Grain of sand

Basic Astronomy - Programme 2008/9


The Reading Astronomical Society will be holding a series of informal talks in the Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures throughout the coming year starting in September. At the end of each talk there will be an opportunity for practical experience of using telescopes and other equipment. All talks are strictly designed to appeal to the layperson.

Participants of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to attend; the only qualification is a desire to observe or understand the night sky. It is not necessary to own a telescope.


The talk each week may be a talk on a specific aspect of astronomy, or a ‘tour’ of the night sky for that period. The presentation will be aimed at beginners as our description says, but we hope to leave you with a little deeper understanding of the workings of our fascinating universe. Details of each talk will be available a few days before, just email beginners@readingastro.org.uk to be included in up-to-date announcements.

We can also help with practical advice. Each meeting starts at 19:00 and should last for 90 minutes. However the timings are variable to allow for subject matter but we allow for a 15 minute break at about 8 o'clock. There will be the opportunity to observe on clear nights and to give practical help to members and their equipment.

The meetings normally take place on the fourth Saturday each month starting at 7 o'clock in the Loddon Room at Dinton Pastures just off the Wokingham Rd. The detailed programme is listed below and some months we have to alter the schedule due to other park events, so please consult this website or call before attending. There is no official subscription, but coffee and a biscuits are provided and a donation of £1 would be appreciated for club funds. A responsible adult must accompany children aged less than 16 years.

The Society will attempt to ensure there are 2-3 telescopes available at each meeting; however it is intended to pay equal attention to binocular astronomy; this being the best way to learn the night sky so if you own a pair, please bring them along.

We may have to change the order or content of some of the lessons if necessary or if an interesting alternative becomes available. We will do our best to announce this at the previous meeting.

Note: A very useful book for those beginning in astronomy is Night Watch by Terence Dickinson ISBN 1-55209-302-6. It will provide a useful reference for the start charts and contains much other information of value to an Astronomer.

If you would like further details please contact the organizer (beginners@readingastro.org.uk).
OR text 0790 374 6615 and someone will phone you back.
Venues:

The Reading Astronomical Society meets at. . . .
St Peters Church Hall, Church Road, Earley, Berks
Click for map.

The ASTRONOMY BASICS group, which is the subject of these pages, meets at. . . .
The Loddon Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berks. . ..
Click for map.
Current programme


March 29 2008 (Note the main meeting is two weeks earlier)

This is the time for the spring telescope nights. Mar. 28th/29th
The weather forecast is not good so beginners will be offered a full indoor meeting. Bring your questions and problems of an astronomical nature.
Weather was disappointing and the indoor meeting was held

April 26 2008

Alun Halsey and Gary Teale will show us how to get started in digital imaging.
Mercury is worth mentioning this month so I'll do a brief 'what's up'.
There are some new members coming who want advice on their telescope so we will be available for the usual workshop and observing, but this time of year we have to stay late for the latter.
Alun and Gary gave interesting talk full of questions from the small audience.

May 24 2008

All you ever want to know about the inner planets. Mercury, Venus, Vulcan, Hesperus and Phosphorus – so many?

June 28 2008

Eclipses of all types. Eclipse chasers are getting ready for another total eclipse in just over one month from this date. And while we are on the subject of orbits lets talk briefly about artificial satellites and the ISS

Programme 2008/2009
The beginners programme renamed ASTRONOMY BASICS
For your diary. . . .
We will probably be meeting on these Saturdays, hopefully in the Loddon room during 2008/2009.
The programme will include the objects-of-the-month listed below and another main item each month. The programme is not yet decide and so if anyone who can attend wants to suggest anything astronomical for inclusion in the programme we will be happy to consider it.
Sep27th, 2008
This month: The Summer Triangle
Oct25th, 2008
This month: M31 Andromeda galaxy
Nov22nd, 2008
This month: Algol, the Demon Star
Dec20th, 2008
This month: M1 the Crab Nebula
Jan24th, 2009
This month: The Milky Way
Feb28th, 2009
 This month: A fast spinning star - Regulus
Mar27th to 29th, 2009
IYA2009 events described below.
Apr25th, 2009
This month: The stars of the Plough
May23rd, 2009
This month: Arcturus.
Jun 27th, 2009
This month: M13 and other globular clusters
International Year of Astronomy.
This year the spring star-parties will be together with an exhibition in the Loddon Room of the activities of the society and  astronomy in general. These will include material in support of the Campaign for Dark Skies.
I hope that local press will be involved as we will benefit from international publicity. I hope to have an exhibition running from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon in the Loddon Room. Solar viewing as the opportunity arises and people are available, and the usual observing on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Saturn will be available as well as the usual sights.

 These events will be held between Fri 27th and Sun 29th March 2009 so the Mar 28 Loddon room meeting will be taken over by the exhibition.  There is a possibility of a talk on what amateur astronomers can do - aimed at the general  public.


2009 will mark four hundred years since humans first looked at the sky with telescopes. 1609 was the year when man's ideas of his placed in the universe had to change, 2009 and the repercussions are continuing to this day. This extraordinary moment will be celebrated in The International Year of Astronomy. The Reading AS will dedicate our annual events during the year to this effort.
 
Local details will be published on our website. . . .
http://www.readingastro.org.uk
General information about IYO2009 are posted at. . . .
http://www.astronomy2009.org/


Gerry Bond

8 Ryhill Way
Earley
Reading
RG6 4AZ

0118 986 4032
OR text 0790 374 6615