5 past curators from Airdrie Observatory
5 past curators from Airdrie Observatory
Come and Join us - Visitors Welcome!
Observing the Night Sky
Airdrie Observatory is a fully-functioning and unique facility, and AAA are delighted to manage the facility on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council. It is a great place to visit for all types of groups, societies and clubs and we use it throughout the year. Our dedicated Curators can provide advice, hints and tips on all manner of space-related questions. Whether you are a complete beginner or have an existing interest in astronomy, a visit to the Observatory can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.
What's on
Visit our Observing Page to find out about our observatory open nights and what you can see in the winter skies above Airdrie.
**November 2024**
Date:
Speaker:
Subject:
1st
David Woods
Project Gemini
Tonight we welcome back Apollo historian and video editor, David Woods, for a talk on the Gemini Project.
In the 1960s, having been committed to a manned lunar landing, NASA needed to gain real experience in the major techniques of space flight. The Gemini program would be its training ground. In 1965 and 1966, ten manned flights were accomplished during which NASA literally learned how to fly in space. David Woods will describe these achievements and the capable little spacecraft that flew the Gemini missions.
8th
Dr Marco Fossati
The PEACE Project
Tonight we welcome Dr Marco Fossati from the University of Strathclyde. Given the increase in space traffic, the number of objects re-entering Earth's atmosphere every day is going to increase. This project proposes a novel approach to the robust and rapid prediction of space object re-entry. Come and hear about ESA’s Protecting Earth from the uncertAinty of spaCe debris re-Entry (PEACE) Project from the Principal Investigator.
15th
Richard Shaw
The Greatest Accident in Science
It was a conclusion of Einstein’s relativity, predicted by a Belgian priest and it’s the oldest light in the Universe. Come along tonight as club chairperson, Richard Shaw, tells us about the CMB, it’s discovery and what it tells us about the Cosmos.
22nd
Roy Bryce
Radio Astronomy
Long standing member Roy Bryce will be giving a presentation tonight all about Radio Astronomy. He will be giving a short history of its foundations, mission successes and a run down on some upcoming projects which will hopefully help resolve some of the biggest outstanding mysteries in
cosmology.
29th
Dr Iain Hannah
New Views of the Solar Corona
Tonight we are delighted to be joined by Dr Iain Hannah, Senior Lecturer (and former Royal Society University Research Fellow) from the School of Physics & Astronomy of the University of Glasgow.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon aligns to block the Sun's bright surface, revealing the faint outer atmosphere known as the corona. Surprisingly, analysis of coronal light reveals a puzzling phenomenon: as you move away from the Sun's surface, where temperatures reach thousands of degrees, the corona becomes even hotter, reaching millions of degrees. This coronal heating problem has been a central question in solar physics for decades. In this talk, Dr Hannah will provide a brief overview of eclipses and show how the corona is observed today, both during eclipses and with space-based telescopes.
**December 2024**
6th
Dr Sargam Mulay
Study of the solar flares using UV and X-ray Observations
Join us tonight as we are joined by Dr Sargam Mulay from the University of Glasgow.
Solar flares are energetic explosions in the Sun's atmosphere that produce bright emission in various wavelengths and heat the solar atmosphere to a very high temperature (up to 10 million Kelvin). The material ejected from these explosions (CMEs) are capable of accelerating energetic particles in space some of which reach the Earth, producing aurorae in Earth's polar
regions. These explosive events are the core driver of Space Weather and detailed investigation of flares and CMEs is essential to predict their occurrence and to prevent damage to infrastructure.
13th
Christmas Quiz Night
20th
Christmas Dinner
AAA Christmas Quiz
A night not to be missed, the annual AAA Christmas Quiz night is fun for everyone. Bring along a team or come on your own and join up with other members to compete for the ultimate prize, the chocolate reindeer!
No Meeting Tonight
There will be no meeting tonight as we will be enjoying our annual club Christmas dinner. If you would like to join us, get your name on the list by speaking to Isobel at one of our meetings.
This is our last night before our Christmas break, we will see you all back again in January.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN AAA?
Our Friday night meetings are a great opportunity to meet like minded people with an interest in astronomy and spaceflight. Enjoy the weekly space news and a range of guest speakers who are experts in their subjects. We also offer the opportunity for members to give presentations on subjects that interest them. You don't need to be a member to come along.
New members are always very welcome so come along, join in and meet like minded people.
We meet at New Wellwynd Parish Church, Wellwynd, Airdrie ML6 0AG.
FRIDAY EVENING AGENDA:
7:30 - 8:00pm - Space News
8:00pm - 8:30pm - Tea Break
8:30pm - 9:30pm - Main Talk
Become an AAA Member
Becoming a member is easy, simply pick up a membership form at any of our weekly meetings.
Benefits of becoming a member include• borrowing books and equipment• opportunity to participate in observing the night sky• access to Airdrie observatory outside library opening hours and many more!
Fees are as follows:
Full Member (Waged / Working) : £15 per annum
Full Member (Unwaged / retired) : £10 per annum
Junior Members (Under 18) : £5 per annum
Family Membership : £25 per annum (Up to 2 Adults and all children under the age of 18)
We ask for a donation towards the room hire of £1.00 from members, £2.00 for visitors, children under 18 are free. We supply tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits for the tea break.
“Fantastic time – thanks for your warm hospitality and enthusiasm!.”
Dr Nicolas Labrosse, Glasgow University
"I was hugely impressed with both your meeting (the Space News section was fantastic!) and with the fabulous observatory"
Dr. David McKee, Strathclyde University