INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009
Saturday 3rd October 2009
10.30 am – 6 pmLinks : -
‡Recently added or updated items
‡Book signing by Heather Couper & Nigel Henbest
‡Society for Popular Astronomy
This is a day event for everybody living in the South Buckinghamshire area.
All are welcome – especially newcomers. It is suitable for adults, families and children.
We would also like to meet friends and family of WAS members too.
Tickets will be available on the day and are £5.00 per adult and £12.00 per family. This will include one planetarium show.
(subject to availability)
Light refreshments available through the day.
10.30am – Open
10.45am
First Planetarium Show
(Each show lasts 30 minutes and will continue to run throughout the day, except when the lectures are on)
12.00pm – 12.30pm
Talk by Professor Stuart Malin
on the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.
2.00 – 3.15pm
Talk by Mr Andrew Lound
“A Grand Tour of the Solar System”
Please note doors to the sports hall will be closed ten minutes before the talks start.
There will also be other quest speakers through the day.
5.45pm
Raffle Draw
6pm - Close
Throughout the day there will also be
tours of the Solar System in the Grounds of Woodrow House
and tours of the WAS observatory.
See below for what else is happening.
We have a planetarium coming to Wycombe Astronomical Society for the day. The planetarium houses between 25 and 30 persons at a time and we will have several shows throughout the day. Each show will last between 30 and 40 minutes and there will be a variety of shows that you can see. These include: The changing Seasons, Phases of the Moon, Welcome to the Universe, How to find your way around the night sky and A trip to the planets.
All members of the public, especially children, will find this an entertaining show and will have lots of fun!
Heather Couper our president and renowned television presenter and author on all matters relating to astronomy, together with Nigel Henbest will be available for book signing on the day.
Regular members of Wycombe Astronomical Society will know what a fantastic speaker Andrew Lound is. He is a regular visitor to our society and his lectures are always well attended and talked about for some time afterwards.
Andrew Lound has been presenting public lectures and staging exhibitions for over 30 years. He regularly tours the UK with his Odyssey Class Dramatic Lectures and he is invited back on a regular basis by popular demand. Andrew specializes in space science and astronomy both from a current perspective and historically.
Andrew’s Lectures are always fun and entertaining. They are presented with plenty of humor and he utilizes the latest audio and visual technology with optical effects and music, a variety of supporting props and fabulous costumes.
We hope that you will be able to join us for the day and come to Andrew’s lecture – you are sure to enjoy it!
For more information visit: www.odyssey.dial.pipex.com (Opens in new page)
Professor Malin will give a talk on the formation of The Greenwich Observatory.
David Hinds Ltd is a local retailer that specialize in the supply of high end astronomical telescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars etc and they are the authorized importer and distributor for Celestron Telescopes in the UK.
We are delighted that they have offered a telescope as first prize in our raffle.
Many members of Wycombe Astronomical Society already own a variety of Celestron ‘scopes and equipment, purchased from David Hinds LTD and we are pleased that they are able to support our day and attend our event. They will be coming with a variety of astronomical equipment and will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have with regards to the types of telescope available, the best “starter” ‘scope to go for etc.
Visit: www.celestron.uk.com for more information. (Opens in new page)
SOCIETY FOR POPULAR ASTRONOMY ‡
The SPA will be attending our open day with a display stand and merchandising. The aim of the SPA is to bring the excitement of the universe to everyone. Whether you are young or old, a beginner or an experienced sky-watcher, you’ll get a great deal from the SPA — Britain’s brightest astronomical society!
Look at www.popastro.com for more details. (Opens in new page)
Wycombe Astronomical Society will have its own display.
Come and find out what we are all about, what we do, the lectures, practical evenings and society trips that we go on etc. Members will be on hand to tell you all about our society.
Wycombe Astronomical Society has its own, permanent observatory with motorized dome and a 10” Schmidt – Cassegrain telescope. We will be opening the observatory up during the day for all to come and have a look at the facilities and equipment that we have.
See an image of the observatory - click here
If clear in the early evening then we shall be opening up the observatory for all to come and have a look at the wonders of the night sky.
Members of Wycombe Astronomical Society will also have their telescopes set up for people to have a look through.
It must be remembered that if it is clear IT WILL BE COLD. All must dress up sensibly and warmly.
The grounds of Woodrow High House are extensive and ideal for demonstrating the size of the planets in relation to the Sun, and the distances involved.
Come on a walk with a member of Wycombe Astronomical Society and discover the Solar System for yourselves. Start at the Sun and discover interesting facts about the Sun and the planets as you meander amongst them...Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. You may even get to walk through the asteroid belt!
Come and design and launch your own hydro rocket in the grounds of Woodrow House. These rockets really Do fly! We will provide all the equipment that you will need and help you launch your rocket.
Great fun for children and adults alike! Prize for the best rocket!
We will be having a raffle with some excellent prizes.
First prize is a telescope, which has been kindly donated by David Hinds LTD.
A stand providing teas, coffees, soft drinks, burgers etc will be available in the grounds of Woodrow High House
Should you wish to phone for further details, please contact:
Chairman - Paul Millington tel: 07708 153534 (mobile)
Secretary - Jackie Harris tel: 01494 674973 or 07973 719829 (mobile)