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Once again the Astronomy Society is having another fantastic start to the year. We have welcomed new members who are keen to get involved with every aspect of the Society. Our weekly meetings have ranged from ‘A history of Astronomy’ to ‘The physics of black holes’ and there are many more activities to come this term. We're also starting to branch out into astrophotography, and with the purchase of an astronomical CCD camera, we have managed to take some stunning images. As well as this we have once again hosted the annual convention for the Federation of Astronomical Societies and are taking part in outreach at the School of Physics and Astronomy’s Astronomy in the City events.

On Thursday 12 November we hosted the first Tea, Talk and Telescope of the academic year. The evening consisted of refreshments and a presentation on "Weakly Interactive Massive Particles (WIMPs) and the Search for Dark Matter" presented by Professor Anne Green from the University of Nottingham. The talk introduced one of the most mysterious concepts in modern cosmology in a fascinating and accessible way to an audience of over eighty students and members of the general public. Professor Green discussed the potential candidates for dark matter and the ways in which they could be detected using CERN, and direct detection facilities in the UK. The evening was very well received and we are looking forward to other outreach events this year.

Our next event will be on Thursday 3 December. The Sir Patrick Moore Annual Christmas Lecture "Sounding Stars and the Search for Other Worlds" will be presented by Professor Bill Chaplin at 7.00pm in the Large Lecture Theatre, Poynting Building. Refreshments will be served from 6.30pm in the Coffee Lounge and the lecture will be followed by observing (weather permitting). The event is free to attend and we would be delighted to see you there.

I am truly excited to be involved in the society this year. We are taking part in and planning more events than ever before, as well as providing weekly meetings for our members and more frequent observing opportunities. I know that this is going to be a fantastic year for our members and the wider community of amateur astronomers. 

Sophie Meredith
Chair of UoB Astrosoc