Beginners' Evenings
The
Beginners' Evenings do exactly what they say on the tin! These are usually the third meeting of the month and are aimed at a beginner level. The meeting is split into two halves. The first half holds three or four beginners talks on a predetermined topic. After a break for drinks, the second half usually comprises of several talks about Astro News, Space Missions Updates and Monthly Notes (what's happening behind the clouds!) amongst others. All the speakers at a beginners evening are society members.
If you intend to come to a meeting for the first time, we recommend you attend a Beginners' Evening. There is a much greater chance to chat and get to know us, and the talks are shorter and easier to get into. With the multi-talk format, this meeting is also more suitable for youngsters.
Visitor Entry: Adult - £3 Child (under 18) - £1.00
Speaker's Evenings
The first meeting in the month is usually a
"Speaker's Evening", where an external guest speaker visits the society and gives a talk to the members and visitors. At the end of the talk is a chance to chat over a drink and a biscuit. We book our speakers well in advance and always request the talks to be aimed at beginner/intermediate level.
Visitor Entry: Adult - £3 Child (under 18) - £1.00
Practical Evenings
The Practical Evenings are a chance to get hands-on experience of telescopes and other aspects of practical astronomy. These meetings are open to all and are very flexible as there are no planned talks. If there is a clear sky we will set up our telescopes and continue observing into the night after the Mayfield Centre shuts at 22:00.
Visitor Entry is FREE (donations are welcome to cover room hire)
SpaceFests & SolDays
During the winter season from September to March, we hold a monthly "Spacefest". It's your opportunity to look through a telescope and see the stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies yourself.
In the summer months we hold a monthly "Solday" when we use our specialised Hydrogen Alpha telescope and other instruments to view the Sun.
These events are held entirely outside in the car park at Mayfield and are obviously heavily dependent on the weather!
Visitor Entry: Adult - £1.00 Child (under 18) - Free
YouTube Channel