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.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 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. |
| 2007 September 20 | Grahame Veale and Dave Norman: Summer 2007 review and a look ahead to coming events this year |
| October 4 | Observational evening |
| October 18 | Mark Hunter of Spirent: GPS satellite navigation |
| November 1 | Observational 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 29 | Observational evening |
| December 13 | Annual Quiz |
| 2008 January 10 | Observational evening |
| January 24 | Chris Lintott (BBC Sky At Night): "The Galaxy Zoo project" |
| February 7 | Observational evening |
| February 28 | Andy Norton (Open University): Exoplanets |
| March 6 | Observational evening |
| March 20 | Will Gater (contributor to Astronomy Now): "Not just pretty pictures" - the science behind Hubble's greatest images |
| April 3 | Observational 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 membership fees become due on 31st October.