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Vol. 20 Issue 2 O O LA SOCIÉTÉ ROYALE D’ASTRONOMIE DU CANADA New Brunswick Centre du Nouveau-Brunswick Spring 2019 H THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA N

Andromeda and NGC 206 (Crop) - Image by Emile Cormier

Left: The Galaxy (M31) with satellite M32 above and M110 below. Right: NGC 206 is a cloud in M31. Can you see it in the upper left of the galaxy? Captured in September 2017 but only processed recently. 80 mm f/6 Apo refractor. ASI1600 monochrome camera with filter wheel. ~3 hours total integration time. Processed using PixInsight. EVENT HORIZON Find us on ... in New Brunswick SRAC/RASC Centre du NB Centre NB Astronomy Clubs Réunion / Meetings President/Président June MacDonald FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/RASC.NB [email protected] SRAC/RASC Centre du NB Centre June 15, Moncton HS 1st Vice-President/-Président Sept 21, UNB Fredericton TWITTER Don Kelly [email protected] Oct 19, Annual Meeting at MHS https://twitter.com/rascnb Nov 16, Saint John Rockwood Park 2nd Vice-President/-Président http://www.nb.rasc.ca/ Paul Owen [email protected] ______

Secretary/Secrétaire William Brydone Jack Astronomy Club Curt Nason [email protected] (Fredericton) Star Parties / Events 2019 When: Second Tuesday of the month Kouchibouguac Star Party Treasurer/Trésorier Where: Fredericton, UNB Campus June 7 - 8 Emma MacPhee [email protected] 2 Bailey Drive, Room 203 Mactaquac Star Party July 5-6 www.frederictonastronomy.ca Mount Carleton Star Party National Council Representative August 2 - 3 June MacDonald (acting) ————————————————— Saint John Astronomy Club Councillors / Conseillers When: First Saturday of the month Fundy Star Party Gerry Allain Joe Cartwright Where: Rockwood Park Interpretation August 30 – 31 Mary King Chris Weadick Centre. Kouchibouguac Fall Festival www.sjastronomy.ca September 27 - 28 LP Abatement: Curt Nason Star Party-Events: Paul Owen ————————————————— Fall Astronomy Day and Education-Outreach: Curt Nason Astronomy - Astronomie Moncton Website: Laura Sponagle/Emile Cormier International Observe the Moon Social Media: Gerry Allain When: First Quarter Moon weekend Night: October 5 Equipment: Chris Weadick observing Mercury Transit: November 11 Library: Ted Dunphy Where: Moncton HS Observatory Fundy Upgrade: Paul Owen www.astronomymoncton.org Newsletter Editor: Curt Nason

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 2 Horizon: instruire, informer et inspirer A Visit to the OzSky Star Safari by Mary and Greg King

If you are planning a trip to Australia in the near future, you may want to go in March or April. That is when the OzSky Star Safari takes place.

The OzSky Star Safari is an exclusive event held in Coonabarabran, New South Wales (the Astronomy Capital of Australia), offering Northern Hemi- sphere astronomers a unique oppor- beds catering to vacationing families. breakfast before I hit the road to the tunity to experience the grandeur of There is no food onsite but an evening Hunter Valley for some wine tastings. the southern night skies through an home-cooked meal can be pre- impressive selection of large, high ordered. There are restaurants and Q What telescopes and lenses did quality telescopes. grocery stores about a 15-minute drive they have? away in Coonabarabran. The observ- There were ten telescopes and one My brother, Greg King (Calgary ing field is about a one-minute walk set of giant motorized avail- RASC), visited his daughter in Sydney behind the motel and all rooms had able to share among participants. The this spring, but took a week to explore blackout curtains to keep the site dark. telescopes were typically Obsession the night sky from a completely differ- Dobsonians from 14" to 25", most ent perspective. Q You prepared your own food or equipped with an Argo Navis Digital used the cafeteria. You said a wom- Telescope Computer (an Australian in- Q What were accommodations like? an cooked for people. vention), and all included a selection OzSky is held at the Warrumbungles I bought groceries for breakfast and of two or three eyepieces chosen from Mountain Motel near Coonabarabran, lunch for most days and ordered din- 31 mm, 26 mm, 22 mm, 17 mm, 12 about a six-hour drive northwest of ner every day. The OzSky hosts had a mm, 9 mm and 7 mm Naglers, 17 mm, Sydney. The whole motel is booked for welcoming BBQ and a wrap-up BBQ 13 mm and 8 mm Ethos, and an 8 mm the star party (no other guests). The (both with kangaroo), so you only Radian, and the faster telescopes rooms are very basic with kitchen- needed to buy five evening meals. I were all equipped with ParaCorr Coma ettes, a master bed, and four bunk went into Coonabarabran for my final Correctors. The scopes also had fans

