630406Eclipse4_p0

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ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA
Standing Committee on Observational Activities
Programme for Solar Eclipse of July 20, 1963

Bulletin No, 4	  Basic Observation Programme	April 6, 1963
	Section B. Photographic Projects

    For the July 20th eclipse, we expect that the emphasis will be on photography.
This bulletin gives brief descriptions of basic photographic projects. Some are
comparatively simple and others are much more complex. It is hoped that members who
have the equipment will undertake some of the more exacting projects. Observing
groups should plan their programmes to snake the best use of the equipment available.
All photographs will be of value, however, if taken with care and precision and if
accompanied by a report giving complete information on method and circumstances.

    Once again we' stress the extreme care that must be taken to protect the eyes
during the partial phases. The descriptions and instructions in these bulletins are,
of necessity, very brief and there is always a danger in over-simplification. Upon
re-reading Bulletin No. 3, we realized that it would have been wise to inject a word
of caution about eye protection even when experimenting with diffraction gratings.

                               *    *    *    *    *


    You will be interested, we are sure, in hearing how the eclipse plans of the
various Centres are progressing. In Bulletin No. 2 we mentioned the tentative plans
of some groups. We have now learned that le Centre de Quebec will have three field
stations, each with the same programme and equipment, one station to be near Abitibi,
one in the Shawinigan region and the third near the U. S. border. The Montreal
Centre has decided on the location of one field station in the Grand'mere area and
is still considering several sites for another station south of the St. Lawrence.
In addition to its field stations, the Montreal Centre is sponsoring a special train
which will leave Montreal on the Saturday morning and return that evening. Tickets
will be offered first to members and then to the general public. Details will be
available shortly. The Regina Astronomical Society and the Saskatoon Astronomical
Society, which are closely associated with the R.A.S.C., are planning together to
charter a DC-3 and fly in to the Lake Athabaska region to observe the eclipse.

    As you know, the National Co-ordinators rely on a contact in each Centre to
keep members informed on each field of activity. However, the R.A.S.C. has many
members in Canada, the United States awl other parts of the world who are not att-
ached to any Centre. Therefore, a special eclipse bulletin has been sent to these
unattached members inviting those who want to receive subsequent bulletins to send
in their names. Every mail brings in a few more replies. To date we have heard
from members in British Colmthia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, California, Idaho, Indiana,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Denmark and Puerto Rico.

All this keeps us very busy! Fortunately, your Eclipse Co-ordinator has a good
Committee - Kenneth Chalk and Charles Good whose able assistance in planning pro-
gramme and bulletins is much appreciated and Miss Ella Dack who has taken on the
substantial job of mailing the bulletins.


                                            Isabel K. Williamson
                                            National Co-ordinator 1963 Eclipse
                                            5162 Belmore Avenue,
                                            Montreal 29, Canada.

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