Ashford Astronomical Society
2010 Programme
Please note, all our meetings are at the Woodchurch Memorial Hall at 7.30pm, except the April meeting which will be at our neighbouring society in Cranbrook.
Details on our website as listed below.
NB! Unlike other Astronomical Societies, the AAS does not organise specific 'Observing' evenings. Instead, each society meet is a potential observing evening! We have a simple rule - if the skies are clear on a meeting night, then bring your 'scope!
The format of our meetings is as follows:
7:30 - 7:45 Society update and News
7:45 - 8:30 Talk (by member or Guest Speaker)
8:30 - 9:00+ Outside observing or planetarium (if cloudy)
February 26th – Telescope/AstroPhoto Workshop - By Steve Wellsted
A chance for you to bring along all your gear and have it checked out by friendly and knowledgeable gurus in all things Astronomical. If you're a bit puzzled by your 'scope, lenses, or computer - this is your chance!
March 26th – Saturn - Dave Styles
Saturn and its rings is probably the most beautiful object in the night sky and there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes. Come along and find out a bit more about this enigmatic planet, second biggest in the solar system!
April 30th – CADSAS – The Big Kent Telescope
A visit to one of our neighbouring Astronomical Societies to see their telescope in Cranbrook. CADSAS has the 'Alan Young Telescope' - a whopping 22" beast! <http://www.cadsas.com/telescopeprogress8.htm>
May 28th - Astronomy – The Dark Ages - Monica Butcher
Astronomy is an old science, and goes back far in time. Nowadays we often assume that only in the last few decades have we learn't about space, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Come and discover what we knew about space in the Dark Ages!
June 25th – Jupiter - Steve Walker
Bigger than all the other planets put together, Jupiter is a huge 'gas giant'. Also famous for its 'Big Red Spot', (a two hundred year old hurricane twice as large as the Earth) it is a endlessly fascinating planet. It also has a huge collection of startling moons, one covered in volcanoes, another locked under a cover of ice. Come and discover more about the 'King of the Planets'!
July 30th - Wow Factor 50! - The Committee
A mystery - some more details will be forthcoming nearer the time!
August 27th – Summer Social
Details to be announced nearer the time.
September 24th - Origins of the Gas Giants - Emma Thompson
Gas giants are the enigma of solar systems. Far more vast than earth-like planets, they often absorb and destroy them, ending up close to their stars in incredibly close orbits. Find out why our Earth was spared in this fascinating talk.
October 29th – TBA - Jon Clarke
Details to be announced nearer the time.
November 26th - Trials and Tribulations of an Amateur Astronomer - Phil Berry (Wadhurst AS)
Having your own observatory in your garden sounds like a wonderful privilege, but the path to achieving it is littered with adventure. From starting with a simple telescope, Phil will take us through how he got to have his own observatory in his garden...
December 17th – Christmas Social
For more information contact:
Jason Hall, Secretary, Ashford Astronomical Society.
T: 01233 333945
M: 07971 435835
W: http://www.ashfordastro.org.uk/