Dedicated to the Advancement of Astronomy and Allied Sciences

The Halifax Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) is an active association of amateur and professional astronomers, united by their appreciation of the night sky and the wonders it contains. The Centre is located in the provincial capital city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, but many members live in several outlying communities, other provinces, and even other countries. The roots of the Centre date back to 1951 when, with the help of Father Burke-Gaffney of St. Mary's University, the Nova Scotia Astronomical Society was founded. The NSAS became the Halifax Centre of the RASC in January 1955. The RASC prides itself in educating the general public about astronomy. The public programs sponsored by Halifax Centre include: lectures, public star nights, and activities during special astronomical events.

All photos and drawings on this site were created by RASC Halifax members, who reserve all rights.

March 6, 2021 - RASC Members' Meeting

When: Saturday, March 6, 2021

Time: 1:00 PM Atlantic

Topic: Halifax Centre Members Meeting

Special Presentation:
Dr. Luigi Gallo (Saint Mary's University) - Black Holes: the Loud, the Quiet and the Silent
Dr. Luigi Gallo will provide an overview of research conducted in the past few years related to black holes. Topics such as active galaxies, black hole imaging, the Milky Way galactic centre, and gravitational waves will be addressed. He will also present some of the research he is conducting at Saint Mary’s University that was recently highlighted by the European Space Agency on twitter.

Biography: Luigi Gallo has been a professor in the Department of Astronomy & Physics at Saint Mary’s University since 2007.  He received his PhD for work conducted at the Max-Planck-Institute in Germany and has worked in Europe, Japan, and the US.  He was the Canadian lead on the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) contribution to the international JAXA-led Hitomi (Astro-H) X-ray mission.  He is now the Canadian lead on the JAXA/NASA led XRISM X-ray mission that will launch in 2022.  Most of the research that he carries out with his students at SMU and international collaborators focusses on the high-energy emission coming from black holes. An article regarding his research can be found here. 

Special Presentation: Michael Gatto - Sketching & Digitizing Mars Images

Biography: Michael Gatto has been a member of the Halifax RASC since 1998 , and is a former Nova Notes editor. He has sketched out the Messier list, the Finest NGC list, about 100 or so Hershel 400s, and countless planetary sketches. Michael enjoys both deep sky observing and planetary observing, and primarily uses an 8" ƒ7.5 dob-mounted newtonian. He is currently working on a second version of the Messier list, and the RASC Observe the Moon program. He is the Director of Design Services for a large internet marketing firm in Halifax.  

Registration in advance is required for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.


Heads Up! 2021 Meeting Dates & Events

Members' Meetings are usually held on the first Saturday of the month, unless it falls on a holiday weekend.

  • April 10 (Speaker - Adam Gonzalez, PhD student at SMU) 
  • May 1 (Speaker - Chris Gainor, RASC Victoria Centre: Amateur use of the HST)
  • June 5 (Speaker: Leslie Sage, Nature magazine's astronomy editor)

    Nova East Star Party: August 6-8 (New Moon: Aug 8)
    NOTE:      The Board of Directors will determine in April/May if this event should go forward based on the status of provincial restrictions related to the pandemic.

  • September 11 (Labour Day is Sept. 6) (Speaker - David Hoskin: Comet NEOWISE)
  • October 2
  • November 6
  • December 4 (+ AGM)

 How Lunar Impact Craters are Formed (Paul Heath)

 

SCO Fundraising 

SCO Astrophoto Fundraiser

What's Up For March 2021 

The Sky Today at Sky News  

Read the Welcome Guide to Astronomy. (pdf)

Check out our Observing Aids, including the Clear Sky Chart, a sky map, and observing lists.

Visit our Dark Skies page.

Find out more About Us.

RASC eNews Service 

RASC Astro Imaging Certificate Submissions. 

Halifax Centre Astroimaging Contest and People's Choice Award 

Each year, Halifax Centre hosts this contest to acknowledge the significant works of astroimagers across Nova Scotia. Contest guidelines can be found on the Nova East website.   

 

 Looking for a telescope? There is a local telescope supplier in Dartmouth. Atlantic Photo Supply has been a long-time supporter of our Nova East Star Party.

New on our Halifax RASC YouTube Channel:
 

SCO opens with new guidelines during Covid-19.

Previous Meetings and Events...

 

 

Â