Archive 1973-2016

1973

Chairman: Mr John Marshall
Hon Treasurer: Miss Jane Corey
Hon Secretary: Mr John Wrigley
Annual subs: Senior 75p, Student 25p

Jan 12  An illustrated talk by Mr R K Pilsbury, FRPS, a meteorologist
            at South Reading Community Centre

Feb 17  An illustrated talk on “The riddle of the Milky Way” by Mr E A Beet, FRAS
            at Anderson Baptist Church Hall, Amherst Road, Reading

Mar 19  An illustrated talk concerning astronomical photography by Mr M Clarke and Mr J Marshall
            at Bulmershe School, Woodley

Apr 14   An illustrated talk and discussion on Planets
            at Anderson Baptist Church Hall, Amherst Road, Reading
            (NOTE: change from the deferred talk by Mr H Hayward who died in Jan 1973)

May 19 Astronomical tapes
at Anderson Baptist Church Hall, Amherst Road, Reading
(all meetings at this location from hereon)

Oct 20  AGM + Tape on the Autumn Skies

Nov 17  Illustrated talk by Mr Amery (BAA Lunar Section) on the Moon

Dec 15 Members short talks
            Tape on Winter Skies

1974

Jan 19  Comet Kahoutek
            Tape on the Winter Skies (cancelled)
            Slides of the Total Solar Eclipse & Herstmonceux by Mr T Haymes

Feb 16  Obtaining the best our of the Society’s Telescopes by Mr D J Betts
            Tape on the Winter Skies

Mar 16  “Observation of Venus” by guest speaker Mr J Hedley Robinson, FRAS

Apr 20   “Searching the Skies” by D J Betts

May 5   Outing

May 18 Arrangements to be finalised

Jun 15  AGM

Committee:

President:         A T Davis Esq, MA, JP
Chairman:         J Ashman
Vice-chairman:  J Trott
Treasurer:          J Marshall
Publicity:           D J Betts
Secretary:         Mrs M Wrigley
Asst Secretary:  G W Amery
Librarian:           P Palfrey
Junior reps:       R N Phillips, G Wakefield, A Paterson
Subs: £1, Junior 35p
(We regret that smoking is not allowed in the Hall)

Aug 9    The Social Evening was cancelled by the Group of American Astronomers
            – the Tour being postponed until 1975

Sep 9    Films – Kitt Peak Observatories and the Mullard Radio Telescope
            (NOTE: subsequently moved to November)
            Discussion of the Exhibition

Oct 19  “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. Illustrated talk by Mr D J Betts, FRAS

Oct 26  The Exhibition

Nov 16  Radio Astronomy. A talk by Mr G Redman

Dec 21  Members Evening

1975

Jan 18 “The Sun”. A talk by Mr P Gill (Guest Speaker)
            (NOTE: replaced by “Stonehenge” by F Cunningham FRAS

Feb 15  Junior Members Evening

Mar 15  An Evening of Members’ Astronomical Tales and Slides

Apr 19   “The Hot Universe”.
            Talk by Mr J C D Marsh. FRAS, Director of Hatfield Polytechnic Observatory

May 17 A “Brains Trust” on Astronomical Topics
            (NOTE: replaced by “The Sun” by P Gill

Jun 21  AGM, plus “Observatories”

Sep 22  Visit to Douai School, Woolhampton
            (making weather maps from artificial satellite transmissions)

Sep 20  A Brains Trust on Astronomical Topics

Oct 18  Basic Information on the Moon, Mr Charles Wise, FRAS and Mr Geoff Amery

Oct 25  Autumn Fayre & Jumble sale

Nov 1    BAA Lunar Section meeting
            Broad Street Church Hall, Broad St, Reading
            Patrick Moore OBE, FRAS
            Big School Hall, Reading School

Nov 15  The Spectrum & its Applications, Mr E A Beet, BSc, FRAS

Dec 20  Members’ Evening

1976

Jan 24  Programme presented by the Student Brains

Feb 21  Questions & Answers on Astronomical Equipment

Mar 20  The Spectrohelioscope, Commander Henry Hatfield, RN

Apr 17   Members’ Photographic Efforts

May 4   Visit to Greenwich (Old Observatory, Planetarium and Maritime Museum)

May 15 Radio Astronomy, Mr John R Smith, FRAS

Jun 19  AGM, plus Our Observatories

Sep 18  Observational Project Preparations, by Mr Geoff Amery
            Our Observations (Southern Hemisphere), by Mr John Ashman,
            (Northern Hemisphere), by Mr Peter Hunt

Oct 16  The Eye and The Astronomer, by Dr P M R Hemphill (The light of the body is the eye)

Nov 20  The Solar Eclipse (Annular), by Miss Rosa Atwell, FRAS, Asst Sec BAA
            The Solar Eclipse (Total), by Mr N J A Tate (Member BAA Council)

Nov 27  Grazing Occultation at 18:54hrs, near Reading. Details from Mr Geoff Amery

Dec 18  Nineteenth Century Astronomy, by two veteran Speakers
            Christmas Refreshments

1977

Jan 15  programme presented by the Student Brains
            Arranged by Keith Manning and Andrew Paterson

Feb 19  Setting Circles, by Mr Geoff Amery
            The Nature of Time, by Mrs P M Ferguson
            Dark Nebula and Inter Stellar Dust, by Mr R H Bradbury

Mar 5    At outing for the family, to the Science and Other Museums at South Kensington

Mar19   From Blue Giants to Black Holes, by Mr J C D Marsh FRAS.
            Director of the Hatfield Polytechnic Observatory

Apr 19   using Binoculars, by Mr John Ashman.
            How to make an Inexpensive Drive, by Mr John Trott
            Exhibition of Observational Projects

May 21 BAA Lunar Section meeting in the afternoon
            No meeting in the evening

Jun 18  AGM, plus Our Observatories

Sep 17  D.I.Y.A. by Mr Anthony Thomas

Sep 18  An Outing to the Astronomical Exhibition at Herstmonceux

Oct 15  May Observations by Mr J Hedley-Robinson, FRAS

Nov 19  Comets by Mr J C D Marsh, FRAS

Dec 17  A Special Christmas Meeting with Film Show and Refreshments


1978

Jan 21  Any Questions? Any Answers? arranged by Mr Frank Gear
            (NOTE moved from April)

Feb 18  Presentations by The Student Members

Apr 15   Solar Activity by Mr Peter Gill
            (NOTE moved from Jan due to illness)

May 20 Reviews + Member’s Films by the Members

Jun 17  AGM and A Visit to the Observatory

Sep 16  Lunar Eclipse / Films at Bradfield

Oct 21  Stellar Evolution by Peter Hunt

Oct 25  Grazing Occultation near Oxford, contact Anthony Thomas

Nov 18  The Planets, by Anthony Thomas and Martin Ratcliffe
            Lunar Eclipse reports

Dec 16  Instrument & Gadget Exhibition, organisers Brian Davies & Eddie Moore
            Christmas Refreshments

