Speaker profile
Mr Stephen Bowden
RO FRAS JP
Available for booking
Filey, North Yorkshire, England
Will travel anywhere in the UK
Astronomy Enthusiast
Amateur Astronomer
Astrophotographer
Summary
National speaker on astronomy, astrophotography and aurora's.
Full biography
I have been delivering talks to clubs and societies for over 20 years. Initially starting with amateur radio contesting and more recently on Astronomy and Photography.
Following several Outreach presentations for both STEM and local interest groups I was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society. I also own Muston Observatory and have been providing "live" astronomy sessions over Social media. Recently, I have acquired a Vaonis Vespera II smart telescope and also managed to configure this telescope for "live streaming" and of course the ease to take to a remote location for additional Outreach purposes. Though I always enjoy delivering talks and presentations to clubs and societies in person most of all.
The talks I give are delivered to a variety of audiences and at an appropriate level from general clubs that show the results to photography/astronomy societies that provide more of the “how”.
No two talks are ever the same as I continually refresh them with new content with an added ingredient of humour.
I can provide projector, screen and laptop.
I travel across the whole of the UK and even the odd trip overseas delivering these presentations and I am usually available at short notice should your club receive a last minute cancellation.
Stargazing sessions
Mr Stephen Bowden can host stargazing sessions including guided tours of the night skies and observing using telescopes or binoculars.
Affiliations
Lectures
Introducing the nights sky
My astrophotography talk has been presented both at national and international level to societies and general clubs. Astronomy is quite a niche area that generates a lot of interest particularly when the audience sees results of what might be possible from a back garden location after providing a little bit of help and knowledge. These talks are tailored depending on the audience (as indicated below). General Clubs – concentrating more on the results together with an explanation of how and when to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). There are lots of photographs to see of the night sky and presented with a bit of humour. Photography Clubs – as above but in addition, discussions on how to achieve widefield astrophotography using just a camera and lens (both zoom and wide angle), understanding the “500 rule”, iso/shutter speed/aperture triangle, how to achieve perfect focus out in the field, calibration frames and what they achieve, various software packages. Further discussions on photographing the aurora. Astronomy clubs – as above but in addition, equipment connectivity, software packages available, Pro’s & con’s using a standard camera, an astro modified camera and a CCD. Discussions on solar astronomy and finally discussions on remoting and the IT side to make this happen Schools and Colleges – tailored to suit the age level – On a side note, 8-10 year olds are banned as they ask the hardest of questions ;) The talks are between 45 to 90 minutes in length and will continue to evolve as new images are added. Every talk is different and humour is always included. The talk can also be presented in two halves with a coffee/tea/comfort break inbetween
