Check out these online astronomy events taking place in 2021
To register for these fascinating talks please click on the links below.
We will regularly update this page as details of more events become available.
Members will also continue to receive email invitations to join our monthly meetings.
JANUARY 2021
The Fastest Eye on the Sky: The Vera Rubin Observatory – The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
Friday 8 January 2021
19:30 – 21:00 GMT
The Vera Rubin Observatory, currently under construction, will observe billions of galaxies, billions of stars in our own galaxy the Milky Way, as well as millions of objects closer to home in the solar system. Every night over a ten year survey, the Rubin Observatory will observe much of the night sky, so that every portion of the sky will be imaged nearly a thousand times.
Navigating the Night Sky – The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
Friday 15 January 2021
19:30 – 21:00 GMT
Edinburgh astronomer Alan Pickup will highlight the signposts in the night sky that help to locate some of it’s more prominent features.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/navigating-the-night-sky-tickets-131591342247?ref=eios
The Kings Langley Human Sundial – Dr Gerard Sheldon
Wednesday 20 January 2021
19:45 – 21:00 GMT
A six metre wide “human” sundial will be built on Kings Langley Common opposite the cricket club. The sundial is designed by David Brown and works by someone standing on a spot and their shadow falling towards markers that indicate the time.
In his Zoom talk, Dr Sheldon will describe how his enthusiasm for astronomy led to an interest in sundials and subsequently his idea for this project.
The talk is to raise money for the Kings Langley Community Library and it will last an hour.
For tickets at £5 per household please email: kingslangleyvolunteers@hotmail.com
SWHAS MEMBERS MONTHLY MEETING
Friday 29 January 2021
20:00 – 21:30 GMT
“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.
FEBRUARY 2021
How You Can Contribute to Science – The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Monday 8 February 2021
19:00 – 20:00 GMT
Learn about various ways the public can participate in scientific research, from helping with outreach and education to art projects.
Deep Sky Astrophotography for Beginners – AstroVentures CIC
Saturday 13 February 2021
19:00 – 20:15 GMT
An intro to Deep Sky Object (DSO) astrophotography, with top tips to get you started.
This talk is for you if you have a telescope and would like to start using it to take images of the things you have been observing. Or you own a camera and want to know what you need to do to capture images of Deep Sky Objects, and how to get some quick results.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/deep-sky-astrophotography-for-beginners-tickets-134629365055?ref=eios
Create your own stunning star trails – Astrophotography with Mary McIntyre
Wednesday 17 February 2021
19:30 – 20:30 GMT
We see photographs of star trails everywhere, but how to you create your own using your own camera? Mary will show you step by step.
From Gateshead to Galaxies, the peculiar history of a Geordie Telescope – AstroVentures CIC
Thursday 18 February 2021
19:00 – 20:30 GMT
In this talk Dave Newton discusses the characters involved in this story, the history of the Newall Telescope up to the present day, and the enduring legacy of this remarkable instrument.
The Solar Cycle – The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
Friday 19 February 2021
19:30 – 21:00 GMT
“The Solar Cycle” covers a brief history of the solar cycle; a look back at the high points of the cycle just ending (Cycle 24); an update on current solar activity and a look forward to what Cycle 25 might be like.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-solar-cycle-tickets-131591199821?ref=eios
What does the future of our Universe entail? – The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Friday 22 February 2021
19:00 – 20:00 GMT
We will discover how the human understanding of cosmology has evolved from the ancient Greek to nowadays.
SWHAS MEMBERS MONTHLY MEETING
Friday 26 February 2021
20:00 – 21:30 GMT
OSIRIS-REx: To Bennu and Back – John Maclean
“As UK Mission Ambassador for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission to asteroid Bennu, John is in a unique position to tell you the inside story of this incredible mission. In this talk you will be introduced to the mission, including details of the mission plan, the spacecraft and scientific instruments used. You will discover how the Mission developed from an idea to a successful operation and some of the incidents and problems that arose, and how they were solved. This talk is able to provide insights directly from the mission teams and includes up to date information.”
MARCH 2021
Growing Supermassive Black Holes – The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Monday 8 March 2021
19:00 – 20:00 GMT
Supermassive black holes! Where do they come from and how do they get so big?
The Life Cycle of Galaxies – The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Monday 22 March 2021
19:00 – 20:00 GMT
Our most powerful telescopes reveal a universe filled with galaxies that come in a dizzying range of shapes, sizes, and colours.
MAY 2021
The Dark Side of the Universe – The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
Thursday 20 May 2021
19:00 – 20:00 GMT
Catherine Heymans has used the world’s best telescopes to map out the invisible dark matter in our Universe and confront different theories on the dark Universe. She will explore this dark enigma and explain why she thinks in order to truly understand the dark Universe, we will need some new physics that will forever change our cosmic view.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-dark-side-of-the-universe-tickets-132914586105?ref=eios
