What are these sessions?
As well as having people come to our observatory, we will be going out to the public. We will be taking some telescopes out to town centres around the area and to other events. The idea is to give people a chance to look through a telescope as well as to talk with them about the society and our programme of events.
This listing also includes other events featuring displays by the society.
What will we be doing?
We'll have a gazebo - to act as an eye-catcher as to povide some shelter if needed (!) - and a few telescopes so the people can have a look at them and also use them to do some daylight observing. |
 A session in Letchworth town centre.
Click on the image for a larger picture.
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We will have solar filters to allow for safe solar observing, and we may see some sunspots. There will also be a Solarscope, which not only shows the sun, but also demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. We'll also have a Coronado Hydrogen-alpha telescope which will allow views of activity on the surface of the sun as well as any prominences.
On some days the Moon will be visible. Many people are unaware theat the Moon can be seen in the daytime. Well here's a chance to spot it in the sky, and also to see some its craters.
As a bonus, on some dates it will also be possible to see the planet Venus!
Apart from this, we will of course have information about the society and our activities, and we'll be happy to talk with people about any aspect of astronomy.
Where will we be?
Below is a list of our planned dates. For the sessions in town centres, we expect to be on site between 11am and 4 pm except where stated. Locations will be confirmed as we go through the year.
We cannot guarantee that all the sessions will go ahead. Weather and other circumstances may cause them to be postponed or cancelled. If the weather is poor in the morning we may still go ahead later in the day.
Can you help?
Obviously it cannot be assumed that the same people will man all of these events, so any members of the society who can help - especially those who live in or near to these locations - should contact us by writing to events-at-ldas.org.uk [Replace "-at" with "@"]
You will not have to stay for the full duration of a session - just a couple of hours will make a difference.
| Date |
Location |
Notes |
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Sat Feb 20 |
Stevenage |
At the Forum, near Waterstones, close to the Armillary Sphere (!). |
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Sat Feb 27 |
Hitchin |
Market Place. Note: This is not by the market itself, but in the open area off Bucklersbury |
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Sat Mar 6 |
Letchworth |
The central square in the middle of the pedestrian shopping centre.
This is also a publicity event for our first Public Star Party of 2010, which takes place that evening |
|
Sat Apr 10 |
Welwyn Garden City |
The eastern end of Howardsgate, near the front of the Howard Centre. |
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Sat Apr 17 |
Letchworth |
The central square in the middle of the pedestrian shopping centre.
This is also a publicity event for our Public Star Party that evening. |
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Sat Jun 19 |
Welwyn Village |
As part of the Welwyn Festival. From 09:30 |
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Sat Jul 3 |
Letchworth Festival |
Fun Day in Garden Square. From 10:00 to 4:00. |
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Sat Sep 4 |
Welwyn Garden City |
The eastern end of Howardsgate, near the front of the Howard Centre. |
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Sat Sep 11 |
Hitchin |
Market Square. |
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Sat Sep 18 |
Letchworth |
Leys Square, next to W H Smith.
This is also a publicity event for our Public Star Party that evening |
|
Sat Sep 25 |
Stevenage |
At the Forum, near Waterstones, close to the Armillary Sphere. |
|
Sat Oct 2 |
Royston |
At the north end of Upper King Street. |
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Sat Oct 9 |
Cambridge |
FAS Convention at the Institute of Astronomy. From 9:00am
Includes a presentation by Jerry Stone on the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn
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Sat Oct 16 |
Letchworth |
Leys Square, next to W H Smith.
This is also a publicity event for our Public Star Party that evening |
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Sat/Sun Nov 6/7 |
Standalone Farm |
At the annual Craft Fair. From 11:00 to 5:00 |
If you would like an astronomy display at your village fete or festival, or if you want any additional information, please write to events-at-ldas.org.uk (Replace "-at-" with "@")
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