Edward A. Ostrosser
Edward A. “Ed” Ostrosser was a Canadian amateur astronomer active in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s (RASC) Hamilton Centre during the late 1950s and 1960s. His involvement dates back at least to 1958, when a Hamilton Centre council meeting was held at his home to found the club’s Telescope Makers’ Group . This group – meeting biweekly – became a cornerstone of the Centre’s activity. Ostrosser himself was one of the “enthusiastic members” of the Hamilton Centre in the early 1960s, noted especially for his interest in planetary observing . In RASC archival records around 1961 he is listed among the Centre’s officers (with an address in Hamilton), suggesting he helped coordinate observing programs . Thus, from the outset Ostrosser contributed hands-on to the Centre’s growth – both in telescope construction and observational projects.
Observing Programs and Publications
Ostrosser became known as a dedicated observer. A Hamilton history notes that during the “active period” of 1961, “some of the more enthusiastic members” were “Ed Ostrosser, who concentrated mainly on planetary observations” . He also shared his astronomy knowledge through publications. For several years he wrote a recurring “monthly highlights” section for the Centre’s newsletter Orbit. An editorial from 1969 thanks Ostrosser for his “monthly highlights, The Phantom Poet, News of Activities” and other contributions, underscoring his role in the newsletter’s production . In his later years with Hamilton Centre he continued to participate in observing events – for example, archives show Ostrosser with his personal telescope at a public “field night” at McMaster University in 1968 – indicating that he remained active in club observing activities through the late 1960s.
Educational Outreach
A central part of Ostrosser’s involvement was public education. RASC annual reports show that he gave illustrated talks to the Centre on fundamental topics. For instance, on 1 November 1962 Ostrosser presented a lecture titled “Some Thoughts on Gravitation” . Again on 4 November 1965 he delivered “An Introduction to Astronomy” to the Hamilton membership . These beginner-level lectures helped inform new members and the general public about astronomy. In this sense, Ostrosser functioned as an educator: he explained basic astronomical concepts at club meetings and special events. He also regularly attended and likely assisted with the Centre’s public star nights (observing sessions for schools and the public, often held at McMaster University), as illustrated by the 1968 field-night photo. Through talks and hands-on observing sessions, Ostrosser contributed to the Centre’s public outreach.
Presidency of the Hamilton Centre
In recognition of his service, Ed Ostrosser was elected President of the RASC Hamilton Centre for the year 1963 . As President he chaired the Centre’s meetings and guided the Council’s activities for that year. For example, an archived photograph from 7 February 1963 shows President Ostrosser at right listening to a talk on Comet Ikeya at a Centre meeting, illustrating his leadership role at that time . (By this era the Centre was very active: monthly talks, observing programs, and telescope projects were underway, and Ostrosser helped uphold these programs during his term.) Under his presidency the Hamilton Centre maintained its momentum of public lectures and workshops, continuing initiatives begun in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After 1963 the Centre went on to establish its own observatory (the Maidstone Observatory, completed in 1964), building on the strong observational culture that Ostrosser and his colleagues fostered.
Later Activity and Legacy
After his presidential term, Ostrosser remained a visible Centre member into the late 1960s. Records and photographs from 1968 still identify him as a Hamilton Centre member with his telescope at field nights . By the end of the 1960s Ostrosser’s direct influence appears to wane in the archival record; there are no later official mentions or leadership roles documented in the sources consulted. Nonetheless, his contributions – from helping start the Telescope Makers’ Group in 1958 , through writing for the Orbit newsletter , to serving as Centre President – helped shape the Hamilton Centre’s golden era.
Personal Background
Beyond his RASC service, little is known about Ostrosser’s personal or professional life. The archival sources focus on his astronomy activities, and we found no published biographical details such as his occupation or education. It is clear he lived in Hamilton (the RASC Observational bulletin of 1961 lists him with a Hamilton address ), but specifics like career and family are not documented in the astronomy records. As with many mid-20th-century amateur astronomers, Ostrosser appears to have been an enthusiastic hobbyist whose volunteer efforts – teaching talks, organizing events, and building telescopes – were not part of a paid profession.
In summary, Edward A. Ostrosser was a dedicated amateur astronomer in the Hamilton, Ontario area. He played multiple roles in the RASC Hamilton Centre during the 1950s and 1960s: telescope-maker, observer, writer, educator, and club president. His leadership and outreach efforts are noted in Centre publications and annual reports of the era , though information on his life outside astronomy remains scarce.
Sources: RASC Hamilton Centre archives, including “Sixty Years in Orbit” (1969) and annual report supplements ; RASC Hamilton Centre history pages ; RASC annual reports 1962–1966 ; and RASC membership/observing records .
