BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Wolverhampton Astronomical Society - ECPv6.16.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Wolverhampton Astronomical Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Wolverhampton Astronomical Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260511T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260511T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T193931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T142643Z UID:2870-1778527800-1778533200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Jacco van Loon: Mysterious matter in interstellar space DESCRIPTION:The light from stars is intercepted by molecules in deep space but we do not know what the majority of these particles are. They appear as absorption features in the spectra of stars and are therefore called “Diffuse Interstellar Bands”. They were first discovered by  Mary Lea Heger around 1920\, a find\, I would argue\, more significant than the tomb of Tutankhamun. I will tell you this century-old detective story. How we are using powerful telescopes to tease out new clues\, and why it all matters. Be prepared for audience participation – to solve the mystery\, you have to become the mystery! URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-15-tba/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/jacco_van_loon.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260413T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260413T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T193839Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T142229Z UID:2868-1776108600-1776114000@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Simon Holbeche: The Women who discovered what stars are made of. DESCRIPTION:101 years ago\, a 24-year-old English woman had her astrophysics PhD published based on her work at Harvard College Observatory. It bought together 50 years of effort by Harvard’s computers and shattered the contemporary view of stellar astronomy. The talk guides you through these 5 decades and the trials and tribulations for the women involved. \n\n\n\nPlease note that the speaker is presenting this talk remotely over Zoom. \n\n\n\nAbout Simon:Simon Holbeche is the chair of Bath Astronomers and abnormally keen on astronomical and space outreach. A STEM Ambassador and visiting stargazer for Bath Preservation Trust\, Bath Abbey\, English Heritage and the National Trust. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-14-tba/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Harvard-Computers_paperdolls-c.-1918.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260316T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260316T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T193739Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132515Z UID:2866-1773689400-1773694800@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Simon Banton - The Astronomy of Stonehenge DESCRIPTION:This talk will investigate the astronomical alignments at Stonehenge – both those that are academically accepted and also some others not generally known about. Do they all exist? Are they accurate? Was there really an eclipse prediction mechanism? \n\n\n\nThe Altar Stone has recently been found to have been sourced from somewhere in NE Scotland and this has profound implications for our appreciation of Stonehenge. Could it have been the monument’s founding stone? If so\, where was it placed and how does one possible position impact our analysis and understanding? \n\n\n\nSimon Banton B.Sc. A.R.C.S.Simon has been an amateur astronomer for 55 years and a Stonehenge geek for more than 30.His undergraduate degree is in physics and astronomy and in 2010 he abandoned a long career in software development to focus on archaeoastronomy research.He moved to a small village on Salisbury Plain\, took a job as a visitor guide at nearby Stonehenge and spent 6 years (ab)using his staff privileges to carry out careful observations of the monument’s theorised alignments.Simon has appeared on the BBC’s Sky at Night and Stargazing Live! programmes talking about the astronomy of Stonehenge and leads private tours of the site and its landscape.In his spare time he enjoys arguing with people online who believe Stonehenge was built by aliens or by Victorians in the 1950s\, and writes articles about his research interests on www.stonehengemonument.co.uk. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-13/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Astronomy-of-Stonehenge-with-Altar-Stone-2025-v2-first-slide.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260302T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260302T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T193646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132508Z UID:2864-1772479800-1772485200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Fran Bagenal- NASA's Juno Mission to Jupiter DESCRIPTION:NASA’s JUNO mission was launched in August 2011 and has been in orbit over Jupiter’s poles since 4th July 2016\, its mission to understand the origin and evolution of the planet. \n\n\n\nUnderneath its dense cloud cover\, Jupiter safeguards secrets to the fundamental processes and conditions that governed our solar system during its formation. As our primary example of a giant planet\, Jupiter can also provide critical knowledge for understanding the planetary systems being discovered around other stars. JUNO has a suite of science instruments to investigate Jupiter’s interior structure\, mapping the intense magnetic field\, measure the distribution of water and ammonia in the deep atmosphere\, also exploring the mysterious Great Red Spot.  