UCKFIELD FM - Royle's Astronomer

Don't forget to join DJ, Jon Royle, and me, Royle's Astronomer, at 1100hrs on the first Thursday of every month for our informal catch-up on all things astronomical as part of his live 105FM broadcast on Uckfield FM radio.

For astronomy enthusiasts feel free to check out this month's night sky in the 'What's Up' column.

Catch you over the radio waves!

Jane

ASTRONOMY MANUAL is off to China! I am thrilled to announce that rights to the Astronomy Manual, published by Haynes in October 2010 and in a second reprint by February 2011, are in the process of being sold to China, and sales continue to do well. A very sincere thank you to everyone who made this dream come true!

ASTRONOMY TALKS

Further upcoming talks:

National Trust: Richmond - Saturday 18th February 2012

National Trust: Tenterden - Thursday 11th October 2012

Much Ado Books: Alfriston - date to be confirmed


Past talks include:

Ashridge Circle
Astronomy Societies
Cruise ships worldwide
English Speaking Union
Much Ado Books (Best Independent Bookshop - British Book Industry Awards 2007)
National Trust
Portsmouth Festivities: Space City Event
Schools
Women's Institute


To contact Jane A Green, please see Contact Details below.

ASTRONOMY MANUAL: Haynes Publishing

I am thrilled to update that the Astronomy Manual, published by Haynes in October 2010, went to a First Reprint in January 2011 and a Second reprint in April 2011. As always, an enormous thank you must go to all those who enabled a dream to come true: Keith Cooper, Dr Stuart Clark, Mark Hughes, Dr Brian May, Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS, Derek Smith, Nik Szymanek, to name but a few.

The book is now listed at No6 on 'The Definitive Astronomer's Book Collection for 2011' by Martin Peston on Amazon.co.uk.

Reviews:

'Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced astronomer, you will benefit from reading and owning Jane Green's book. It deserves an honoured place in every scientific library.' Sir Patrick Moore, CBE FRS

'Jane Green has, in this luxurious Astronomy Manual, taken up the challenge of doing for a new generation what Patrick, now Sir Patrick, did for us all those years ago.' Dr Brian May

'This is highly recommended reading indeed.' Paul Money, BBC Sky at Night

'Packed and passionate ... this book was written not just with instruction and care, but with love.' Alice Sheppard, Astronomy Now

BBC Radio Four iPodcast - MIDWEEK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vl2gl#synopsis

Now available as an iPodcast - enjoy the November interview with Libby Purves at BBC Broadcasting House.

TALK WITH SIR PATRICK MOORE

Many months ago I was invited to give an astronomy presentation as part of the Portsmouth Festivities Space City Event. The extravaganza takes place over an eleven-day period in June each year at various locations in Portsmouth and focuses on music and arts, cosmology, astronomy, space technology and, latterly, science fiction. But not only was I asked to give a presentation ... I was asked if I would "mind" Sir Patrick Moore joining me on stage. Would I mind? I took a nanosecond to consider and replied a resounding, "No, not at all!"

So, as surreal as it sounds, on the afternoon of Saturday 25th June I 'stepped up to the plate' at Portsmouth Grammar School before a capacity audience; the organisers switched the venue last-minute since they'd sold so many tickets. I gave a one-hour presentation, explaining how and why I became interested in astronomy, as well as offering all the reasons why I hadn't for so long. Then Sir Patrick joined me for a half-hour Q&A session. What an indescribable honour. I did have to pinch myself several times as I glanced to my left. Sir Patrick was as fabulous as ever: dry, witty and so knowledgeable. Luckily, I knew my answers too!

This was then followed by just under two hours of book-signing, with each of us signing our own and each other's recent books, mine being the second reprint edition of Haynes' ASTRONOMY MANUAL. Again, it was surreal ... and undeniably a fabulous experience ... I think possibly the pinnacle of my amateur astronomy exploits!

Other invited speakers for the event included: NASA astronauts Dr Andrew Thomas and Dr Shannon Walker, space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Lord Professor Robert Winston, Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Mark Butler, Programme Manager for Spaceport America at Virgin Galactic, Simon Singh MBE ... among others ... you have the idea! I felt incredibly awed and honoured to be in the theatre of these renowned 'giants' of the astronomical and scientific world.

What a day! One that will linger long in the memory. And there are more talks in the pipeline ... watch this space.