Wednesday January 8th at 8:00pm The UCL Observatory and its latest Developments Georgio Savini

Meetings held at: The View (Formerly Fairway Tavern) Panshanger Golf Complex Old Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 2ED Tel:01707 336007

Membership details: •£20 per year* •Non-members £3.50 first 3 meetings then annual membership subscription due pro rata for remaining meetings. •Free to under 18s and full time students. Proof of status may be required. •Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult but are not charged.

What happens at our meetings? Doors open at 7:30 for the meeting due to start at 8:00 but several club members and friends gather before this to have a drink and chat in the bar. Following welcome announcements we give you a brief tour of some highlights to look out for in the night sky. Our guest speaker will talk on the subject of the evening for about 45 - 60 minutes. This is followed by questions relating to the talk. Announcements about forthcoming events follow. You can then choose from the following activities: 1.If the weather is clear telescopes and binoculars brought by members are set up outside for some observation. Members doing so will be pleased to share their scopes with others. 2.If you need help with some equipment then now is your chance to bring it in. Others in our club will be more than willing to help you . Don’t be shy, we get just as excited about a telescope bought at the charity shop for £20 as we do one costing many times more. 3.Just socialise with others - about anything! We look forward to seeing you. No need to book - just turn up.

Next Meeting

2019-2020 Programme

Date

Speaker

Subject

September 11 2019

Roger O’Brien

The Solar Sytem beyond Neptune

October 9 2019

Martin Weston & Steve Heliczer

A basic introduction to astrophotography

November 13 2019

Colin Stuart

Rebel Star - The Sun’s Greatest Mysteries

December 11 2019

Nik Szymanek

Astrophotography - The Next Steps - followed by our Christmas Star prize Quiz (free to enter)

January 8 2020

Georgio Savini

The UCL Observatory at Mill Hiill and its latest developments

February 12 2020

Carl Murray

Cassini at Saturn - the End of an Era

March 11 2020

Stuart Eves

How Astronomers Can Save the World

April 8 2020

Jerry Stone

Survival in Space. - Apollo 13 - 50 years on

May 13th 2020 (includes AGM)

John Thain

The Invisible Sky - gettnng started in Radio Astornomy

June 10 2020

Paul Money

From 60 to 500 - My Adventures in Astronomy

I completed my PhD at the end of 2004 on “Modulation Techniques for CMB polarization observations” in the university of Rome “La Sapienza”. After my PhD I held two subsequent post-doc positions in Cardiff University on the integration and testing of the cold optics and detectors of the High Frequency Instrument (HFI) of the Planck satellite launched in May 2009. During the same 5 years I also designed polarisation modulators for a number of far- infrared experiments balloon and ground-based (BlastPol, Pilot, Scuba2Pol, EBEx). In 2009 I moved as a lecturer at UCL and since then I have also been working at shorter wavelengths (NIR and MIR) on material characterisation and instrument designs for a range of satellite missions. Since 2015 I took over the directorship of the University College London Observatory and enjoy the focus on research in teaching as well as the many outreach opportunities that the Observatory offers. My main experimental research interests are the design and simulation of optical elements in the Terahertz and mm-wave region, the design of systems to perform spectroscopy, polarimetry and multi- Fourier modulation in mid- and far-IR. His talk will be: A summary of recent and planned activities at UCLO. These include and are not limited to: - IoSpot (a project to observe Io torus of ionized particles), mointoring of a binary microlensing event (follow up from Gaia), - Fast period hot jupiters and a few more. I'll mention the installation of our latest new telescope, and the purchase of our spectrometer as well as the plans for future upgrades!

Wednesday January 8th at 8:00pm The UCL Observatory and its latest Developments Georgio Savini

Meetings held at: The View (Formerly Fairway Tavern) Panshanger Golf Complex Old Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 2ED Tel:01707 336007

Membership details: • £20 per year* • Non-members £3.50 first 3 meetings then annual membership subscription due pro rata for remaining meetings. • Free to under 18s and full time students. Proof of status may be required. • Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult but are not charged.

What happens at our meetings? Doors open at 7:30 for the meeting due to start at 8:00 but several club members and friends gather before this to have a drink and chat in the bar. Following welcome announcements we give you a brief tour of some highlights to look out for in the night sky. Our guest speaker will talk on the the subject of the evening for about 45- 60 minutes. This is followed by questions relating to the talk. Announcements about forthcoming events follow. You can then choose from the following activities: 1. If the weather is clear, telecopes and binoculars are set up outside for some observation. members doing so will be pleased to share their equipment with others. 2. If you need help with some equipment then now is your chance to bring it in. Others in our club will be more than willing to help you. Don’t be shy, we get just as excited about a telescopep bought at a charity shop for £20 as we do one costing many times more. 3. Just socialise with others - about anything! We look forward to seeing you. No need to book - just turn up.

