Join us online to learn basic astronomy that you can do on your own from your backyard! We'll give you the tools to learn astronomy on your own at home, along with some observing goals to try. All you need is your computer! A pair of binoculars will help, but are not necessary. Sessions are always on Tuesdays at 3:30pm ET, but the frequency of sessions changes. Please see below for details.
Chris will be hosting one episode per month over the summer. See schedule below for details!
Register here! Videos will also be live-streamed to The RASC YouTube Channel.
Date | Host | Topic |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
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Chris Vaughan
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All About Star Charts
We'll review what star charts are, what they display, and what they don't. We'll compare star finders, printed atlases, and apps. Then we'll share tips for how to use charts to find objects - both in the sky and through your eyepiece. We'll end the show by highlighting some summer Finest NGC targets.
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Tuesday, August 1, 2023
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Chris Vaughan
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Lunar Lore
August, 2023 will be Moon Month! We’ll review this month’s two supermoons, one blue, its occultation of Antares, and its (lack of) effect on the 2023 Perseids Meteor Shower. We’ll highlight what to see on a full moon with unaided eyes, binos, and telescopes, and note some future moon events like solar and lunar eclipses and lunar occultations of planets and bright stars, and share some recommended apps and atlases.
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
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Chris Vaughan
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Extra Solar Planets
The star that hosts the first ever exo-planet to be discovered, and the constellation containing the Trappist-1 planetary system are both in the late summer sky, so we'll focus on how we discover planets around other stars. We'll end the show by highlighting our final group of Finest NGC targets.
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Date | Host | Topic |
Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan |
All About Stellarium!
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan |
Introductory Observing
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan |
2020's Last Supermoon
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan |
Demystifying the Stars
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 |
Paul Owen |
Introductory Astrophotography
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Thursday, April 16th, 2020 |
David Shuman |
Introductory Photoshop
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Tuesday,
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Chris Vaughan |
Galaxy Season
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Thursday,
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Chris Vaughan |
Messier and NGC Catalog
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Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan |
Apps and Tools
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan, Blake Nancarrow |
Double Stars and Easy City Targets
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan |
Beginner Telescopes
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Tuesday,
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Paul Owen
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Intermediate Astrophotography Part 1
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Tuesday,
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Paul Owen
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Intermediate Astrophotography Part 2
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan
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Science Fiction in the Stars
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan |
Touring the Summer Milky Way
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan |
Constellation Deep Dive
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Tuesday, August 11th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan |
A Virtual Tour of the Southern Hemisphere
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan |
Summer/Fall Planet Viewing Preview
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan
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Stargazing for Beginners and the Best Sights for Autumn
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 |
Chris Vaughan
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Telescope
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Tuesday, October 6th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan
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Mars Fest 2020
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan
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Out of This World Records!
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Tuesday, November 17th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan, Bryon Czarnik |
All About Meteor Showers and Meteorites
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2020
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Chris Vaughan
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Orion Deep Dive
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2020
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Chris Vaughan |
Observing with Binoculars!
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Tuesday, January 19th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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The Science Behind Astrology
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Step Outside and Travel Through Time
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Observing the Moon
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Messier Marathon and Galaxy Season
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Tuesday, March 16, 2021
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Chris Vaughan |
Astronomy and Religions Around the World
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Tuesday, March 30, 2021
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Chris Vaughan, Alan Dyer |
Observing the Aurora Borealis
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Library Episode!
Books in the Sky: Harry Potter
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Spotting Satellites
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 |
Chris Vaughan
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Galaxies in Plain Sight
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Tuesday, May 27th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Safely Viewing the Sun
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Summer Astronomy Round-Up
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Tuesday, August 17th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Gas Giants Spectacular
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Space and Astronomy Books
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan |
Life Cycles of the Stars
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Astronomy at Other Wavelengths
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Binoculars Observing
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Lunar Geology
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021
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Chris Vaughan
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Astronomy Wish List 2021
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Tuesday, December 7th, 2021
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Chris Vaughan |
Astronomy Highlights 2022
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan with Guest Blake Nancarrow |
RASC Observing Programs
Working on an observing program is a great way to learn the sky and develop your observing skills. The RASC has eight observing programs designed for beginners and more experienced stargazers - and they'll give you a certificate for completing each one! Viewing from the driveway? No problem! The moon and double stars programs don't require dark skies. No telescope? For some of the programs, you won't need one. For this first session of 2022, Blake Nancarrow, Chair of the RASC Observing Committee, will join us to describe the different RASC Observing Programs, and how to log and submit your observations to receive a certificate. And we'll share our own experiences completing the programs and tips on how you can, too!
