Monthly Meeting

RASC Ottawa

This month's virtual meeting is on Friday 4 February at 7:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Anyone interested in looking out from this Earth is welcome!

Pre-register for this Zoom webinar (Unless you are presenting a talk or observation) HERE!
 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

NOTE:  If you are presenting an observation you then will be sent a unique link (from Chris Teron) to join as a panelist and do not need to register.

The agenda for this meeting derives from the Navier-Stokes equation and can readily devolve from laminar to chaotic. In theory:

Mick Wilson – Introduction and quiet reflection
Dave Chisholm - Ottawa Skies for February
Marcus Leech – CCERA Update
Calvin Klatt – Time, Space and Place: the Paris, Greenwich and Dominion Observatories
BioBreak and Astro-trivia
Mick Wilson – Our Fabulously Well-Provisioned Website
Observation Reports
Monthly Observing Challenges
Announcements

There's still room on the agenda for more observations so please bring them forward!

Monthly Meeting with Special Presentations

RASC Halifax

This meeting is on Saturday, February 5th, 2022 @ 1 pm - 4:30 pm AST (12 pm - 3:30 pm EST)

Special Presentations

Inside the Galactic Tunnel in the Sky

Presented by Dr. Jennifer West (Research Associate, University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics)

Dr. West uses large radio surveys and radio polarimetry to study magnetic fields in supernova remnants and in the Milky Way Galaxy. In her presentation, she will describe how two previously known bright structures (the North Polar Spur and the Fan Region) are in fact linked and have implications as to how our Solar System is formed. Note: For an introduction to Dr. West’s research, refer to the January/February 2022 SkyNews.

Equipment Review: Celestron Starsense Explorer Telescopes & Software

Presented by Tim Doucette (RASC, Halifax Centre)

Find just about anything in the universe with the Celestron Starsense Explorer telescopes.  No motors required!

Also included in this month's Member's Meeting are:

Paul Gray - Photo Montage
Paul Heath - Food for the Soul 
David Hoskin will present the What's up in February Skies?
Judy Black - News from the Board

Go to the Centre’s website on the Activities page to register to attend.

Monthly Meeting with Guest Speaker Dr. Jennifer West

Topic: "Inside the Galactic tunnel in the Sky"

RASC Kingston

Agenda:

Kim Hay — Introductions & Notes
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jennifer West  Topic TBA
John Hurley — National Council Representative Update
Hank Bartlett — Hank’s Sun Spot
Rick Wagner — What’s up in the Sky for 2022 February
General Q&A
Adjourn

This meeting is on Wednesday, February 9th, 2021 @ 7:00 pm EST.

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, in-person meetings of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Kingston Centre have been cancelled until further notice (since March 2020). In lieu of in-person meetings, we are holding virtual meetings with the aid of the Zoom videoconferencing system.

RASC-KC members will receive a preregistration email from the President a few days before the meeting.  This will also be sent to other RASC centres across Canada, for the use of RASC members.

Non-members who are interested should view the meeting on our Youtube Channel

For some people, the bandwidth requirements may be much less than a live zoom call, but you will not be able to interact with the meeting as you would in zoom.

Astronomy Speakers Night

Black Holes: What We See On the Outside, What Happens Inside 

Presented by Dr. Saeed Rastgoo

RASC Toronto - David Dunlap Observatory 

Friday, February 11, 2022 | 7:30-9:00 PM EST | Online
Register Here! 

Abstract: Quantum gravity is considered the most fundamental theory of nature that can enable us to answer deep questions about the universe. What is time? What is space? Are they fundamental? If not, what is their true nature and fine structure? What happens inside a black hole if quantum effects are considered? Would there still be a singularity there? What happened very close to what is usually called the Big Bang?

Speaker bio: Dr, Saeed Rastgoo was born in Iran and studied his Undergraduate and MSc degrees there. He then moved to Uruguay to study his PhD in quantum gravity under the supervision of one of the pioneers of loop quantum gravity, Prof. Rodolfo Gambini. This was followed by two postdocs in Mexico, one in UNAM and the other in the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana. After that, he became an assistant professor at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico in mid 2018. In 2020, Dr. Rastgoo moved to Canada and became an assistant professor at York University. His current research is particularly concentrated on the black hole interior, its dynamics and its singularity. He also does research on the fundamental nature of space and time, and studies how we can obtain information about their hidden secrets by analyzing the behavior of gravitational waves and gamma rays coming from far-away astronomical objects.

