 2018Astronomy in Human HistoryGraham Bryant, FRAS Chairman, Hampshire Astronomy Group Astronomical events that have effected Human History – from art, history to warfare. A perfect introduction for our new season of talks. New members in particular may appreciate gaining broad insight into a what can be a technical hobby.
After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities. |
28th Sep – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm The importance of Orbits.A beginners’ talk on orbits. How does gravity grab you? We are open to suggestions for subjects at all these Friday sessions. After the break…. Members’ activities and talks
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October 20th 2018A Window through the UniversePeter 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 ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Regular Friday meetingPeter Tickner and Kenelm England Starting out in astronomy – a beginner’s guide PLUS Ken’s updated information from asteroids and dwarf planets. We are open to suggestions for subjects After the break…. Members’ activities and talks |
November 17th 2018Spectroscopy – Analysing light from the starsDr David Boyd British Astronomical Association David is a well-known active observer locally with Newbury Astronomical Society and office holder in the BAA best known for his variable star interest. Spectroscopy provides crucial data to understanding what is going on in a star’s heart that explains the range of stars types that we observe. After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities. |
23rd Nov – Friday ClubEntry is free and open to the public, this month’s topic….. Telescopes. (provisional)
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December 8th 2018(Nb. 2nd Saturday) Santa’s GrottoMembers’ 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 ClubEntry is free and open to the public, this month’s topic….. Our favourite seasonLet’s run through our best objects tonight and the background story. After the break…. |
January 19th 2019William Henry SmythRob 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. |
Observing opportunity21st Jan The Moon will be totally eclipsed between 0441 and 0543 UTCArrangements for observing at this unsocial hour will be discussed on 19th |
25th Jan – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Introduction to the Milky WayBrian Skidmore. We may call it home but at 100,000 light-years it’s a big place. And the neighbourhood contains much dark matter giving physicists the next big challenge. After the break…. Diary Date: Fri 8th, Sat 9th Feb. |
February 16th 2019Astrophysics at the highest energiesTony Bell Dept of Physics, Oxford University Prof Bell’s work is to understand the plasma processes responsible for cosmic ray acceleration and to explain cosmic ray origins. In this talk he will discuss supernovae, radio galaxies, and relativistic jets emitted by black holes. After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities. |
22nd Feb – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Asteroids and other stuffKen England our expert on the solar systems’s bits and pieces. Its variety, history and threat! After the break…. |
Saturday 23rd Feb – Our Open Day
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Fri 8th-Sun17th March8th and 9th possible public star party somewhere in the district TBABritish Science Week 2019https://www.britishscienceweek.org/ Support the BSA and their local events. |
March 16th 2019To See the Beginning of TimeAndrew Lound Odyssey Presentations The Hubble Space telescope is giving humankind a view of the universe never even imagined. From dust clouds to star studded galaxies our minds have been opened to a universe that blends outstanding beauty with mind- boggling scales. Looking into deep space we are looking ever further back in time as it takes the light from the most distance objects many millions of years to reach the mirror of the Hubble. This lecture is illustrated by some of the most beautiful natural images one will ever see and is accompanied by music and high quality video. Sit back, relax and let your mind drift into the far reaches of the universe. After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities. |
22nd March – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Regular Friday meetingTalk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics. |
BAA Winchester Weekend. Apr7th -9th 2017The annual conference attended by many local astronomers. |
April 13th 2019 (2nd Sat)Ancient Egyptian AstronomyDr 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 ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Regular Friday meetingTalk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics. |
May 18th 2019Atmospheres of Extrasolar PlanetsProf. Matt Griffin Cardiff University, School of Physics and Astronomy. Prof. Griffin’s talk will be on the next major step-change in investigating exo-planet atmospheres. ARIEL, (Atmospheric Remote-sensing Exoplanet Large-survey) selected by ESA to analyze the atmospheric composition and true nature of distant worlds is planned to be launched on an Ariane 6 in 2028. After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities. |
24th May – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Regular Friday meetingTalk with emphasis on understanding basic astronomical topics. |
June 15th 2018AGM NightIncluding the Annual General Meeting.Have your say in running the society. Stand for election for posts. Lively discussion. Definitely not boring! Followed by a talkKenelm England ReadingAS and Society for History of Astronomy Astronomical Centenaries in 2019:1919. 1819….YY19Following Ken’s entertaining talk a year ago, astronomical progress throughout history at 100 year intervals based on the centenaries of the year ’19’
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EAST READING FESTIVAL Palmer Park
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Friday meetings in June/July/August will be notified later
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| NO MAIN MEETINGS IN JULY & AUGUST |
| Notes for diary:
Mercury Transit 2019 Nov 11 300 year anniversary of death of John Flamsteed 2019 Dec 31 |
| The venue is St. Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road, Earley.
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, |
