13th February 2017 : AAS talk : Dr Rhodri Evans, Cardiff University, School of Physics and Astronomy : He is off to Namibia soon and will be helping in the establishment of Africa’s first millimetre wave telescops on Mt Gamsberg. Will talk about his various projects.
27th February, 2017 : General meeting : Nick Busby : Basic Astrophotography
13th March, 2017 : Abergavenny Astronomical Society AGM
27th March, 2017 : AAS Talk : Dr Paul Roche, Cardiff University (School of Physics & Astronomy) : X ray binaries. Binary star groups – two stars orbiting each other – where one star is stealing matter from the other and emitting x ray radiation.
10th April, 2017 : Cosmology group : Open Forum : The nature of light and what does it tell us about the cosmos.
24th April 2017 : AAS Talk : Dr Fraser Lewis Cardiff University (School of Physics & Astronomy) & the Faulkes Telescope : What has astronomy done for us?
8th May, 2017 : AAS Talk : Andy Burns, Chairman of the Wiltshire AS and co-director of the Griffin Educational Observatory, El Bosque, Andalucia : “Eye to the skies”, a personal tour of astronomy from Chippenham to Tahiti.
22nd May, 2017 : Cosmology group : Open Forum : Galaxies – what are they; how did they form; how are they classified.
12th June, 2017 : Cosmology group : Open Forum : Cosmic Inflation at the birth of the universe – what is it and what are the problems the theory is trying to solve.
26th June, 2017 : AAS Talk : Dr Chris North, Cardiff University (School of Physics & Astronomy), the Ogden Science Lecturer for Cardiff University, STFC Public Engagement Fellowship, focussing on Gravitational Wave research. : Gravitational waves – what are they; what causes them; how do we detect them; what do they tell us about the universe.
JULY & AUGUST : SUMMER BREAK
25th September – Keith Moseley, MARS (Monmouth Astronomy Research Society), ex Head of Physics, Monmouth School : Trans-Neptunian objects, Keith will take a look at the many dwarf planets and other bits and pieces that lie beyond the 8 planets of the solar system.
9th October – Subject to be confirmed
23rd October – Andy Newsam, Prof of Astronomy Education & Engagement, Director of National Schools’ Observatory, ESERO-UK Space Ambassador : The Dynamic Universe – The Universe is a dynamic, ever-changing place full of extremes. From black holes to asteroids, massive exploding stars to elusive distant planets, every part of the Universe poses its own questions. So, how are astronomers trying to find the answers and how can you help?
13th November – Nick Busby – The Sun is our closest star but has been poorly understood until research in the past few decades has gradually unraveled many of its mysteries – what is in the core? how does it keep going? how will it evolve? what is solar weather and sunspots? In this session will discuss the latest findings that help to explain the most important object in our solar system.
27th November – Martin Griffiths, Director of the Brecon Beacons Observatory, Astronomer & Science Presenter for Dark Skies-Wales : Observing the Moon and how we regard the Moon in science and culture. Martin returns to the Society and continues the theme of the solar system with a look at the Moon. We see it in the sky each month and it has intrigued societies and cultures since prehistoric times. It is critical to the astronomical stability of the Earth and therefore crucial to our very existence. Martin has a very great knowledge of both observational astronomy and also the myths and legends associated with heavenly bodies, it promises to be a fascinating talk.
11th December – cancelled due to weather