South West Herts Astronomical Society

SWHAS Monthly Meeting August 2024
2024-08-30 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
The Hidden Secret of Starlight
Join us for a very interesting 45 minute presentation by Richard Westwood.
Without spectroscopy we would know very little about the Universe we live in: in fact, it is at the forefront of the science today; with the JWST, in its task of revealing the very dawn of the Universe.
Our discovery of spectroscopy is a fascinating human tale, of experiment, theory, persistence and interesting characters: particularly the group of talented ladies who, by studying glass plates, gave us the stellar spectral sequence we use today
This presentation reveals the characters involved and how we learned to interpret these curious ‘lines’ in the spectrum, we see their triumphs and struggles – and sense of humour, as they carried out this painstaking work.
This talk also commemorates the bi-centennial of one of these pioneers – Sir William Huggins, a silk merchants son, who, as an amateur astronomer, became one of the leading experts in this field in the 1870’s. His observatory at Tulse Hill, south London, housed an 8-inch refractor, which he devoted to spectroscopy.
He was President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1876-1878.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting May 2024
2024-05-31 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Join us for our AGM & Members Images Meeting together with a talk on Astrophotography by Antonio Filippi.

Antonio’s presentation will give you a fantastic introduction to practical astrophotography as well as providing inspiration on what can be achieved.

In addition, this meeting will include a BRING & BUY stall where you can sell your unwanted astro kit or find a great deal from what’s for sale from others.
The meeting will also include a news item and a tour of the night sky.
For those who cannot attend in person the meeting can be viewed on Zoom. Details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting April 2024
2024-04-26 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
FROZEN: ICY WONDERS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM by Karen Anne Devoil

On this journey we will encounter amazing landscapes, exotic ice forms and hear about some of the processes involved drawing on the latest research and hear about the space missions involved in exploring these icy bodies. Ices are found from the innermost planet -Mercury, right through to the icy far outer reaches of the solar system-the Oort Cloud, these ices encompass not only water ice but also many other ‘volatile’ species including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, methane, and nitrogen ice. Along the way, we will explore some key questions such as how different ices behave, what active processes are driven by ices and also consider their significance for Astrobiology and the search for life by exploring the potential habitability of some of these icy worlds.

Karen Anne joined the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck as the Marketing and Outreach Advisor.
Karen has been studying Astronomy and Planetary Science for several years, most recently at Birkbeck (Planetary Science) for 2 years and before that 2 years at UCL (Astronomy Certificate). She is also a Fellow of The Royal Astronomical Society and a registered STEM Ambassador.
Some of you may have already met Karen through her work with UCL’s Your Universe public outreach festival, where she has contributed for several years and run her own presentation stand (Is There Life on Mars) in 2020, as well as assisting Mark Fuller and Francisco Diego in promoting the event using her professional marketing skills. She has also taken part in many other outreach events, including International Asteroid Day 2021.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
For those who cannot attend in person the meeting can be viewed on Zoom. Details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting March 2024
2024-03-22 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Dr Francisco Diego – Details of talk to follow.

Francisco Diego was born in Mexico City, where he got his first degree in Mechanical Engineering. His career in Astronomy started at the Sociedad Astronomica de Mexico and the Planetario Luis E. Erro. He worked for several years at the Instituto de Astronomia, UNAM and then came to University College London where he got a PhD in Astronomy. Currently, he is a Senior Teaching Fellow at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, UCL, vice president of the UK Association for Astronomy Education and a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He is a keen populariser of natural sciences and extensive experience as a planetarium producer/presenter, lecturer, author and broadcaster.
Francisco has appeared on TV series like Stephen Hawking’s Universe, BBC’s The Planets and more recently, Genius by Stephen Hawking (PBS), the world-wide version of BBC’s Wonders of the Universe, The Seven Ages of Starlight and The Secret Life of the Sun. He is a regular contributor to BBC , Sky and Aljazeera News channels. Veteran of 20 solar eclipse expeditions. Founder and director of Your Universe, the UCL festival of Astronomy. Producing and delivering The Mind of the Universe, a collection of public and school lectures and teacher workshops on astrophysics, cosmology and life in the Universe. His most recent educational project is called Think Universe!, a novel and ambitious idea to bring fundamental science to the primary and secondary classroom with initial support from the Royal Society and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
For those who cannot attend in person the meeting can be viewed on Zoom. Details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting February 2024
2024-02-23 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
“The Planet Mercury”
By Chris Hooker – Newbury AS

