|
| |
Special Events
Annular Solar Eclipse - May 20, 2012 5pm to 7:30pm - Victoria Centre
will have solar observing events running in three locations to help the public
see this partial solar eclipse: atop Mount Tolmie in Saanich, at Cattle Point in
Oak Bay, and in front of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. This event will run
weather permitting. Don't forget, you must
observe the Sun using special filters. Do not observe the Sun without
using proper protection!
Transit of
Venus 2012 - June 5, 2012 - This is the last chance you get in your
lifetime to observe the planet Venus moving across the face of the Sun
(transiting). Here in Victoria, we will see the start of the transit at about
3PM in the southwest sky, and should be able to watch it until the Sun sets around
8pm. Victoria Centre is planning a public observing event. Don't forget, you must
observe the Sun using special filters. Do not observe the Sun without
using proper protection!
Island
Star Party - July 20-22.2012 - Our friends from the Cowichan
Valley Starfinders Astronomy Club run a fun two day star party located at
beautiful Bright Angel Park in Cowichan Station. Our very own President Lauri
Roche will be presenting at the event this year (among others), so come out and
have some fun observing at this dark site only an hour's drive from Victoria.
RASCals Star Party -
August 17-19, 2012 - Metchosin Cricket Field - a fun and easy-going
camping and observing weekend which the whole family can enjoy. Free admission!
South Pacific Eclipse Cruise Nov 2-22, 2012 - Honolulu, Hawaii to Sydney,
Australia - observe the 2012 eclipse from the deck of the Celebrity
Millennium. Please Contact Sandy Campbell of Expedia CruiseShipCenters
by email or by telephone 250-477-4877 or 250-588-1276.
More details 
Regularly-scheduled Events
 |
Calendar
- a handy calendar grid format listing Victoria Centre events for
the current month and beyond.
|
|
Meeting Schedule
- a listing of our meetings and speakers for upcoming months, as well as
detailed information about the next meeting. Regular monthly meetings are
held the second Wednesday of most months, starting at 7:30pm, Elliott
Lecture Theatre, Room 060, University of Victoria. No monthly meetings
in July, August and November.
|
|
Past Meetings &
Events
- an archive of presentations made at past meetings, as well as photos and
videos of past events. |
|
Astronomy Café
- enjoy good company along with coffee, cookies and observing on clear
nights at the Astronomy Café. You are welcome to attend any Monday evening
(Sept-May). Please call Malcolm at (778) 430-2804 if you have any questions or
to get directions.
|
|
New Observer's Group meet at Sid Sidhu's
home, the 4th Friday of each month. This observer's group meets at a dark
site in the Highlands of Victoria, BC. Members are able to use the Centre's
telescopes to learn basic observing and telescope operation skills. Location:
1642 Davies Road (off Millstream Lake Road) at 8:00pm Please call Sid
at (250) 391-0540 for details.
Sid's Coop
Clear Sky Clock |
|
School
Telescope Program - Please call Sid at (250) 391-0540 to
volunteer for this important outreach program |
Annual Events
|
Messier Marathon - each
Spring during a new Moon weekend, Victoria Centre holds a marathon observing event at the
Victoria Centre Observatory (VCO) and environs on Observatory Hill. |
|
International Astronomy Day -
Victoria Centre stages a special event every year to celebrate International
Astronomy Day - usually in April or May of each year. |
|
RASCals Star Party
-
RASC Victoria Centre
has held successful RASCals Star Parties annually from 2000 through to
present.
Starting in 2010, the new location is the Metchosin Cricket Field. |
|
Victoria Centre
Annual General Meeting and Dinner
- held in November at the
Cedar Hill Golf Course - replaces our usual
monthly meeting for November. |
Past Events
Other Astronomy Events
|
Public Observing at
The Centre of
the Universe - NRC/HIA/DAO -The National Research Council/ Herzberg
Institute of Astrophysics/Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, atop
Observatory Hill (aka Little Saanich Mountain) near Victoria, B.C. These evening
sessions are typically held during summer months. Victoria
Centre members make their telescopes available for public viewing. Viewing times
vary according to the time of year (darkness). Presentations in the NRC/HIA/DAO
dome give a history and overview of the facilities and astronomy in general. For
more information browse
Centre of the
Universe, call the NRC at (250) 363-0001 for a recording of times
they are open. |
|
Café Scientifique - the University of Victoria hosts regularly
scheduled seminars open to the public (age 19+) at the Strathcona Hotel,
Maple Room, starting at 6:30pm. Complimentary admission; appetizers
and beverages are provided. Café Scientifique is an informal seminar series
hosted by the UVic Centre for Biomedical Research that provides insight into
general science topics of popular interest to the general public. These
seminars are opportunities for the public to meet local researchers and
discuss some of the most interesting and sometimes contentious research
currently underway in Canada. In a Café, we pull science away from its usual
habitats of the classroom and the laboratory, and into, well,...a café or
bar! A Café Scientifique is more informal and accessible than a public
lecture. It is for people who are genuinely interested in science, but who
don't have the opportunity to discuss their views with scientists. No
previous scientific knowledge is required to participate. All you need is
a willingness to listen to others, to discuss, ask questions and express
opinions. |
Please note: All observing
events held outside are subject to weather permitting. It is wise
to check with the event coordinator before you travel to an event.
|