1979

Jan 20  Presentations by the Student Members

Feb 17  Films: “Man on the Moon” and “Americans in Orbit”
            loanded by Charles Wise, FRAS
            Any Questions? Any Answers? organised by Frank Gear

Mar 17  Guest Speaker: Pulsars by Dr J Bell Burnell, FRAS

Apr 21   members’ photographic evening, organised by John Marshall

May 19 Space Travel, by Jim Betts, FRAS

Jun 16  AGM

Sep 15  Observatories Worldwide, by Clive Jackman

Oct 20  Guest Speaker: Latest Solar Observations, by Commander H R Hatfield (RN ret’d)

Nov 17  Members’ gadgets and Slides of Sundials, arranged by Jeremy Cook

Dec 15  “What on earth”, organised by Muriel Wrigley
            Christmas Refreshments

1980

Jan 19  Radio Astronomy, by Tim Haymes

Feb 16  Student Presentations

Mar 15  Guest Speaker: “A Modern Look at the Planets” by J Hedley Robinson, FRAS

Apr 19   Kenya Solar Eclipes, by Reading Members

May 17 Invitation Meeting, Guildford Astronomical Society

Jun 21  AGM
            Meteorology in the Antarctic, by Clive Jackman

Sep 20  Instruments Great and Small, by Messrs Ratcliffe, Trott, Thomas, Goodenough, Peakall

Oct 18  Astro-photography, by Guest Speaker M J de Faubert Maunder, FRAS

Nov 15  Film on Ariel V, loaned by Appleton Laboratory
            An Electronic Time Recorder, by Don Ferguson

Dec 20  19th Century Astronomical Slides
            Farnborough Cavalcade
            Mini Exhibition, presented by Paul Smith, Charles Wise and Members
            Christmas Refreshments for Members and their Guests

1981

Jan 17  History of Astronomy, by Marie, Jeremy and Tony Cook

Feb 21  Members’ Phenomena, presented by Muriel and John Wrigley

Mar 21  Short Talks, by members of Maidenhead Astronomical Society

Apr 18   Presentations by the younger members of RAS

Apr 20-26 National Astronomy Week

May 18 Space Flight Update, by Jim Betts
            Any questions, chaired by John Wrigley

Jun 20  AGM and Plans for 1982

Sep 19  Moon Rock Exhibition

Oct 24  BAA Lunar Section Meeting
            Society meeting, speaker Geoff Amery

Nov 21  Telescope Making, by guest speaker Mr P Knee, President Guildford AS

Dec 19  Members’ Slides of Places of Astronomical Interest
            Christmas Refreshments for Members and their Guests

1982

Jan 16  Astronomy in America, organised by John Wrigley

Feb 20  Observing the Sun, by guest speaker Cmdr H Hatfield, RN (Retd), FRAS

Mar 20  Shorts Talks, by members of Aylesbury Astronomical Society

Apr 24   Presentations, by the younger members of RAS

May 15 Space Flight Update, by Jim Betts
            Questions & Answers

May 16 Outing to Cmdr Hatfield’s Observatory at Sevenoaks

Jun 19  AGM

Sep 11  To the Moon and Back, by Paul Anderson and Keith Jordan
            TLP’s, by Geoff Amery, Director Lunar Section, BAA

Oct 16  Tenth Anniversary Meeting, by Muriel and John Wrigley

Nov 20  Artificial Satellites, by guest speaker Mr Mike Waterman

Dec 18  Astronomical Youth camps, by Martin Ratcliffe
            An Exhibition by Members
            Christmas refreshments for Members and their Guests

1983

Jan 15  Presentations, by the younger members of RAS
            Astro-photography techniques for all, by Anthony Thomas

Feb 19  Meteors, by guest speaker Mr George Spalding, Section Director BAA

Mar 19  So Simple a Thing as the Sun, by guest speaker Dr John H Parkinson, UCL

Apr 16   Results of Members’ Observations and Photographic Skills

May 21 Twelve Months of Astronomy in Space, by Jim Betts

May      Outing to Mr J C D Marsh, Hatfield Poly Observatory

Jun 25  AGM
            Java Total Eclipse 11.06.83

Sep 24  Intergalactic Distances, by Martin Ratcliffe

Oct 22  Observational Aids, by Anthony Thomas
            bring and Buy Sale

Nov 26  Deep Sky Photography and Computer Images,
by guest speaker Mr R Arbour, Section Director BAA and Jeremy Cook

Dec 17  Space Fantasy, by Jan Fiolka
            Christmas refreshments for Members and their Guests

1984

Jan 21  Meteors and their Observation, by guest speaker Dr J Mason Asst Section Director, BAA

Feb 18  Australian Observatories, by John Wrigley

Mar 17  Photographic Techniques for the Amateur, by Dennis Hayden

Apr 21   Exhibition of Members’ Gadgets and Photographs
            President’s Prize entries

May 19 Guest Speakers from Farnham Astronomical Society

Jun 16  AGM
            Experiences with the BAA, by guest speaker Miss R Atwell, Vice-President BAA

Sep 15  How Big is the Sky?, by Anthony Thomas
            Annular Eclipse, May 1984

Oct 20  Planetary Observations, by Peter Hunt

Nov 17  The Moon: how, when, where?, by Geoff Amery
            Moon Rock Samples, kindly loaned by SERC

Dec 15  Members’ Slides of Astronomical Instruments etc
            Christmas refreshments with Ron Povey’s Slide/tape Show

1985

Jan 19  Exploding Galaxies, by guest speaker Miss Heather Couper, Council Member BAA

Feb 16  Amateur Solar Astronomy,
by guest speaker Mr Ken Medway, former Director Solar Section BAA

Mar 16  Members’ Meteorology Slides, co-ordinator Miss Jane Corey (founder member)

Apr 20   Presentations, by the younger members

May 18 Sir William Herschel, by guest speaker Cmdr Tony Fanning, Herschel Astronomical Society

Jun 16  AGM    
            Astronomy and Space film

Sep 21  Halley’s Comet, by John Wrigley

Oct 19  Brazilian Astronomy, by Peter Hunt

Nov 9-16 National Astronomy Week

Nov 16 TLP Observation, by Mrs Marie Cook
            About Time, by Jeremy Cook

Dec 7,
Dec 14  Halley’s Comet Observing Sessions, Crosfield School, Shinfield Road

1986

Jan 18  Aurorae, by Dr Mike Hapgood

Feb 22  Between the Stars, by Ralph Bradbury

Mar 22  Physics Connected with Astronomy, by Geoff Carol

Apr 19   Presentations by student members

May 17 Reflections on Halley, members contributions

Jun 21  AGM

Sep 20  Astronomy for All

Oct 18  Motion of the Moon and Tides, by guest speaker Ian Hunt
            Moon Rock loaned by SERC

Nov 15  Colour Response in the Eye, by guest speaker Norman Fisher

Dec 20  Mirror Making film, by Dennis Hayden
            Slides and tape on Astronomy, by Jan Fiolka
            Christmas Refreshments