Chris is the Mercury co-ordinator for the BAA Mercury & Venus section.
Join us for a fascinating talk about The Planet Mercury.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
For those who cannot attend in person the meeting can be viewed on Zoom. Details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting January 2024
2024-01-26 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
A Universe of Infinities
by Colin Stuart
Infinity is a notoriously tricky concept to juggle with. It’s not even really a number and yet it seems to crop up time and again when
astronomers try to understand our universe.
Did the universe start from an infinitely small speck? Can the universe really be infinitely big? Can there be infinitely many universes in an
infinitely big multiverse? Find out in this talk.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
For those who cannot attend in person the meeting can be viewed on Zoom. Details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting December 2023
2023-12-15 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Members’ Images and Bring & Buy

For our last meeting of 2023 we will be showing a selection of members’ images in the Cadogan House Hall, Royal Masonic School For Girls, Rickmansworth.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
This will also be presented on Zoom for those that cannot attend in person. Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.
In addition we will be holding a Bring and Buy event. This is a great opportunity to pick up a bargain or a chance to find a new home for equipment or accessories you no longer use.
We look forward to seeing you.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting November 2023
2023-11-24 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
‘Meteorites’ by Professor Caroline Smith

“I am Head of Earth Sciences Collections and Principal Curator of Meteorites at the Natural History Museum and I have been researching meteorites since the late 1990s. My experience and expertise in curation and collections care has been recognised by the award of a prestigious Aurora Fellowship from the UK Space Agency and consultancy work with industrial, academic and international space agency partners studying and planning for future Solar System sample return missions.
In 2011 I was selected as one of seven European scientists invited to participate in the ESA/NASA Joint Science Working Group planning for a proposed Mars exploration mission, where I provided input and advice related to sample curation and containment during collection, caching and on return to Earth. This work has continued and I have also been invited to participate in expert meetings on organic contamination by the US National Academy of Science.
In 2014 I was chosen to be the UK representative for iMARS Phase 2 and was selected to be the Co-Chair of the Science Team. Since 2014 I have been leading a team of Museum Researchers and Curators working with the European Space Agency to develop a collection of different rocks and minerals that are analogues of the surfaces of Mars, Phobos, Deimos, Asteroids and the Moon and that can be used by engineers and scientists to develop technologies for robotic exploration missions. I was also the Co-PI of the European Commission Horizon2020 project EURO-CARES, which has developed a roadmap for a future European Sample Curation Facility to curate samples returned from sample return missions. I am a member of ESA’s Human Spaceflight and Exploration Science Advisory Committee (HESAC) – the senior advisory body to ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration on all matters concerning scientific exploitation of human spaceflight, microgravity and exploration programmes and also the UK Space Agency’s Space Exploration Advisory Committee.
I have studied a wide range of different meteorite types and my research interests are planetary differentiation and extraterrestrial and terrestrial alteration processes. I regularly use a number of analytical techniques for studying precious meteoritic materials including electron and ion-beam instrumentation for sample preparation and analyses, mass spectrometry and CT-scanning.
In summer 2018 I was greatly honoured to have asteroid (7635) Carolinesmith named after me.”

The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We will be meeting at the RMS as well as online via Zoom.
Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting October 2023
2023-10-27 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Infrared Astronomy by Dr Eric Dunford
Find out more about Infrared astronomy from this fascinating talk by Dr Eric Dunford.
More details to follow.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We will be meeting at the RMS as well as online via Zoom.
Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting September 2023
2023-09-29 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
The Sky At Night – By Gordon Rogers

“The Sky at Night, with a Laugh”

“As a keen amateur astronomer this talk covers astronomical topics of contemporary interest both amateur and professional. I have a passion for Deep Space imaging and have built a state of the art observatory adjoining my house: I explain how this operates. Sir Patrick Moore filmed a whole “Sky at Night” programme at my observatory and asked me to write a book about it in his astronomy series. It is published by Springer and entitled “My Heavens”. I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. It is a staggering topic and there is plenty of room for humour.”
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We will be meeting at the RMS as well as online via Zoom.
Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.

