Tony Schellinck's The ACE Amatuer Astronomy Programme

Dave Chapman's ACE Lunar Observing Certificate

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

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

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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.

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.

 

Last Updated: 18 June 2022

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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
January	Thur 11th Jan	Friday 12th Jan	Sat. 13th Jan
February	Fri 9th Feb	Fri 9th Feb	Sat. 10th Feb
March	Sun 10th March	Friday 8th Mar	Sat. 9th Mar
April	Mon 8th April	Friday 5th Apr	Sat. 6th Apr
May	Wed 8th May	Friday 10 May	Sat. 11 May
June	Thur 6th June	Friday 7th Jun	Sat. 8th Jun
July	Fri 5th July	Friday 12th July York Redoubt Lunar Observing	Sat. 13th July Rain Date York Redoubt Lunar Observing
August	Sun 4th Aug	Friday 2nd Aug  Kejimkjuik Dark-Sky Weekend	Sat. 3rd Aug Kejimkjuik Dark-Sky Weekend
September	Mon 2nd Sept	Friday 6th Sept	Sat. 7th Sept
October	Wed 2nd Oct	Friday 4th Oct	Sat. 5th Oct
November	Fri 1st Nov	Friday 1st Nov cancelled due to clouds	Sat. 2nd Nov cancelled due to clouds
December	Sun 1st Dec	Friday 29th Nov	Sat. 30th Nov
December	Mon 30th Dec	Friday 27th Dec	Sat. 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.

 

Last Updated: 01 November 2024

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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).

 

Last Updated: 02 July 2022

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