Crux & Carina constellations
  • Intro by Jeff Pivnick
  • The Night Sky In Chile – Jeff Pivnick
    • Kayaking in southern Chile – January 2025
    • Some night sky observing
    • Valparaiso – 33ºS latitude
      • Observed Venus, Saturn and Mars
    • Puerto Aysen in Patagonia – 46ºS latitude
      • San Raphael Glacier & lagoon
      • Magallenic Clouds
      • Southern Cross & Coal Sack Nebula in the SE sky
      • Orion, Taurus, Pleaides, Aldebaran in the northern sky
      • Greater & Lesser Magellanic Clouds
        • Observed in the WSW sky
        • History of Ferdinand Magellan
        • History of Magellanic Clouds in various cultures and scientific circles
        • Distance measurements to the Magellanic Clouds
        • Both are irregular spiral galaxies with central bar structures
        • Members of Local Group of galaxies
        • Legend of Mapuche tribe in southern Chile – 3 ponds in the sky
  • Astrophotos of the Southern Hemisphere – Joe Carr
  • New Zealand visit in 2000-2001 – Dave Robinson
    • Connected with the local astronomy group in Hamilton
    • Lots of positive experiences with the people
    • Celestial objects in the Southern Hemisphere are so impressive!
  • Argentina – Patagonia in 2014 – Randy Enkin
    • Studying paleo-magnetism in El Chalten
    • Measuring orientation of magnetic lines in the geology
    • The dip in the Earth’s magnetic field is a factor when using a compass
    • Sun compass & sundial – an explanation
      • The Sun and the sundial in the southern hemisphere – shadows are not what we northern hemisphere residents expect!
      • Determine Local Time at your longitude – Civil Time with adjustments from reference longitude for the time zone and non-constant orbit of the Earth
      • Read time backwards and add 180º to direction when in the southern hemisphere
    • Mount Fitzroy – world famous mountain
  • How is the Plaskett telescope mirror cleaned? Marjie Welchframe
    • Compressed air used intially
    • Coating is aluminum mist inside the vacuum chamber
    • Video of 2021 Plaskett mirror being re-aluminized
    • Takes almost a week to remove the mirror, clean, re-aluminize, re-install
    • Lauri will ask Dmitri for a definitive answer
  • Dave Payne’s Astrophotography & Interpretation – Dave’s new website
    • M74 galaxy – core is not too bright, so easier to see details
    • Other online articles
    • Links from select photos posted on Dave’s astrophoto gallery
    • Fundamental science is used to explain processes going on in galaxies and nebulae
  • Beginners SIG – David Lee
    • Tomorrow night
  • RASC Victoria Centre Dinner – Feb 24th – Lauri Roche
    • Four Mile Pub – restaurant side
    • Food and beverages on your own tab
    • Socializing and awards presented
    • Detailed notice already sent to RASC Victoria Centre members
    • Starting at 6PM
    • 29 so far, so please sign up with Marjie by Feb 19th (Marjie.welchframe@icloud.com)
  • Space Mission News – Chris Gainor
  • Feb 10th 7:00PM – Victoria Centre AGM – (replaces Astronomy Cafe) – online only
    • Awards announced
    • Elections – slate sent to members, but nominations from the floor are welcome. Contact Randy if you are a member and wish to stand for a position. (pastpres@victoria.rasc.ca)
    • Zoom link will be sent to members

Video transcript of meeting

Astronomy Cafe – Feb 3, 2025
Tagged on: