RASC Regina Centre Centennial

BEGINNINGS

Our Society was born on February 17th, 1910. It has been said in a article in the Morning Leader in 1910, that our group was part of the Regina Philosophical Society formed in 1893.

On that date, according to the account in the Morning Leader the next day, six men resolved to meet and call for the formation of the Astronomical Society.

Mr. McMurchy was voted to the chair.

Mr. A.J. Pike was the secretary.

It was then moved by Mr. Bryant and seconded by William Trant, that the Astronomical Society be formed and the motion was unanimously approved.

Short speeches were given by several in favour of this endeavour. Trant spoke of a society in Leeds, England of which he was a founding member. His speech then was reminiscent of many we have today. As he went on, he digressed into the importance of creating a stable mount for the telescope the Society was no doubt going to acquire, and in the importance of eliminating vibration. They ended by resolving to call another meeting in one week's time. At that time the Society was formally constituted.

They also discussed joining the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada which, at that time, was entering its 20th year.

"Within a few months, that is exactly what happened. On 1910 October 11, twenty-seven members from Saskatchewan were elected to membership in the RASC, and the Regina Centre was born, the first outside Ontario. Among the charter members were H.S. McClung, an optometrist who later proposed the corneal reflex test for use in mirror grinding, and J.A. Covington, who was yet to become the father of Canada's pioneer radio astronomer, Arthur Covington." [From the book "Looking Up" - A History of the RASC].

Largely due to the Charity of Mr. Justice J.T. Brown a 4.5 inch telescope was donated to the Society in 1910. Originally purchased from John A. Brashear Telescope of Pittsburgh, PA. The plaque on the telescope reads:

"Presented by the Honorable Mr. Justice Brown to the Saskatchewan Astronomy, Society Regina Sask. June 22nd 1910".

At first, they used it with a tripod. Later in 1913, the telescope was sent back to Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A., to be prepared for its home on Regina Collegiate. "When finally equipped it will be equatorially mounted and fitted with circles and clock motions". [source, Morning Leader, 1913 September 16]. Later, they mounted it on Central Collegiate. This observatory, called the Meteoritical Room, was built in 1914.

In 1915, the membership of the Regina Centre stood at 16. By 1920 the membership was down to 4. After that time no records exist until the 1930's.

REVIVAL

In January 1934, the Society met again at 2331 Victoria Ave. At that time, 25 people were in attendance. During those quiet years Regina astronomers had been busy. At that time they resolved to purchase a 4" objective to replace the original one for the Brashear which had been lost. This was done at a cost of $160.00. A fortune back then.

Herbert McClung provided most of the funds and spent the next 15 years collecting it back from the group.

After that meeting they went outside to Observe M42 in Orion's Sword, Betelgeuse, Rigel and Mizar in Ursa Major. This time, membership fees were set at $1.00, and a sustaining membership was $5.00. This was in the middle of the Depression Years.

The Brashear itself was removed from Central in 1934. The pier was removed in 1938. At that time as well, the Observatory there was also removed. Herbert McClung stored the Brashear telescope at his home durning those years.

During those years the club used the children's cottage at the Red Cross Hospital for its meetings. The pier was stored in the coal room at the Red Cross Hospital.

In 1939 the War intervened and records ceased.

A NEW START

In December 1945, activities resumed and continued to the present date. After this time log books were kept, detailing the exploits of the Society.

NEW BEGINNINGS

In 1989, the Regina Astronomical Society once again joined The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

More to come later.