As its orbit has evolved\, the spacecraft has also made flybys of the Galilean moons Ganymede\, Europa\, and Callisto. \n\n\n\nJUNO is also the first spacecraft to fly over Jupiter’s aurora and measure the energetic particles raining down on the planet and the bright “northern & southern lights” they excite. \n\n\n\nA huge bonus is the small public outreach camera that takes fantastic images of Jupiter’s beautiful clouds.  The images – some science\, some art – are processed and shared by the public worldwide. \n\n\n\nNote: Fran will be presenting her talk remotely from Colorado over Zoom URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-12/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2026-03-02_Fran_Bagenal.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260216T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260216T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T193241Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132458Z UID:2859-1771270200-1771275600@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Kieron Nixon - Understanding Special Relativity (without the maths).  DESCRIPTION:Special Relativity Without the Maths (or How to Fit a Metre Stick into a Matchbox)You might think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s. You might even have noticed the faster you run\, the quicker you get there. Have you ever noticed the faster you run\, the closer the chemist gets? No? Maybe you need to run faster.Ask a goldfish about the curvature of the earth\, or a sloth’s opinion on the national speed limit and you hit the same problem as discussing relativity with humans – they just don’t understand the question. If goldfish holidayed in Marbella\, or sloths commuted down the M6\, the conversations might go differently. You don’t need a degree in maths to understand special relativity\, you just need to live like James Dean; faster. Special relativity kicks in at really high speeds – really high. If children ran around a hundred million times more quickly\, two things would change. Parents would be even more exhausted\, and children in primary school would be taught special relativity the moment they learned speed\, distance and time and they would understand it. \n\n\n\nThis is that lesson. \n\n\n\nKieron NixonKieron studied Astrophysics and Maths\, then worked in schools and colleges until moving to higher education in 2019. He is now a lecturer in Foundation Year Physics at Keele University and helps people get onto degrees in physics\, astrophysics and engineering. He is Director of the Blended Foundation Year Programme which offers mature students or those with barriers to higher education a more flexible way to study on the foundation year. He is also the editor and author of A level Physics Factsheets for Curriculum Press. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-11/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Special-Relativity-Title-Slide-Image.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260202T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260202T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T193020Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T150832Z UID:2857-1770060600-1770066000@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Gary Poyner - 'T Corona Borealis - The Jewel in the Crown DESCRIPTION:T Corona Borealis\n\n\n\n‘Nova Corona Borealis 1866 was the first Nova to have its spectrum examined.  Eighty years later in 1946 the Nova erupted again\, causing great excitement.  Now\, after a further eighty years of observations in all wavelengths\, we eagerly await the next eruption.  This is the story of its discovery in 1866 and 1946\, and what we might expect to see in the next Nova event.’ \n\n\n\nGary Poyner \n\n\n\nFirst telescope for my 7th birthday in 1965\, and have been observing ever since – concentrating on Variable Stars (especially Cataclysmic stars) for the past 50 years.  BAA Variable Star Section Director from 1995-1999. Variable Star editor of ‘The Astronomer’ magazine for 18 years up to 2019. Served on the editorial board for the’ Open European Journal for Variable Stars’. Current BAAVSS Assistant Director\,  Circular editor and Cataclysmic Variable Star co-ordinator and web manager.  I run CVnet (Cataclysmic Variable Network)\, for distributing observations and alerts worldwide. AAVSO Directors award in 2003\,  BAA’s Steavensons award recipient in 2000 and Walter Goodacre award and medal recipient in 2020.  Visual observations from North Birmingham with a 0.5-m reflector\, and CCD photometry using AAVSOnetwork telescopes in Arizona and New Mexico\, Open University COAST and PIRATE telescopes in Tenerife\, and SLOOH telescopes in Tenerife\, Chile and Australia.    Current member of Heart of England AS and Bromsgrove AS\, past president of Wolverhampton AS.  