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 3 Horizon: to educate, inform, and inspire and heaters to resist dew and there amazed by the detail I could see com- any galaxy in the northern sky and were some portable hair dryers availa- pared to my 8" SCT. It takes a while to easily visible at all times ble, as well. However, on most nights get used to objects like Orion being when they are up. the dew won by about 3 am because upside down. I had a hard time recog- the site had a major rain downfall in nizing the Teapot even though it was Q Who runs OzSky? the week before the event, and there high in the sky. Being upside down re- OzSky is run by volunteers who love was a lot of moisture about. ally messed up the pattern, plus Sat- astronomy. Most of the telescopes urn was in the middle of it confusing were provided by the 3 Rivers Foun- The detailed equipment list is: things. There are some great eye can- dation of Texas and maintained by the  25" ƒ/5 Obsession (x2) dy objects Down Under such as the volunteers. Some volunteers bring  20" ƒ/5 Obsession globular clusters (NGC their own telescopes, as well. They  18" ƒ/4.5 Obsessions (x4) 104) and (NGC are a non-profit and run one or two  18" ƒ/4.2 UC Obsession 5139), and the Eta Carinae events per year in March-April and  14" ƒ/4.5 SDM telescope (NGC 3372). Our closest star, Proxima sometimes a smaller event in October.  12" ƒ/5 binocular telescope Centauri, is faint and unimpressive.  10" ƒ/5.6 Dobsonian Of course, the Large and Small Magel- Images courtesy of:  150mm Giant Fujinon binoculars on lanic clouds are much brighter than http://www.ozsky.org/ a Sky Rover Digital StarChair with joystick control.

I looked through all of these at some point and it was not unusual to get one to yourself later in the night. I tried the big binoculars in the motorized chair but found it frustrating since I did not know the sky well enough to star hop around to desired objects.

Q What was the most impressive viewing? Through those telescopes and eye- pieces everything impresses. I even looked at some familiar objects in the north like the and was

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 4 Horizon: instruire, informer et inspirer A Busy Astronomy Week mer and I decided to do public solar John. Some local parkers, out to observing to kick off Astronomy Week. watch the surf and offshore ships, by Curt Nason While setting up my Coronado PST in were treated to views of the Sun and Loyalist Plaza by Market Square I was Moon through the more than a dozen International Astronomy Day is the pleasantly surprised to see Jenna and telescopes and binoculars that were in Saturday nearest the first quarter John at the Beaver Tails truck nearby. use. Saints Rest Beach is in the buffer Moon between mid-April and mid-May, John retrieved his refractor and solar zone of our Urban Star Park, within and the Monday to Sunday of that time filter and we entertained about 25 the Irving Park, and INP Man- is Astronomy Week. This year it was passersby over an hour and a half. ager Katie Breneol was one of the from May 6 to May12. many people interviewed on the beach by Jenna and John. During the previous week, Jenna Hinds, the RASC Youth Outreach Co- ordinator, and Halifax Centre member John Read, author of the recent 50 Things to See on the Moon, were making RASC promotional videos in Scotia. On Sunday they arrived in Saint John to meet with this year’s RASC Qilak Award winner, Chris Cur- win, to talk about his astronomy out- reach activities and Facebook live feeds from Saints Rest Beach. Chris Jenna interviews the had arranged for a mini star party at Astronomer by the Bay Phil and John scoping for Bay of the beach on Monday evening, where June MacDonald photo Fundy crabs at low tide they could interview several amateur June MacDonald photo astronomers for a video, but some Centre members met them at the That evening Centre members Trudy beach on Sunday. That evening Jenna Almon, Rob Darrah, Yolanda Kippers, A RASC promo video, using clips from interviewed youth member Amelia June MacDonald, Paul Owen, Mike the Halifax and Saint John visits, can West, and we did some observing until Powell, Jim Stewart, and Phil Webb by viewed here on You Tube: a sudden wintry wind from an ap- joined Chris and me and a dozen oth- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px0QfM85-yo proaching fog bank sent us packing. er members of the local astronomy The next day was a harbinger of sum- club at the beach with Jenna and

