Events around the Midlands
Auriga Star Dome at the
Magna Science Adventure Centre (Rotherham)
23rd, 24th, 30th & 31st
August 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm at the Magna Science Adventure
Centre, Templeborough Road, Rotherham: Special "MARS" shows in the
mobile planetarium where tours of the night sky will be given and advice
on how best to observe Mars.
FEEDBACK: The week
went very well with good attendances on each day. "A large number of
previously astronomically unaware people left with the intention of
viewing Mars that very night." In addition a substantial number of
visitors left with the intention of buying binoculars or a telescope,
indicating that astronomy may have gained a significant number of
converts.
Birmingham Astronomical
Society
26th August
7.30pm at Priory School, Sir Harry's Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham:
Recorded talk about Mars by Heather Couper followed by short talks
"Observing mars for yourself" and "2003 robot missions to Mars" by
society members.
FEEDBACK: The meeting
was well attended by society members and a few visitors. Unfortunately
cloud prevented successful observing of Mars after the meeting. Clear
skies the following day allowed observing for a short time before the
clouds reappeared.
Cleethorpes
Astronomy Society
25th-29th August 8-10.30pm:
Open evenings with talks by
3 astronomers, displays and viewing.
Also
Display in Grimbsby
library and Cleethorpes library (to be confirmed) & a stand in
Grimbsby precinct (to be confirmed).
Cotswold Astronomical Society
26th August from 7.30pm at the Hardwick Bank Observatory: Mars
observing night with
Whiteshill Scout Group
30th August 10am-3pm at the Regents Arcade, Cheltenham: Display
by the society
Coventry and Warwickshire
Astronomical Society
23rd August 3pm at
the Methodist Church Hall, Earlsden Road South: Exhibition, slide shows,
talks by members of the society and solar observing (weather permitting)
FEEDBACK:
 Solar
Viewing with Coventry & Warwickshire AS
on a sunny Saturday!
Images of the Sun were projected on to card and paper so that the
visitors could see the Sun spots.
"All in all a very good
day which, was well attended by the public.
Coventry & Warwickshire AS
Ilkeston &
District Astronomical Society
2nd - 30th August at The
Hayloft, Erewash Museum, Anchor Row, Ilkeston, Derbyshire:Exhibition
about general astronomy.
30th August at The
Hayloft: Public open day and safe solar observing (weather permitting)
Leicester
Astronomical Society
26th August 7.30pm at
the National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester: Annual open
evening - special Mars information evening to mark NAW. Come and find
out about the Red Planet
30th August 10pm-midnight
in the National Space Centre Car Park: Public observing session
FEEDBACK:
A very successful NAW. the open evening on the 26th was well attended
but the public observing session on the 30th "exceeded all
expectations!" Well in excess of 500 people looked at Mars and other
celestial objects through the dozen or so telescopes and binoculars. At
peak times the queues were over 30 people long but despite the wait all
went away happy. "A very enjoyable and worthwhile evening."
Mansfield and Sutton
Astronomical Society
23rd to 30th August from 9pm onwards in the Sherwood
Observatory: Public observing sessions, computer presentations,
general information on Mars and other topical items.
31 August
from 10am onwards: Programme as above but there will also be a telescope
exhibition by the Widescreen Centre.
FEEDBACK:
Although for most of NAW it has been cloudy, on Wednesday 27th over
100 visitors arrived. On Friday evening the skies cleared and there
were queues of visitors for lectures and viewing. The car parks filled
and overflowed, much to the treasurers pleasure!
Newton's
Astronomical Society (Lincolnshire) are planning public observing, an exhibition
and lectures.
Northants Amateur
Astronomers
26th & 29th August
7.45pm onwards
at the Newton Field Centre, Newton, Nr Geddington, Northants: Public
Mars watch with lectures and an exhibition
Shropshire Astronomical Society
27th August
in Shrewsbury: Organised talk by Prof. Mike Edmunds on the " Life
and times of Sir Isaac Newton", followed by observing Mars
29th August
in Telford : Organised talk by Paul Maloney on the planet Mars, followed by observing Mars.
There will also
be an observing evening at Rodington.
FEEDBACK:
The 3 public observing sessions at Attingham Hall attracted about 80
people and there were 8 telescopes to view through. Publicity included
2 members on BBC radio Shropshire and 4 members supplied information
to the local paper.
South Staffordshire Astronomical Society.
Please see The Planetary
Society for list of events
FEEDBACK:
"It has been a pretty exciting week." The joint events with the
Planetary Society were a great success with well-attended day and
night-time events. Although cloudy for most of the week Friday evening
was clear at last for the Mars night and "all in all, well
worthwhile for all concerned."
Stafford & District
Astronomical Society
27th August , 9pm
at Aspen Car Park, Cannock Chase: Mars Observation Event. All Welcome.
For further details please contact Lydia Hodkinson 01785 712065.
Stratford Upon Avon Astronomical
Society
26th August 7.30pm at The Home
Guard club, Tiddington, Stratford upon Avon: Talk by Jerry Workman on
mars with FREE public observing
FEEDBACK:
The public involvement session went very well and there were an
unprecedented number of visitors, including some young people. The
national PR campaign helped in the run up to the event and the local
press and radio coverage were very helpful in sparking an interest in
the activities. "Overall, we were able to spread the message about the
merits of an interest in astronomy and about the need to curb light
pollution."
The Planetary Society
23rd
- 31st August 10am- 5pm (weekdays & Saturdays), 12pm-4pm
(Sundays): Exhibition "Destination Mars" at the Soho
House museum, Birmingham
23rd August: Mars astronomy day with
Wolverhampton AS &
South Staffordshire AS.
24th August: Mars exploration day with the planetary Soc British Volunteer
Team Antoniadi project & Pinocchio telerobotic project.
25th August: Astronomy history day & viewing on the roof of Soho House Museum
31st August 12.30pm - 3.30pm : Red
Rover day demonstrating telerobotics & the use of
rovers on Mars at the Soho House Museum. Also a Mars week closing
ceremony.
1st-31st August : "PHOBOS" Mars 2003 display in Birmingham central library
16th - 31st August : "DEIMOS" Mars 2003 display at Solihull Central Library
26 August
8pm
at South Staffordshire Astronomical Society, Newtown, Staffordshire: public observing with South Staffordshire AS
29 August 8pm: Mars night with South Staffordshire AS, an evening of martian entertainment and star gazing.
FEEDBACK:
"All in all the Mars Week/NAW 2003 was a successful event in the
midlands." Because of the lack of practical telescope experience among
young people, "there is a sense of wonderment at what is seen." Due to
the media coverage on the 27th (and the end of the Bank holiday)
there was a definite upsurge in attendance from the 28th. There were an
estimated 3,250 people attending the Soho House museum during the week
with a further 7,800 over the 4 week period to see the Phobos display in
Birmingham central library, and 2,000 over the 2 week period to see the
Deimos display in Solihull Library.
University of Birmingham
have an observing
timetable
during NAW and throughout September
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