Main Section

All meetings start at 7.00pm in St. Peter's Church Hall, Earley.

Programme 2009-2010

If you are a speaker who would like to talk to the society or have a recommendation for a speaker or subject please email info@readingastro.org.uk

2010-2011 programme planning

September 19th
SOPHISTICATED SMALL SATELLITES FROM SURREY
Dr Stuart Eves (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.)
A light-hearted look at current and future missions using small satellites, activities at SSTL and space sciences.

October 17th
END IN FIRE - THE ULTIMATE FATE OF THE EARTH
Dr Robert Smith (Sussex University)
Millions of years into the future what will happen to our Earth and the Solar System?

October 23rd/24th
PUBLIC OBSERVING WEEKEND AT DINTON PASTURES

November 21st
ASTRONOMY FROM NEW ZEALAND - OR WHAT I DID ON MY HOLIDAYS
Bob Dryden (Abingdon AS)
Bob recounts his experiences of observing in New Zealand.

December 19th
SOLAR IMAGING
Nick Howes (Wessex AS)
Three sides to the Sun - Practical aspects of imaging our nearest star.
Followed by RAS "Christmas Special"

January 16th
THE LUNAR '100'
Dr Lilian Hobbs (Southampton AS)
Discover how to observe Charles Woods' 100 lunar objects using a small telescope. Lilian is author of the ETX & LX90-AF guides.

February 20th
THE SUN KINGS
Stuart Clark (University of Hertfordshire)
The unexpected tragedy of Richard Carrington, and the tale of how modern astronomy began.

March 12th/13th
PUBLIC OBSERVING WEEKEND AT DINTON PASTURES

March 20th
CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES
Dr Darren Baskill (University of Sussex)
Understanding how, every few months, some stars dramatically increase in brightness within just a few hours.

April 17th
POINTING A TELESCOPE
Pat Wallace (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
What a telescope control computer is doing when it points the telescope accurately at an astronomical target.

May 15th
IMAGING THE MOON
Bruce Kingsley (BAA Lunar Photography Section)
An overview of imaging techniques, including many images and video, encouraging observation of our Moon.

June 19th
10!
Kenelm England (Reading AS)
Kenelm continues his theme of celebrating important and interesting astronomical centenaries.
Followed by 39th Annual General Meeting

NO MONTHLY MEETINGS IN JULY & AUGUST

Of course our programme continues the following year

The venue St. Peter's Church Hall, Church Road, Earley RG6 1EY. Parking is available in the hall car park and the adjacent school playground.

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