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Tuesday, February 1st, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
All About Nebulas!
This episode is all about nebulas! The winter sky hosts one of the most famous and easily seen nebulas for Canadians – M42 in Orion. We’ll break down what nebulas are. We'll describe the different types (emission, reflection, dark, planetary, and more) and what they look like. Then we’ll share how and where to see them - with unaided eyes, binoculars, and telescopes of any size. We might even play “Guess the Nebula” with our viewers!
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Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 |
Chris Vaughan
with Guests Jodie Williams and Isaac Murdoch (Ojibway name Manzinapkinegego’anaabe / Bombgiizhik)
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Lessons From Beyond - Part 1
Come and join us as we explore the night sky as the Anishinaabek understand it. During this time Isaac Murdoch from Serpent River First Nation will share about the importance of the night sky, how it is still used today to understand our roles and responsibilities here on Earth, how celestial objects are used to aid in navigation, and more! Isaac will share examples of how deeply connected the Anishinaabek are to the night sky. This knowledge sharing is also found in a new digital resource that engages students in learning about the mysteries of the cosmos through Indigenous knowledge systems. This resource works from the understanding that Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Western science can reflect, resonate with, and reinforce one another, affirming each other as valid, valuable, and vital. Lessons From Beyond is a unique collaborative network of Indigenous educators, Elders, academics, and scientists from across North America as well as New Zealand, and also includes a partnership with NASA.
Visit Lessons from the Earth & Beyond
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022
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Chris Vaughan
with Guests Jodie Williams and Isaac Murdoch (Ojibway name Manzinapkinegego’anaabe / Bombgiizhik)
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Lessons From Beyond - Part 2
Come and join us as we continue to explore the night sky through Indigenous perspectives. Together Isaac and Jodie will showcase how Indigenous knowledge systems can enhance current understandings of cosmology and astronomy. Through our new digital resource Lessons From Beyond, we weave together multiple understandings of the universe and show how both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems can reflect, resonate with, and reinforce one another, affirming each other as valid, valuable, and vital.
Visit Lessons from the Earth & Beyond
Isaac's GoFundMe for Clean Drinkable Water
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Tuesday March 15th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan and Guests from RASC Toronto Centre |
Live from the David Dunlap Observatory
In this special edition of Insider's Guide, we’ll team up with members of the RASC Toronto Centre to stream live from the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) in Richmond Hill, the home of Canada’s largest optical telescope. We will tour the observatory, talk about the site's history and discoveries, and demonstrate the 74” telescope in action – including some pre-recorded views through it. And we’ll tell you how you can visit DDO yourself and view through its massive telescope!
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Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Touring the Virgo Cluster and Messier Marathon Season 2022
50th Episode!
We have talked about the Messier List before on Insider's Guide - but did you know that you can observe all 110 of those deep sky objects during a single night at a particular time of the year? Late March kicks off the Messier Marathon season. In this episode, we will highlight the spring Messier objects and describe some tips and tricks on how to view them yourself. We will also share how you can participate in a Messier Marathon from the comfort of your own home!
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Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Travelling the Sea of Serenity: An Observer's Tour of Mare Serenitatis
With the moon shining in the evening sky this week, we'll explore the Sea of Serenity with an in-depth tour, pointing out binoculars sights and then zooming in to explore the most interesting features that you can see in a telescope from home - all clues to past lunar processes. Our Messier Minutes will cover bright spring DSO's, and we'll spend a little time sharing tips for galaxy-viewing after the moon moves away.
Rewatch Travelling the Sea of Serenity Here!
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Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
A Deep Dive into Leo
We'll review the cultures that have seen a lion in the stars of Leo, highlight the astrophysics and naming of its major stars, and point out other interesting variable stars, double stars, and one referenced in Star Trek! We'll also review its five Messier objects and highlight its RASC Finest NGC, Caldwell, and other showpieces. For Messier Minutes, we'll finish up the galaxies in Coma and Virgo.
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Doing More with Stellarium
So you know the basics of how to use Stellarium? In this episode, we will learn some more in-depth features and tools in the planetarium software. We will also answer your questions about Stellarium!
