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 info@readingastro.org.uk. 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 A Guide To The Milky Way GalaxyBrian 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…. |
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’ bits and pieces. Its variety, history and threat! After the break…. |
Saturday 23rd Feb – Our Open Day
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March 16th 2019Geography and Geology in the Solar SystemAmazing differences between the planets and moons in the solar system. James Fradgley FRAS James is a well-known Hampshire based speaker on many science subjects and has offered to stand in at short notice. Tonight’s talk looks at all the solid planets, larger moons and some asteroids. After the coffee break the usual announcements and members activities. Location Map Overflow parking in the school next door is OK for Saturday sessions
Andrew Lound was unable to appear.
Programme changed:To See the Beginning of TimeAndrew Lound Odyssey Presentations |
22nd March – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Cosmic Distances
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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 Fundamental Knowledge for the Observer
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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 announcements and members activities.
Atmospheres of planets and moons in our solar system |
24th May – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Fundamental Knowledge for the Observer
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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 ParkSunday 23rd JuneReading 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.
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28th June – Friday ClubWith Gerry hopefully away eclipse chasing Rob Peeling is ‘in the chair’Doors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Dr Peter Cook Dept of Meteorology UoR Atmospheres of planets and moons in our solar systemPLUS:After the break…. |
26th July – Friday ClubDoors open at 7pm. Talk starts at 7.30pm Black Holes
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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. |
Next Meetings
Our 51st year
Monthly Main Meeting.
May 18 2024 7 pm
St Peter’s Church HalllThis will be a physical meeting in the hall with remote access via ZOOM for members who are unable to attend. £3 to non-members. Donations via online banking:
Reading Astronomical Society: Sort code: 60-17-21: Account No: 54137268Guest Owen Brazell
Dark Nebulae
Owen is a fount of all knowledge on the history and observation of the deep sky. Currently President of the Webb Deep Sky Society I have known Owen from the early days of my involvement in astronomy in the area. Difficult to see amongst light pollution these objects are part of the common culture in other parts of the world. Horsehead and Coalsack among the famous examples.
GB
Fri 24th May 2024 7.30pm
FridayCLUB outreach
Astronomy talk or observing if clear. Children welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Beginners’ talk on the satisfaction of knowing the sky. And tonight a run down of the fascinating bits and pieces around the Summer Triangle.
Subtitled – lie back and enjoy the satellites..1st Wokingham Scout Hut in Evendons Lane, Wokingham. RG41 4DX.
Chat with us on ZOOM on every 1st and 3rd Friday at 7pm.
April 19, May 3, May 17th,Astronomy chat by experts and beginners with members of local astronomy societies.
Request login details from Gerry by text on 07510 444 630 or email us at info@readingastro.org.ukWe also keep in touch through a Google Group, email news list, and Zoom.
By invitation – send an email to info@readingastro.org.uk