Torbay Astronomical Society

2007/2008 Programme

(Now in our 51st year! - the first TAS meeting was on August 29th 1956)

Welcome to the Torbay Astronomical Society Programme ...

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 7EL

For directions to the TBGS (in a new window) see map.

One meeting per month (generally on the first Thursday) 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 other monthly meeting (generally on the third Thursday) 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 library (enter school via the main entrance and turn left). For observational meetings turn right at the library and go to the end of the corridor. 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 meetings

Our 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.


2007 September 20 Grahame Veale and Dave Norman:
Summer 2007 review and a look ahead to coming events this year
October 4Observational evening
October 18 Mark Hunter of Spirent: GPS satellite navigation
November 1Observational evening
November 15 Mini-lectures by society members: "The life and works of Charles Messier" by Dennis Humphreys and "The new telescope controller" by Steve Duncan
November 29Observational evening
December 13 Annual Quiz
2008 January 10Observational evening
January 24 Chris Lintott (BBC Sky At Night): "The Galaxy Zoo project"
February 7Observational evening
February 28 Andy Norton (Open University): Exoplanets
March 6Observational evening
March 20 Will Gater (contributor to Astronomy Now): "Not just pretty pictures" - the science behind Hubble's greatest images
April 3Observational evening
April 24 Grahame Veale - Chairman's Annual Address: "Blowing in the (Solar) Wind"
May 15 Annual General Meeting (and Summer 2008 preview)
June 26 Summer Barbeque (please bring your own food)

Also see a list of the society's previous lecture meetings


Annual Subscriptions:

Adult: 12.00p membership; 2.00p per meeting visitor's fee

Senior Citizens: 8.00p membership; 1.00p per meeting visitor's fee

Students (under 16): 5.00p membership; 1.00p per meeting visitor's fee

Visitor's fees are refundable against subsequent membership fees.

Annual membership fees become due on 31st October.