BAA Comet Section Meeting
2023-07-08 09:00 - 18:00 UTC | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF, United Kingdom
This is a face-to-face section meeting that will take place at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

The meeting is open to anyone who has an interest in comets.
For further details about the talks and to book your place please visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/baa/889333
(£6 adult BAA members / £8 adult non-members)

SWHAS Monthly Meeting May 2023
2023-05-26 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Join us for our AGM & Members Images Meeting in the Cadogan House Hall at the Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth.
The Meeting will also include a BRING & BUY stall where you can sell your unwanted astro kit or find a great deal from what’s for sale from others.
Come early to avoid disappointment !
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We will be meeting at the RMS as well as online via Zoom.
Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.

The JUICE Mission: Revealing the mysteries of Jupiter's icy moons
2023-05-25 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online Event, United Kingdom
The Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck is delighted to announce the third event in their Adventures in Planetary Science public engagement series ‘The JUICE mission: Revealing the mysteries of Jupiter’s icy moons’, taking place on Thursday 25th May 2023, starting at 5pm. This will be a virtual event held online with Zoom.
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission – JUICE – successfully launched on 14th April and is now on its way to make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three largest moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa all of which are believed to be harbouring subsurface oceans. But what is the mission hoping to discover? What secrets lie beneath the icy surface of Jupiter’s moons? Could they hold the conditions for life?
The event will feature talks from our panel of JUICE and astrobiology experts – Geraint Jones (UCL-MSSL), Nick Achilleos (UCL-P&A) and Grace Richards (OU) – followed by Q&A with the audience. Andrew Rushby (Birkbeck) will be our host for the evening.
To register for your free tickets on Eventbrite please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-juice-mission-revealing-the-mysteries-of-jupiters-icy-moons-tickets-625291392387
For further information about the event please see the event webpage: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/planetary-sciences/events/2023/may/adventures-planetary-science-juice-mission-revealing-mysteries-jupiters-icy-moons

SWHAS Monthly Meeting Apr 2023
2023-04-28 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Deep Sky Objects by Graham Marett
More information on our Astronomy Events page
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We will be meeting at the RMS as well as online via Zoom.
Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting Mar 2023
2023-03-24 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Online Event, United Kingdom
Orion European Service Module – Europe’s Contribution to the Artemis Programme
by Siân Cleaver

Talk Synopsis
NASA’s Artemis programme will return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in 50 years and mark the start of a new era of human space exploration. Unlike the Apollo missions, the focus of the Artemis missions will be to create a more sustainable human presence on and around the Moon, and develop and demonstrate technologies that will prepare for future crewed missions to Mars
The first Artemis mission launched in November 2022 and saw an uncrewed ‘Orion’ spacecraft orbit around the Moon. Orion is powered by the European Service Module (built by Airbus in Bremen, Germany) which, together with propulsion capabilities, provides the Orion spacecraft with everything needed to successfully sustain a human crew on lunar missions.
Siân will give an overview of the Artemis programme and Europe’s contribution to it – the European Service Module (ESM). She will talk about the achievements so far, the work currently ongoing at Airbus and where the Artemis programme is headed in the next 5 years.

