Tag: Moon
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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…
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History’s Astronomers: Edward Emerson Barnard – The Master Observer
Edward Emerson Barnard was an American astronomer renowned for his extraordinary observational skills and his discovery of celestial objects that deepened our understanding of the cosmos. From his discovery of Barnard’s Star to his pioneering work on comets and dark nebulae, Barnard left a lasting mark on astronomy. His dedication and achievements, despite humble beginnings,…
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DIY Radio Astronomy: Explore the Universe from Your Backyard
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the cosmos without even stepping out of your backyard? With radio astronomy, you can do just that! Unlike traditional stargazing, radio astronomy doesn’t rely on clear skies or dark nights. Instead, it lets you “listen” to the radio waves emitted by stars, planets, and galaxies. Even better, you can…
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Ancient Astronomy Series: The Indian Contributions to Astronomy
Astronomy, one of the oldest sciences, has its roots deeply embedded in ancient civilizations. In our continuing series on ancient astronomy, we explore the remarkable contributions of Indian astronomers before the year 1000 AD. India’s rich astronomical traditions influenced not only the scientific pursuits of its time but also laid the groundwork for modern astronomy.…
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History’s Astronomers: 49 – John Herschel – The Universal Astronomer
John Herschel, the son of renowned astronomer William Herschel (5), was a polymath who extended his father’s legacy while forging his own path in astronomy, mathematics, and photography. Known for his systematic cataloging of stars, nebulae, and clusters in the southern hemisphere, Herschel significantly advanced observational astronomy. His contributions to science extended beyond astronomy, leaving…
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94% of the Universe is Out of Reach: The Mind-Blowing Reality of Cosmic Expansion
Looking Out Into the Vastness of the Universe The universe is unimaginably vast. When we look up at the night sky, we see only a tiny fraction of what’s out there—a mere handful of galaxies out of the trillions that populate the cosmos. But here’s the mind-boggling part: most of those galaxies—about 94%—are permanently beyond our…
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Ancient Astronomy: How Babylon’s Astronomers Pioneered Modern Astronomy
In the ancient world, where gods were thought to dwell among the stars, the Babylonians were looking to the heavens for something else: knowledge. In the fertile land of Mesopotamia, they meticulously charted the movements of celestial bodies, laying the foundation for astronomy as we know it today. Long before telescopes brought the cosmos into…
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Ferdinand Verbiest: The Forgotten Jesuit Astronomer Who Bridged East and West
Throughout the annals of history, names like Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler dominate the discourse of astronomy’s revolutionary advancements. Their groundbreaking theories reshaped humanity’s understanding of the cosmos, earning them their rightful place in the pantheon of scientific greats. Yet, there exists another astronomer whose contributions, though less heralded, were no less significant in their impact: Ferdinand…
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Introducing the RASC Equation: A Fresh Perspective on an Old Question
By Andy Blanchard The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Hamilton Chapter Introduction The discovery of thousands of exoplanets has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos. As our knowledge grows, the tools we use to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations must also evolve. While the Drake Equation (DE) and its successor, the Modified Drake Equation (MDE), have been…
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Ancient Astronomy: The Remarkable Contributions of China
Astronomy, the science of studying celestial bodies and their movements, is one of humanity’s oldest pursuits. Long before the modern era, ancient civilizations gazed at the stars, interpreting their patterns and movements to guide their lives. Among these early pioneers, ancient China played a significant role, leaving a legacy that continues to influence modern astronomy.…
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Carl Friedrich Gauss: A Mathematical Genius and His Contributions to Astronomy
By: Andy Blanchard RASC (Hamilton) For: Curious Minds IntroductionCarl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) was a German mathematician and scientist whose contributions spanned number theory, geometry, statistics, physics, and astronomy. Known as the Prince of Mathematicians, Gauss’s genius was evident from a young age and only grew over his lifetime. While most of his fame comes from mathematics,…