HOW FAR IS THAT STAR?
The ESA Gaia mission has measured accurately the position of over one billion stars. This information lets us understand the structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy in much greater detail than was previously possible. In the data we see previously unknown structures, one of which is known as the Gaia Sausage. This is the remains of a dwarf galaxy that merged with the Milky Way around 10 billion years ago.
Speaker – Dr Peter Allan
Dr Peter Allan is a space scientist and astronomer working at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). He did a PhD at Manchester University on black hole models of quasars and subsequently held research positions in astronomy at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands and at Kitt Peak National Observatory in the USA. He has worked at RAL since 1990 on astronomical software systems, Earth observation data systems, satellite control systems and international standards for space data systems.
MEETING PLAN:
Please note that we will be starting at 7.00 pm, so we can all have a chat, tea, and coffee.
- Teas and Coffees
- OPEN UP and get connected to Zoom
- Introduction and Welcome – all new and recently joined members
- MAIN EVENT – ‘How Far is that Star’ – Dr Peter Allan
- Star Lab and Other Society News
- Sky Diary & Member’s Photos
- CLOSE
Further refreshments are available at the downstairs bar afterwards.
We look forward to seeing you from 7.00pm!
ZOOM DETAILS
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 852 1415 2313 Passcode: 610173
(NB – If you cant get in a) key in the meeting ID and password separately, b) text WhatsApp Group “Viewing Tonight”, or c) Call me on 07474 344309 – but remember, I’ll be in a meeting 
)
STEM in the Park – Saturday 17th May, Memorial Gardens, Crawley, 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
June’s meeting will be held on Friday 20th June 2025:
‘The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’ – Robert Zellem from NASA!
More details and photos on our website:
https://crawleyas.co.uk/
Hope to see you there.
Regards,
Steve Cookson – CAS Chair