Bio
Siân Cleaver is the Industrial Manager for the Orion European Service Module (ESM) programme at Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen, Germany. A Chelmsford native and previously an engineer at Airbus in Stevenage, Siân transferred to Bremen four years ago driven by her dream to work on human spaceflight missions. She is now responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of all equipment across all ESMs currently under development (ESMs 3 to 6) and ultimately making sure that the ESMs are integrated, tested and delivered on time to the Customers, ESA and NASA.
Siân will be talking to us on Zoom from Bremen, Germany.
Please note that this will be a Zoom only meeting and will take place at the earlier time of 19:00 GMT to help fit in with Siân’s work day. We will not be meeting at the RMS.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
Zoom details will be emailed to members a few days before the meeting.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting Feb 2023
2023-02-24 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Our next monthly meeting will feature Nick Howes talking about how to solve the problem of Space Debris.
Public awareness of the clutter and rubbish humankind is littering our planet and oceans with has never been higher. David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have firmly established the need to change our behaviour to avoid a catastrophe. But, whilst many companies and consumers are changing their behaviour to avoid plastic waste, a far bigger threat is looming, and one that will be much harder to solve. Currently over 130 million pieces of debris orbit our planet, ranging from microscopic to the size of a bus.
These are all in an uncontrollable set of orbits, many of the debris objects are smaller than a few cm, and as such, cannot be tracked. Yet, travelling at around 17,000 mph, pieces the size of a pea, could devastate a spacecraft, kill an astronaut, or astro-tourist and create a knock on effect, creating more and more debris, known as the Kessler Syndrome, famously seen in the Hollywood Movie “Gravity”.
The impact of this would be devastating to global climate monitoring, defence, navigation, shipping and pretty much every part of our lives. With the launch of the so called “mega” constellations, adding tens of thousands of new satellites, we are at a crisis tipping point.
Nick Howes, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and Lead Research and Development/Test Engineer for a multinational defence and engineering company, explains the issues, and possible ways to stop this from happening.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We’re pleased to confirm that this will be a face-to-face meeting at the RMS and look forward to seeing you there.
A Zoom link will also be sent out to members before the meeting if you are unable to attend in person.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting Jan 2023
2023-01-27 20:00 - 2023-02-21 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
Our next monthly meeting will feature Astrophotographer of the Year – Martin Lewis.
Join Martin to find out more about how he won, not one but two accolades in this year’s “Astrophotographer of the Year” awards.
Martin has loved astronomy since he was a child, and has 50 years of rich experience in astronomical observation.
He has amazing capabilities in planetary photography, especially in the imaging of Venus, almost nobody can reach his achievement.
Martin is no stranger to the awards as he previously won the award in 2018 and in each of the intervening years has been shortlisted or highly commended in various sections.
In this years event Martin won First Prize in “Our Moon” category with this image entitled “Shadow Profile of Plato’s East Rim”.
He also won highly commended in the People and Space category for his image if the ISS taken from St.Albans.
The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.
We look forward to seeing you there.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting Jan 2021
2021-01-29 20:00 - 21:30 UTC | Online Event, United Kingdom
Astronomical Instrumentation before the Telescope – Mike Leggett
There were many astronomical instruments before the introduction of the astronomical telescope.
After a brief historical introduction, Mike will talk about some of these instruments and their uses:
• Observational/measuring tools, including Ptolemy’s Rules, Jacob’s Staff and Quadrant
• Astronomical devices used to represent the sky, including armillary sphere and astrolabe
• Measuring time, including sundials and clocks
Dr. Mike Leggett is a founder member of the South Lincolnshire Astronomical and Geophysical Society in 1976. Mike began to present astronomy talks for his local society. He has since presented lectures for the British Interplanetary Society, at University of Aberdeen evening classes, for the Society for the History of Astronomy and to astronomical societies and other groups throughout the UK.
Currently Vice Chairman of the Milton Keynes Astronomical Society, Mike has also served as Chairman and Secretary. A former Council Member and Publicity Officer for the Society for the History of Astronomy (SHA), he is also county co-ordinator for Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Rutland in the SHA survey of astronomical history of the UK. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, Mike Leggett is also a member of the British Astronomical Association, the National Space Society and the Planetary Society.
A Graduate in Chemistry and Pharmacology from the University of Nottingham, Dr Leggett also holds a PhD in Chemistry. A Chartered Chemist and a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, he is a member of the Astrophysical Chemistry Group. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Authorship and Communication and is Member of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators.
PhD (chemistry) (1986).
Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (since 1986).
Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society (since 1984).
Founder member (2002) and Publicity Officer/Council Member (since 2011) of the Society for the History of Astronomy (SHA); County Co-ordinator for Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Rutland in the SHA Survey of Astronomical History.
Member of the British Astronomical Association (since 1993), the Planetary Society (since 1996), Society for Popular Astronomy (since 2013), the William Herschel Society (since 2014) and the National Space Society (2016).
Member of the Milton Keynes Astronomical Society (since 1993) and currently Publicity Officer.

SWHAS Monthly Meeting Oct. 2020
2020-10-30 20:00 - 21:30 (Europe/Paris) | Online Event, United Kingdom
Friday 30 October 2020 at 20:00 – 21:30 GMT
“A VIRTUAL TOUR OF MY HOME OBSERVATORY” – IAIN MELVILLE.
Iain will take us on a tour of his observatory, including a brief chat about the computer running things – a RaspBerry Pi.
He will talk about the choice of cameras, filters, etc. and what is not yet automated and why.
He will also be looking at the software and file management side of things and how he operates the observatory from inside the house when imaging. Iain will explain how he executes his imaging tasks using the raspberry Pi – from target selection, scheduling setup to focussing. He will also go into target centring via plate solving, autoguiding, calibration and monitoring.
You might remember Iain did a talk for us some years ago (March 2011) on Astrometry, so he will give us a brief recap on the astrometric programme and a review of Astro Pixel Processor (the new software he is using) with live image processing.
There will be lots to learn from this tour, both for the novice and the seasoned astronomer alike !
This is a free event for SWHAS members and a Zoom meeting link for the event will be emailed out nearer the time.