1987

Jan 17  Voyager to Uranus, by guest speaker Dr John Mason (postponed)

Feb 21  Southern Skies, by Anthony Thomas

Mar 21  Guest speakers from Bristol & Cotswold Astronomical Society

Apr 18   Presentations by student members

May 16 CHASE on Spacelab II, by guest speaker Ron Cutler

Jun 20  AGM
            Astronomy Centres of USA, by Clive Jackman

Sep 19  Autumn Observations
            Astronomy Now – auditions, arranged by Mr Anthony Thomas

Oct 17  Short Talks, by Messrs Gee, Hayden, Howard, Meades

Nov 21  Voyage to Uranus, by guest speaker Dr John Mason

Dec 12  Entertainment by student members
            Astro bring & buy sale
            Followed by “bring and eat”


1988

Jan 16  Radio Astronomy, by guest speaker Mr John Smith

Feb 20  Weather for Astronomy, by Mr Paul Davies

Mar 19  Members’ Photographs

Apr 16   Naughty Neptune, by guest speaker Mr Greg Smye-Rumsby

May 21 Drawings at the Telescope, by guest speaker Mr Tom Hosking, Richmond & Kew AS

Jun 18  AGM
            Talk by the President, Geoff Amery

Sep 10  M1 – M109, by Anthony Thomas

Oct 15  The Early History of the Telescope, by guest speaker Dr Allan Chapman

Nov 19  Future Exploration of Mars, by guest speaker Mr Nicholas Booth

Dec 17  Christmas Social meeting
            How well do you know Planet Earth? Slide quiz


1989

Jan 21  Glass and the Galaxy,, by Mr Martin Ratcliffe, Hon Member

Feb 18  Chasing a Shadow, by Hazel McGee

Mar 18  Journey to the centre of the Earth, by guest speaker Professor Stuart Malin

Apr 15   Members’ Evening

May 20 Computers in Astronomy, co-ordinated by Jeremy Cook

Jun 17  AGM
            Plus speaker TBS

Sep 23  Mapping the Solar System, by Dr Tony Cook

Oct 21  Photons & La Palma, by Mr Clive Jackman

Nov 18  Io and Astronomical Knowledge, by Mt Geoff carol

Dec 16  Christmas Social evening


1990

Jan 20  Astronomy for the Layman,, co-ordinated by the Chairman, Anthony Thomas

Feb 17  Under African Skies, By Mr Richard Fleet

Mar 17  Talks by members of Maidenhead Astro Soc

Apr 21   Atmospheric Phenomena, by Mr Neil Bone

May 19 Talks & Slides, by members

Jun 16  AGM
            Talk by the President, Miss Rossie Atwell FRAS

Sep 15  An Informal Introduction to Astronomy, co-ordinated by Mr Anthony Thomas

Oct 20  Variable Stars, by Mr Tristram Brelstaff

Nov 17  National Astronomy week

Nov 17  Open meeting

Dec 15  Members’ Talks and Slides
            Christmas Social meeting

1991

Jan 19  Planetariums – Past, Present and Future, by Mr Martin Ratcliffe

Feb 16  Volcanism on the Earth and the Moon, by Mr Keith Abineri

Mar 16  Astro-photography, by Mr Bernard Abrams

Apr 20   Talks by members of the Northampton Astro Soc

May 18 The Eye & Astronomy, by Mr Stephen James

Jun 15  AGM
            Old & New Astronomy, by Mr Jeremy Cook

Sep 21  Stars for Softies, co-ordinator Malcolm Porter

Oct 19  Total Solar Eclipses 1991 – members’ results, co-ordinator Anthony Thomas

Nov 16  Micro-satellites – their uses & operation, by Prof Martin Sweeting, University of Surrey

Dec 14  Powers of Ten – the size of the Universe, by John Wrigley
            Christmas Refreshments
            Competitions from Brenda & John Marshall

1992

Jan 18  Topical Topic, by Dr John Mason BAA

Feb 15  Comet Halley – an appreciation, by Richard Fleet

Mar 21  Sunspots and Lake Levels, by Dr Peter Mason (postponed)

Apr 11   Members’ Slides and Contributions

May 16 Observing at Puimichel,
by Messrs Trevor Searle, Kelvin Stevens & Phil Hodgins, High Wycombe Astro Soc

Jun 20  21st AGM
            Life & Work of John Herschel, by Miss Rossie Atwell, President

Sep 19  Sunspots and Lake Levels, by Dr Peter Mason

Oct 17  Stellar Corpses, by Dr Mark Bailey

Nov 21  Meteor Showers – the cometary connection, by Prof Iwan Williams

Dec 19  Observing Lunar & asteroidal occultations, by Mr Andrew Elliott
            Christmas Refreshments and competitions

1993

Jan 16  Supernovae, by Dr Gill Pearce

Feb 20  Pointing to the Stars, by Mr Clive Jackman

Mar 20  What is Gravity?, by Dr Robert Lambourne

Apr 17   Planetary Nebulae, by Mr Owen Brazell

May 15 CCDs for the Amateur Astronomy, by Mr Malcolm Porter

Jun 22  AGM
            Members’ Light Pollution contributions

Jul 3     Light Pollution meeting, by Drs P Moore & J Mason, Reading University

Sep 18  Astronomical Assortment, co-ordinator Mr Anthony Thomas

Oct 16  Worlds beyond: space art, by Mr Michael Marlow

Nov 20  Destination Mars, by Dr Tony Cook

Dec 18  A new star to navigate by, by Mr john Howard
            Christmas Refreshments and competitions

1994

Jan 15  The Early Astronomical Telescope, by Dr Allan Chapman

Feb 19  DIY Telescopes, by Mr Richard Fleet

Mar 19  Skies of the past: astronomy in pre-history, by Dr Heinrich Harke

Apr 16   A Hitch0hiker’s Guide to the Solar System, by Mr Chris Washington

May 21 Talks by members of Vectis Astro Soc, IoW

Jun 18  AGM
            A History of the Northern Hemisphere Observatories, By Mr Alan Gray

Sep 17  Mick’s Miscelleny, organised by Mr Mick Pavey

Oct 15  Astronomy via Radio Waves, by Mr Angus McKenzie MBE

Oct 25-27 Thames Valley Festival of Science, Reading College

Nov 19  Glows, Bows and Haloes, by Mr Richard Fleet

Dec 17  Society’s Exhibition meeting (members’ contributions)
            Christmas Refreshments and competitions

1995

Jan 21  The death of a comet, by Dr John Mason

Feb 18  William Lassell (1799-1880), Practitioner, Patron & Grand Amateur of Victorian Astronomy,
by Dr Allan Chapman

Mar 18  Sun & Communications, by Mr Malcolm Porter (postponed)
            In the Shadow of the Incas, by Mrs Ann Davies

