HOW TO FIND US AT CLIDDESDEN SCHOOL (RG25 2QU) Entrance at top of playground. The Basingstoke Astronomical Society has been formed by like-minded amateurs from all walks of life and with various degrees of expertise with the following objectives in mind:- · To promote and encourage all aspects of astronomy for all levels from beginners to the more advanced astronomer. · To provide opportunities for learning and for the exchange of information. · To provide opportunities for observation of the night sky when conditions allow. · To meet and co-operate with similar societies. · To be a number of like-minded people with a common interest coming together to share knowledge and experiences. · To arrange meetings in an interesting environment with a wide variety of activities related to astronomy. Syllabus 2008-2009 Sep 25^th Alice Smol (Lewes Astronomers) “Richard P Feynman” Oct 9^th Practical Meeting Oct 23^rd Dr Robin Catchpole (Cambridge Institute of Astronomy) “ From the Solar System to the Edge of the Universe”

Officers of the Society and contact details Chairman Bob Trevan Secretary John Stapleton 4, Thorn Drive Four Marks, Alton 01420 568 130 john.stapleton@tesco.net Treasurer Brendan Shaw shawbrendan@hotmail.com Vice Chairman Derrick Ward Publicity Officer Andria Harbinson andria.harbinson@ntlworld.com Web-Master Paul Moulton plm@paulmoulton.com Committee Members Alan Lorrain lorrain@ukonline.co.uk John Murphy john.Murphy@eds.com Michelle Palfrey michelle_e_palfrey@hotmail.com Mark Radice Ian Piper Nov 13^th Practical Meeting Nov 27^th Nik Scymanek “Photographing the Night Sky” Dec 11^th Tony Marsh (Guildford AS) “The Strange Case of the Blue Stragglers and the Missing Dark Matter” Christmas Social Details to be confirmed 2009 IAU International Year of Astronomy Jan 8^th Practical Meeting Jan 22^nd Chris Hooker (Newbury AS) “Imaging the Planets” Feb 12^th Practical Meeting Feb 26^th Guy Hurst “The Glory of Star Clusters” Mar 12^th Practical Meeting Mar 26^th Chris Newsome (Derby AS) “Astro-imaging – The Director’s Cut” Apr 9^th Practical Meeting Apr 23^rd Paul Money (Sky at Night team) “The messier Marathon” May 28^th Chairman’s Address Jun 25^th Annual General Meeting Saturday July Annual BBQ Venue to be announced Additional IYA events to be announced

(Founded 2004) Affiliated to, Federation of Astronomical Societies and Southern Area Group of Astronomical Societies The Moon (Rupes Recta) image by Brendan Shaw Website www.basingstokeas.org.uk Meeting Details All meetings, unless otherwise stated, are held at Cliddesden Primary School in Cliddesden village. Meetings are held between 7.00–10.00pm on the fourth Thursday of each month except December or unless otherwise stated. Meetings normally consist of a lecture given by either Basingstoke AS members or by visiting speakers, question and answer sessions, what’s on in the night sky and general discussions over coffee. Members bring telescopes to take advantage of clear skies from the school field. Practical/Observing nights will be held on the second Thursday of each month as advertised and will consist largely of practical observing sessions and/or short/practical presentations introducing various aspects of astronomy to the wider membership. Further observing sessions may be planned according to the aspect of the sky. Additional meetings may be held/visits planned in conjunction with other societies from time to time.