Mid-Kent Astronomical Society - MKAS

EVENTS

www.midkentastro.org.uk/events

All regular meetings are open to members and visitors, held on the second and last Friday of each month, except August and at Christmas, when there are no meetings. Unless otherwise stated, meetings normally open at 7:40pm for an 8pm start, finishing around 10pm.

	DATE	DETAILS
	TOMORROW DETAILS	An Astronomical Pot Pourri Bredhurst Village Hall The legendary Patrick Moore will be a feature of this meeting as we will be watching one of his classic broadcasts followed by Caroline Beevis talking about interviewing Sir Patrick in 2001 and playing her recorded interview. David Rees will also talk about the need for ‘Dark and Quiet Skies’, exploring the problems being caused by satellite constellations and the potential effect on our atmosphere of space debris ahead of the meeting at the Royal Astronomical Society on 16th October. There will also be time for a general Q&A session to help with any problems you have using your telescopes, whether observing or imaging. You are invited to bring your telescopes to the meeting if you wish.
	30-Oct DETAILS	MKAS Anniversary Meeting - FAMILY SPACE NIGHT ALL WEATHER EVENT Bredhurst Village Hall GET YOUR TICKET 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. 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 DETAILS	MKAS Anniversary Meeting - Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell - My life with pulsars Bredhurst Village Hall GET YOUR TICKET The story of how pulsars (pulsating radio stars) were accidentally discovered, and a summary of what we know about them today. ENTRY ONLY BY ADVANCE PURCHASE OF TICKETS SPEAKER DETAILS Dame 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 DETAILS	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 DETAILS Louise 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 DETAILS	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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Regular Meetings

Regular meetings are held on the second and last Friday of each month, except August and at Christmas, when there are no meetings. Meetings normally start at 7:40pm for 8pm.

These meetings are open to everyone of all ages and levels of expertise, including complete beginners.

In-person meetings held at Bredhurst Village Hall

All Regular meetings are held at Bredhurst Village Hall unless otherwise stated.
Bredhurst Village Hall : Hurstwood Road, Bredhurst, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3JZ
Bredhurst is close to J4 off the M2. There is a car park on site.

There is a small entrance fee (£2 for members or £5 for visitors) for each meeting to cover refreshments and other meeting costs.

Following the presentation there will be a refreshments break giving a chance to talk with other MKAS members and visitors, followed by an observing session in the field behind the hall (weather permitting) and a telescope surgery in the hall, so if you are having problems with your telescope (or just want to show it off) bring it along.

Please dress appropriately for the weather, and be ready for observing, if it is clear. Remember that it can get very cold, especially in winter, so bring several layers or your warmest winter coat, as you feel appropriate.

Hybrid and Virtual meetings

Occasionally, when a speaker is not able to visit in person, we hold hybrid (in Hall and online) meetings, and on the rare occasion, virtual only meetings.

These meetings are open to members and non-members; all are welcome to attend.
All hybrid/virtual meetings are hosted on Zoom unless otherwise stated.

For hybrid meetings, we encourage members and visitors to attend in person at the Hall, as we will also hold other activities after the talk, as well as the social element of meetings.

Those who wish to attend virtually, you will be asked to pay the current appropriate attendance fee.
For details, please make your request by emailing us by no later than noon on the day before the event, at MemberSec@midkentastro.org.uk and we will send you payment details, and once payment is confirmed, we will send you the link to join.

Outreach Events

MKAS often get asked to hold Astronomy events for various schools, councils, scout groups and other groups. The committee and other supportive members are very actively organising and holding events from small shows or talks to Spectacular Events where several thousand members of the public typically attend.

Member Events

We organise various astronomy-related events and trips for our members. These are often subsidised.

Other Events

Members may also be interested in other astronomy-related events, run by other groups and societies, that our members are welcome to attend.

All persons under 18yrs must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or responsible adult.

If you wish further information on MKAS or any of the meetings, events and activities of the Society, please contact us, using the details on the CONTACT page.

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MEETING VENUES

REGULAR MEETINGS:
Bredhurst Village Hall
Hurstwood Road,
Bredhurst, Gillingham,
Kent ME7 3JZ
(Close to J4 off the M2)
There is a car park on site.
Starts 7:40pm for 8pm.

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