Apr 22   Cooks Tour of the Moon, by Mr Jeremy Cook and Mrs Marie Cook

May 20 Weather to Observe, by Mr Martin Jones

Jun 17  AGM

Sep 16  EGM
            One Small Step for a Man,, Mr Bob Paterson

Oct 21  Sun & Communications, by Mr Malcolm Porter

Nov 18  Getting “round” stars (CCD imaging), by Mr Nick Hudson

Dec 16  Ask an Astronomer, a panel of experts
            (Messrs G Bond, A Elliott, R Fleet, H Gee, J Howard, L Macdonald & J Trott)
            Christmas Refreshments

1996

Jan 20  Big Bang, Inflation and the Future, by Mr Iain Nicolson

Fab 17  Chemistry in Interstellar Space, by Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Mar 16  Holiday Astronomy – members’ photographs

Apr 20   Building an Observatory Dome & Using a Micrometer, by members of Maidenhead Astro Soc

May 18 Solar Eclipse over India, By Mrs Hazel McGee

Jun 15  25th AGM
            Discussion / planning for National Astronomy Week, Sep 21-28

Sep 14  Planetary Tales, by Dr Damian Wilson

Sep 21  National Astronomy Week, St Peter’s Church & School Halls

Oct 19  Solar Observing, by Ms Pam Spence

Nov 16  Talks by members of Aylesbury Astro Soc

Dec 14  “Low tech” Astronomy, by Mr Lee Macdonald
            Conquest of Space, by Mr Ron Povey
            Christmas Refreshments

1997

Jan 18  Meteors, by Dr John Mason

Feb 15  An eye on the sky, by Mr Patrick Stevens

Mar 15  Astronomical Observatories Worldwide, by Mr John Wrigley

Apr 19   Aurora, by Mr Neil Bone

May 17 Christian Huygens (1629-1695) Astronomer & Mechanician, by Dr Allan Chapman

Jun 21  AGM
            Personal Experiences at Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, by Mrs Ruth Sumner

           

* With thanks to John Wrigley for the previous programmes. *

1997

September 20
READING AS MEMBERS TALKS
PLANET VULCAN
by Mr Bob Paterson
DEEP SKY
by Mr Owen Brazell
THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG IN ASTRONOMY
by Mr Lee Macdonald

October 18
THE GALILEO MISSION
by Mr Jeremy Workman

November 15
EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL LIFE
by Dr Barrie Jones

December 13
LA PALMA
by Mr Tim Haymes


1998

January 17
COMETS
by Mr Guy Hurst
Editor, The Astronomer

February 21
ASTRONOMY ON THE ALGARVE
Speaker to be confirmed

March 21
OPTICS WITHOUT MATHEMATICS
by Mr Maurice Gavin
President BAA, 1996-97

April 18
DANGEROUS ASTRONOMY
by Dr Chris Clayton
Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory

May 16
BRITAIN’S SPACE SCIENCE PROGRAMME
by Dr Paul Murden, Head of Astronomy
Director of Science, PPARC

June 20
27^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TALK BY THE SOCIETY PRESIDENT
Dr Allan Chapman


September 19
SHORT TALKS BY MEMBERS

October 17
MARS REVISITED
by Mr Jeremy Workman
Secretary Harringey Astronomical Society
President North Down Society

November 21
TIME SHIFT & TRAVEL THROUGH TIME
by Dr Chris Baddily

December 12
MEMBERS SLIDES


1999

January 16
HERSCHEL: FAMILY OF POLYMATHS
by Dr Peter Ford

February 20
NEWBURY NIGHT
Talks by members of Newbury Astronomical Society

March 20
LATEST ADVANCES IN CCD
by Mr Terry Platt

April 17
TRANSITS OF VENUS
by Mr Robin Gorman
President, Hampshire Astronomical Group

May 15
ASTEROIDS
by Dr Andrew Hollis

June 19
28^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


September 18
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS AND PSEUDO-REMNANTS
by Nick Hewitt
Director BAA Deep Sky Section

October 16
PROSPECTS FOR THE LEONIDS
by Neil Bone
Director BAA Meteor Section

November 20
OBSERVING THE SUN
by John Chapman-Smith
Director SPA Solar Section

December 11
INTER-SOCIETY CHRISTMAS QUIZ
Members of neighbouring societies


2000

January 15
VARIABLE STARS
by Bob Dryden
Chairman Abingdon Astronomical Society

February 19
ADAPTIVE OPTICS
by George Sallit

March 18
THE EFFECT OF PRECESSION
by Robin Gorman
President Hampshire Astronomical Group

April 15
TALKS BY MEMBERS OF THE IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION

May 20
AN ASTRONOMER IN THE ANTARCTIC
by Jonathan Shanklin
Director BAA Comet Section

June 17
29^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


September 16th
THE GALAXY UNVEILED
Tom Boles   (Supernova discoverer)
An entertaining tour of the structure and history of our galaxy.

October   21st
VARIABLE STARS
Bob Dryden   (Abingdon Astronomical Society)
An introduction to a fascinating aspect of amateur observation.

November  18th
ASTRONOMICAL IMAGING FROM LA PALMA
Nik Syzmanek and Ian King   (UKCCD Users Group)
Astrophotography and CCD techniques plus their latest images from La Palma.

December  9th              (Note – second Saturday)
CHRISTMAS QUIZ
A chance to pit your wits against the other members !


2001

January   20th
THE CIVIL SERVANT AND THE SUNBEAM
Dr Allan Chapman   (Oxford University)
Sir Norman Lockyer and the origins of solar physics

February  17th
UNDERSTANDING METEORITES
Dr Monica Grady   (Natural History Museum)
What we can learn about the Solar system from rocks that fall from the sky.

March  17th
PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY
RAS members
Getting the best from your binoculars, camera, telescope or computer.

April   21st
ECLIPSES
Konrad Malin-Smith  (Croydon Astronomical Society)
One of nature’s most spectacular sights and an excellent excuse to see the world.

May   19th
FASTER THAN LIGHT
Dr Bob Lambourne   (Open University)
A gentle introduction to some of the stranger aspects of physics.

June   16th
30^th Annual General Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR


September  15th
INSTRUMENTATION
Matthew Whyndham (Mullard Space Science Lab)
Matthew gets the 2001/2002 session off to an excellent start with this fascinating talk.

October  20th
DEEP SPACE FROM WILTSHIRE
Philip Perkins   (Astrocruise)
See what can be achieved with film and digital techniques.

November  17th
JETS
Dr Christian Kaiser   (Southampton University)
The exhausts of the most efficient engines in the Universe.

December  8th              (Note – second Saturday)
CHRISTMAS MEETING
Join us for a lively, fun quiz followed by food and good company.


2002

January  19th
PLANETS & LIFE BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Dr Barrie Jones   (Open University)
The latest news of planets beyond the Solar System and the ways we will search for Life on them.

February  16th
“WISH YOU WERE HERE” FOR ASTRONOMERS
Dr Lilian Hobbs
All the places you wanted to visit and never had the chance …

March  16th
UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES – THE RETURN
Richard and Nicky Fleet   (Reading AS)A fresh look at the most interesting part of the sky.