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 5 Horizon: to educate, inform, and inspire Tuesday was mostly cloudy with some schools) to do solar observing in the wards we set up telescopes and bin- rain but I managed to squeeze in a sunshine. The teacher operated my oculars for views of the five-day Moon. brief solar observing session on my Astroscan and Baader filter scope way to McAdam for a family visit. On while I used the PST to give 50 stu- Due to rain on Friday, a planned public Wednesday afternoon I gave a one- dents and teachers views in white light observing session at Dutch Point Park hour presentation on the constella- and alpha of three sunspots in Hampton was postponed to Satur- tions to a Grade 9 science class at Si- and one prominence. Needless to say day. It was still mostly cloudy and a monds High School in Saint John. I I was a tad hungry and thirsty when I predicted clearing for 22:00 was nearly had done a similar presentation here a got home. an hour late, but the seven RASC NB few weeks before for an Outdoor Pur- members in attendance provided infor- suits class prior to a weekend outing. That evening I gave a 45-minute talk mation and peek-a-boo views of the on The Joys of Stargazing, as part of a Moon to 30-35 people. Paul Owen, Thursday was my busiest day of As- weekly wellness series of talks for who organized the evening with a tronomy week. A former student mem- seniors, in a new community room in town activity coordinator, made a ber of the Saint John Astronomy Club the Rothesay Town Hall. It was a small young lad very happy by setting up his is now a science teacher at the group of mixed ages and I had assis- new telescope fresh out of the box and Kennebecasis Valley High School in tance from Trudy and Yolanda. After- getting first light on the Moon. Quispamsis, and she scheduled me for five one-hour presentations in a very warm 72 seat lecture hall, mostly for Grade 9s but with some Grade11 and 12 classes mixed in; nearly 300 students and teachers in total. I had prepared talks on the origin of the so- lar system and on the life cycle of , as her Grade 9 classes had just finished the former topic and were about to start the latter. The solar sys- tem talk was given twice.

During lunch hour, after the third presentation, I skipped my Cheez Chris prepares to shoot the Moon Trudy and Rob set up in Hampton Whiz and raspberry jam sandwich Jim Stewart photo Paul Owen photo (peanut butter is often banned from

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 6 Horizon: instruire, informer et inspirer Champlain School Visit and she asked how old they thought got the answers right. I have said it she was. The kids had fun trying to many times, they always impress me by Gerry Allain guess her age, which she did tell us with what they already know. I then but it shall not be mentioned here. gave them French star charts and In February I received an email from a Moon maps. I had enough for 100 stu- teacher asking if I would be interested The students had fun trying to guess dents and teachers. A lot of the stu- in doing an astronomy presentation for what the brightest things are in our dents would stop and talk to me about four Grade 6 classes. We booked two skies, and they also loved when I ex- things they liked. One told me his double classes in March so I would plained that everything we see in our grandfather was an astronaut and was miss less time from work, and she skies is in the past and that we time in space. Another asked if I believed in filled me in on what they are teaching travel. They laughed when I told them aliens; I said do you? She said yes, on astronomy. My presentation would that, if we could turn off the Sun, we and I told her I think so as well as the be great as it covers what they teach. would not know for 8 minutes and 20 is way too big for us to be seconds as it takes that long for sun- the only ones. Champlain is a new school, built just a light to reach us. Another fun slide, few years ago. Classes today have showing how small we are compared We then took a small break and start- smart boards and projectors; a lot to some other planets and stars, got ed with the second group of students. more interesting than when I was in many laughs as things got bigger and Once all done, the teachers and stu- school. I decided to sit with the stu- bigger. dents thanked me and I was off to dents in front of the board to do my work. I received a thank you email talk. One student next to me jokingly from the teacher, and she mentioned asked if I was a new student. I said the students liked the presentation so yes, and asked him if he would help much that they suggested I be invited me with the tests. He quickly said no— again next year for the new Grade 6 good answer. students. I can do that. I shared a few links and apps for the teacher to share The presentation went well. The kids with her students. I also invited her to were very interested, with lots of follow our Facebook page and RASC hands going up. They got a laugh NB website. when I told them if they lived on Jupi- Gerry in Middle School Mélanie Demers photo ter, with a yearly orbit of 12 years, they I look forward to doing it again next would only be one year old. They year. I would love doing this full time if asked how old the teacher would be I finished with a small test at the end I could. I love the interaction with the to see if they paid attention, and they kids and teachers.

