The destruction of this planet would have no significance on a cosmic scale: to an observer in the Andromeda nebula, the sign of our extinction would be no more than a match flaring for a second in the heavens: and if that match does blaze in the darkness there will be none to mourn a race that used a power that could have lit a beacon in the stars to light its funeral pyre. The choice is ours. - Stanley Kubrick
This is reminder that our next meeting will be January 6th 7:30 in the Science Centre's theatre. Bring your family and friends!
A neat part of our hobby is there are always people building their 'things' that will improve their night under the stars. This months presentations will be on DIY (do it yourself) astronomy projects that club members are working on or have completed. Ron Hauhgey will be talking about his 16" dob project, Chris Beckett and I will present on astronomy cases (for all of our accessories) and homemade chairs. If you have a DIY project that you would like to share, please bring it or share the details of what you are working on.
When the presentations are finished, we will take a short break and then reconvene for the club meeting and follow the attached agenda. The presentation will be 7:30 - 8:30 with the club meeting following after.
The executive would ask that you submit any motions 3 weeks prior to the meeting, this will give us an opportunity to prepare. Shane
New Telescope Help!
Written by Site Administrator
Saturday, 24 December 2011 14:46
We often receive e-mails and phone calls from people looking to purchase a telescope or have already acquired one but are having difficulty setting it up and getting started. Our recommendation is to do some reading and learn the sky a little before spending too much money. Regina has many experienced amateur astronomers who are always happy to show you their telescopes or have you join us out under the stars so newcomers can see what it's all about.
James Edgar made the movie below from a series of images taken from his driveway in Mellville Saskatchewan on December 10th.
Last Updated on Sunday, 11 December 2011 10:52
2012 January Skies by James Edgar
Written by Site Administrator
Wednesday, 21 December 2011 15:45
The New Year opens with the Moon at first quarter, and, a day later, it hangs right by Jupiter in the southern evening sky. The Moon is full on the 9th; hard by Mars in the early morning sky on 14th; 2 degrees away from the bright star, Spica, on the 16th; 6 degrees north of Saturn that same morning; 7 degrees south of Venus in the western evening sky on the 25th; and back to 5 degrees away from Jupiter again on the 30th. Mercury is visible in the southeastern dawn in the early part of the month. The speedy planet is the subject of close scrutiny from NASA’s Messenger spacecraft, which is the first to orbit Mercury. Much solid science is being learned from the information radioed back to Earth.