Join us, from the comfort of your home! This program will feature live-stream views from the DDO's 74-Inch telescope (Weather permitting). Explore breaking news from space and current research into what lies beyond our home planet! Each night, we’ll take a virtual tour of the DDO, hear from our speakers about their own amazing space research, and ask them all our questions about what they know and what they’re discovering. Only one registration per household is required. Deadline to register for this program is Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 3pm.
 

Sunday Sungazing

RASC Toronto Centre - David Dunlap Observatory

Sunday, February 13, 2022 | 12:30-1:00 PM EST | Online
Register Here! 
Safely observe the sun with us, from the comfort of your home! During these family-friendly sessions, a DDO Astronomer will answer your questions about our closest star: the sun! Learn how the sun works and how it affects our home planet. Live-streamed views of the sun through small telescopes will be included, weather permitting. Only one registration per household is required. Deadline to register for this program is Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 3p.m.
 

Youth Workshop - Alien Life, ages 10-17

RASC Montreal

The Denver Astronomical Society has organized an Alien Drawing Workshop by AstroLeague & RASC Montreal Centre Youth member Taara Jaffer, open to any youth ages 10-17 interested in Astronomy & Space. The workshop will be held on Sunday, Feb 13th from 4-6pm EST (2-4pm MT) to learn about extremophiles and try your hand at drawing alien life. This workshop is for youth only, and parents' email addresses will be required on registration. We also invite parents to share their kids' alien drawings after the workshop for publication in the Sky's Up newsletter by Explore Alliance, and in the Global Star Parties. Any RASC Montreal Centre participants are also encouraged to share their work with our SkyWard Newsletter.

Youth ages 10-17 are invited to register in advance here!

Galaxies: a journey through cosmic time

RASC Edmonton

RASC Regular Meeting, Monday February 14, 2022 7 PM MST (9 PM EST)

7:00 PM (MST), Meet and Greet

7:30 PM (MST), Meeting begins, including guest talk, News from Space, AstroImaging Corner, and other RASC features.

FREE and open to the public.

Join this meeting using this Zoom link.

Guest Speaker:

Dr. Allison Man, University of British Columbia
Galaxies: a journey through cosmic time

Galaxy evolution is a driven by a myriad of processes on different scales from cosmology to molecular clouds. Over the past century, ever more sensitive telescope instruments were built to enable sharper, deeper observations of faint, distant galaxies. Astronomers are now able to routinely survey the gaseous and stellar content of hundreds of galaxies, and scrutinize how galaxies form stars. In this talk, I will describe current ideas about how galaxies form and evolve, and will outline the anticipated discoveries with upcoming facilities like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph.

Allison uses the most advanced telescopes to study how galaxies like our own Milky Way came to be. She investigates the physics behind starbursts, colliding galaxies and supermassive black holes. Before joining UBC as an assistant professor, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the European Southern Observatory and at the University of Toronto. Allison received her PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Copenhagen. 

** Please note that this meeting may be recorded and posted on youtube. By joining you agree to becoming part of this recording. **

Lessons From Beyond - Part 1

Insider's Guide to the Galaxy

Hosted by Chris Vaughan and Samantha Jewett

with Guests Jodie Williams and Isaac Murdoch (Ojibway name Manzinapkinegego’anaabe / Bombgiizhik)

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. 

Plus a New Segment: Messier Minutes!

In each episode, we will be reviewing the Messier objects visible in the sky in the next two weeks, including tips and tricks on how to find them. Follow us along in observing the 110 targets from one of the most famous lists of Deep Sky Objects and work towards your RASC Messier Observing Certificate!

Register for all Insider Guide to the Galaxy webinars HERE or view on our YouTube Channel

Check out future episodes on our webpage HERE!

Stellarium introductory course (ONLINE)

Tuesday 15 February 2022, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Mountain Time. 

Stellarium is a powerful planetarium application available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers. 

Class participants will learn how to setup the software for a specific location, date, and time. They will learn how to view the simulated sky, zoom and pan, and search for and select celestial objects. Features such as gridlines, the meridian, sky settings, and red light mode will be explored. This will provide an amateur astronomer a basic overview of the Stellarium program.

FOR MEMBERS ONLY.

Class sizes are limited. A waiting list is maintained for when courses are full.

This training is not for the paid Stellarium app on smartphones or the Stellarium web app.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-level-1

Part of the Stellarium Training Series.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-training

Who can attend: active RASC members
Fee: Free
Registration: Required
Organized by: RASC national office

Astro Café – RASC Visual Observing Certificates by Blake Nancarrow

RASC Edmonton

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2022 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM MST (9:30 pm - 11:00 pm EST)

Join this meeting using this Zoom link

This month’s Astro Café features a primer on the RASC visual observing certificate programs.

