Create a Logo for CASTOR and Win!

New deadline: March 1, 2019                       All Canadians are invited to enter.

Canadian astronomers have established themselves in space-based astronomy by using space telescopes such as Hubble and Chandra. In 2003 Canada’s MOST (Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars) space telescope was launched, and now Canada is a full partner in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Hubble and Chandra are nearing the end of their lifetimes, and JWST won’t have the long lifetime of Hubble, so Canadian astronomers are already looking at what comes after JWST. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing WFIRST (Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope) and the European Space Agency is building Euclid.

Since both WFIRST and Euclid will operate in the infrared like JWST, ultraviolet and visible light capabilities in space will be lost when Hubble ceases operations. Because of this problem, many Canadian astronomers are supporting a proposal for a new Canadian space telescope, CASTOR, the Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and ultraviolet Research.

CASTOR is planned to have a primary mirror of a metre in diameter inside a spacecraft weighing about 500 kg. Its camera is planned to have a similar resolution to Hubble, but it would be able to cover a much larger part of the sky than Hubble. 

CASTOR would provide unique data in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum to complement data from JWST, WFIRST and Euclid, assisting in the search for dark energy. It would also challenge and stimulate Canadian industry and Canadian science.

The Canadian Space Agency is conducting a study of CASTOR that Canadian astronomers hope will lead to approval of the mission. While CSA would lead CASTOR, other space agencies would be involved, including NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization, which would provide the launch vehicle.

Now Canadian astronomers are seeking a logo for CASTOR, whose name pays tribute in French to Canada’s national animal, the beaver.

All Canadians are invited to submit their designs for a CASTOR logo.

Entries can be sent before March 1, 2019, to: RASC National Office at 203-4920 Dundas St West, Toronto ON M9A 1B7 or at nationaloffice@rasc.ca

They will be judged by a panel of astronomers selected by mission scientists, RASC and FAAQ.

The winner will receive a prize of merchandise from Ingenium: Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation.

The CASTOR website is at https://www.castormission.org

I am pleased to announce that we have hired a new staff member at the RASC Society office: Jenna Hinds has been appointed Youth Outreach Coordinator.

Jenna has a BSc from Mount Allison in Marine Biology and a Masters of Science in Science Communication and Public Engagement from the University of Edinburgh.

She has worked at the Ontario Science Centre for the past 2.5 years as a planetarium host, giving live shows on various aspects of astronomy.

Jenna’s prime responsibility will be to engage young people across the country in astronomy programming. She will be working with Centres to assess existing youth programming and will review astronomy educational programs offered by external organizations across the country. The top five to ten youth activities and best practices will be determined and shared nationally. Activities and resources will be posted on our website.  

Creating a communications network with youth advocates in RASC Centres and other astronomy groups is an important planning component. In this way, Jenna will effectively share youth programming and resources with many groups serving children and youth. 

The anticipated outcome is that hundreds of young people across the country will be newly introduced to the excitement and wonder of astronomy and become fascinated with learning how to navigate the sky. It’s expected that many will join the RASC and that some youth will take their interest further and find future careers in science.  

We thank the Trottier Family Foundation for providing funding for this position for three years.

Please join me in welcoming Jenna to the RASC!  Starting October 15th, she can be reached at jenna.hinds@rasc.ca  and phone: (416) 924-7973 Ext 4 

J. Randy Attwood

Executive Director

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada