The TAS generally holds two meetings per month through the astronomical 'season' from September to April (the timing is largely governed by the availability of sufficiently dark evening skies).All meetings are held at: Torquay Boys' Grammar School, Shiphay Manor Drive, Torquay TQ2 7ELFor directions to the TBGS (in a new window) see map.All meetings are on Thursday evenings. One meeting per month is primarily an 'observational' event. Observational meetings are practical and informal, involving basic astronomy; informal mini lectures; questions and answers; video, photo and slide presentations, etc. A variety of astronomical instruments are available, including a 19.2 inch (0.5metre) computer-controlled Newtonian Reflector telescope equipped with CCD and video cameras, housed within the TBGS observatory. The TAS also has the use of two 8 inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, and has recently purchased a SkyWalker 102mm GOTO scope.The other monthly meeting is a 'lecture' event. Lecture meetings (A.G.M. excepted) have an illustrated talk, informal discussions and observational reports, etc. Lecture meetings are held in the Business and Enterprise Suite (room BE1). To get to the lecture room without going through the school:
The picture below shows the route.
For observational meetings go into the main school building and follow the "Torbay Astronomical Society" signs that will direct you to lab PL4 on the first floor at the back of the school near the observatory. Both observational and lecture meetings commence at 7.30pm and finish at around 10pm, although observational sessions may last longer if observing conditions are good! We welcome non-members at all of our meetingsOur observational evenings in particular offer an excellent opportunity for younger visitors to experience the night sky 'close up' - often for the first time. Just make sure they've done their homework first!Non-members are asked to pay a small visitor's fee (see below) which is fully refundable against any subsequent membership fees. |
| 2011 September 15 | Professor Bernard Carr (Queen Mary College, University of London): "Universe or Multiverse?" |
| September 29 | Observational evening - focus on Cygnus / binary star Albireo (beta Cygni) |
| October 13 | Professor Ian Morison (Jodrell Bank and Gresham Professor of Astronomy) : "Black Holes" |
| November 3 | Observational evening - focus on Jupiter / Moon |
| November 17 | Jason Heales (TAS): "Particles and Forces in Astronomy" |
| December 1 | Observational evening - focus on the Pleiades Open Star Cluster (M45) |
| December 15 | Quiz vs North Devon AS (at TBGS!) |
| 2012 January 12 | Observational evening - focus on the Orion Nebula (M42) |
| January 26 | Dr Jennifer Hatchell (Exeter University): "Sub-millimetre Astronomy" |
| February 9 | Observational evening - focus on Ursa Major / binary star Mizar |
| February 23 | Mini-lectures |
| March 1 | Observational evening - focus on 1st quarter moon / Hyades open star cluster |
| March 22 | Chris Lee (Bristol AS): "Beagle 2 - a Personal Reflection and a Look Forward" |
| April 12 | Observational evening - focus on Mars |
| April 26 | Chairman's Annual Address |
| May 17 | Annual General Meeting and Summer 2012 preview |
| June 21 | Summer Social Evening (venue to be decided) |
Also see a list of the society's previous meetings
Annual membership fees become due on 31st October.