Astrobasics
Section

All meetings start at 7.00pm in the Loddon room, Dinton Pastures.

NOTE: all meetings will be followed by practical observing if the weather permits from around 8.00pm. This is an opportunity for younger children to be engaged who might not be ready for the main talk.

Programme for Sep 2010 - June 2011

All monthly meetings this year are the first Saturday in each month. It will have advantages around Christmas and New Year and will be better for recruiting new members for the main society in September.

4 Sep. 2010
Starting out in astronomy. What is available. This first evening will be suited to any who are thinking of enrolling in courses of amateur interest or wondering what the pastime can involve. The emphasis will be on motivation for studying the subject and what is available for those deeply involved or just having a passing interest.

2 Oct. 2010
Uranus and Jupiter are having several conjunctions this coming winter. Let's compare the orbits, history and composition of the two gas giant planets.

6 Nov. 2010
Back to basics; the Celestial Sphere. How we map and measure the sky and what is visible and how that translates to handling a telescope.

4 Dec. 2010
Telescopes for Christmas? Our experts will show and demonstrate different amateur telescopes with a view to saving you from purchasing unsuitable equipment.

1 Jan. 2011
The galaxy; our place in space. Viewing our nearest large neighbouring galaxy and comparing it with our own.

5 Feb. 2011
TBN

5 Mar. 2011
Castor, 6 stars in one.

11th/12th March 2011
Telescope Nights and British Science Association Exhibition.
We hope to continue our collaboration with the BSA in subsequent years around this date.

2 Apr. 2011
TBN

7 May. 2011
TBN

4 June 2011
Summer satellites

The programme is always provisional so if anyone who can attend wants to suggest anything astronomical for inclusion in the programme we will be happy to consider it.