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Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Planning Your Observing Session
We'll take a look at everything you need to plan and execute a successful visual observing session, including sites and apps for checking the astronomy forecast and selecting a site, preparing gear and packing up, and deciding what to observe. In Messier Minutes, we'll finish up the spring Messier objects.
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Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Globular Cluster Spectacular
Summer is globular cluster season in Canada! We'll cover what those mysterious balls of stars are and why they don't collapse. We'll highlight globulars that are visible with unaided eyes and binoculars. Then we'll hand out the "Globie Awards" - the nearest, farthest, biggest, smallest, and most interesting globular clusters to observe and image. In Messier Minutes, we'll focus on the westerly summer Messier objects.
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Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Canadians in the Stars
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Bright Planets Preview
The bright planets are available for evening viewing! We'll review the retrograde loops, oppositions, and their meetings with stars and deep sky objects for the rest of 2022, including a preview of the December Mars opposition/lunar occultation. In Messier Minutes, we'll focus on the northerly summer Messier objects in Scutum, Sagitta, and Sagittarius.
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Variable Stars Part I
Stars vary in brightness due to a number of different astrophysical processes. We'll cover the main types, share some examples to monitor in the summertime - with unaided eyes, binoculars, and any size of the telescope, and cover how to make light curves and comparison charts. In Messier Minutes, we'll focus on the southerly summer Messier objects in Scorpius and Sagittarius.
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Variable Stars Part II
Stars vary in brightness due to a number of different astrophysical processes. We'll cover the main types, share some examples to monitor- with unaided eyes, binoculars, and any size of telescope, and cover how to make light curves and comparison charts.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022
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Chris Vaughan |
Delphinus Deep Dive
The little constellation of Delphinus, the Dolphin, swims the autumn evening sky. It is easy to identify with unaided eyes, can be explored in binoculars, and has many interesting stars and deep sky targets for telescopes of any size. We'll dive into Delphinus and then complete the final handful of Messier objects in Messier Minutes.
For the new version of Stellarium:
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Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Stellarium Mobile app demo/showcase
Recently, the team behind Stellarium has made major improvements to the mobile app version of the software, making it comparable to the gold standard SkySafari app. We'll work through the basic functions and the advanced features available in Stellarium Plus, including Satellite tracking, telescope/eyepiece simulated views, and observing planning. We'll highlight some news for Stellarium desktop users, too.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022
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Chris Vaughan
with Special Guest
RASC President Charles Ennis
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The World Asterisms Project
RASC President Charles Ennis has been creating a catalogue of the star patterns employed by a myriad of cultures around the world. He'll join us as a special guest to take us through the project and share his favourites.
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Deep-Sky Catalogues and intro RASC Finest Observing Program
This time, we’ll focus on the upcoming Mars opposition, the Herschel's and how they established the various catalogues we use today to list deep sky objects (nebulae, galaxies, and clusters), and we’ll launch our tour through RASC’s Finest NGC objects observing program.
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 | Chris Vaughan |
Astronomy Wish List with RASC National
The holidays are upon us, so we'll gather friends to chat about the astronomy-related items on our wish lists. Books, gear, apparel, and more. Viewers can share their own ideas, too! In Finest Minutes, we'll showcase December objects in RASC's Finest NGC list.
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Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 | Chris Vaughan |
Celestial Sights of 2023!
We'll review Brian Ventrudo's Top Ten events in SkyNews Magazine, the Lunar X and V appearances, and the Super Blue Moon, and follow the trajectory of the (possibly) naked-eye comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF). We will highlight a few planetary visits with star clusters, the best times to see elusive edge features on the moon, and some lunar occultations. And, of course, another batch of Finest NGC objects.
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Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 | Chris Vaughan |
Celestial Sights of 2023!
We'll review Brian Ventrudo's Top Ten events in SkyNews Magazine, the Lunar X and V appearances, and the Super Blue Moon, and follow the trajectory of the (possibly) naked-eye comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF). We will highlight a few planetary visits with star clusters, the best times to see elusive edge features on the moon, and some lunar occultations. And, of course, another batch of Finest NGC objects.
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 | Chris Vaughan |
Winter Milky Way Stargazing
We’ll focus on sights to see along the winter Milky Way - using your unaided eyes, binoculars, telescopes, and cameras. We'll include some cold weather stargazing tips for you and your equipment, and then we’ll highlight our next batch of RASC’s Finest NGC objects.
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