Absolute highlight – appearing on Sky at night in 2012 and spending the weekend at Farthings! URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-10/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/gif:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2026-02-02_Gary_Poyner.gif END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260119T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260119T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132424Z UID:2855-1768851000-1768856400@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Andrew Thornett - Getting Started in Radio Astronomy DESCRIPTION:Have you ever looked at the clouds and wanted to throw your expensive equipment in the bin? Here in the UK\, much of the time\, a cardboard tube would be as effective as a Takahashi – cloud\, rain\, light pollution: it is enough to make you scream! How about the cost of all that astrophotography gear? Getting it delivered to work or a friend’s house\, and sneaking it in to your home when your partner is not looking…..Is there a way to go beyond all of this and revitalise your astronomy hobby? The answer is a spectacular YES! Radio astronomy is relatively CHEAP\, surprisingly EASY\, and will bring back the EXCITEMENT\, if you are feeling jaded. This talk will explain what you can observe using simple radio telescopes made with low-cost off the shelf equipment\, and show you how to get started. Come to this talk at your peril: Be Warned! You may find out how to enjoy the night sky in a completely new way. \n\n\n\nDR ANDREW MARTYN THORNETT\, M6THODr Andrew Thornett is a General Medical Practitioner in Birmingham with an eclectic interest and passion for all things astronomy. He is a member of the BAA Radio Astronomy Group and Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers in the USA\, and of Rosliston Astronomy Group in Derbyshire\, and the Astronomical Society of Penang in Malaysia. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-9/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2029-01-19_Andrew_Thornett.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260112T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260112T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192800Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T165519Z UID:2853-1768246200-1768251600@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Dr Steve Barrett - The ABC of Stellar Evolution DESCRIPTION:A look at the birth\, life and death of stars. What are the three factors (the ABC) that determine why stars are the way they are and why they evolve the way they do? \n\n\n\nNote: Dr Barrett will be presenting his talk remotely over Zoom URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-8-tba/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Steve-Barrett-The-ABC-of-Stellar-Evolution.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251201T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251201T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192709Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251109T151029Z UID:2851-1764617400-1764622800@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Duncan Willis - The Space Shuttle; Past\, Present & Future DESCRIPTION:This talk will explore the Space Shuttle\, from its origins\, its missions\, how it contributed to astronomy and on to current and future Shuttles. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-7/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/201102230003HQmedium.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251117T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251117T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192553Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132305Z UID:2849-1763407800-1763413200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Mike Frost - Who's Who in the Moon DESCRIPTION:I am the ninth director of the British Astronomical Association’s Historical Section. The first director was a solar astronomer called Mary Evershed (nee Orr). She was the editor of the historical section’s first memoir\, Who’s Who in the Moon – a series of potted biographies of everyone who had a lunar crater named after them. And there are some pretty obscure people up there. Do you know who Langrenus\, Grimaldi\, Stevinus or Bergius were? Me neither. And who decided who to name the craters after? \n\n\n\nFor the last few years\, I have been part of a project to create a modern-day homage to Mary’s memoir\, “Who’s Who in the Moon: From Abbot to Zupus\, A Guide to the Moon and the People On It”. My contribution is a History of the Naming of Lunar Formations. \n\n\n\nLet me tell you all about Who’s Who in the Moon …   URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-6/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mike-frost-whos-who-in-the-moon.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251103T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251103T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192458Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132257Z UID:2844-1762198200-1762203600@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Robin Scagell - City Astronomy DESCRIPTION:Most of the UK population live either in a city or town\, or near enough to one\, that light pollution is a problem for both observers and imagers. Robin Scagell\, Vice President of the SPA\, has seen the problem escalate over the years. But whether you are a visual observer with a small telescope\, or an imager using the latest technology\, there are still worthwhile and even spectacular observations you can make. Robin takes a close look at the causes of light pollution and comes up with solutions… \n\n\n\nNote: Robin will be presenting his talk remotely over Zoom URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-5/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/City-Astronomy-title-slide.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192157Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132249Z UID:2842-1760988600-1760994000@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Linda Manas - Trigonometry in Astronomy: Measuring the Earth and the Moon DESCRIPTION:Society member Linda Manas presents a talk on Trigonometry in Astronomy: Measuring the Earth and the Moon. \n\n\n\nLinda will discuss early trigonometrical methods of finding the Earth’s tilt\, latitude and circumference\, the use of trigonometry and lunar and solar eclipses by Aristarchus and Hipparchus to find the distance to and size of the moon\, and Copernicus’ methods for finding relative distances to the planets. