2019 - Toronto

2019—TorontoGA Logo

June 13-16

  • Joint meeting with AAVSO
  • RASC GA 2019
  • Chair: National Office
  • Attendance: 150+ (40+ from AAVSO)
  • Group Photo (../..):

 

 
The 2019 General Assembly will be held in Toronto at York University 2019 June 13–16. The theme of the General Assembly will be Education and Public Outreach.

 

Background

In August 2018, the Carswell Family Foundation made a $3 million donation to York University to create the Allan I. Carswell Chair for Public Understanding of Astronomy.

Thought to be the first of its kind in North America, it will be dedicated to science engagement and outreach. It will benefit students and the public through education and activities, involving telescopes at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, as well as novel technologies such as virtual reality. The endowment will also support the York Science Communicator in Residence program to enhance student learning opportunities in science communications. A new 1 metre telescope will be installed in the observatory in early 2019.

York University was the site of the 2008 General Assembly held by the Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton Centres. Recently, two subway stations were opened at York — at the north and south ends of the campus making it accessible from all over the city. This also means that downtown Toronto is a short subway ride from the campus.

Program Schedule

Thursday June 13
RASC
Board Meeting – morning
National Council Meeting – afternoon

AAVSO
Council Meeting – all day                                        
 

Evening Event - Wine and Cheese 7:pm

8:30 - 10:00 Informal Presentations

10:00: Tours and Observing at York Observatory

 

Friday June 14
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch – people are on their own 

RASC, AAVSO - Joint presentations all day.

6:00 pm Dinner – BBQ

Evening - A highlight of this day will be the introduction of a new book – an autobiography of RASC member David Levy. David will be on hand to preview his book.  Interview with David Levy by Ivan Semeniuk

10:00: Tours and Observing at York Observatory

Saturday June 15

During the weekend, a program will be run for members of the public. Families will be invited to attend hands-on astronomy activities and introductory lectures as part of a Father’s Day Weekend Astronomy Adventure.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – people are on their own.

RASC – all day paper sessions

AAVSO – all day paper sessions

8 pm: Ruth Northcott / Celebration of Apollo 11 50th anniversary
Speaker: James Hansen , Author of “First Man” First Man is in theatres now. It is a biography of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong. James Hansen worked with Armstrong to publish the biography in 2005.  CBC journalist / RASC Journal Editor Nicole Mortillaro will interview Mr. Hansen

10:00: Tours and Observing at York Observatory

Sunday June 16

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch – people are on their own
Dinner – Awards Banquet

Morning
RASC – Annual Meeting 9:00 am
RASC – National Council Meeting 11:00 am
AAVSO – Business Meeting 9:00 am

Afternoon

RASC/AAVSO  – Workshops on various aspects of Society activities
– Education, Public Outreach, Light Pollution Abatement,      
Member Retention, Running a Centre

5:00 – Free time
6:00 – Pre-banquet
7:00 – Awards Banquet
Evening: Observing at York University
Monday June 17

Tours to local sites – David Dunlap observatory,

Accommodation will be available on campus in student residences or offsite at a hotel on the Toronto subway.

Visit the following link to register for the GA: rascga2019.ca

 

RASC-AAVSO General Assembly, June 13-16, 2019
RASC-AAVSO GA 2019 Playlist

No documents or images were found in the archives for this GA.

Year: 
2019