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| 11-Sep | MKAS 50th Anniversary Observating Evening **ALL WEATHER EVENT** Bredhurst Village Hall  Join us for the first of our MKAS 50th Anniversary meetings at Bredhurst Village Hall. There will be a few short presentations before we head out to the field for some September sky observing with a range of our MKAS telescopes. Light refreshments will be available during the evening along with plenty of helpful advice and information about telescopes and observing. Please feel free to bring along your own scopes to set up in the field. We keep our fingers crossed for clear skies but if the weather is not favourable, please still come along for a chat and a pre-recorded presentation. PLEASE NOTE: Those bringing their own telescopes do so at their own risk. MKAS accepts no liability for loss or damage to such equipment. | |
| 19-Sep | MKAS 50th Anniversary Dinner - MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY Bredhurst Village Hall  Come and join us for a special evening to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of MKAS. We will be hosting a catered quality buffet dinner, and reminisce on the past 50 years. This will be a unique opportunity for members and invited guests to celebrate the past 50 years of the society and its rich history. With one founder member and a few very long term members still active in the society, we will be able to reminisce over the history of the society, review the timeline of significant events over the course of 50 years, and delve into some key moments in the society's history. This event is by PRIOR BOOKING, by no later than 11th September. MAKE BOOKING | |
| 25-Sep | MKAS 50th Anniversary - Prof. Jan-Peter Muller - Computer vision and AI applied to planetary surface exploration Bredhurst Village Hall  Computer vision and AI applied to planetary surface exploration from orbit & rovers including interactive VR exploration. SPEAKER DETAILSProf Jan-Peter Muller  Jan-Peter Muller received a BSc. degree in Physics with honours from Sheffield University in 1976, an MSc. in Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics from Imperial College London in 1977 and a PhD. in Planetary Meteorology from University College London in 1982, during which time he spent 1979 as a NASA Intern in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory working with the Voyager Imaging Science Team. Prof. Muller is Emeritus Professor at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the Dept. of Space and Climate Physics, University College London. He is a Co-Investigator on the ESA Mars Express HRSC and ESA Harmony Thermal-IR multi-angle mission launching in the late 2020s. Prof. Muller's research interests include imaging sensor technology development for comparative planetology and exploration especially for Cubesats, the development and application of deep learning to applications such as cloud detection, cloud-top wind-field mapping, very high resolution surface albedo mapping and super-resolution restoration. He has been an active leader in the field of automated mapping of Earth, Moon, Mars and Jupiter and image interpretation for the last 20 years. This has included the development of advanced algorithms for automated 3D surface and solid earth deformation measurement and automated extraction of global environmental information. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mssl/people/prof-jan-peter-muller. | |
| 09-Oct | MKAS Anniversary Meeting - Prof. Stephen Eales - Infrared astronomy and the Herschel Space Telescope Bredhurst Village Hall  The births of stars and some galaxies occur inside clouds of gas and dust, which hides them from the view of optical telescopes, and the only way to observe them is to go to longer wavelengths to the submillimetre waveband. In his talk Steve will describe this new type of astronomy, focussing on the Herschel Space Observatory, whose launch in 2009 marked the moment at which submillimetre astronomy came of age. He will describe some of the discoveries made by the mission and include some of the human stories behind the mission from his recently published book: "The Ghost in the Telescope" the story of the Herschel Space Observatory. SPEAKER DETAILSProf Stephen Eales  Stephen Eales is an astronomer who also writes about astronomy. After a PhD in radio astronomy in Cambridge and postdocs in Hawaii and at the Space Telescope Science Institute, he is now a professor of astrophysics in Cardiff. In his day job, he carries out research into the origin and evolution of galaxies, using telescopes all over the world and in space. In his other life, he has written two books about astronomy for a general audience. His latest book, The Ghost in the Telescope, I}tells the story of the Herschel Space Observatory, the discoveries made with the observatory and the human stories behind the mission. | |
