Stargazing Live 2012

The second series of BBC Stargazing Live will be broadcast over three days between January 16-18 2012 and will be presented by Professor Brian Cox.The programmes aim to stimulate public interest in astronomy and organisations across the country will be partnering with the BBC to offer viewers the chance to get involved with some hands on astronomical activities.

Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society is actively supporting StarGazing Live in 2012, we have a range of events planned for January 2012.

The meeting programme begins on Thursday, January 5th when Danny Rodman takes a tour through the “Winter Sky"; a review of observing opportunities to be enjoyed in the winter months. Phil Muffett will be presenting a talk on the "Size of the Earth" on January 12th. Gary Gawthrope take a look at the history of NASA's Space Shuttle on on January 19th and January 26th society members will be showing off their astronomical images in the annual Imaging Competition, master of ceremonies for the occasion is Tony Morris. On Friday 27th January guest speaker Dr Allan Chapman will give a talk entitled "Aliens: Fact, Fiction, and Fantasy". Dr Chapman is a respected historian of science based at Wadham College, Oxford as well as popular author and broadcaster. He has presented TV programmes Gods in the Sky, and Great Scientists as well as appearing on The Sky At Night and TV quiz University Challenge — The Professionals as part of the Royal Astronomical Society team. All these meetings will be held at our meeting room at Swinton Working Mens Club and a visitors fee of £2 per person is payable, there is no need to pre-book.

In addition to the programme of meetings the society is once again teaming up the RSPB at its Old Moor reserve for an event "Cormorants and Constellations" building on the hugely successful "Starlings and Starlight" event held for Stargazing Live 2011. Pleae note this event is being managed by the RSPB - please contact them to book.

On Saturday 28th January we will be opening our J.A.Jones Hoober Observatory for a Public Viewing Evening starting at 18:30. We'll have telescopes for you to use and will be on hand to answer your question. Places are limited and pre-booking is essential.

The final event for the month will see the Society joining with the "Friends of Clifton Park" for a first time event "Planets in the Park" to be held in the walled garden of Clifton Park. A 17:00 start will see observations of the Moon, Venus and Jupiter. This event is free of charge and no booking is required.