April  20th
EXPERIENCES IN PORTUGAL
Ray Goodwin  (Reading AS)
Learn all about the dark sky experiences available to the amateur astronomer at COAA.

May  18th
ENTERTAINMENT FROM FARNHAM AS
Farnham Astronomical Society members
Join our neighbouring society for an astronomical miscellany.

June  15th
31^st Annual General Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR


September  21st
OBSERVING STAR AND PLANET FORMATION
Helen Walker (Rutherford Appleton Lab)
Useful observing tips from Helen.

October  11/12th
STAR PARTIES AND EXHIBITION
      AT DINTON PASTURES COUNTRY PARK
Party in the Park

October  19th
WEATHER FORECASTING FOR ASTRONOMERS
Ross Reynolds   (University of Reading)
Will they ever get it right?!

October  20th  (Sunday)
VISIT TO ALDERSHOT OBSERVATORY

November  16th
CCD IMAGING
George Sallit   (Reading AS)
Answering all your image capturing questions.

December  14th
CHRISTMAS CHEER WITH SIR ISAAC NEWTON
aka Professor Mike Edmunds (Cardiff University)
A light-hearted talk to put you in the festive mood.
2003


January  18th
EXPLOSIVE EVENTS ON THE SUN
Sarah Matthews   (Mullard Space Centre)
Find out what’s happening on our local star.

February  15th
COSMIC OUTPOURINGS – A DETECTIVE STORY
Dr. Andrew Norton   (Open University)
Explaining the biggest explosions in the Universe.

March  15th
MARS EXPRESS
Dave Neudegg   (Rutherford Appleton Lab)What will they find on the surface of the red planet?

April  12th
MEMBERS TALKS
A miscellany of talks by RAS members.

May  17th
RESTORATION OF THE ROSSE TELESCOPE
Michael Tubridy (Amateur astronomer for the project)
Insight into the background and Rosse family archives

June  21st
32nd Annual General Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
Have your say in the running of the Society.
September  20th
WEB-CAM IMAGING OF MARS
George Sallit   (Reading AS)
Images of Mars while at its’ closest approach for 60,000 years

October  18th
THE STORY OF STAR NAMES
Mark Hurn   (University of Cambridge)
The influences of ancient cultures on star naming

October 24th & 25th
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES

November  15th
SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence)
Dr Ian Morrison   (Jodrell Bank)
The scientific search for intelligent life in the galactic neighbourhood

December  13th
CHRISTMAS FUN
Astronomy “Call My Bluff”
Can you tell fact from fiction? Come and find out!
Followed by Christmas refreshments
2004


January  17th
THE HISTORY OF DEEP SKY
Alan Dowdell   (Webb Society)
How very faint, distant objects were discovered
February  21st
JAMES BRADLEY – the astronomers astronomer
Dr Allan Chapman   (Oxford University)
The third Astronomer Royal; observer and discoverer
March  20th
SOLAR OBSERVING
John Chapman-Smith   (Soc. for Popular Astronomy)
An expert’s guide to observing our nearest star
March 26th & 27th
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES
April  17th
AURORAE – from the Sun to the Earth and beyond
Dr. Chris Davis   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
The phenomenon caused by explosions on the Sun
May  15th
ALIENS: WHERE ARE THEY?
Terry Moseley   (Ex-President Irish Astro Assoc)
An entertaining talk on life in the Universe
June  19th
33rd Annual General Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
Have your say in the running of the Society


September  18^th
MERCURY – THE FORGOTTEN PLANET?
Sarah Dunkin   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
Small, cratered and extremely hot – but what is Mercury really like?

October  16^th
LIGHT POLLUTION
Chris Baddiley   (Campaign for Dark Skies)
The photometry of skyglow; the increasing loss of dark skies in rural areas of the UK

October  22^nd/23^rd
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES

November  20^th
DEEP SKY OBSERVING, NEW FRONTIERS
Owen Brazell  (Webb Society)
Galaxies, deep space and more

December  11^th          (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
1+1=1, RELATIVELY SPEAKING – Christmas special
Paul Warren   (Abingdon AS)
A look at Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity, with a spoof on the theory of light entitled “Dark Suckers”


2005


January  15^th
VARIABLE STARS – WHAT MAKES THEM TICK?
James Fradgley   (Wessex AS)
A look at the major categories of variable stars
February  19^th
METEOR IMPACTS ON EARTH
Dr Simon Kelley   (Open University)
Investigate the clustering of meteor impacts on Earth
March  11^th/12th
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES
March  19^th
VIDEO ASTRONOMY
Andrew Elliott   (Reading AS)
Latest video methods from Warton Bank observatory
April  16^th
UK IN SPACE
Dr. Chris Davis   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
Talk on the UK’s investment in space missions
May  21st
CASSINI/HUYGENS – LATEST UPDATE
Philip Rosenberg   (Open University)
Latest images & news from Cassini/Huygens mission
June  18^th
34th Annual General Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
Have your say in the running of the Society


September  17^th
THE TRANSIT OF VENUS
John Adair   (Reading AS)
Observing the transit of Venus, while on location with the BBC in Egypt. Plus highlights from John’s videos of recent solar activity

October  15^th
ALCHEMY AND THE FORMATION OF GALAXIES
Dr Ignacio Ferreras   (Kings College London)
The link between the formation of galaxies, and the alchemist’s quest to turn base elements into gold

October  21^st/22^nd
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES

November  19^th
INFRARED ASTRONOMY: SEEING THE INVISIBLE
Helen Walker   (Secretary, Royal Astronomical Soc)
New views of familiar objects, and detecting distant galaxies invisible to the Hubble Space Telescope

December  10^th                           (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
VIKING ASTRONOMY
Martin Lunn MBE FRAS (Curator Yorkshire Museum)
Go back to 912AD – pioneering research into Viking astronomy. NB Martin will bring a selection of special offers from Aurora Books for your Christmas gift ideas.
Followed by the RAS “Christmas special”


2006


January  21^st
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH
Dr Robert Massey   (Royal Observatory)
The past, present and future of the Royal Observatory
February  18^th
COMET OBSERVING
Guy M Hurst   (Editor of The Astronomer)
Chasing intruders in our Solar System
March  18^th
THE BIGGEST TELESCOPE IN THE WORLD
Peter D Hingley   (Royal Astronomical Society)
A canter through the growth of telescope aperture
March  24^th/25^th
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES
April  8^th                                     (NOTE 2nd Saturday)
FROM MARCONI TO MARS
Dr. Chris Davis   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
A selected history of radio research in the UK
May  20^th
PRAESEPE – TWO MERGING CLUSTERS?
Karen Holland   (University of Leicester)
This open star cluster may be two merging clusters
June  17^th
METEORS
Neil Bone   (Director, BAA Meteor Section)Very topical, as the Perseids are well placed this year
Followed by 35th Annual General Meeting


