Astronomy Cafe – Nov 6, 2023

Video transcript

• Even & Michaela Sedman
  • Astronomy in Switzerland
    • 50 observatories
    • 51 astronomy societies
    • 10 research institutes
  • Societe D’Astronomie du Haut-Leman SAHL
    • Created 1970
    • About 160 members, ~50 active
    • Similar aims to RASC
    • Observatory – currently 14″, soon to be 16″ SCT, other telescopes
    • Astrophotography
  • Dark Sky Switzerland
    • Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne emit the most light pollution
    • Urban areas are now turning their street lights down or off
    • Light pollution is reducing slowly – both private and public initiatives
    • Government reacted to energy crisis caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine
  • Stars for All – SAHL Working group
    • Why – impact on humans and environment
    • How – focus on themes with direct impact on communities
    • Citizen science – measurement of the quality of the night sky
    • Population density affects light pollution levels – Vancouver Island and Switzerland comparison
    • Education activities – conferences and roundtables
  • Alphi Saves the Night – Alphi Suave la Nuit
    • Children’s book
    • Profits from the book are donated to the charity – Twinkle
    • Supports education and awareness
• Council meeting – Nov 14 – Randy Enkin
  • Meeting is open to all members – link sent to members by the secretary
  • Upcoming AGM
  • Succession – new volunteers for Council are being sought
• Monthly Meeting at UVic – Reg Dunkley
  • Circumstellar disks – Dr. Brenda Matthews | RASC Victoria
  • UVic Nov 8th 7:30PM A104 Bob Wright
• SIGs – David Lee – david@victoria.rasc.ca
  • Getting Started in Astronomy SIG – this Tuesday – observatories in Europe visited by Brian Barber
  • Citizen Science SIG – this Thursday – introduction to data collection
• FDAO Monthly Star Party – Lauri Roche
  • Telescope clinic – Nov 18th
    • Bring your unused or broken telescope to get help
    • Tips on how to observe
  • Planetarium and Plaskett dome tours
• Upcoming Equipment Swap – Nov 27th – Randy Enkin
  • Gifts before the holiday season?
  • Location: Astronomy Cafe venue at Fairfield Community Association
• Deep Sky IMAX Theatre documentary – Chris Gainor
  • Features the James Webb Space Telescope
  • Nov 17-26, 2023 – tickets

• Astronomical Images
  • Brock Johnston
    • NGC 206 – region of Andromeda galaxy
    • M33 – Triangulum Galaxy
    • Jupiter
    • Elephant Nebula
    • Fireworks Galaxy
    • NGC 7142, 7149 – reflection nebula, open cluster and galaxies in the star field
    • Horsehead Nebula
    • M31, 32, 110 Andromeda Galaxy – wide-field
  • Ken McGill
    • V298 Cephei – region in NGC782
    • Bubble & Lobster Claw Nebulae
    • Heart & Fish Head Nebulae
    • M31, 32, 110 Andromeda Galaxy – 3-frame mosaic
    • Soul Nebula
  • VCO Image – David Lee & Reg Dunkley
    • First light with our new Narrowband filters
    • 90º away from a Full Moon
    • M27 Dumbbell Nebula
• Ghost Crater in Ptolemaeus – the Moon – Randy Enkin
  • Process
    • Find an area of interest on the Moon – Dial-a-Moon
    • 6″ Newtonian, EQ mount
  • Sketching technique & tools
    • 2H sharp pencil
    • Start with a white pencil (from Lee Valley)
    • 2B dull black pencil
    • Annotate with sharp pencil
  • Mare, craters filled in by volcanic basalt rock

No Astronomy Cafe next Monday due to statutory holiday for Remembrance Day.