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RASC eNews

Astronomy Outreach

UN declares 2009 International Year of Astronomy

Today the United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the “International Year of Astronomy”. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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Northern Skies

The Sky This Month - December 2007

Winter’s River

Eridanus the River is a large slinky constellation that continues far below our south Canadian horizon. In fact the alpha star named Achernar shining as bright as Procyon at magnitude 0.5 is located at declination -57 degrees. This long stretch of celestial landscape is listed as the 6th largest in the sky and is well populated with many galaxies.

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Announcements

Applications Due for Centre Projects Fund

The December 31 deadline is fast approaching for applications to the Centre Projects Fund.

The Centre Projects Fund was created by National Council in February 2006 with the intention that it provide funding for special initiatives at the centre level. Revenue comes from Sustaining Memberships and donations directed specifically to the Centre Projects Fund. The Centre Project Fund Trust Declaration clearly details the intended uses for these funds as well as the expectations of centres who receive grants.

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Announcements

Society Membership Fees Increase January 1st

The Society's fees will go up beginning 2008 January 1. The increase will be $4 per year for ordinary members and $2.50 per year for youth members.

The new fees, exclusive of any Centre surcharges, are:

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Announcements

Modest Subscription Increase for Printed JRASC

For subscriptions expiring 2007 December 31 and later, there will be a modest increase in the subscription fee for the printed version of the Journal of the RASC.

For Canadian member-subscribers, the new annual rate is $16/year (it was $15) plus GST.

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National Council

National Council Passes 2008 Budget

The 2008 Society budget forecast was approved this past weekend by the Society's National Council. The budget was prepared by the Society's Finance Committee, National Office staff, with input from various committees. It was then reviewed and recommended for approval by the Board Pilot Committee.

Some highlights:

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National Council

National Treasurer Resigns

The Executive Committee regrets to announce the resignation of our National Treasurer, Alan Whitman. On Tuesday, 2007 November 20, Alan submitted his resignation as Treasurer of the Society, effective immediately. His resignation was sent to members of the Executive, Board Pilot, and Finance Committees, with the request that his reason for resigning be kept confidential and within the three aforementioned groups. We will respect his request.

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Announcements

NC075 Minutes now on-line

Go to this site for either a PDF or MS Word document of yesterday's meeting minutes. www.rasc.ca/private/minutes/index.shtml. Remember that these are the unofficial version, having yet to receive acceptance by motion of National Council.

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Astronomy Outreach

Free IAU Journal available on-line

Check out the CAP Journal -  leading up to the International Year of Astronomy IYA 2009 www.capjournal.org Thanks to Peter Broughton for bringing this to our attention!

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Northern Skies

The Sky This Month - November 2007

What a Comet !!!

The biggest story of the month is the unexpected outburst of 17P/Comet Holmes. This outburst occurred over a short 24 hour period starting October 23rd. By the 24th, the comet had increase its brightness from magnitude 17.5 to magnitude 2.5, that is an order of one million times. At the time of writing this article the comet halo is still growing but the inner portion is fading a bit. It is still a very impressive object.

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RASC eNews is maintained by the Membership & Development Committee. To submit a news item, contact the eNews team.

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