September  16^th
LIVING WITH A STAR
Danielle Bewsher  (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
How the Sun affects the Earth’s environment, and research to better understand the processes
October  21^st
ALCHEMY AND THE FORMATION OF GALAXIES
Dr Ignacio Ferreras   (Kings College London)
The link between the formation of galaxies, and the alchemist’s quest to turn base elements into gold
November  18^th
ATMOSPHERES OF THE PLANETS
Dr Mike Leggett FRAS FBIS
The origin, development and composition of the Earth’s atmosphere, and a comparative survey of the atmospheres of the planets and Solar System bodies
December  9^th                             (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
THE DAY WE PUT A WOODPECKER INTO SPACE
Jerry Stone  (Chairman, Letchworth & District AS)
A look at the lighter side of space exploration
Followed by the RAS “Christmas special”


2007


January  20^th
RADIO ASTRONOMY
Jeff Lashley   (BAA – Radio Astronomy Section)
A beginners’ guide to Radio Astronomy
February  17^th
COPERNICUS IN ENGLAND
Alan Chapman   (Fellow of Wadham College)
History of a scientific revolutionary by our President
March  17^th
GREAT OBSERVATORIES
Martin Lunn MBE FRAS (Yorkshire Museum)
Plus a selection from Aurora Books at great discounts
March  23^rd/24th
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES
April  21^st
OUR VITAL MOON
Robin Gorman  (Founder, National Astronomy Week)
It has more of a controlling influence than you think
May  19^th
WIDEFIELD CCD IMAGING
Ian King (IanKingImaging, Astro Equipment Supplier)
Techniques for obtaining excellent CCD images
June  16^th
STARBIRTH
Owen Brazell (Reading Astronomical Society)
Stunning deep space images of the birth of stars
Followed by 36th Annual General Meeting
September  15^th
SMART-1 – EUROPE’S 1^st MISSION TO THE MOON
Barry Kellett  (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
The mission’s innovative approach to technology and science created new solutions to old problems that are now being carried forward to the next generation of lunar missions.

October  20^th
GLOWS, BOWS AND HALOES
Richard Fleet   (Newbury AAS)
What they are and how to find them. An illustrated personal collection of atmospheric phenomena gathered over the years.

November  17^th
NEUTRINOS
Bob Forrest (University of Hertfordshire)
Travelling close to the speed of light, lacking electric charge and able to pass through ordinary matter almost undisturbed, they are extremely difficult to detect.
December  8^th                             (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
LOOKING THROUGH THE WRONG END
Bob Dryden  (Abingdon AS)
Followed by the RAS “Christmas Special”
2008


January  19^th
BANG! THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE?
Chris Lintott   (Oxford University & BBC Sky at Night)
In 2006, astrophysicist Chris Lintott joined rock legend and experienced amateur astronomer Brian May and legendary expert Sir Patrick Moore to tell the story of the Universe.

February  16^th
DISCOVERING SUPERNOVAE
Tom Boles   (BAA & Coddenham Observatory)
Talk based on the 100+ supernovae discoveries (between Oct 1007 and his latest in 2007) and research made on supernovae.

March  15^th
ISOTOPES & EARTH SYSTEMS: COSMIC CONNECTIONS
George Darling (British Geological Survey)
Isotopes, whether stable or radioactive, are used in many branches of earth systems science. This talk looks at examples where past or present cosmic connections govern the usefulness of these isotopes.

March  28^th/29^th
PUBLIC OBSERVING AT DINTON PASTURES

April  19^th
THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM DECODED
Mike Edmunds  (Cardiff University)
The investigation of a unique Greek geared device, constructed around the end of the second century BC, discovered in a Roman shipwreck in 1901.

May  17^th
VARIABLE STARS
David Boyd (BAA & Newbury AAS)
Variable stars in general and CCD variables in particular.

June  21^st
CHASING SHADOWS
Gerry Bond (Reading Astronomical Society)
Or what I did on my holidays.
Followed by 37th Annual General Meeting


September  20^th
THE ISAAC NEWTON TELESCOPE 1942-1967
Lee Macdonald   (Cambridge University)
How the largest telescope in the British Isles came to be built at the site of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in Herstmonceux.

October  18^th
GRAVITY WAVES
Chris van den Broek   (Cardiff University)
The latest findings on Einstein’s last bastion, and looking for messages from hidden massive objects at gravity “wavelengths”.

November  15^th
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
Owen Brazell   (Webb Society)
Images and description of remnants of stars that have destroyed themselves in the most explosive events in the Universe.
Followed by a DIY EVENING
Reading AS members share their astronomy projects and techniques; software demonstrations and image processing clinic

December  13^th   
CHRISTMAS ASTRONOMY QUIZ
Bob Mizon   (Wessex AS)
A light-hearted evening of seasonal entertainment with an astronomy based quiz and prizes.
Followed by the RAS “Christmas Special”


2009


January  17^th
SPACE WEATHER
Dr Lucie Green   (Mullard Space Science Laboratory)
What goes on in space between here and the Sun, how it affects the Earth environment, and ultimately humankind.

February  21^st
EXTRASOLAR PLANETS
Martin Andrews   (Maidenhead AS)
The numbers of extrasolar planets discovered continues to climb. How do we discover them? What are they like?

March  21^st
EARLY HISTORY OF THE TELESCOPE
Kevin Johnson   (The Science Museum)
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 marks the 400^th anniversary of the first use of the telescope by Galileo Galilei.

March  27^th/28^th/29^th
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009
PUBLIC OBSERVING WEEKEND AT DINTON PASTURES

April  18^th
MESSENGER AT MERCURY
John Talbot   (Reading AS)
Observing and exploring the secretive and elusive innermost planet.

May  16^th
C1XS ON CHANDRAYAAN-1
Barry Kellet   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
The miniature X-ray spectrometer carried on the Indian Space Research Organisation mission to map the surface of the Moon.

June  20^th
THE RISE AND FALL OF QUASARS AND OTHER AGN
Dave King   (Edinburgh AS)
The discovery of quasars, how they mark the outer limits of the observable universe, and what we might learn from further study.
Followed by 38th Annual General Meeting


September  19^th
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  17^th
END IN FIRE – THE ULTIMATE FATE OF THE EARTH
Dr Robert Smith   (Surrey University)
Millions of years into the future, what will happen to the Solar System and our Earth?

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

November  21^st
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  19^th                                             (NOTE 3^rd Saturday)
SOLAR IMAGING
Nick Howes   (Wessex AS)
Three sides to the sun – Practical aspects of imaging our nearest Star.
Followed by the RAS “Christmas Special”


2010

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

February  20^th
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.

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

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

April  17^th
THE SUN KINGS
Stuart Clark   (University of Hertfordshire)
“The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington, and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began”.

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

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


September  18^th
ASTRONOMY IN ART
Dr Barry Kellett   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
What the sky, in say a Van Gogh painting, tells us about the place and time that the painting was created.

October  16^th
GUEST STARS, ANCIENT AND MODERN
Guy Hurst   (BAA Supernova Patrol Coordinator)
Covering the early stages of naked eye detection of ‘apparent new’ stars through to the current successes with supernovae where observers in the UK have particularly excelled.

