Meetings of Halifax Centre are from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM on the FIRST SATURDAY of the month (except July and August). There may be exceptions if the date falls on a holiday weekend.

October 3, 2020 - RASC October Meeting

In lieu of a face-to-face meeting, we will now be hosting Members' Meetings using Zoom. You do not require a Zoom account to join in but you are required to register for this webinar. Halifax Centre Members will be given priority for registration. The webinar is limited to 500 registrants - first come, first served. The panellists' presentations are being recorded and will become accessible via a link on this website.

When: October 3, 2020
Time: 1:00 PM Atlantic 
Topic: Halifax Centre - Members Meeting

Presentations for this Members' Meeting include:
  • Paul Heath - Food for the Soul and a Youth Activity
  • Dave Chapman will present the What's up?
  • Judy Black will give news from the Board and national RASC

Special Presentation:
Lauchie Scott - A Snapshot of DRDC Space Situational Awareness Research & Development
Lauchie is the principal investigator of the space object tracking mission on the NEOSSat micro satellite. He will discuss why the Canadian Forces cares about space, the sensors they use, objects they track, why they do this and some of the testing they do in orbit. He will also share a small bit of astronomy courtesy of the NEOSSat astronomy mission team at the Canadian Space Agency. 

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eJsqe8T4SnqFIUABpNbC6Q 

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

2020 RASC Halifax Centre meetings: 

Future meeting dates are:

  • Saturday, October 3
  • Saturday, November 7
  • Saturday, December 5 (includes the AGM)

We frequently continue our get-together with supper at a local restaurant after the meeting. Come and join us!

Enjoying a meal after the meeting

 

Members may be found observing at the St. Croix Observatory on almost every clear, dark night. Once a month, we encourage members and their guests to congregate at SCO, at which time new members are particularly welcome. 

Members are advised to sign up to the email discussion list to keep up to date on gatherings of fellow observers.

The viewing field at Nova East

For over 30 years, the RASC Halifax Centre and other local groups have hosted the Nova East Star Party. It was originally established as the camping and observing weekend for the Halifax Centre and has grown to include participants from other astronomy clubs in the Atlantic region, and a number of attendees from the northeastern United States.

All participants come to enjoy dark skies on a weekend near the new Moon phase towards the end of summer. Nova East is held at Smiley's Provincial Park, near Windsor, Nova Scotia. A limiting magnitude of +6 is the norm. 

Nova East registrants have access to all events, including all talks, workshops and presentations, three nights of observing (weather permitting!), the potluck BBQ, the astronomers' breakfasts and the door prizes draw. Nova East Registrants have onsite parking (if camping) or adjacent site parking (if not camping).

In 2019, the RASC Halifax Centre revised the structure and criteria of the astrophotography contest that had traditionally been part of Nova East. There are now 3 categories to enter favourite photos - Deep-Sky, Wide-Field and Solar System. The 2019 winners can be seen here.

 

One of Halifax Centre’s objectives is to stimulate interest and to promote and increase knowledge in astronomy and related sciences. Consequently, members of Halifax Centre are active in promoting astronomy education in Nova Scotia and are proud of the outreach events they hold every year.

The Centre participates in numerous activities throughout the year. For example, if there is an astronomical event, such as an eclipse, the Centre attempts to organize special public sessions for all to enjoy. Every year, our Centre provides Galileo moments (instances of personal astronomical experience or discovery) to more than 4,000 Nova Scotians. It’s wonderful to hear “oh, wow” when someone looks up to see something in our Universe for the first time.

Upcoming Outreach Events:

Details and confirmation of these events will be provided as they become known.

  • September 26, 2020 – International Observe the Moon (InOM)
    • International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide celebration of lunar science and exploration, celestial observation, and our cultural and personal connections to the Moon. One day each year, everyone on Earth is invited to observe, learn about, and celebrate the Moon together. 

If there any questions about outreach, please contact our Outreach Chair.