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-4/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2026-04-13-Linda.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251006T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251006T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T192052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T125606Z UID:2840-1759779000-1759784400@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:AGM then Steve Wootton: The Constellations of Canis Major & Minor DESCRIPTION:The society’s 2026 Annual General Meeting\, followed with short talks presented by the society’s current Vice President\, Steve Wootton\, on the constellations of Canis Major and Canis Minor. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-3-agm-talk-tba/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:AGM,Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AGM-graphic-2026.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250922T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250922T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T191939Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T132203Z UID:2838-1758569400-1758574800@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Damain Hardwick - The Steady State Theory DESCRIPTION:We take a trip down memory lane for a retrospective look at the steady state theory. Starting with its origins and how it compared to the big bang theory. The scientists who gave it their endorsement\, and how three key discoveries proved that the theory\, which looked convincing on paper\, was completely wrong. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-season-talk-2/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-09-22-Damian-Hardwick.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250908T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250908T210000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20250425T191546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T131753Z UID:2835-1757359800-1757365200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Dr Andrew Gascoyne - Dark Spots\, Bright Stories: A Journey Through the History of Sunspots DESCRIPTION:Dr Andrew Gascoyne from the University of Wolverhampton will give a talk on sunspots: \n\n\n\nSunspots have long served as a window into the dynamic processes of our nearest star.  This talk delves into the rich history of sunspot observations\, from early Chinese and Islamic records to the telescopic breakthroughs of Galileo and Scheiner. We’ll examine the evolving understanding of sunspots as magnetic phenomena tied to the solar cycle\, and how their patterns have helped shape modern solar physics.  Attendees will gain insight into the 11-year sunspot cycle\, the Maunder Minimum\, and the tools – both historical and modern – used to observe sunspots. Join us to explore how these seemingly dark blemishes have illuminated our understanding of the Sun’s complex behaviour. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/2025-2026-talk-1/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-09-08-talk-Andrew-Gascoyne.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250623T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250623T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20241228T125309Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T111538Z UID:2487-1750707000-1750714200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Cancelled DESCRIPTION:Due to work commitments our planned speaker for this talk is unavailable. \n\n\n\nWe have therefore regrettably cancelled this event. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/tbc/ CATEGORIES:Talks END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250609T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250609T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T120958Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T103704Z UID:2210-1749497400-1749504600@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Dr Helen Mason OBE - The A-X of Solar Flares DESCRIPTION:Note: Dr Mason will be presenting this talk remotely via zoom \n\n\n\nThe Sun has given us quite a few X class flares recently and even some beautiful displays of the aurora in the UK. During solar flares\, explosive releases of energy\, the plasma temperature can reach as high as 10MK or even more. Large flares are often accompanied by filament eruptions and Coronal Mass Ejections\, CMEs\, and high energy particles\, which can often reach the Earth’s environment. The EUV and soft X-ray wavelength ranges are ideally suited for studying this very hot plasma\, with a lot of emission lines from highly ionised ions. \n\n\n\nSome early observations of solar flares in the EUV and soft X-rays were made with the Solar Maximum Mission\, then with SoHO\, and more recently with Hinode and the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Spectroscopic diagnostics enable us to determine the plasma properties – peak temperature\, emission measure\, electron number density and elemental abundances. Recent work on small flares has also been carried out using the XSM (X-ray Solar Monitor) on Chandraayan2 in collaboration with colleagues at ISRO’s Physical Research Laboratory\, Ahmedebad\, India. \n\n\n\nThis talk will review observations of solar flares from small\, compact flares (A-B class) to large\, complex X-class flare\, and what we have learnt about them. \n\n\n\nProf Helen Mason OBE\, University of Cambridge\, UK \n\n\n\nHelen Mason is an Emeritus Professor in Solar Physics at the University of Cambridge. Until her retirement