An Introduction to Astrophotography - Stephen Heliczer / Martin Weston
2020-09-25 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Online Event, United Kingdom
*** PLEASE NOTE : This will now be an online event. Regrettably all events at the RMS are still suspended until further notice. ***
*** Members will receive an email with details of how to join this online talk before 25th September 2020. ***
Let Steve and Martin introduce you to the rapidly expanding universe of Astro-Photography!
This talk will be suitable to anyone with a telescope (even if it is currently stored in the cupboard under the stairs) and an interest in astronomy. If you have not yet even considered taking pictures of the night sky, or you have experimented with a phone or SLR camera with variable results, we are sure you will pick up some useful tips and hopefully inspiration to guide you further along the way.
Although it may seem rather daunting at first, capturing images is great fun and highly rewarding and excellent results can be achieved with the most basic of equipment. It is a great way of sharing your interest in astronomy with friends and family who are not quite so keen freezing outdoors at midnight on a winter’s evening!
Steve will introduce you to what you can expect to capture during your first steps and Martin will demonstrate what can be achieved with some further practice and the correct approach. Even with the most basic equipment you will be able to record images simply not possible a few years ago with some of the biggest telescopes in the world.
When you look at an image you have taken yourself, and really think about that image, it will give you and your family a whole new perspective on the universe. It will also give you something to show for your hobby, and with practice, something unique to hang on your wall!

‘Your Universe’ outreach festival of Astronomy at UCL
2020-03-07 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre, Wilkins Building, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
Celebrating 30 years of the Hubble Space Telescope.
UCL’s Your Universe outreach festival of Astronomy takes place on 6th (schools only) and 7th March (public).

Meet scientists, try out telescopes and observe the Sun and Moon
Evening panel discussion (6:30pm) – 30 years of the Hubble Space Telescope

Chaired by Francisco Diego

For further information please visit: www.ucl.ac.uk/your-universe/
For the 30 years of HST panel discussion please click on this Eventbrite registration link: https://tinyurl.com/ry358p9

Herschel’s Planet - Mike Foulkes
2020-02-28 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
The planet Uranus was discovered by William Herschel on 13 March 1781- the first planet to be discovered since ancient times. This talk will provide a top level overview of the Uranus system including the planet itself, its satellites and rings, both from amateur and professional observations. This description will be set in part, in the context of Herschel’s discovery of the planet and his subsequent observations.
Mike is the director of the British Astronomical Association’s (BAA) Saturn, Uranus and Neptune Section and is also on the committee of the BAA’s Jupiter Section. He has been interested in astronomy since a young age and is an active observer; particularly of the Moon and planets. Mike also has been to a number of Total Eclipses of the Sun. For many years, he has given various talks to amateur astronomical societies and also participates in the BAA Back to Basics courses, which are aimed at beginners in amateur astronomy.
Mike has worked in the spacecraft industry for a number of years on both communications and scientific satellites. Apart from astronomy, his interests include rock music, sport and hill walking.

Getting light from the darkness - the story of the biggest telescopes - Peter Grimley
2020-01-31 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 4HF, United Kingdom
When it comes to telescopes, bigger has (almost) always been better. All through history, astronomers have realized that gathering more light meant seeing more and more interesting things. That is as true for today’s astronomers as it was for Galileo. In this talk, Peter will look at some of the world’s biggest telescopes – from the early attempts to make accurate lenses, to the technological marvels that now inhabit some of the most outlandish places on Earth.
Peter’s career began in professional astronomy. He has a PhD in extragalactic astronomy from the University of Wales and held research positions in academic institutions in Ireland. His main research interests were around star formation in nearby galaxies and the evolution of active galaxies and quasars. He then changed direction and spent a number of years in the UK civil service developing UK and EU agriculture policy. In time he began to miss the feelings of awe and wonder that contemplating the Universe brings, and he left the civil service to become a freelance astronomy writer and presenter. Peter gives talks and presentations to a variety of audiences and contributes to the European Southern Observatory’s public outreach programme. He has a deep interest in music, playing several instruments quite badly, and also enjoys photography, modern dance, horse-riding and chocolate.
