The New Observers to Visual Astronomy (NOVA) course will be running again early next year (as noted in the latest Orbit). The tentative dates are (all with a 7:30 PM Start Time at the observatory): – Monday, February 3rd – Tuesday, February 18th (to avoid Family Day) – Monday, March 3rd – Monday, March 17th – Monday, April 7th – Monday, April 21st – Monday, May 5th – Monday, May 26th. The format of each night will be: 1) Introduction, and recap of previous session. 2) Classroom instruction and occasional outside demonstrations 3) Observing. The price will likely work out … Continue reading →

Be sure you come out for our next monthly meeting…..and invite a friend, you won’t want to miss this one! Rick is the current President of the London Centre, and this promises to be an entertaining and informative presentation. I do not want to steal any of Ricks thunder…so come out and find out for yourself what he is so passionate to bring to us. See you all then!

Hello all, It is that time of year when the temperature falls and the skies get dark just after dinner! We welcome one and all to our observatory for an evening of stargazing. Bundle up and bring the entire family. The moon is just beyond first quarter and perfect for viewing.  If you can help, bring along your telescope and join in on the fun! We will have our club 16″ telescope all primed and ready for an excellent evening of stargazing Hope to see you there!

Guest Speaker – Murray Romisher – “Visual Observing” using a MallinCam. Murray is an avid MallinCam user and is a regular outreach volunteer at public observing events around the GTA area. What is a MallinCam? It is a terrific piece of Canadian ingenuity used all over the world. Inventor, Rock Mallin (he was an exhibitor at AstroCats) has mastered the art of adapting ultra sensitive video CCD chips  for use as an “electronic eyepiece”.  In as few as 30 seconds, a glorious full colour image is displayed on a portable monitor. The detail is incredible, and it displays the colours … Continue reading →

This will be a lot of fun! We a looking for some volunteers who would like to have some fun this Friday and Saturday. Really! No work, just fun! RASC Hamilton Centre owns 2 antique telescopes (1880’s & 1890’s vintage) and the “Bell Telescope” is on loan to Westfield Heritage Village. They are in every respect, works of art. A few times each year, Westfield organizes special “theme” evenings and this weekend is “Haunted Halloween”. Mark Pickett along with a few volunteers will dress in “period costumes” (Westfield supplies the costumes) and provide a stargazing show to visitors. What is … Continue reading →

Hello all, Once again we are starting the new season with a BANG!….and hopefully clear skies. The forecast is looking good for this week! This evening is dedicated to observing the night skies from the observatory and is open to everyone!  If you have always wanted to look through a world class telescope at the night sky….this is your chance. We will also be having a scouting group attending this evening to take the lessons to obtain their astronomy patch ….so there will be plenty of excitement for sure! Note the time is 7:30 as the skies are now almost dark by then … Continue reading →

I hope everyone had a fabulous Summer! Just a reminder that our regular Monthly Meetings resume tomorrow night (Thursday Sept 5) @ 8:00 PM. Where? The Royal Canadian Legion, 79 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown ON. We have lots of entertaining goodies on the agenda that include: Presentations from some of our members who will be sharing their Summer “Galileo Moments”. Award presentations to our AstroCATS volunteers. If you haven’t received your “star” yet, be sure to attend! A special welcome to new members. An update on Comet Ison Take note that our website calendar was showing an incorrect meeting time … Continue reading →