in 2017\, she was head of the Atomic Astrophysics Group at DAMTP. Her field of expertise is the ultraviolet and X-ray spectrum of the Sun. She has worked on many joint UK\, NASA\, ESA\, Japanese and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) space projects including the Solar Maximum Mission\, SoHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)\, Hinode\, SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory) and XSM\, Chandraayan-2’s Solar X-ray Monitor. \n\n\n\nHelen has always been keen to convey her passion for solar physics to the public and to students. She has given many public lectures and worked closely with schools. She has participated in several radio and TV programmes\, for example BBC4’s ‘Seven Ages of Starlight’ and BBC R4’s ‘In Our Time – Solar Wind’ (2020). Helen has most recently been leading the project SunSpaceArt.org\, funded by STFC\, which brings scientists and artists together to run STEAM (STEM + Arts) workshops in schools. \n\n\n\nIn 2014\, Helen was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her services to Higher Education and to Women in Science\, Engineering and Technology.  In 2018\, she was awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s Annie Maunder Medal for Outreach. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/dr-helen-mason-the-a-x-of-solar-flares/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-X-Solar-Flares.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250512T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250512T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T121807Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T082453Z UID:2216-1747078200-1747085400@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Philip Price - EXPLORING JUPITER (PAST\, PRESENT & FUTURE) DESCRIPTION:With the recent launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission\, this presentation looks back at the history of spacecraft that have visited the mighty planet\, the challenges they faced and the discoveries they made. \n\n\n\nNote: Philip will be presenting this talk remotely via Zoom URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/philip-price-exploring-jupiter/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Exploring-Jupiter-Past-Present-Future.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250414T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250414T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T120712Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T184725Z UID:2206-1744659000-1744666200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Damian Hardwick - 3 short talks DESCRIPTION:Max Planck\n\n\n\n\n\nMars\n\n\n\n\n\nComet Halley\n\n\n\n\n\nWolvas member Damian Hardwick presents a series of three short talks\, titled:● Max Planck meeting the Chancellor.● Sending Humans to Mars● Comet Halley is coming the 40th anniversary. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/damian-hardwick-3-short-talks/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025-04-14-t1-max-planck-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250317T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250317T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T120433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250304T145829Z UID:2204-1742239800-1742247000@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:George Seabroke - The Gaia Revolution DESCRIPTION:Gaia is a European Space Agency satellite that has been mapping individual stars in our Milky Way Galaxy since its launch in 2013. I will explain how its 3 trillion measurements of 2 billion stars is causing a revolution in astronomy. Science highlights will include the most recently discovered black hole (Gaia BH3) and how it relates to a personal historical coincidence. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/george-seabroke-the-gaia-revolution/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-01-20-George-Seabroke.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250303T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250303T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T120308Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240903T083104Z UID:2202-1741030200-1741037400@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Dr Smoker - A day in the life of an astronomer in Chile. Live from Chile! DESCRIPTION:This image of the Paranal platform was taken right after sunset. The four Unit Telescopes are ready to start the observations.Credit: ESO/H.H.Heyer\n\n\n\nA talk given from the VLT on Paranal\, what we do as a support astronomer working at the European Southern Observatory in Chile. Followed by a live showing of the control room\, the telescope platform and with a bit of luck inside one of the telescopes using a tablet. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/dr-smoker-tbc-live-from-chile/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/platform-to-northwest-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250217T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250217T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T120152Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250206T135831Z UID:2200-1739820600-1739827800@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:John Thatcher - The Beagle 2 Mars Lander DESCRIPTION:Beagle 2 was an extraordinary project in so many ways and like no other in terms of organisation and execution.  It was primarily looking for signs of extinct and/or extant life on Mars and was way ahead of its time in terms of the integrated science package.  It was remarkably small physically and had the highest ratio of science payload mass to total mass ever achieved.  