November  20^th
WOULD YOU BELIEVE – WE PUT A MAN ON THE MOON
Jerry Stone   (Spaceflight UK)
Some people have suggested that the Apollo astronauts did not land on the Moon; instead, their activities were filmed in a studio on Earth, possibly at the infamous “Area 51”. Were the Moon landings a hoax, or truly mankind’s greatest achievement?

December  11^th                                             (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
PLANETARY NEBULAE
Owen Brazell   (The Webb Deep-Sky Society)
Owen will present a selection of stunning images of planetary nebulae taken with the best telescopes in the world.
Followed by the RAS “Christmas Special”


2011

January  15^th
ASTRONOMY IN THE EARLY ROYAL SOCIETY
Dr Allan Chapman   (Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford)
The Royal Society was inaugurated on 28th November 1660, and the man whose ideas and writings did so much to inspire the Society was Sir Francis Bacon, born in 1561.

February  19^th
AN IMPACT CRATERING TOUR OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Dr Emily Baldwin   (AstronomyNOW magazine)
Dr Baldwin includes some of her PhD research so the talk will be about cratering in a little more depth than usual. Pun intended!

March  11^th/12^th
PUBLIC OBSERVING WEEKEND AT DINTON PASTURES
AND BSA EXHIBITION IN THE LODDON ROOM

March  19^th
SOLAR NEUTRINOS
Dr Robert Smith   (University of Sussex)
Neutrino detectors on Earth counted only a third of that predicted. Why was this, what was happening?

April  16^th
PICTURES IN THE SKY
Ian Ridpath   (Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society)
Ian is a well-known writer and broadcaster, and he will talk on the origin and history of the constellations.

May  21^st
PLUTO: SENTINEL OF THE OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM
Dr Barrie Jones   (Open University)
Barrie will describe the discovery of Pluto, what we know about it, and other bodies beyond Neptune.

June  18^th
THE PIONEER ANOMALY
Patrick Joseph-Franks   (Reading AS)
The locations of both Pioneer probes differ from predictions – are Newton and Einstein wrong?
Followed by 40th Annual General Meeting


September  17^th
SPACE WEATHER
Prof. Mike   Hapgood (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
The influence of the Sun on near-Earth space is now becoming understood. This talk will address the impact that space weather has on technical systems on the ground and in space.

October  15^th
HUNTING FOR METEORITES IN ANTARCTICA & AUSTRALIA
Dr. Gretchen Benedix   (Natural History Museum)
Meteorites offer a glimpse into the early history of the solar system. Find out what we learn from them and where the best places are to find them on Earth.

November  19^th
MERCURY
Andrew Lound   (Planetary Society)
The complete history of the observation of Mercury is examined right up to the very latest images from Messenger spacecraft. Illustrated with remarkable images.

December  10^th
SANTA’S GROTTO
Do you need an excuse like Christmas? Bring and show your hardware, but no sticky fingers on the lenses please! Or just come and see Alun’s latest toys.
Followed by the Reading AS “Christmas Special”


2012


January  21^st
THE VIEW FROM SATURN; IMAGES FROM CASSINI
Prof. Carl Murray   (Queen Mary University of London)
The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft is the largest ever sent to the outer solar system, and continues to send images of Saturn, its moons and rings back to Earth.

February  18^th
TRANSIT OF VENUS
Dr. Robin Gorman   (Hampshire Astronomical Group)
From Reading, on June 6 2012, you will see Venus crossing the disk of the sun for the last time for 105 years.

March  9^th – 18^th
NATIONAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING WEEK
In association with the British Science Association. Plus there is a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the evening sky this week.
March  17^th
10 THINGS TO SEE
Grant Privett   (Shropshire Astronomical Society)
Takes you through a few favourites and some less well known things to see. It’s a big universe; why not see all it has to offer?

April  21^st
SKYLON
Alan Bond   (Reaction Engines Ltd)
SKYLON is an unpiloted, reusable spaceplane intended to provide inexpensive and reliable access to space.

May  19^th
PLUTO: SENTINEL OF THE OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM
Dr. Barrie Jones   (Open University)
Pluto is the vagrant beast in our planetary system. In fact it got so vagrant that the IAU assembly kicked it out of the club.

June  18^th
DARK SKIES – TELESCOPE NOT REQUIRED
Gerry Bond   (Reading AS)
Just how rewarding can an absolutely dark sky be?
Followed by 41^st Annual General Meeting


September  15^th
ORBITAL ODDITIES
James Fradgley FRAS   (Weymouth Astronomy Club)
Strange goings-on with three or more bodies; Lagrange points, resonances, Roche limits, etc. Talk illustrated with simulations.

October  20^th
CONVERGENCE TOWARDS OUR COSMIC ORIGINS
(Reading AS 40^th anniversary meeting)
Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe   (Cardiff University)
If rudimentary life can exist in extreme conditions of cold and vacuum it need not have arisen on this planet, and could be a common feature of much of the universe.

November  17^th
DIGITAL IMAGES AND IMAGING
Nik Szymanek   (Havering AS)
Nik is a prolific imager with a world-wide reputation and his images can be seen in all the major publications.

December  8^th                                               (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
DEEP SKY OBJECTS
Owen Brazell   (Webb Deep Sky Society)Observing faint deep-sky objects needs dedication and persistence; Owen is an enthusiastic and inspirational exponent
Followed by the Reading AS “Christmas Special”


2013

Main meeting – 18th May ’13

There is a change of programme forced by the indisposition of Rhodri Evans, but we have a late substitute from UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory.
Managing Mars Rovers

Image: Craig Leff

 

Craig Leff has offered a talk on his work with plans for the ESA ExoMars Rover project and his 5 years’ experience with NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers.

Arguably the one project which satisfies the dreams of technicians, astronomers and even philosophers in one go, these rovers have spent many years investigating the surface of another world.

rover track

The rovers have exceeded all lifetime forecasts and have had many extensions of mission since first arriving on Mars in 2003. In this talk we will hear about the ultimate off-road driving experience and plans for the future.

 

 

Location Map — Full Programme

 

gerry.bond@readingastro.org.uk


January  19^th
MEMBERS EVENING
Reading AS members provide a variety talks on subjects to inspire and enthuse. Details to be announced later.

February  16^th
THE SUN: A BIOGRAPHY
Dr. David Whitehouse   (University of Manchester)
David’s talk will demonstrate that investigating the Sun is driving scientific progress in many areas.

March  16^th
ZOONIVERSE – CITIZEN SCIENCE
Dr. Robert Simpson   (Oxford University)
The Zooniverse project allows the public to participate in scientific research into the Moon, the Sun, galaxy classification and mergers, and supernovae.

April  20^th
VOLCANISM
Dr. Lorraine Field   (British Geological Survey)
Volcanoes exist on Earth, and also on other planets and moons in the Solar System. Lorraine’s talk will explain what causes them and the effect they have.

