Astronomy Back to Basics, Greenwich

Saturday 30th Nov 2024 09:00 to 18:00

ThClick on the image to download the poster PDF

The slides from this meeting are available here:

The British Astronomical Association (BAA), Flamsteed Astronomy Society (FAS) and the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA) have come together to bring you a fantastic opportunity to explore the basics of astronomy

Join us for this all-day event including a planetarium show at the Royal Observatory – one of the most iconic venues in London.

Topics to be covered include:

Observing the night sky Introduction to astrophotography
Choosing binoculars and telescopes
Understanding the solar system, comets and deep sky objects
Connecting with other enthusiasts

★ Free raffle ★ Astronomy stands ★ Goodie bags ★

Registration from 09:00. Meeting starts at 09:30.

Tickets

Members of BAA, FAS and SPA	£8.00
Non-member adults	£10.00
Under 18s accompanied by an adult	£5.00

Prices include refreshments but not lunch

Greenwich campus map – the meeting is at Queen Anne Court – (2)
Click on this image to download the full campus map PDF

Bookings

You can Book Now Online at our ticketing website (TicketTailor).

A discount code is available for members of the BAA, SPA and Flamsteed AS. BAA members can get the code from BAA member benefit codes for 2024

SPA and Flamsteed AS members will have the code circulated to them.

Or you can book by calling the BAA Office on 0207 734 4145 (staffed 10am to 4pm, Mon-Fri)

Venue

Lecture Theatre 180,
Queen Anne Court,
Old Royal Naval College,
University of Greenwich,
Park Row,
London SE10 9LS

Programme

9:00 am	Registration and Coffee Opportunity to browse equipment on display
9.30 am	Welcome remarks Janice McClean, President of the BAA, Robin Scagell, Vice President, Society for Popular Astronomy, Bobby Manoo, Chair, Flamsteed Astronomy Society
9.45 am	History of the Royal Observatory Greenwich Mike Meynell, Flamsteed Astronomy Society
10.00 am	Introduction to the skies Bobby Manoo, Flamsteed Astronomy Society
10.30 am	The Solar System Nick James, BAA
11.15 am	The Moon (including sketching) Philip Jennings, BAA
12.00 pm	Walk to the Planetarium *
12.30 pm	Planetarium Show An astronomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich
1.15 pm	Lunch Opportunity to browse equipment on display
2.30 pm	Introduction to Equipment Robin Scagell, SPA
3.15 pm	Introduction to Astrophotography Mike Meynell, Flamsteed AS
3.45 pm	Why we need Dark Skies Richard Miles, BAA
4.00 pm	Coffee/tea break Opportunity to browse equipment on display
4.30 pm	Quiz Jerry Stone, Federation of Astronomical Societies
4.50 pm	Deep Sky Objects Nick James, BAA
5.30 pm	Getting Involved – Next Steps Paul May, Flamsteed AS
5.45 pm	Raffle
5.55 pm	Closing remarks Janice McClean, President of the BAA
6.00 pm	Finish Collection of goodie bags

* Please note there is an approximate 15 minute walk from the University to the Observatory, where the Planetarium presentation will take place. This walk is up a steep hill, and it therefore may pose problems for some people.

Please also note that one of the speakers has a severe nut allergy, so we would ask you not to bring any kind of nut to this event.

Getting There

BY DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY (DLR)

Cutty Sark DLR station is a three minute walk away from the Old Royal Naval College.

The DLR connects to a number of other transport options at the following stations:

• London Underground (Tube): change at Bank to connect to Central, Northern and Waterloo and City lines. You can also change at Bank for Monument station which connects to the District and Circle lines. Canary Wharf connects to the Jubilee line. You can change at Tower Gateway for District and Circle lines from Tower Hill station. You can also take the Jubilee Line to North Greenwich (the O2) and then take either bus 188 or 129 which stop outside the Old Royal Naval College on Romney Road.
• Lewisham, Stratford, Limehouse and Greenwich all connect to different train lines which connect to several train lines connecting London with the surrounding areas.

BY TRAIN

Greenwich Station is only 8 minutes by train from London Bridge. Old Royal Naval College is also a short walk from Maze Hill train station.

Mainline rail services run from Cannon Street, London Bridge and Dartford to Greenwich (South Eastern) and twice an hour (once an hour at weekends) from Luton, West Hampstead, Kings Cross St Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars and stations from Rainham, Kent (Thameslink).

You can also take the DLR from Greenwich Station for one stop to Cutty Sark DLR.

BY BOAT

There is a riverboat service along the River Thames from central London to Greenwich Pier. Boats leave regularly from Putney, the London Eye, Westminster, Embankment and Tower Piers. Journey time is approximately 45 minutes from Central London. Boats also run between Greenwich Pier and the O2 at North Greenwich Pier.

BY CAR

There is no on-campus parking. However, there is a public car park just outside the campus in Park Row (Pay and Display).

BY BUS

• 129 North Greenwich (O2) – Greenwich
• 177 Peckham – New Cross – Deptford Bridge – Greenwich – Woolwich – Thamesmead
• 180 Lewisham – Greenwich – Woolwich – Plumstead – Abbey Wood – Thamesmead
• 188 Tottenham Court Road – Aldwych – Waterloo – Elephant and Castle – Surrey Quays – Greenwich
• 199 Canada Water – Greenwich – Lewisham – Catford
• 286 Sidcup – Eltham – Kidbrooke – Greenwich
• 386 Woolwich – Shooters Hill – Greenwich (Mon – Sat)

Venue

Queen Anne Court, Old Royal Naval College, University of Greenwich, Park Row, London SE10 9LS

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