Much of the inside story of the project has never been told and this talk lifts the lid on some of it. \n\n\n\nJohn retired in May 2013 after over 30 years working in the space industry\, mainly involved in spacecraft engineering and project management. He began his career as an aerothermodynamicist at Rolls-Royce Aero Engines in Derby.  He also worked briefly in the nuclear power industry before joining what was then British Aerospace at Stevenage working on communication satellites and subsequently moving on to scientific spacecraft. \n\n\n\nDuring his career ‘in space’ he has been fortunate to have worked on most aspects of spacecraft engineering covering design\, development\, manufacture\, integration\, test\, launch and operations of communication and scientific missions\, including the industrial management of the Beagle 2 Mars lander project in its early years. For his last decade at work John was the European Consortium Project Manager for the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope managing it through to delivery to NASA in 2012. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/john-thatcher-the-beagle-2-mars-lander/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Beagle-2-Some-Inside-Story-Title-pdf.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250203T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250203T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240903T191742Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T153809Z UID:2323-1738611000-1738618200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Dr Lucie Green - Seeing Total Solar Eclipses From Space DESCRIPTION:NOTE: Lucie will be presenting this talk via Zoom\, not in person at the University. \n\n\n\nSeeing a total solar eclipse is an experience that you never forget. For a brief moment in time\, the extended atmosphere of the Sun becomes visible as the bright disk of the Sun is entirely covered by the Moon. Day becomes night\, the stars come out and you are able to view the Sun directly and safely. Total eclipses are also of huge scientific value and astronomers will take their telescopes to far-flung places to catch a glimpse of the Sun during these time. Now\, a new mission has been proposed that will fly a spacecraft into the shadow of the Moon in order to create total solar eclipse conditions in space. And it will do this once per month. This talk will discuss why total eclipses are so important for scientists and why an international team has been put together to create a new generation of eclipse viewing. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/tba-5/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/tse_2024_200mm_canatlan_cropped_resized.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250120T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250120T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250118T102202Z UID:2196-1737401400-1737408600@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Doug Bickley - Lord Wrottesley DESCRIPTION:Due to the planned speaker being unwell\, Doug has stepped in to present a talk on Lord Wrottesley. \n\n\n\nLord John Wrottesley (Second Baron of Wrottesley) contributed to 19th‐century astronomy as an enthusiastic observer and as an effective administrator of scientific organizations.  He was educated at Corpus Christi College\, Oxford and married Sophia Elizabeth\, third daughter of Thomas Gifford in 1821.  His primary career was as a lawyer\, and he constructed an observatory in Blackheath\, London whilst practising there.  He moved back to the family estate near Wolverhampton in 1841 on the death of his father and constructed a fine observatory where his did much of his observing. \n\n\n\nThis talk will be in two parts\, the first being some history of the man and his achievements\, the second showing and discussing pictures and descriptions of the local observatory as it remains now. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/tba-4/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1000009650-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250113T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250113T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115848Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241207T123659Z UID:2194-1736796600-1736803800@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Dr Julian Onions - Aperture Fever - does my mirror look big in this? DESCRIPTION:After a very brief review of how telescopes work\, we look at some of the existing telescopes\, both visible and other wavebands\, and consider why they are so big\, what they can and can’t see and what the telescopes planned for the next few years will deliver. \n\n\n\nNOTE: This talk has been moved from the 6th of January to avoid a Wolverhampton football home match URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/dr-julian-onions-tbc/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/julian_onions_mirror.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241202T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241202T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241127T093816Z UID:2192-1733167800-1733175000@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Mark Hardaker - My Visit to The Wabar Meteorite Craters of  Saudi Arabia DESCRIPTION:Mark Hardaker – Wabar Meteorite Craters of Saudi Arabia\n\n\n\nMark presents a talk on his visit to the Wabar Meteorite craters of Saudi Arabia. \n\n\n\nBio: I have been an active amateur astronomer for many years. Originally from Keighley\, West Yorkshire\, I moved to Dorset with my wife in summer 2018\, having spent the previous thirty years living overseas in Germany\, Belgium\, USA\, Hong Kong\, Dubai\, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain\, where I held senior roles in multinational chemical companies. \n\n\n\nI was educated at Oxford University and hold a master’s in chemistry. \n\n\n\nMy interest in astronomy started in November 1966 when my mum pointed out the Plough in the night sky.  