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 7 Horizon: to educate, inform, and inspire Focus on… alouds, weather, history, plants; any possible connection and Mrs. Burley Meg Burley throws it in! I also often tell them about the astronomy club, articles, news, or When and how did you get started other tidbits I’ve been learning. Finally, in astronomy? we share non-instruction time with dis- I have been interested in science my cussions and bits of observing such as entire life! As a young Girl Guide my when the Moon or a planet is visible in leader knew about some constella- the daytime. tions and would tell us what she knew at campfires. I was amazed with the What can our Centre members do sky. I would sleep on my parents’ deck to help youth develop an interest in furniture in a sleeping bag to watch the astronomy? sky. Off and on throughout growing up I feel the more relatable, engaging, astronomy would pop in and out of my and comprehendible astronomy is to life. Although I’ve always had binocu- young students, the more interested lars, I finally purchased my first tele- they become! When I am able to tie scope, an 8-inch Dobsonian, in my something to their “real world,” for ex- late twenties. However, I had to sell it ample how the Moon affects the tides once we brought babies home to our Meg’s L’il RASCal gets an early they know so well, they are instantly tiny house. start on his Explore the Universe interested! The younger the child the Observing Certificate more animated the information deliv- Fast forward a decade and I discov- ery needs to be. Continuing to develop ered our local astronomy club; was Every student who leaves “Mrs. Bur- an online social media presence, visit- gifted with and purchased a couple ley’s” class knows my passion for sci- ing the schools, and being patient and more telescopes, gained friendships ence and the sky. Science can be approachable during outreach events and knowledge. I couldn’t be more ex- found everywhere around and within are wonderful initiatives to engage cited to continue this lifelong path of us, so it is forever intertwined with youth. discovery. what we are learning. Given that I teach lower elementary, astronomy How can our Centre help you to ad- As an elementary school teacher, needs to be more mindfully included vance your interest or achieve your how do you interest your students as it isn’t readily in the curriculum. Any goals in astronomy? in science and astronomy? place I can add astronomy to our les- As an introverted person, I can’t say sons I take full advantage. Read- enough how welcoming and under-

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2 — Page 8 Horizon: instruire, informer et inspirer standing RIGHT: M17 by Emile Cormier→ of my limi- Narrowband image in false colour using tations our the Hubble palette. 6" f/5 Maksutov- local club Newtonian, ASI1600 camera with Ha/OIII/ has been. SII filters, EQ6 mount. We have ~2 hours integration an amaz- ing group of local teachers who I could nev- er learn enough from. I will Meg and her Gear keep at- tending workshops and learning about the many branches of astronomy, from the technical of using equipment, to the practical of navigating the sky, to the enchanting stories behind the constel- lations. My goal is to just continue learning and passing on the passion to the young people in my life. Emile Cormier’s sketch of M13 earned If you were given $1000 to spend on Honorable Mention in the RASC 150 astronomy equipment, what would Imagining the Skies contest. Sketched in you buy? graphite on white paper, with colours re- I’m sure I could take some advice on versed during scan. this question! However, I do believe I would look into a solar scope to show M51 image by Paul Owen my students the Sun. Stack of 27 two-minute shots

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2— Page 9 Horizon: to educate, inform, and inspire RASC NB Outreach Events and Handouts Upcoming Outreach Events for 2019 Year # of People Star Star Moon Moon Getting Volunteer Events (Live Finders Finders Guides Guides Started In Hours Feed *) English French English French Astronomy At this time last year we had per- 2012 75 4658 2188 229 1852 137 formed 52 outreach events, and in spring of 2017 we had 109 to our cred- 2013 102 4119 1602 8 1513 120 it. A goal of 200 events for 2019 is cer- 2014 104 4843 1716 241 1378 199 tainly achievable. 2015 114 7262 2106 244 2568 156 819 2016 219 9498 1984 115 2290 87 514 988 In addition to the five star parties be- 2017 248 18,453 2276 162 2262 131 340 1944 tween June and September that are (7533) listed on Page 2, we have other public 2018 187 45,246 1781 170 1628 79 180 1340 observing nights in the books. (37,992) 2019 87 19,113 543 100 368 100 48 568  Solar observing at Queen’s Square (16,662) Market some Sunday in June  David Goss Walk ‘n Talk Full Moon * Number of people viewing Chris Curwin’s telescope live feeds on Facebook (included in totals). Hike in Quispamsis on July 16 Types of Outreach Events  St. George Summerfest July 19  St. Martins Old Home Week July 25

Year Presenta- Night Day Ob- Youth School Exhibi- Observ./  Life at the Lakes in Cambridge Nar- tion Observing serving Group Talks tion Planet’m rows on August 10 2012 12 24 2 12 17 8 0 Probable events yet to be scheduled 2013 24 24 3 12 32 7 0 are at the Irving Nature Park (Sept 6 2014 23 21 20 17 12 8 3 and possibly another date); plus at 2015 22 33 23 7 15 13 1 Oak Bay and the Ganong Nature 2016 31 55 39 19 54 11 10 Park, which are both near St. Stephen. Hopefully we will have sunny skies for 2017 61 89 22 19 50 6 1 the Mercury transit on November 11. 2018 50 80 13 18 20 5 1 2019 28 18 4 8 26 3 0 Congratulations to Chris Curwin, who gets the 2019 RASC Qilak Award!

SRAC NB RASC — Volume 20, Issue 2 — Page 10 Horizon: instruire, informer et inspirer