Blake Nancarrow, of the RASC national Observing Committee, will talk about the various visual observing certificate programs available from RASC which members may pursue. People submitting completed applications with logs and/or annotated sketches are recognized for their efforts and RASC issues paper certificates suitable for framing (and pins where applicable). For people new to visual observing, Blake will also talk about how to locate, examine, and report your observations with suggestions for note-taking and sketching as well as how to apply. Blake will showcase the observing certificate website where more information can be found.

Brief Bio
A child of the space-race, Blake Nancarrow developed an early interest in science and astronomy. He bought his first telescope in 1990 and in 2007 joined RASC. He was trained to operate the telescopes at the Carr Astronomical Observatory and David Dunlap Observatory. He is a frequent contributor to SkyNews magazine, writes the Binary Universe column for the Journal, and proofreads the Observer’s Handbook. Blake built the Stellarium Training Series. A long-time member of the national observing committee, Blake was asked to be the interim chair in the summer of 2020. In daylight, Blake works in the Information Technology industry.

Stellarium intermediate course (ONLINE)

Thursday 17 February 2022

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern time

Stellarium is a powerful planetarium application available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers. 

Participants will learn how to load additional catalogues, customise the application including setting up specific locations, check Jupiter's Great Red Spot position, load new comets, modify the toolbar, choose landscape textures, use stepping zooming, copy object information, configure eyepiece and camera views, and slew a telescope mount to a target. This will provide an amateur astronomer a deeper understanding of the Stellarium program.

FOR MEMBERS ONLY.

Class sizes are limited. A waiting list is maintained for when courses are full.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-level-2

Part of the Stellarium Training Series.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-training

Who can attend: active RASC members
Fee: Free
Registration: Required
Organized by: RASC national office

Astroimaging: The Best of the Night Sky

RASC Calgary
 
February 17, 2022 at 7:30pm MST

Online Zoom Meeting

The night sky is a beautiful place that many of us are quite familiar with. We skip from nebula to nebula and cruise through star clusters to the next faint fuzzy that catches our eye. This February we will take a photographic tour of the night sky with some of our local photographers and astroimagers. Join us as they speak to chasing aurora or fighting the cold heart of winter to capture the perfect arrangements of photons. We are thrilled to have local photographers: Kimberly Sibbald, Alan Dyer, Siv Heang Tav, and Chris Ratzlaff who will guide us through wide-field beauty and deep-field structures. Caution: Hubble Space Telescope images will be put to shame!

Join us at the following zoom link HERE!

Passcode: 126075

If you are afraid you may forget, register on our Calgary RASC Meetup Group here!

February 2022 Astronomy Public Event

RASC Montreal & RASC NextGen

The RASC Montreal Centre invites you to join us for a fascinating Zoom Webinar on Saturday, Feb 19th at 7pm EST, co-hosted by the RASC NextGEN Committee. As part of the Mars 2020 Mission, the Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter are celebrating one full year since landing on Mars. Erin Gibbons will share insight into the mission history, its goals, 1st year highlights & future work.

Erin Gibbons is a PhD Candidate at McGIll University and a member of NASA’s Rover Operation and Science Team. Erin has been helping decide Percy’s movements, and helping to operate the SuperCam instrument – using lasers to investigate the chemistry of Martian rocks.

Register in advance for this Zoom Webinar HERE!
 

Up in the Sky

RASC Toronto Centre - David Dunlap Observatory 

Saturday, February 19, 2022 | 7:30-9:00 PM EST | Online
Register Here!
Join us, from the comfort of your home! This program provides an illustrated one-hour presentation and discussion about what exciting celestial events to look for each season. The events and phenomena will be explained using simple language, with recommendations about how best to observe and photograph them. Only one registration per household is required. Deadline to register for this program is Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 3pm.
 

Stellarium advanced course (ONLINE)

Monday 21 February 2022

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern time

Stellarium is a powerful planetarium application available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers. 

Participants will learn how to adjust sidereal time, view star alignments (Arc to Arcturus), filter for deep sky objects from additional catalogues, use custom landscapes create by others, and make a custom landscape using photos of ones environment. We will also explore the powerful planning features in Stellarium using the Astronomical Calculations window. This will provide an amateur astronomer a deep understanding of the Stellarium program and allow for customisation of the application.

FOR MEMBERS ONLY.

Class sizes are limited. A waiting list is maintained for when courses are full.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-level-3

Part of the Stellarium Training Series.

https://rasc.ca/stellarium-training

Who can attend: active RASC members
Fee: Free
Registration: Required
Organized by: RASC national office