Resources from the RASC Centres

Many of our members have created their own resources to help them lead workshops in schools, for scouts and girl guide troupes, and to make star parties more exciting. Below, you can find resources from each centre that may help you run your own workshops, plan lessons, or create your own educational materials.

The articles are listed according to the Centre that hosts them. Clicking on the Centre name above a particular list will direct you to the host Centre's Web page.

This list does not imply or give copyright permission of any kind for the articles listed.

Calgary

• Choosing and Using Binoculars
  Binoculars are an excellent way to see objects in the night sky. You may even have an old pair hanging around! Check this out to find the best binoculars for you and how to use them.
   
• Choosing and Using a Telescope
  This guide will teach you all about telescopes and how to use them for astronomy.
   
• Understanding and Observing the Moon
  This brochure gives an overview of how to observe the moon and its phases. If you have more questions, check out these brochures on moon geology and lunar eclipses.
   
• Understanding and Observing Meteors, Aurorae, and Noctilucent Clouds
  Don't have a telescope or binoculars yet? These phenomenae are all visible with the naked eye!
   
• Responsible Lighting
  Cities are bright places. No wonder New York is the city that never sleeps: the lights are always on! Learn about what you can do to help everyone see the sky better.
   
• Light Pollution Quiz
  Just read the brochure above? Test that knowledge!
   
• Astronomy Quiz
  Test your knowledge of the sky with this quiz.

   

Kitchener-Waterloo

• Caring for Optics
  Learn how to take care of your telescope or binoculars.
   
• Dealing With Dew
  What to do about the dew on your telescope.
   
• The Stellar Magnitude System
  The way we measure light from stars is a little different than the way we measure most things. As celestial objects get brighter, the number gets smaller... Click here to learn why.

   

New Brunswick

• The Importance of Science Literacy
  This presentation, given by Mary Lou Whitehorne at the 2010 General Assembly of the RASC, outlines why it is so important to understand science, especially in this day and age.

Prince George

• Graph the Constellations
  Use graph paper and coordinates to graph the constellations!
   
• Crazy Craters
  Learn about why craters look and form the way they do, and how this changes depending on where you're looking: the Earth's moon, the moons of Jupiter, or our own planet!
   
• Lunar Craters
  Maybe you only care about the craters on our moon, and that's fine! We have an activity just for lunar craters as well. This activity is simpler than the "Crazy Craters" activity.
   
• Phases of the Moon
  Use this chart to record the phases of the moon for a lunar cycle.
   
• Make a Sundial
  Use your own handmade solar clock to tell the time.
   
• Make a Star Clock
  You can tell the time during the day with your sundial, but what about at night? We've got you covered!
   
• Build a Refracting Telescope
  You can make your own telescope with only a few simple materials. TEach your students about telescope optics with this activity.
   
• Measure the Diameter of the Sun
  Ever wondered how astronomers know how big the sun is when they have never been there before? You can do the math yourself!
   
• Motion of the Earth and Sun
  Become the Earth to learn about how we move through space in this interactive activity.
   
• Constructing Optics Diagrams
  Find out how light bounces around telescopse in order to make the object you're looking at appear larger than it actually is.
   
• Planetary Colouring Sheets
  Colour in Jupiter, Mars, Saturn and the Sun.