Interested in Astronomy? Enjoy popular lectures?
Know someone who does?
Why not become a Friend of the RAS and attend the next Friends meeting on Naming Pluto? This will be at 1800 on TUESDAY 19 MAY,in the RAS at Burlington House, consisting of the screening of a new film about Pluto followed by a talk by Oxford historian Allan Chapman.
The film tells the story of how an 11-year-old Oxford schoolgirl, Venetia Burney Phair, named the planet over breakfast on March 14, 1930, after her grandfather read about its discovery in 'The Times'. In this new documentary she recalls how she suggested 'Pluto' to her grandfather. He liked the name and mentioned it to his friend Herbert Hall Turner, a former President of the Royal Astronomical Society. The suggestion was then sent by telegram to the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, which had the planet’s naming rights, and the title was made official on May 1, 1930. However, until 2007 Mrs Burney Phair had never seen her planet through a telescope. The film records the quest for her to see it. During the film’s production, the International Astronomical Union, controversially, demoted Pluto to a ‘dwarf planet’ following a reclassification of the solar system, and the British weather caused a year-long hold up as it did its best to deny Mrs Burney Phair a clear view!
Dr Allan Chapman FRAS will explore the history of Pluto, possibly our most mysterious neighbour. Following the screening, introduced by the film maker Ginita Jimenez, ( which we hope Venetia Burney Phair may be well enough to attend) and talk there will be a drinks reception.
There is no charge for attending this event - however it is restricted to 'Friends of the RAS'.'Friends' will not meet the requirements to become , nor have the same concerns as, a Fellow of the RAS. Rather, membership of the RAS as a 'Friend' recognises the appeal of astronomy to the general public.
To become a 'Friend' (see below * for a fuller description of activities and benefits) for the remainder of 2009, send your name, address, email address and telephone number with a cheque (made out to ‘The Royal Astronomical Society’) for £15.00 to the Membership Secretary, Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BQ.
There is no charge for attending this event - however it is restricted to 'Friends of the RAS'.'Friends' will not meet the requirements to become , nor have the same concerns as, a Fellow of the RAS. Rather, membership of the RAS as a 'Friend' recognises the appeal of astronomy to the general public.
To become a 'Friend' (see below * for a fuller description of activities and benefits) for the remainder of 2009, send your name, address, email address and telephone number with a cheque (made out to ‘The Royal Astronomical Society’) for £15.00 to the Membership Secretary, Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BQ.
- Become a Friend of the RAS and enjoy:
- Free priority seat reservation at our popular lunch-time lectures
- Invitations to social events and meetings in Burlington House
- Use of the Society's historic library in Burlington House
- Escorted visits to observatories and other places of interest
- Discounted admission to places of interest
- Discounted subscription to the Astronomy & Geophysics magazine
For further information see http://friends.ras.org.uk
