Public Speakers

Steve Bosley BSc FRAS FBIS

Steve Bosley BSc FRAS FBIS

Current Chairman of the Hampshire Astronomical Group and member of the Sunderland Astronomical Society.

Elected a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society circa 1976

Elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2021.

Member of the BAA (twice Council Member between 2017 and 2021)

He is also a member of the Society for Popular Astronomy, the Society for the History of Astronomy, and the International Meteor Organisation.

Steve studied Physics & Astrophysics at QMC University of London and gained his BSc in 1976, with a final year project on Cosmic Rays.

He made a career in IT working first for P&O and then IBM, retiring in 2010 as a senior project manager in outsourcing sales.

As chairman of the Hampshire Astronomical Group he helps train new joiners in the safe use of the telescopes and regularly give talks to members on a variety of topics. He has also hosted visits to Clanfield Observatory by groups of all ages and interests, including Portsmouth University students as part of their coursework.

Observationally, Steve's main focus has been on meteors

Steve gives talks to local astronomy and community groups, and has supported outreach events including Stargazing Live, Dark Skies Festivals, and local STEM activities for Key Stage 1 and above.

He also has a passion for photographic safaris where he can image the southern skies, when it is safe to do so !

The following list is just an example of some of the talks that he can give. His talks are generally targeted at an introductory level, although more advanced talks may be available on request.

 

Topics covered / Talks available:

• Clanfield Observatory - Our Telescopes and What We Do
• It's Astronomy, not Astrology (suitable for non-astronomical groups)
• Meteors and Meteor Science (Various)
• Ancient Visitors (a series covering famous meteorites, craters, etc, etc)
• Out of the mouths of babes – a thought-provoking quiz based on questions received from 10 and 11-year-old children from a local school
• Older Topics I could revisit include:
• Thomas Cooke and Sons
• Stephen Hawking
• Stellar Evolution
• Measuring the Speed of Light
• If you want something different from the above list, please ask … I might be tempted to say yes!

Max travel distance: 50 miles from Portsmouth

Contact email: chairman@hantsastro.org.uk

Steve Broadbent

  

Steve Broadbent BSc FRAS
Chairman of Hampshire Astronomical Group 2018-2023
Member of the BAA and elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2014.

Retired from the University of Portsmouth. Initially a chemist, undertook research into reaction mechanisms. Ran a spectroscopy laboratory and lectured in computational chemistry and programming. Latterly moved into computer systems management.

Resident tutor on the Hampshire Astronomical Group "Astronomy for Beginners" course and gives regular talks to the Group, other astronomical societies and at observatory public open evenings.

Offers mentorship to final year BSc Students from the University of Portsmouth whilst they are undertaking final year projects related to astronomy or the equipment at the Clanfield Observatory. Member of the observatory instrument team and also the training team which offers training on the use of all the telescope facilities at the observatory.

An example of some of the talks that can be given. All talks are aimed at the general popular introductory level. More technical talks can be provided upon request.

Topics covered / Talks available:

• Clanfield Observatory - Our Telescopes and What We Do
• The Night Sky Today (using Stellarium planetarium software)
• The Life and Death of Stars
• Planetary Nebulae - Jewels of the Night Sky
• "The Colour of Light" - and how astronomers use it (Astronomical Spectroscopy)
• The Constellations (or one of your choice)
• Telescopes
• If any organisation wants anything different from the above list, please ask.

Max travel distance: 80 miles from Portsmouth

Contact email: steve.broadbent@hantsastro.org.uk