Programme 2019-20

Date

Speaker

Subject

September 11 2019

Roger O’Brien

The Solar Sytem beyond Neptune

October 9 2019

Martin Weston & Steve Heliczer

A basic introduction to astrophotography

November 13 2019

Colin Stuart

Rebel Star - The Sun’s Greatest Mysteries

December 11 2019

Nik Szymanek

Astrophotography - The Next Steps - followed by our Christmas Star prize Quiz (free to enter)

January 8 2020

Georgio Savini

The UCL Observatory at Mill Hiill and its latest developments

February 12 2020

Carl Murray

Cassini at Saturn - the End of an Era

March 11 2020

Stuart Eves

How Astronomers Can Save the World

April 8 2020

Jerry Stone

Survival in Space. - Apollo 13 - 50 years on

May 13th 2020 (includes AGM)

John Thain

The Invisible Sky - gettnng started in Radio Astornomy

June 10 2020

Paul Money

From 60 to 500 - My Adventures in Astronomy

I completed my PhD at the end of 2004 on “Modulation Techniques for CMB polarization observations” in the university of Rome “La Sapienza”. After my PhD I held two subsequent post-doc positions in Cardiff University on the integration and testing of the cold optics and detectors of the High Frequency Instrument (HFI) of the Planck satellite launched in May 2009. During the same 5 years I also designed polarisation modulators for a number of far-infrared experiments balloon and ground-based (BlastPol, Pilot, Scuba2Pol, EBEx). In 2009 I moved as a lecturer at UCL and since then I have also been working at shorter wavelengths (NIR and MIR) on material characterisation and instrument designs for a range of satellite missions. Since 2015 I took over the directorship of the University College London Observatory and enjoy the focus on research in teaching as well as the many outreach opportunities that the Observatory offers. My main experimental research interests are the design and simulation of optical elements in the Terahertz and mm-wave region, the design of systems to perform spectroscopy, polarimetry and multi-Fourier modulation in mid- and far-IR. His talk will be: A summary of recent and planned activities at UCLO. These include and are not limited to: - IoSpot (a project to observe Io torus of ionized particles), mointoring of a binary microlensing event (follow up from Gaia), - Fast period hot jupiters and a few more. I'll mention the installation of our latest new telescope, and the purchase of our spectrometer as well as the plans for future upgrades!

Next Meeting

Institute of Physics Lectures University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

January 24 Magnetic Monopoles in Spin Ice by Felix Flicker Lindop Building College Lane Campus, Hatfield Wednesday 24 January 2020 at 7.00pm

They are free to attend but you will need to register your attendance.

Bayfordbury Observatory Dates for open evenings: 31 January 28 February 27 March

Future meetings: 26 February - Disruptive Robotics at Ocado - Alex Harvey 25 March - Shining light on the brain: Optics in medicine - Gemma Bale

Institute of Physics Lectures University of

Hertfordshire, Hatfield

January 24 Magnetic Monopoles in Spin Ice by Felix Flicker Lindop Building College Lane Campus, Hatfield Wednesday 24 January 2020 at 7.00pm

They are free to attend but you will need

to register your attendance.

Bayfordbury Observatory Dates for open evenings 6 December 31 January 28 February 27 March

Astrophotography Section

If you have an interest in astro photography and are not sure where to start then HAGAS will be the place for you. All members of HAG are welcome to come along to HAGAS meetings - just let Denis know. All talks are held at the Stanboroughs Conservative club, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8EP. Meetings start at 20:00 hrs unless otherwise stated.

Next Meeting: Future meeting: Wednesday February 26 Mary McIntyre FRAS "Improve Your Astrophotography" This talk covers how to get started with stacking with walk through on how to use Autostakkert! 2, Registax 6 and Deep Sky Stacker plus some basic Photoshop Processing.

Astrophotography Section

If you have an interest in astro photography and are not sure where to start then HAGAS will be the place for you. All members are welcome to come along to HAGAS meetings - just let Denis know. All talks are held at the Stanboroughs Conservative Club, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8FN (click for map) and start at 20:00 hrs unless otherwise stated.

