Event Programme (Current Year)
The programme for 2024 is below.
Check back regularly in case any dates or times change. Note that event cancellations will be marked by scored through text.
With Covid-19 being less of a concern CAG have resumed holding in-person events again, complimented by occasional online meetings via suitable online meeting platforms.
The use of online meetings has been invaluable over the past few years and as well as allowing us to have guest speakers from farther afield it has allowed CAG to collaborate with, and occasionally join the meetings of other astronomical groups in the north of Scotland (HAS, SIGMA, AAS & NRAG).
Unless otherwise stated the event start time is 7pm and venue is the Castlehill Heritage Centre designated Dark Sky Discovery Site.
CAG Programme of Events for 2024
Programme under development (remember to also check our Facebook page for further details and short notice announcements relating to our public events)
Fri 19 Jan Fri 2nd Feb - “The Queen and the Monster Slaying Hero” - at this public event CAG Chair Gordon Mackie will give a virtual tour of some of the interesting objects in (& around) the constellations of Cassiopeia and Perseus, both of which sit prominently overhead in the night sky on clear winter evenings. If weather permits there will also be a short observing session outside in the courtyard at this event. Postponed to 2nd Feb due to wintry weather and poor travel conditions.
Sat 10th Feb - AGM - this year the AGM will be held at the Mill Theatre in Thurso. Meeting is still scheduled to start at 10.30am and is open to members and anyone interested in the club activities or in becoming a member.
Fri 16th Feb - Deep sky astro image processing - a live demo of astro-image processing using freely available software packages by CAG member and expert astrophotographer Maciej Winiarczyk. This meeting will be held online and will commence at 7.30pm. CAG members, other north of Scotland astronomy club members and invited guests will be emailed the meeting link before the session.
Sat 16th March - "The Northern Lights - a basic guide for aurora watchers" - This public event is part of the Caithness International Science Festival Programme and will be held in the Mill Theatre, Thurso. Want to know more about the aurora? CAG members and keen aurora watchers Gordon Mackie and Maciej Winiarczyk will cover what the aurora is, what causes it, how to maximise your chances of seeing it and how to photograph it. If weather permits there will also be a short observing session.
Fri 22nd March (date & venue tbc) - "The Antikythera" - Presentation by Richard Oakley from SIGMA, Moray's Astronomy Club. This public event is part of the Caithness International Science Festival Programme.
Sat 23rd Mar - CAG at the Caithness Science Festival Family Day (at Wick High School)
Fri 5th Apr - Public event with short talks by CAG members on comets and how to photograph them. If the weather suits there will also be a short observing session where we hope to be able to see comet 12P/Pons-Brooks.
Fri 14th Sat 15th June - CAG equipment workshop - At this public event CAG will set up and demonstrate the use of a variety of observing and imaging equipment. Weather permitting we'll have telescopes setup to look at the Sun & Moon. Advice will also be available to any who are thinking of purchasing astronomy equipment, and for those struggling to get the best from equipment they already own. With prior arrangement attendees can bring their own equipment to the event and get advice / guidance on its use.
Sun 7th July - "Our Place in the Solar System" - Join the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers and Caithness Astronomy Group for a family-oriented event with a range of fun learning activities related to the Sun and the planets in our solar system. Discover why the Earth has just the right conditions for diverse, complex life to thrive.
Donations on the day are very welcome to allow us to continue to provide such activities. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. This is an open event no need to book. Held at the Seadrift Centre at Dunnet. Start time 2pm.
Fri 12th July - "Were the Moon Landings a Hoax?" - Mark Gibson. In advance of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, CAG member Mark Gibson will cover the "evidence" that has been claimed shows the Apollo moon landings were a hoax. Time permitting CAG member Gordon Mackie will also show images of a selection of Apollo mission artifacts available to see in museums in the USA.
Weather permitting we'll also have telescopes set up to observe the Moon including the Mare Tranquillitatis region.
Sat 17th Aug - "Tour of the Solar System" - 2pm start. In conjunction with the RSPB at the Field Centre in Forsinard, join Caithness Astronomy Group for a family oriented educational event with a range of fun learning activities related to the Sun and the planets in our solar system, and explaining why the Earth has just the right conditions for diverse complex life to thrive on it.
Weather permitting the event will include a walk to the observation tower as a way to illustrate the vast size of the solar system through use of a scale model.
Sat 7th Sept - CAG at the Orkney International Science Festival Family Day (at Kirkwall High School). See Festival website for more info.
Sat 28th Sept - "Nightscape Photography Workshop" - Join Caithness Astronomy Group and professional photographers from Wild Arena Ltd at the RSPB Field Centre in Forsinard for an evening workshop providing practical guidance for those wanting to do nightscape photography (night scenes with starry skies, Milky Way, aurora etc). Attendees are encouraged to bring their own camera and tripod, warm clothing and a torch for use during the outdoor photography session that will form a significant part of the event (if the weather is suitable). Start time 7pm. Free to attend, but donations welcomed to help cover costs.
11~27th Oct - "Comet Watch" - ad hoc gatherings at suitable local locations to view and photograph Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) which is expected to be visible to the unaided eye in our evening skies this autumn. Members will be notified of the gatherings via email. Any gatherings open to the public to attend will be posted on the CAG Facebook page.
Fri 25th Oct - content and venue tbc
Fri 22nd Nov - Presentation & speaker tbc. Event will be at the Castlehill Heritage Centre where (if the weather permits) we'll take advantage of the dark skies there to observe Jupiter, Saturn & various Milky Way objects.
Fri 6th Dec - "Meteors & Mince Pies event". End of year members event, with refreshments and quiz etc. Observing opportunities too if weather permits.
Members observing sessions will take place at various weekends during the darker winter months. This will be weather dependent and members will receive notification shortly beforehand if each session will take place. The venue will normally be at the Castlehill Heritage Centre Dark Sky Discovery Site, but some sessions may utilise even darker locations.
Weekends pencilled in for the above mentioned members observing sessions are 3/4 Feb & 10/11 Feb at the start of 2024 and then during winter 2024/25 we have the following dates pencilled in 26/27 Oct, 23/24 Nov, 7/8 Dec, 25/26 Jan & 8/9 Mar.
