LATEST NEWS

 2014/15

 

ASTRONOMY FM UNDER BRITISH SKIES

The Cosmological Distance Ladder
with
Dr Robert Smith of Sussex University
Sunday 18 January 2015 - 2000hrs UT

 

 To listen in follow the link:  http://astronomy.fm/tag/under-british-skies/

UCKFIELD 105FM Radio Show

1100hrs
Wednesday 4 February 2015

(click icon at left to listen in)

 

TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE

with media partner BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Due to the overwhelming success of this year's National Tour (see below) there will be another in 2015!

VECTIS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Presentation
Friday 27 February 2015

EAST SUSSEX ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Presentation
Thursday 5 March 2015

PATRICK MOORE MEMORIAL LECTURE
I have been invited to give two presentations
at the school where Sir Patrick himself taught for 8 years
Holmewood House School
Tunbridge Wells
on
Friday 8 May 2015

TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE
will also form part of the
Solarsphere Festival
on
14 - 16 August 2015

THIS SITE IS ABOUT TO BE REPLACED 
BY A NEW LOOK PROFESSIONAL SITE ...

Watch this space!

 

ASTRONOMY MANUAL off to China

Well, after three English version re-prints, welcome to the Chinese one, published by one of the largest publishers in China.  Wow!  As always, an enormous thank you to Haynes Publishing and all those very kind and generous people who enabled me to make this wonderful journey.

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!

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.

Astronomy Manual - BBC Radio 4 Midweek

Following the successful release of Haynes' Astronomy Manual (Foreword by Dr Brian May, Introduction by Sir Patrick Moore) author Jane A Green was a guest on BBC's Radio 4's Midweek programme with Libby Purves on Wednesday 3rd November. This provided an excellent opportunity to talk about the book and the wonders of astronomy to a wide audience of over 2,000,000 listeners. The programme which also featured Michele Dotrice, Jo Wilding and Ronald Blythe is accessible on BBC iPlayer.

Book sales are now soaring with foreign editions in the pipeline and requests for illustrated presentations flowing in.

A giant leap for Astronomy outreach.

ASTRONOMY MANUAL by Jane A Green

The launch date for this new astronomy publication is 7th October 2010. Jane is thrilled that both Dr Brian May and Sir Patrick Moore have contributed a Foreword and Introduction respectively, particularly as it is her first book.

Jane started presenting astronomy worldwide whilst serving as a senior officer on cruise ships. After being invited to host a Science Fiction Theme cruise, Jane became a professional Guest Speaker and continued in this capacity on many other ships. Now based ashore, Jane continues astronomy outreach with presentations to sell-out audiences, ranging from Women's Institute meetings and specialist lecture groups in 2,000-seater theatres, to literary and astronomy societies, often working alongside VIPs, celebrities and industry professionals.

This introductory book is for everyone. EVERYONE ... those who are already interested and those who think they are not. Available from all book stores and Amazon. All gentle reviews gratefully received!