Next Meeting:

9

Terry’s Sky Notes

Each month our colleague Terry tells us about what to look out for in the coming weeks. It is a great place to start when you are not sure what to look for. November Night Sky Huge stars Globular Clusters and advance notice of a visitor from inter stellar space!

What to look out for over the coming months

Terry’s Sky Notes

Each month our colleague Terry tells us about what to look out for in the coming weeks. It is a great place to start when you are not sure what to look for.

Outreach events Part of being members of an active club is to share knowledge and expertise with other people. To this end we often assist with other organisations who want to run an astronomy event. This includes schools, scouts and brownies. We will help support these groups with activities that they have planned or are planning so if you are considering holding such an event then do contact us if you would like some assistance. How club members can help If you can bring along a pair of binoculars, a telescope or some other activity then you are sure to be welcomed. Just being able to look through a telescope is a great experience for many people and is all the more interesting if the person who is showing it can give a bit of knowledge about what is being seen. Just remember the first time you looked at the Moon through binoculars or a telescope! Share that passion and skill and you will be helping to recruit someone else into this most enjoyable hobby. We are currently looking to support the following events so if you can come along then please indicate by clicking the button below and ticking the appropriate boxes. Wheathampstead Scouts - February 5th Codicote Rainbows and Brownies - February 5th Woolmer Green Primary School - New Year - date to be decided

Bring and Buy

If you have some astronomy gear that you no longer need you can advertise it here for free! Just send us a description, some photos and contact details and we will publish it for you. Please note that we are only advertising the items and all negotiations are between you and the seller.

Brian Bradknock has this Meade LX200 telescope to re home: This telescope is about ten years old. It has been outside only four or five times and is in perfect condition. I am downsizing. Buyer collects from Bovingdon. £1,500.00

Terry’s Sky Notes

Each month our colleague Terry tells us about what to look out for in the coming weeks. It is a great place to start when you are not sure what to look for. October Night Sky Meteor shower alert!

About Us

Hello and welcome to the Hertford Astronomy Group and the exciting field of astronomy. Whether you are familiar with the night sky or have just looked up and wondered what there is beyond our planet then we are sure that you will be interested in our activities. We are a group that formed because we are interested in astronomy and we want to learn more. Our group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month throughout the year (except July & August). At our meetings we arrange to have a speaker come and talk to us for about an hour and then follow this with an observation session if the sky is clear. You can come along and share members’ equipment or bring your own. You can even bring your own along for a bit of tlc if it needs repair or adjusting and our members will be happy to help you get the best from it. Don’t worry about it being ‘good enough’ - we all had to start somewhere even if it was with a pair of Barbie binoculars! As well as our regular group meetings we do lots of other things too. We get invited to the regular open evenings at the Bayfordbury Observatory where we can set ourselves up to show visitors what can be achieved with back garden astronomy. We also have some equipment you can borrow so that you can develop your interests - members only though. Another feature of belonging to our group is that we get invitations to go to the Institute of Physics lectures at the University in Hatfield - all free! We are also available to visit schools, Scouts and Guide groups to give talks and demonstrations about astronomy and related topics - contact our Programme and Outreach Officer for details. This year we have an exciting programme in store for you with some very notable speakers lined up. So, we hope to see you at one of our meetings and that you enjoy our company so much that you will want to come again.

Astrophotography Section

If you have an interest in astro photography and are not sure where to start then HAGAS will be the place for you. All members are welcome to come along to HAGAS meetings - just let Denis know. All talks are held at the Stanboroughs Conservative Club, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon EN11 8FN (click for map) and start at 20:00 hrs unless otherwise stated.

Forthcoming Meetings

Watch this space

Chair: Alan Willison Secretary: Simon Poley Treasurer: Anne Godwin Membership secretary: Tony Challoner Programme secretary and outreach: Jerry Stone Federation of Astronomical Societies Representative: Denis O’Shea Publicity: Jerry Stone Equipment Officer: Steve Heliczer Astrophotography Officers: Denis O’Shea / Martin Weston General Committee Members: Leon Gevertz Danny Emmett Frank Ferguson

Contacts

Chair: Alan Willison Secretary: Simon Poley Treasurer: Anne Godwin Membership secretary: Tony Challoner Programme secretary and outreach: Jerry Stone Federation of Astronomical Societies Representative: Denis O’Shea Publicity: Jerry Stone Equipment Officer: Steve Heliczer Astrophotography Officers: Denis O’Shea / Martin Weston General Committee Members: Leon Gevertz Danny Emmett Frank Ferguson