Ashford Astronomical Society
2011 Programme
All meetings take place at our usual venue, Woodchurch Memorial Hall at 7.30pm unless otherwise indicated.
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 25th – Pluto, an enigmatic world by Greg Smye-Rumsby
Pluto is without doubt the most famous of the Kuiper Belt objects. Once considered the 9th planet of the Solar System, it was recently down graded to Dwarf Planet status. Join us as we allow Greg to take us on a virtual tour of this enigmatic little world.
March 25th – Killer Asteroids by Drew Wagar
Floating around the solarsystem are millions upon millions of rocks varying in from the size of a grain of sand to a mountain. Where did these rocks come from, are they a danger, and what would really happen if one hit us?
April 29th – 50th Anniversary of manned spaceflight by Jason Thompson
It's been 50 years since mankind first ventured into space. What have we achieved, and where are we going next? Come and find out! Jason is one of our most popular speakers and this should be a great evening!
May 10th – Space Weather by Steve Jackson
You might think space is just that, space! Empty and desolate. Nothing could be further from the truth. There's a lot of stuff up there and it can affect us down here. Find out with Steve's talk!
June 10th – Wow Factor 50
More information to follow.
July 10th – Summer Social
More information to follow.
August 10th – TBC - Jason Hall
More information to follow.
September 10th – TBC - Dr. Richard Whitehouse (BBC)
Richard is a BBC science correspondant and the author of two books; 'The Moon: A biography' and 'The Sun: A Biography. He's frequently called upon to comment on the television and radio on astronomical related subjects.
October 28th – Comets by Dave Styles
Join us once again as our very own Mr Dave Styles gives us a talk about the Solar Systems greatest wanderers Comets. These icy snowballs roam the outermost reaches of the Sun's influence, but can wander right into the centre of the Solar System on highly elliptical orbits.
Dave will be revealing some of the secrets and origins of these objects that were once thought to herald great disasters. The truth is sometimes more terrifying than the myths where comets are concerned.
November 25th – Extra Solar Planets by Steve Walker
Join us as our very own Mr Steve Walker takes us on a journey to the Planets. However, not the planets we are all so familiar with, but planets which have been discovered around other Stars.
These 'Extra Solar' planets are proving to be not only stranger than fiction, but stranger even than anything we could have imagined. With the help of Kepler and other space and ground based telescopes, there have been over 500 new planets discovered orbiting around Suns other than our own. Steve will be giving us the latest news and facts about these incredible new worlds.
December 30th – Christmas Social
Join us as we team up with our friends at the Woodchurch Film Society for a special screening of the excellent Apollo 13 movie starring Tom Hanks and Ed Harris. Tickets on the door £4
January 21st 2012 - Stargazing Live
6pm, Woodchurch Scout & Guide Community Hall, Lower Road
Following on from the phenomenally successful event in 2011, Ashford Astronomical Society presents in collaboration with the BBC, Stargazing Live 2012. Once again we will have a huge selection of telescopes set up outside for some public viewing weather permitting. Inside the main hall, we will be having a selection of highly entertaining astronomical talks and planetarium shows on our main screen. In the 'Summer House', we will be hosting a telescope workshop with our resident experts and retail partners. Refeshments will be available, ample parking and all are welcome.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS NOT AT OUR USUAL VENUE.
Promises to be a fantastic event once again.
For more information contact:
Jason Hall, Secretary, Ashford Astronomical Society.
T: 01233 333945
M: 07971 435835
W: http://www.ashfordastro.org.uk/