Astronomy Talks
Maurice Kent will present a series of four illustrated Astronomy talks. Tickets are £3 per talk or buy all 4 for £10.
Tickets can be purchased via the Box Office on 01252 684906 or 01252 613059 emailing tickets@christchurch.crookham.org.uk
Talk 1 - The Solar System
Thursday 18th March, 2.00pm, Vestry Hall
>How
was the Solar System formed and how does the Sun
work?
>We
will look at all the planets in detail with the
exception of Earth - which merits a talk of its own.
>Why
does Mercury’s day last twice as long as its year?
>What
is the surface of cloud covered Venus like?
>Why
is Mars red and have we discovered water there?
>What
are the current spacecraft missions and what are the
difficulties of reaching the planets?
>Why
is Jupiter so important to planet Earth?
>Where
did Saturn’s rings come from?
>Why
is Pluto no longer a planet?
Talk 2 The Milky Way
Galaxy
Thursday 8th April, 2.00pm, Vestry Hall
>A
journey from the edge of our Solar System through
the Milky Way Galaxy.
>What
is a Galaxy and just how big is the one in which we
live?
>What
are Comets; why are they so important to us and
where do they come from?
>How
are stars born and how do they die? Here we will go
into detail about the death of our own Sun.
>What
are Supernovae, Neutron Stars, Planetary Nebulae and
black holes and how are they formed?
>What
can we see in the night sky with our eyes, with
binoculars and with telescopes?
Talk 3 13.7 Billion Light
Years and Telescopes
Thursday 29th April, 2.00pm,
Vestry Hall
>We
will journey from our Galaxy to the edge of the
universe.
>Carl
Sagan said “There are more stars in the Universe
than there are grains of sand on all the beaches of
planet Earth”. We will discuss this.
>What
is the fate of the universe?
>How
do we measure distances to the planets, stars and
galaxies?
>Are
we alone? We will discuss “The Drake Equation”
>Understanding
telescopes, a review of the various types and what
to look for in buying one.
>How
do we find objects in the night sky which we cannot
see with the naked eye? >The
use of star charts.
>Where
are the largest telescopes in the world and just how
big are they?
Talk 4 Earth (The Blue Marble)
and the Moon
Thursday 27th May, 2.00pm, Vestry
Hall
>How
did the Moon form and why is the Moon so important
to us?
>Why
do we see only one side of the Moon?
>Why
do we have two tides per day?
>All
about eclipses of the Moon and Sun.
>Meteor
Showers.
>What
are the dangers of impacts from space and can
anything be done to avoid them?
>The
International Space Station.