Tag: aurora
-
CANCELLED! 2026 Awards Dinner
Jun 10 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EDT The Mandarin at The Centre on Barton 1223 Barton St E Hamilton ON L8H 2V4 Click For tickets Join us for the 2026 Awards Dinner 🌌, an evening to recognize the volunteers, observers, and educators who keep astronomy thriving at RASC Hamilton Centre. Your registration helps support…
-
Voyager 1: The Little Spacecraft That Could
Blast Off to the Unknown On September 5, 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1, a space probe designed to explore the outer planets and beyond. Its primary mission was to study Jupiter and Saturn, but Voyager 1 had bigger dreams. Equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, it set off on a journey that would far…
-
Ancient Astronomy Series: The Influence of Islamic Astronomy
The night sky has fascinated humanity for millennia, acting as both a calendar and a canvas for stories. Before the year 1000 AD, the Islamic world became a crucible of astronomical innovation, fusing knowledge from earlier civilizations and laying the groundwork for modern astronomy. In this installment of our continuing ancient astronomy series, we explore…
-
History’s Astronomers: Christoph Scheiner – The Man Who spotted the Sun
Christoph Scheiner (1573–1650) was a German Jesuit priest, physicist, and astronomer whose pioneering work in solar observation significantly advanced the field of astronomy during the early 17th century. Early Life and Education Born on July 25, 1573, in Markt Wald near Mindelheim in Swabia, Scheiner entered the Jesuit Order in 1595. He pursued studies in…
-
Bennu: The Space Rock That Might Hold the Oldest Secret in the Universe!
Imagine if a dusty old rock landed in your backyard, and when you cracked it open, you found it was older than Earth itself! Now, imagine that same rock wasn’t just old, it had ingredients for life inside it. Well, that’s exactly what happened when NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft grabbed a handful of dust from an…
-
Will Asteroid 2024 YR4 Hit Earth in 2032?
While the asteroid Apophis has been in the news over the past few years about a possible (but unlikely) impact in 2029, a newly discovered asteroid has gotten the attention of astronomers. What will you be doing on December 22, 2032? Hopefully, just going about your day—but you might want to look up. That night,…
-
The Legacy of Ancient Astronomy: Roman Empire Contributions Before 1000 AD
Astronomy, the study of the cosmos, has captivated human curiosity for millennia. Among ancient civilizations, the Roman Empire played a pivotal role in shaping the history of astronomy before the year 1000 AD. This article delves into how Roman advancements and cultural exchanges with earlier civilizations left an indelible mark on our understanding of the…
-
History’s Astronomers: Heinrich Olbers – The Astronomer Who Questioned the Darkness
Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers was a German astronomer, physician, and mathematician who made significant contributions to celestial mechanics and the study of comets. His name is most famously associated with Olbers’ Paradox, which addresses the question of why the night sky is dark despite the vast number of stars in the universe. Beyond his paradox, Olbers…
-
What If a Grain of Sand Could Destroy the Earth?
Alright, let’s set the stage. Imagine you’re standing on a beach, holding a single grain of sand between your fingers. Harmless, right? Now imagine that same grain of sand, but it’s zooming through space at nearly the speed of light. It’s no longer a beach souvenir; it’s a high-speed cosmic bullet. You’re probably thinking: “Uh-oh,…
-
Limited Time Offer: Get an astronomy calendar with a $40 donation
Hamilton RASC is providing a special offer during the month of February – if you make a $40 donation to the club, you will receive a beautiful astronomy calendar in addition to a tax receipt! These 19″ x 12″ (48cm x 30cm) colour calendars feature stunning images taken by amateur astronomers and are an amazing…
-
Ancient Astronomy: The Foundations of Modern Stargazing in Greece
The Celestial Beginnings of Greek Astronomy The history of astronomy before 1000 AD is a captivating journey through the ancient skies. Among the many cultures that contributed to our understanding of the cosmos, ancient Greece holds a special place. The intellectual foundations laid by Greek philosophers and astronomers have profoundly shaped modern astronomy. From the…