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.

March 2020 Meeting

DATE: Saturday, March 7th, 2020

TIME: 1:00 - 4:30 PM

PLACE: Saint Mary's University, Loyola Building, Room L173
923 Robie Street,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
B3H 3C3
 
Please note the change in location to the Loyola Building. A link to the campus map is provided.
 
Halifax Centre members and the general public are welcomed to attend this regularly held Members' Meeting. Dave Chapman will enlighten us as to What's Up? in the night sky to observe. Judy Black will provide news from the Board. Along with information about upcoming outreach events, Paul Heath will read his poem in Food for the Soul. The Observer’s Handbook presentation will highlight dwarf planets. Wayne Harasimovitch will have the Library available for members to browse. 
 
Presentation: Blair MacDonald and Jerry Black will be presenting the 1st of 3 short presentations on the Anatomy of an Imaging System: What Toys do you Need? Part 1. This series will provide an introduction to those interested in astro-imaging, and will conclude with a night at SCO in May to put into practice what's learned during this mini-series.
 
Special Presentation: Jennifer & John Read will be launching their new book 50 Animals That Have Been to Space. Come hear about the variety of animals that have helped us learn how to survive in the skies above us as early as the 1700's. A duck, rooster and chicken in a hot air balloon, 2 chickens and a snake in a rocket, and so much more. Hard cover editions of their book will be available for purchase for $20.00 at the meeting. John is a member of Halifax Centre and has served on the Board of Directors and the Nova East Planning Committee.
 
2020 RASC Halifax Centre meetings: 
  • Saturday, March 7
  • Saturday, April 4
  • Saturday, May 2
  • Saturday, June 6
  • no meetings in July and August
  • Saturday, September 12 (the weekend after Labour Day)
  • 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 of these events will be provided as they become known.

  • April 24-26, 2020 – Saltscapes (Halifax)
    • Public are welcome to talk to our volunteers at our table with Atlantic Photo Supply
  • 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.