My first telescope was a 3-inch refractor by JKM Holmes\, which I still own\, and I kept astronomy logbooks of my observations from the beginning; they provide fascinating reading now. I was always interested in visual astronomy\, particularly deep sky objects\, then sketching what I saw. I only recently graduated to imaging using my 12-inch Meade LX200 and Svbony 102ED. \n\n\n\nI am an active member and treasurer of Fordingbridge Astronomers\, where I have raised money locally to build an observatory for local outreach activities. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/gary-palmer-deep-sky-observing/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Title.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241118T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241118T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115604Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241006T145820Z UID:2190-1731958200-1731965400@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Belinda Wilkes - Tour X-ray Universe with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory DESCRIPTION:NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched on 23 July 1999 by the Space Shuttle Columbia. Now in its 25th year of operations\, Chandra continues to be an indispensable tool for expanding the frontiers of knowledge throughout astrophysics. Chandra’s uniquely high (sub-arcsec) spatial\, and spectral resolution have facilitated the deepest and sharpest images of the X-ray sky and the highest quality X-ray spectra to date. I will review Chandra’s launch and unique capabilities\, and describe some of Chandra’s spectacular discoveries across the whole range of celestial sources from our own solar system to the most distant super-massive black holes. \n\n\n\nWebsite: chandra.si.edu \n\n\n\nHonorary Professor & Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellow\, School of Physics\, University of Bristol&Former Director\, Chandra X-ray Center\, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory\, Cambridge MA USA URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/belinda-wilkes-chandra-x-ray/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton Millennium City Building & Zoom\, Millennium City Building\, via Rosalind Franklin Building entrance\, Stafford Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-0-10-07-Belinda_Wilkes_Xray_Universe.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241104T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241104T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115447Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241006T174620Z UID:2188-1730748600-1730755800@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Gary Gilbert - The Drake Equation DESCRIPTION:A summary of all the elements of the Drake Equation. What are their effects on the solution to the Equation.Simply put\, What are the chances of life elsewhere in the Galaxy or even the Universe. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/tba-3/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-11-04-Gary-Gilbert-The-Drake-Equation.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241021T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241021T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241008T201707Z UID:2186-1729539000-1729546200@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:Keith Moseley - Astronomical Bits and Pieces DESCRIPTION:A selection of short talks\, some of which are audience participation via little quizzes.Note: The speaker will be presenting this remotely via zoom. \n\n\n\n\n– Meteorites and Craters– Astronomical Rogues– Bigger\, more massive? Eris or Pluto?– Photographing Transient Astronomical Events \n\n\n\nDr Keith Moseley FRAS\, C Phys\, M Inst P\, Brief bio:Former Head of Physics\, Monmouth School 1983-2015\, Associate Lecturer in Astronomy\, Open University 1989-2014 and Astronomy Tutor\, Cardiff University Department of Lifelong Learning 1996-2019.Set up Monmouth Astronomical Research Society (MARS) in 2003 and chair\, on and off. Appearances on Reach out Touch Space and Space Oddities as well as a BBC documentary about schools in Wales and NASA \,called ‘2001: A Welsh Space Odyssey’.Hobbies include photography\, entomology\, history and collecting old books. URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/dr-lucie-green-the-sun-and-solar-orbiter/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom (Speaker remote via Zoom)\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/keith_talk.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241007T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241007T213000 DTSTAMP:20260514T223636 CREATED:20240706T115140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241006T151526Z UID:2184-1728329400-1728336600@wvtest.opuselite.com SUMMARY:AGM followed by Laura Shell - Solar Eclipse 2024 Trip DESCRIPTION:AGM followed by Laura Shell – Solar Eclipse 2024 Trip URL:https://wvtest.opuselite.com/event/agm-followed-by-laura-shell-solar-eclipse-2024-trip/ LOCATION:Hybrid: University of Wolverhampton & Zoom\, Room MA030\, Wulfruna Building\, Wulfruna Street\, Wolverhampton\, WV1 1LY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:AGM,Talks END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR