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Hull and East Riding

Astronomical Society


Details of our speakers for the season are here, and the next presentation will be on


Monday   13th January 2025


‘Planet Formation/Exoplanets’



by Dr Richard Booth (University of Leeds)



Our room in the Cottingham Civic Centre is booked for the season.


We start at 7:30pm as usual. Doors open 7:15pm



If you wish to be added to (or removed from) the mailing list, or need help, please email the secretary.



NB:  Meetings are held at our usual venue, the Civic Hall in Cottingham:


The address is 1, Market Green, Cottingham HU16 5QG  


We meet in the room above the main hall: there is a lift.

Same entrance as the main hall, and doors open 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start

 

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Planned Events

The first week in February 2025 is National Astronomy Week

On Thursday February 6th HERAS will be hosting a display of astronomical equipment and images, together with a Q&A session to support this national event, in the main hall of our usual venue: the Cottingham Civic Hall. We will hopefully include an opportunity to view the Moon and the planets Mars and Jupiter through members’ powerful telescopes - weather permitting, of course - in the ‘Grandad’s Park’ just across the road from the centre! (See the map below)

 Keep an eye out here for more details and for information about nearby Astronomy Societies’ plans for that week!














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‘Recent’ Events

(before those lockdowns!)


For the ‘events archive’ click here


British Astronomical Association (BAA) ‘Back to Basics’ Tour

On March 7th 2020, HERAS hosted a British Astronomical Association ‘Back to Basics’ day. This was part of their national programme, and was held at the Civic Centre in Cottingham  - our meeting venue. The cost was £5 for BAA members, £6 for others.


Public lecture at the University of Hull


Title: ‘Can Science explain everything?’ A theoretical physicist explores science and faith

Speaker: Prof Ard Louis, Oxford University

Time: Tuesday 3 March 7.30 – 9.00pm

Venue: Allam Lecture Theatre, Business School, University of Hull

 

Ard Louis is Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford where he leads an interdisciplinary research group studying problems at the boundary between chemistry, physics and biology. He also writes and speaks widely on science and faith. He recently made the 4-part documentary ‘Why Are We Here?’ with David Malone and appeared in ‘The Story of God’ with Morgan Freeman.

 


Astronaut Dr Steve Swanson Visited Hull - Dec 4th 2019


Canham Turner Building, Hull University   

       

From software engineer to astronaut


Dr Steve Swanson (NASA astronaut & ISS commander)

Before becoming an astronaut, Steve worked as a software engineer and has a degree in Engineering Physics and a doctorate in Computer Science.

Steve has been on three space missions having flown on two Space Shuttle flights, STS-117 and STS-119, and Expedition 39 to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Soyuz. He was commander of the ISS  and has also served as a CAPCOM for ISS and Space Shuttle missions.

He has logged nearly 200 days in space and completed five spacewalks totalling 28 hours and 5 minutes. He is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal.


Recent news from Meteor Watch/Ray Taylor

** Feb 2019: A rare ‘theta Centaurid’ meteor **

**  A look at 2018's Orionids  **

** December Alpha Draconids  **

Our member and Nematode contact Ray Taylor has provided further images and details of July’s images. See Ray’s gallery page for images of Sprites, and go to the ’extra information’ page for the latest meteor tracking details.

Click HERE to see Ray’s extra information


Astronaut Dr Michael Foale Visited Hull - Jan 18th 2019


Middleton Hall, Hull University   Admission was £18,   Concessions £12

       

Dr Michael Foale, CBE, PhD (Former NASA astronaut)


Mike is the most experienced British-born astronaut in the history of human space travel having clocked over 373 days in space, flown on six Space Shuttle missions and a Soyuz, and commanded the International Space Station. He was the first Briton to perform a space walk, during which he saved the Hubble Space Telescope. Mike was also responsible for saving the Russian Mir Space Station when it was tumbling out of control and he has been inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. He gave a fascinating talk about these experiences and shared his stories at this special event.



Free Lecture - October 23rd 2018    ’The Chemistry of the Stars’


Phil Caygill, who used to be a HERAS member until work clashed with Monday evenings contacted us about this event. Phil is a member of the Royal Society of Chemists.

The Society hosted this free lecture at the University of Hull on Tuesday 23rd October 2018, all HERAS members were welcome.

The lecture was by Dr Gareth Few and Dr David Benoit of the University of Hull.


Federation of Astronomy Societies Convention - Sept.22nd

The FAS 2018 Convention and AGM was be held at the Spring Lane venue of the University of York on Saturday, 22nd September.  Unlike previous years, however, the Convention part of the day was also open to the public.

As with previous years they’ve managed to keep the cost low so that it was just £6 for members of FAS societies and £8 for non-members. Half-price for those under 16 years-old or, on presentation of a current student ID card, students from the University of York.

Six great talks were on the agenda.



The British Science Festival, in Hull - Sept 2018

A notice from Professor Brad Gibson of Hull University:

“The British Science Festival is the biggest thing in the region this year … the programme is absolutely jam-packed .. check out the 100+ free events at:

https://www.britishsciencefestival.org  ”


Trip to the National Space Centre in Leicester

Our sister society, Brough Astronomy, organised a coach trip to the National Space Centre on Wednesday 8th August. The cost was £26, including admission and the coach journey.