Sky News This Week's Sky
SkyMaps Evening Sky Map and Calendar
Clear Sky Chart: Will it be clear for observing tonight?
- Clear Sky Chart for St. Croix
- Clear Sky Chart for Halifax
- Clear Sky Chart for Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Choosing Binoculars (PDF) - what to consider when purchasing binoculars
Mini Messier Observing List "Deep Sky" for beginners (pdf)
Micro Messier Observing List for absolute beginners (pdf)
The National RASC Observing Page provides information regarding RASC observing programs and much more. It also provides observing tips and expectations.
Two lists of RASC Halifax Centre Certificate holders are provided:
Halifax Centre Observing Certificate Recipients
Halifax Centre Astroimaging Certificate Recipients
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The RASC Halifax Centre has its own observatory in a dark-sky location near St. Croix, just off Highway 101 between Halifax and Windsor. The St. Croix Observatory (SCO) was built by the members themselves, supported by donations and a generous land-lease arrangement with Minas Energy. The site consists of a roll-off-roof observatory that has room for members to set up several telescopes, a warm room for breaks, and a toilet and store room facility.
NOTE: In accordance with provincial COVID policy, restrictions on the SCO site were lifted as of March 21st, 2022. However, the RASC Halifax Centre still encourages members to wear masks, to distance themselves when appropriate, and to get vaccinated against Covid-19 if they have not already done so.
History and Construction Details
Read about the History of SCO and its 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Here are the general Guidelines for SCO use (pdf) and here is the information and manual for the Thurlow Binoculars (pdf).
SCO equipment is not available for loan.
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Enjoy dark clear nights away from city lights and the company of like-minded amateur astronomers who appreciate the wonders of the night sky. Most clear Moon-free nights, you will find our keen observers out there!
Halifax RASC Monthly Observing Nights for 2024
Month | New Moon | Members Night | Alternate | Notes |
January | Thur 11th Jan | Friday 12th Jan | Saturday 13th Jan | |
February | Fri 9th Feb | Fri 9th Feb | Saturday 10th Feb | |
March | Sun 10th March | Friday 8th Mar | Saturday 9th Mar | |
April | Mon 8th April | Friday 5th Apr | Saturday 6th Apr |
Optional - Eclispse Weekend ? |
May |
Wed 8th May |
Friday 10 May |
Saturday 11 May |
|
June |
Thur 6th June |
Friday 7th Jun |
Saturday 8th Jun |
Optional - Astro Twilight? |
July |
Fri 5th July |
Friday 5th Jul |
Saturday 6th Jul |
Optional - Astro Twilight? |
August |
Sun 4th Aug |
Friday 2nd Aug |
Saturday 3rd Aug |
|
September |
Mon 2nd Sept |
Friday 6th Sept |
Saturday 7th Sept |
|
October |
Wed 2nd Oct |
Friday 4th Oct |
Saturday 5th Oct |
|
November |
Fri 1st Nov |
Friday 1st Nov |
Saturday 2nd Nov |
|
December |
Sun 1st Dec |
Friday 29th Nov |
Saturday 30th Nov |
|
December |
Mon 30th Dec |
Friday 27th Dec |
Saturday 28th Dec |
Members can be found observing there most clear, dark nights. For more information, Contact Us .
Become a SCO Key Holder
For a modest fee, members who have been in good standing for more than a year and who have been briefed on the operation of the observatory can gain access to the facility by having their very own key. Contact Us for details.
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Visiting SCO is a great opportunity to try different telescopes, including the Centre's 16" (40.6 cm) Sky-Watcher f/4.4 GoTo Dobsonian Reflector Telescope, which is dedicated to shared viewing those nights.
Here is the Instruction Manual for the Skywatcher Telescope at SCO. (PDF)
Jane and Alfred Howard of North Grand Pré, NS generously donated a Celestron XLT-EDGEHD 8, with both a Telrad and 9x50 finder. Included also were a Hyperstar module in which the Cassegrain secondary mirror is replaced, thereby converting the telescope into an f/2 camera, plus an ATIK 428EX colour CCD, electronic focuser, and a Celestron Advanced VX equatorial mount.
SCO Gallery
View our SCO Gallery of photographs of the SCO and the original 17.5" telescope (since replaced).
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