| 30-Oct | MKAS Anniversary Meeting - FAMILY SPACE NIGHT **ALL WEATHER EVENT** Bredhurst Village Hall  If you want some more fun for yourself or your children or grandchildren during the Half Term holiday, then look no further than our Family Space Night! We are offering a brilliant evening which will include a beginner's guide to the night sky and displays about astronomy and space, We will have some hands on activities for the younger children from age 7 upwards. There will be plenty to occupy adults too! Come along and learn about Space and Astronomy and, weather permitting, go outside and look at some interesting astronomical sights through a selection of telescopes. We will have the latest electronically assisted observing telescopes allowing several people to log on and view the objects at the same time, as well as more conventional designs. Steps will be provided to help shorter adults and children reach the eyepieces. Some highlights to look forward to: - Hands-on displays about Space and our Solar System - An exciting talk to give an introduction to the wonders of the night sky - Moon rock and Meteorites: Look at different meteorites and hold a piece of the Moon!! - some Meteorites available for purchase - spectroscopy demonstration - Craft activites for youngsters (7+) - Stargazing outside (weather permitting) PLUS - PLUS - PLUS - FREE REFRESHMENTS - tea, coffee,squash and biscuits - other refreshments on sale - RAFFLE with impressive prizes. In recent Family Space Night events, we have attracted over 150 visitors, so this is very popular and not one to be missed. Doors open at 19:30pm. ENTRY ONLY BY ADVANCE PURCHASE OF TICKETS. Ticketing details will be released in September. Under 18s are FREE but they MUST be accompanied by an adult. REMEMBER! It may well be quite cold outside at this time of year so wrap up warm if you are venturing outside to do some stargazing and to look through the telescopes. POLITE REQUEST Whilst it will obviously be dark outside we ask you not to use normal white light torches near the telescopes as they will spoil your night vision and that of others. We will have red lights to guide you to and from the telescopes. PLEASE NOTE - we are all volunteers and the programme of events may change due to circumstances beyond our control. | |
| 13-Nov | MKAS Anniversary Meeting - Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell - My life with pulsars Bredhurst Village Hall The story of how pulsars (pulsating radio stars) were accidentally discovered, and a summary of what we know about them today. SPEAKER DETAILSDame Jocelyn Bell Burnell  Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astrophysicist who is best known as the person who discovered pulsars while a radio astronomy graduate student in Cambridge for which her supervisor, Prof. Antony Hewish was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1974 (shared with Martin Ryle). She has subsequently worked in gamma ray, X-ray, infrared and millimetre wavelength astronomy. Dame Jocelyn is a Visiting Academic in the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics. She has received many Honorary Doctorates for her work and multiple awards from organisations in the UK and abroad. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2003 and has received their Michael Faraday Prize (2010), the Royal Medal (2015) and Copley Medal (2021). A member of 7 Academies worldwide, she was the first female President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, as well as of the Institute of Physics. Amongst other posts she has held have been that of Chancellor of the University of Dundee from 2018-2023 and President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2002-2004. She champions the work of female scientists and used the money received from being awarded the US Breakthrough Prize in 2018 to set up the Institute of Physics’ Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund since she is convinced bringing people from a wider range of backgrounds into physics will improve research. | |
| 27-Nov | MKAS Anniversary Meeting - Louise Devoy - The Royal Observatory Greenwich: a History in Objects Bredhurst Village Hall  In this presentation, curator and author Louise Devoy will explore the rich legacy of the Royal Observatory Greenwich through a selection of fascinating objects, themes and personal stories. From the intricacy of John Harrison’s revolutionary timekeepers to the impressive scale of the Great Equatorial Telescope, each item demonstrates the Observatory’s achievements in pioneering astronomy, innovative engineering, accurate time distribution and collaborative scientific projects. Together they chart the development of the Observatory from its founding in 1675 to its growing influence on travel, trade and communication that continues to underpin our lives today. Louise will have copies of her book Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects available for purchase after her talk. SPEAKER DETAILSLouise Devoy  Louise has a background in astrophysics and the history of science and has worked at various museums in the UK and abroad. Her research interests encompass astronomical instruments, women in astronomy and networks of knowledge exchange between historic observatories. Over the past five years Louise has delved into the archives and museum stores to choose 100 objects and their stories for her book Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects ,published to celebrate the Observatory’s 350th anniversary in 2025. | |
| 11-Dec | MKAS Anniversary Meeting - Christmas Social Bredhurst Village Hall  A chance for Members and their guests to relax, chat and enjoy each other's company at our annual Christmas Social. No entry charge plus a complimentary raffle ticket for each Member on arrival with an array of prizes to be won. We will provide refreshments but you may want to bring along your own wine or beer (or perhaps something stronger) if you wish and aren't driving. Please also bring your own festive food to share with everyone. Sausage rolls and any other savoury items and mince pies can be warmed up in the kitchen. There will be an optional paper-based Quiz and Dingbats to go alongside the usual eating, drinking and chat. We look forward to seeing you in your party hats to get the festive season underway. |
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