May  18^th
ASTRONOMY FROM A BOEING 747
Dr. Rhodri Evans   (Hon Research Fellow, Cardiff University)
A talk about NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) which is on board a specially adapted Boeing 747.

June  15^th
VARIABLE STAR SCIENCE
Dr David Boyd   (Newbury AS and BAA)
David Boyd on variable stars science latest news, and the valuable contribution made by amateurs.
Followed by RAS 42^nd Annual General Meeting


September  21^st
SOFIA – ASTRONOMY FROM A BOEING 747
Dr. Rhodri Evans   (Hon Research Fellow, Cardiff University)
A talk about NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) which is on board a specially adapted Boeing 747 (talk postponed from May 2012).

October  19^th  (POSTPONED to Nov ’14)
THE SQUARE KILOMETER ARRAY
Dr. Matt Jarvis   (Department of Physics, Oxford University)
With plans for 3,000 dishes, this array will give radio astronomers almost the same resolution as optical telescopes. This will provide an insight into some of the most violent and distant events in the Universe.

November  16^th
GALAXIES AND BLACK HOLES
Roger Davies   (Oxford University, Dept of Physics)
The latest advances in our understanding of cosmology and the evolution of galaxies, including the development of telescopes, instruments and techniques.

December  14^th                                             (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
SANTA’S GROTTO – A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
A telescope is for life, not just for Christmas! Come and see what members are getting – or hoping to get – in their stockings this year. Followed by our Christmas buffet.


2014


January  18^th
MEMBERS’ TALKS
The how and why of members observing. Including occultations, listening to meteors, making great images, travel to foreign parts in pursuit of a dark sky.

February  15^th
MAN VERSUS ROBOT
Dr. Hugh Mortimer   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
What achieves the best science – manned exploration or robotic probes? On Mars, robots have exceeded expectations. Will humans ever again have a chance to explore?

March  15^th
THE SEARCH FOR GRAVITY WAVES
Prof. Mike Cruise   (University of Birmingham)
The existence of gravity waves has been inferred, but actually detecting them on Earth requires the measurement of extraordinarily small changes in the fabric of space-time.

April  12^th                                                      (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
AN INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGY
Howard Parkin   (Chairman, Isle of Man AS)
Howard is a well-known speaker on astronomical subjects, and dedicated to promoting astronomy on the Isle of Man.

May  17^th
EXO-PLANETS AND EXO-MOONS
Jakub Bochinski   (Open University)
Showcasing the different methods used to detect new worlds, including a live demonstration using the remotely-controlled Mallorcan based PIRATE telescope.

June  21^st
MIRI instruments on the JWT
Paul Eddington   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
Paul is a scientist on the JWT programme and will give us an update on the very latest developments.
Followed by RAS 43^rd Annual General Meeting


September  20^th  2014
VENUS – PARADISE LOST
Andrew Lound   (Odyssey Dramatic Presentations)
Andrew provides an entertaining history of the planet illustrated by awesome images spanning over 100 years of observation by telescope and space probe.

October  18^th
GAMMA RAY ASTRONOMY
Barry Kellett   (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
This talk deals with the most energetic part of the spectrum, Gamma Rays, and the efforts to detect them with the Pierre Auger Observatory based in Argentina.

November  15^th
THE SQUARE KILOMETER ARRAY
Dr. Matt Jarvis   (Department of Physics, Oxford University)
With plans for 3,000 dishes, this array will give radio astronomers almost the same resolution as optical telescopes. This will provide an insight into some of the most violent and distant events in the Universe.

December  13^th                                             (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
SANTA’S GROTTO – A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
A telescope is for life, not just for Christmas! Come and see what members are getting – or hoping to get – in their stockings this year. Followed by our Christmas buffet.


2015


January  17^th   2015
MEMBERS’ TALKS
Cruise Ships and Game Lodges. Local speakers on making great images, and travel to foreign parts in pursuit of a dark sky.

February  21^st
SPACE ROBOTICS
Hilde Schroeven-Deceuninck   (European Space Agency)
ESA’s UK centre ECSAT is based at Harwell, and Hilde’s talk will be on robotic exploration of space and the earth’s environment.

March  21^st
Speaker to be confirmed at a later date
Please check the website or meeting announcements.

March (dates to be announced)
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Weekend evening events in conjunction with the British Science Association, at the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.
April  18^th
ASTRONOMICAL CLIMATE CHANGE
James Fradgley   (Wessex Astronomical Society)
Earth’s 200 million year journey around the centre of the galaxy, and a multitude of details in orbital mechanics, results in massive climate change over long time scales.

May  16^th
ACHIEVEMENTS OF AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS
Guy Hurst   (BAA and Editor of The Astronomer)
Review of observing achievements and discoveries by amateur astronomers, from the Herschel Family to the modern day.

June  20^th
Speaker to be confirmed at a later date
Please check the website or meeting announcements.
Followed by RAS 44^th Annual General Meeting


September  19^th   2015
THE MOON – CLOSE UP
Dr. Tony Cook   (Aberystwyth University)
Tony will be talking about the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter which is mapping the Moon in unprecedented detail.

October  17^th
WONDERS OF THE COSMOS
Jane Green   (author and broadcaster)
Jane is a professional speaker, author and broadcaster, and will be sharing her passion for the wonders of the cosmos.

November  21^st
ECLIPSES MEAN TRAVEL!
David Phillips   (Explorers Tours)
David is highly experienced in astronomy tourism in all parts of the world, and will share some of his experiences with us.

December  12^th                                             (NOTE 2^nd Saturday)
SANTA’S GROTTO – A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Come and see what members have got – or are hoping to get – in their stockings this year. Followed by our Christmas buffet.


2016


January  16^th   2016
MEMBERS’ TALKS
A selection of local speakers on subjects ranging from making great images, new equipment, and travel to foreign parts in pursuit of a dark sky. We welcome new speakers; if you would like to give a talk, let us know.

February  20^th
THE GIANT PLANET JUPITER
Damian Peach   (Planetary Imager)
Damian’s impressive images have appeared in many major magazines. This talk will be primarily about Jupiter.

March 11^th, 12^th
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Weekend evening events in conjunction with the British Science Association, at the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.

March  19^th
TWO EYES ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Stephen Tonkin, FRAS   (Author of The Binocular Sky)
“Low tech” has benefits; Stephen will talk about methods for observing, and objects that are better viewed with binoculars.

April  16^th
THE ORIGINS OF SCIENCE
Mike Gilbert   (WEA course lecturer)
Mike’s talk is on the development of modern science, and the scientific method, since the very early days.

May  21^st
NEW HORIZONS AT PLUTO
Dr. Mike Leggett, FRAS   (Milton Keynes AS)
Mike will present the latest data from NASA’s New Horizons craft as it passes Pluto and the outer edges of our Solar System.

June  18^th
Speaker to be confirmed at a later date
Please check the website or meeting announcements.
Followed by RAS 45^th Annual General Meeting