Written by Denis Grey, Toronto on Tue, 2007/05/01
RASC members from Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo and Niagara are being featured in the tenth annual CONTACT photography festival which opens today in Toronto. A total of 20 outstanding astroimages, selected by SkyNews Editor Terence Dickinson, will be on display in the Great Hall of the Ontario Science Centre until May 31st. A special presentation focusing on astrophotography is planned as part of the official opening on May 9th.
Written by Denis Grey, Toronto on Tue, 2007/04/24
LONGUEUIL, QC, April 24 /CNW Telbec/ - When a mission to Mars is being developed, mission planners must consider many factors. Space technology advances, scientific needs and objectives, how to deal with distance, communications delays, and landing through the thin Martian atmosphere-all this must converge into a useful, workable mission concept. Canadian companies and researchers are part of an international drive to respond to these and other challenges.
Written by Gary Boyle, Ottawa on Tue, 2007/04/03
The Bear and the Dog
With spring now upon us, nature is joyfully coming out of hibernation. Warmer weather settles in as animals such as the bear awaken from their winter slumber. Just like its shaggy hair cousin, the great celestial bear is up and about in northern skies. Even though it is circumpolar meaning it never sets, the Big Dipper in nicely overhead all night long.
Written by Peter Jedicke, London on Mon, 2007/03/26
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, stimulating worldwide interest not only in astronomy, but in science in general, with a particular slant towards young people. IYA2009 will mark Galileo Galilei’s first use of the telescope for astronomical observations, and will portray astronomy as a peaceful global scientific endeavour that unites astronomers in an international, multicultural family of scientists working together to find answers to some of the most fundamental questions that humanity has ever asked.
Written by Andrew Beaton, Niagara on Thu, 2007/03/08
The Niagara Centre is hosting their annual banquet on Saturday, April 14th, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. onwards. All RASC members are encouraged to take in this exciting event that will feature Paul Delaney of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University.
Written by Denis Grey, Toronto on Sat, 2007/03/03
Jaymie Matthews, member of the Vancouver Centre and Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of British Columbia was appointed to the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on February 20th. The Society congratulates Mr. Matthews, OC on this honour which was effective October 5, 2006.
Written by Gary Boyle, Ottawa on Fri, 2007/03/02
Finally – A Lunar Eclipse
The typical wall calendar shows that this March 3rd will be a full moon other wise known as the Wolf Moon, and is scheduled to rise 5:50 p.m. locally. However, the magic to this event is the moon will be completely immersed in the earth’s shadow – a total lunar eclipse. Mid totality when the moon is deepest in our planet’s shadow, will occur at 6:21 p.m. (Eastern) after which the Moon will begin to slowly slide from the zone of darkness.
Written by Denis Grey, Toronto on Sun, 2007/02/25
Canada's time-signal station, CHU, is now making the following brief announcement during even-numbered minutes: "CHU has been licensed to continue broadcasting on 7.335 MHz." (The same message is heard in French during odd-numbered minutes.) To those who made known your concerns to the National Research Council regarding the possible loss of this valuable transmission—on a frequency best heard at night, when astronomers dabble in their "occult phenomena"—the effort appears to have succeeded.
Written by Paul Gray, Moncton on Thu, 2007/02/22
A new year has brought much success to The Puckett Observatory World Supernova Search. With over 10 Canadians on the team there has been a steady flow over the last few years of announcements involving those members in discoveries. Last year the international team discovered 29 supernovae, this was considered to be a slow year!
Written by James Edgar, Regina on Thu, 2007/02/22
Old minutes now on-line!
Through a collaboration between Randy Attwood, Peter Jedicke, and James Edgar, National Council Minutes from the early years of the Society are now on-line.
