Astronomy Cafe – Nov 10, 2025

• Intro & Welcome by Jeff Pivnick
• Smart Telescopes – Jeff Pivnick
  • No eyepieces – these telescopes use a sensor instead
  • Apps from smart devices control the telescopes
  • Automated setup and data acquisition
  • Some examples: Seestar 30 and 50 (ZWO), Dwarf 3 and Vespera II & Pro (Vaonis)
  • Specifications reviewed for 5 smart telescope models
  • Drizzling and mosaics are supported by some
  • In-device image stacking
  • Various built in and add-on filters, some included and some extra cost
  • All are designed for deep sky imaging, not high magnification for planets
  • Dwarf 3 demo images and video – wildlife, landscape and astronomy, app features
  • Browse images taken by the telescope you are interested in on astrobin.com
  • Chris Gainor purchased a Unistellar smart telescope about three years ago
  • Celestron Origin – advanced RASA smart telescope
• Manned Space Missions – Chris Gainor
  • Jared Isaacman is now being reconsidered as the new NASA Administrator
    • He flew on Dragon spacecraft twice
    • Did an extra-vehicular activity in space
    • Has support from both Democrats and Republicans
    • Project Athena – way forward for NASA
  • Chinese have a human presence in both Earth orbit and lunar orbit and landing missions
  • Artemis II Mission
    • Astronauts will orbit around the Moon
    • Jeremy Hansen, Canadian astronaut will fly
    • Feb 2026 launch is feasible
  • Artemis III Mission – not a sure thing
    • Land astronauts on the Moon
    • Lander will be needed from SpaceX or Blue Origin
  • Looks like an astronaut landing on the Moon will happen by 2030 – China and USA both have plans
  • Lunar Gateway – NASA and ESA
• New Horizons mission – Phil Stooke
  • Flight to Pluto and neighbours
  • Pluto mages from New Horizons
    • Nitrogen glaciers
    • Other frozen gases are present
    • Very complicated surface with some craters, fissures
    • Thin atmosphere with quite a few layers
  • Charon – Pluto’s moon
    • Has some craters and a red spot
  • Other little moons found around Pluto – Styx, Mix, Kerberos, Hydra
  • Other interesting dwarf planets
    • Eris, Maemake, Sedna, Orcus, 2007 OR10
    • Haumea – 1,000×2,000kms oblong shape with a faint ring, 2 moons
    • Quaoar – 1,100km across, 1 moon and two rings
• Announcements
  • UVic meeting this Wed at 7:30PM – Maximizing image resolution for ground-based telescopes using Adaptive Optics – Dr. Maaike van Kooten, NRC
    • Condolence cards for Sid Sidhu’s family can be signed at this meeting, or send your message to David Lee david@victoria.rasc.ca
  • Buy and Sell at Astronomy Cafe on Nov 24th – Randy Enkin pastpres@victoria.rasc.ca
    • RASC assets for sale – 2 refractors & Newtonian telescopes, iOptron mini-tower, eyepieces
    • Please send your list of stuff you plan to bring along to Randy, so we can publicize a list on the website ahead of time
  • Glass Orchestra – contact Randy Enkin to participate pastpres@victoria.rasc.ca
    • Newcombe SingersChoir – Concert: “Sunrise Mass” – Dec 13th and 14th
    • Volunteers with telescopes also needed
  • Lauri Roche roche.lauri@gmail.com
    • This Sat, Nov 15 – CU Star Party on Observatory Hill
    • History of Science and Modern Discovery – Jessica Westlake
    • RASC Victoria Welcome Table – please contact Melissa to volunteer
    • RASC Observers Calendars available for pickup from Lauri at the UVic meeting
    • Bulk order for Workbooks and almanacs from National to be sent in soon, so contact Lauri

Video recording of meeting