2015
12th January 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Nick Busby : String theory vs Loop quantum gravity
26th January 2015 : AAS talk : Alan Cruttenton – retired rocket scientist : The Rosetta Mission to Comet 67P
9th February 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Nick Busby : How Quantum gravity is changing the way physicists think the Universe started
23rd February 2015 : AAS talk : Ray Cassar – Techniquest, Cardiff : Globular Clusters and secrets of the formation of stars and galaxies
9th March 2015 : The Abergavenny Astronomical Society AGM : also talk : The New Horizons Mission to Pluto and the Kuiper belt
23rd March 2015 : AAS talk : Prof Steve Eales, Cardiff University : The top 10 discoveries of the Herschel Space Observatory – the ESA infra-red telescope that operated from July 2009 until June 2013
13th April 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Kevin Houston : Black Holes: Do they mark the edge of Space? – Basics plus a look at Polchinski’s theory
27th April 2015 : AAS talk : Nick Busby : Astrolabes to Planispheres – 2000 years of finding our way amongst the stars plus a practical demonstration on how to use a planisphere and a telescope viewing session
11th May 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Kevin Houston : Recent news items plus “How did we end up here?” a brief look at the evolution of, and possible futures for the cosmos.
18th May 2015 : AAS talk : Dr Chris North, Cardiff University, School of Astrophysics and Astronomy & UK Herschel Outreach Officer : “Herschel Space Observatory” – it’s scientific discoveries and its legacy.
8th June 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Keith Young : Recent news items : “The Biocentric Universe” – looking at the alternative cosmology theories of Robert Lanza MD.
22nd June 2015 : AAS Talk : Nick Busby : .
14th September 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Kevin Houston : Recent news items : “Gravitons – What are they & do they exist?” – a quick look at the development of gravitational theory.
28th September 2015 : AAS Talk : Andy Burns, Wiltshire AS, co-director of the Griffon Educational Observatory in Andalucía : Andy talked about the life and works of one the most important influences in 19th century science, Sir John Hershel.
12th October 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Gene Kent & Kal Sarwar : Recent News items : Gene & Kal introduced the topic of “Current & Near future Propulsion Technologies”
26th October 2015 : AAS Talk : Nick Busby : Description of how analysis of meteorites can provide evidence and a timescale for the formation of our solar system. Complete with meteorite samples.
9th November 2015 : Cosmology Study Group : Kevin Houston & Nick Busby : Spectroscopy for beginners : Looking at the theory, practice and interpretation of astronomical spectra.
23rd November 2015 : AAS Talk : Dr Rhodri Evans, Cardiff University, School of Physics and Astronomy : Will be talking about the NASA/German project, SOFIA, and the instrument he has been involved with, HAWC (High Resolution Wideband Camera). SOFIA is a airborne observatory, based on a Boeing 747-SP. It is primarily an IR telescope but also carries out observations at other frequencies. First Light was 2010 and it has an expected lifetime of 25 years.
7th December 2015 : Joint Christmas Function with Usk AS and Heads of the Valleys AS (HoVAS)