For many years I have given both formal
courses in astronomy and meteorology (in association with a local college) –
although this ceased some time ago – and also less formal talks to a wide range
of societies and groups.
I have spoken on astronomical topics to
astronomical societies in all parts of the United Kingdom (and even abroad) as
well as various local non-astronomical groups. Although my principal field of
interest here is the study of variable stars, I also speak on far more general
topics. (Some are listed below.)
In recent years there has been an
increasing demand for talks on various aspects of the weather, and here the
range of organisations has been extremely wide, from local townswomens’ guilds
and womens’ institutes, via special-interest societies – such as local sections
of the Parkinson’s Society – to sailing and flying clubs.
Forthcoming
events
A talk on Weather Photography: Past
and Present
Inverness College, University of the Highlands and Islands,
1 Inverness Campus, IV2 5NA
Wednesday, 2016 May 11, 19:00
(see details here)
Recent
(2015) talks
As
the final event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Chichester Harbour
Conservancy,
a special event was arranged for
Friends of Chichester Harbour
The Stables, Eames Farm, Thorney
Island PO10 8DE
Saturday, 2015 February 21, 19:30
Stargazing Evening
Two presentations were given: Astronomy (a general introduction to the subject)
and a more specific talk on Eclipses
(with particular reference to the solar eclipse on 2015 Mar.20).
This
was a highly successful evening, because the sky was completely clear, allowing
participants to see a large number of astronomical objects.
Jupiter and its satellites, and Comet Lovejoy were generally considered to be
the most interesting.
Horsham Astronomical Group
2015
May 06, 20:00
Astronomy & Meteorology
Astronomy
Talks on astonomical topics have included those shown here.
Looking Up A
light-hearted introduction to astronomy for beginners
Astronomy
& Meteorology A look at
the way in which the two sciences have developed in parallel
Variable Stars A
general introduction to the field
Peculiar and
Interesting Stars A look
at some of the strange objects among both binary and variable stars
Novae and
Supernovae A short
introduction to these two classes of variables
Cataclysmic
Variables Novae,
Dwarf Novae, Symbiotic Stars and Supernovae
Novae A
detailed look at these fascinating objects
Supernovae A
discussion of these violent exploding stars and their significance
Stellar
Evolution Including
stellar remnants: white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, magnetars~
and black
holes
The Role of
the Amateur How
amateurs have played (and still play) an important part in astronomy
in
Astronomy
Eclipses Solar
and lunar eclipses
Meteorology
Talks have covered a very wide range. Some titles are given
here.
Watching the
Weather An introduction
to weather and forecasting
Keep a Weather
Eye Open Some aspects of
weather for sailors
Reading the
Sky Phenomena
visible in the sky
Atmospheric
Optics A
discussion of the extraordinarily wide range of phenomena that may
be seen (split
into three separate parts)
Looking Down
and Looking Up Weather systems seen
from the ground and from satellite
No It Isn’t
& No It Doesn’t A
discussion of some weather myths and misunderstandings
Surviving
Extreme Weather Surviving
hurricanes, tornadoes, and similar disasters
Planetary
Weather Weather
on Earth and other planets
Eclipse
Weather The
weather that accompanies solar eclipses
Adult-Education
Classes
Courses (generally 10 weeks each) have included:
Astronomy – An
Introduction An introductory course for
beginners, general and
non-mathematical
From Here to
Infinity A
more extensive course, covering the origins of the universe,
the formation
of stars and other objects, and some of the
underlying
physics
Watching the
Weather An
introductory course, aimed at enabling students to recognize
cloud types
and other phenomena, and gain a greater understanding
of weather
forecasts and their interpretation.
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