Hamilton RASC Lending Library
Discover the Hamilton RASC Lending Library!
Exclusive to members, our collection of telescopes, accessories, and books lets you try before you invest. Borrow for up to 60 days and find the perfect fit for your stargazing needs. Not a member yet? Join us today!
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Discover the RASC Hamilton Centre Observatory
Join the Society Today!
Experience the magic of the cosmos by joining RASC Hamilton, part of Canada’s leading astronomy organization. Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or just beginning to explore the night sky, our club offers something for everyone in the Hamilton and Halton Region.
🌌 Exclusive Access to Our Observatory For the best star gazing in Hamilton, look no further than our club’s dedicated observatory. It’s one of the few in Canada where members can access advanced telescopes and equipment to observe the stars, planets, and deep-sky objects up close.
🌟 Find Dark Areas for Stargazing Did you know the Hamilton area has some good dark areas for stargazing nearby? Our observatory is far enough from most of the light pollution in the area, but close enough to access easily, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the night sky.
✨ Engaging Monthly Meetings and Events Curious about what’s happening in astronomy? Join us for our monthly meetings , where we explore topics like telescope techniques, stargazing tips, and the latest in space exploration. Meet like-minded enthusiasts and discover new ways to enjoy the night sky.
🌠 A Calendar Full of Activities From astrophotography workshops to meteor shower watch parties, there’s always something exciting happening. Check out our event calendar to see what’s next and plan your next adventure under the stars.
Ready to explore the universe? Join the RASC Hamilton chapter today and become part of a passionate community dedicated to sharing the wonders of the cosmos.
Maria Mitchell – Pioneering Women’s Place in Astronomy
Maria Mitchell was a trailblazing astronomer whose discoveries and advocacy for women’s education broke barriers in science during the 19th century. As the first American woman to discover a comet,…
William Bruce (Hamilton RASC President 1911–1915): A Historical Overview
Early Life and Career William Bruce was born in 1833 in Scotland and immigrated as a young child to Hamilton, Ontario in 1837 . He developed a keen interest in…
Mariner 7 – Finishing the First Detailed Portrait of Mars
Barely a month after Mariner 6 departed, 27 March 1969 saw the launch of Mariner 7. Its Atlas‑Centaur booster thundered out of Cape Kennedy carrying an identical craft but a different mandate: aim south,…
Fred Hoyle – The Visionary of Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Fred Hoyle was one of the most influential and controversial astronomers of the 20th century. His groundbreaking work on stellar nucleosynthesis provided the theoretical framework for understanding how elements are…
Griffith Parry Jenkins: Founding President of Hamilton Centre (1909–1910)
Griffith Parry Jenkins (1860–1940) was a Welsh-Canadian astronomer and community leader best remembered as the first President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Hamilton Centre. Serving from 1909 to 1910,…
Mariner 6 – First of the 1969 Twin Fly‑bys
On 25 February 1969, an Atlas‑Centaur rocket lifted Mariner 6 off Cape Kennedy’s launchpad and set it on a 155‑day sprint to Mars. The spacecraft was a beefed‑up cousin of Mariner 4: heavier (412 kg),…
Christian Doppler – The Pioneer of Motion in Sound and Light
Christian Doppler’s discovery of the Doppler Effect revolutionized our understanding of wave phenomena, influencing fields as diverse as astronomy, physics, and meteorology. By demonstrating that the frequency of waves changes…
Past Hamilton RASC Presidents: Dr. Geoffrey W. Bell
A Gentleman Dentist Who Chased the Sun In the quiet town of Paris, Ontario, a man named Dr. Geoffrey W. Bell balanced two passions with steady hands: dentistry by day,…
Mariner 5 – NASA’s Refreshed Venus Explorer
Launch Date: June 14, 1967Mission Type: Venus Flyby (Successful)Operator: NASA – Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) After Mariner 4’s success at Mars, NASA repurposed its backup spacecraft for a Venus mission, launching…
Giovanni Cassini – Unveiling the Solar System’s Mysteries
Giovanni Domenico Cassini was a trailblazing astronomer who made critical contributions to our understanding of the solar system. Renowned for his precise observations and calculations, Cassini discovered four of Saturn’s…
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Have a question? Interested in a particular topic? We discuss everything from current events to astrophotography to club news. Get in on the discussion on our Forum ! Visitors are welcome!
