RASC Victoria – Page 2 – Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Astronomy Cafe – Nov 17, 2025

Intro – Reg Dunkley; RASC Windsor Centre’s 80th Anniversary Banquet – Peter Jedicke; Jack Newton deceased – Reg Dunkley & David Lee; Newcombe Singers Concert and Glass Orchestra – Reg Dunkley & Marjie Welchframe; Astronomy Cafe Buy and Sell on Nov 24th – Items For Sale; Halley Research Station in Antarctica – Natasha van Bentum; Aurora from Saskatchewan – Ben Spiller; Space Missions – Chris Gainor; Thoughts on Electromagnetism Present and Past – Reg Dunkley; Events and Publication Sales – Lauri Roche

Jack Newton – 1942-2025 – In Memoriam

Jack Newton’s extensive biography includes a lot of “firsts” in amateur astronomy, including some unique discoveries. Jack has many honours in his (and Alice’s) name, including minor planet 30840, Jackalice = 1991 GC2, and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s (RASC) Chant Medal and Ken Chilton Prize were both awarded to Jack.

Jack was president of three RASC centres: Winnipeg, Toronto & Victoria. Victoria Centre named their service award the Newton Ball Award after Jack and fellow member George Ball. Jack was a Life Member of RASC. Jack published six books on amateur astronomy and astrophotography.

Astronomy Cafe – Nov 10, 2025

Intro – Jeff Pivnick; Smart Telescopes – Jeff Pivnick; Manned Space Missions – Chris Gainor; New Horizons mission – Phil Stooke; Announcements – Kevin Bertles, Randy Enkin, Lauri Roche, David Lee

Astronomy Cafe – Nov 3, 2025

Alex Schmid and Joe Carr honoured with minor planet naming; Introductions from new attendees; Newcombe Singers Concert: Sunrise Mass – Kathryn Whitney, Music Director; Events – David Lee, Randy Enkin, Kevin Bertles; Travels In Australia – Chris Gainor; Events – Jeff Pivnick, Randy Enkin, David Lee; Supernovae and stellar nurseries – Dave Payne; A Victory Story from Vince Geisler

Alex Schmid and Joe Carr honoured

Two RASC Victoria Centre members who have long served both our membership and the public to promote astronomy and science have been honoured by NRC astronomer Dave Balam, discoverer of many Minor Planets found within our solar system.

Published today on behalf of the International Astronomical Union by the WG Small Bodies Nomenclature in their Bulletin Vol 5, #25 for 2025 Nov 3: (568092) Alexschmid = 2003 QF117 and (578249) Josephcarr = 2013 YY81.

Astronomy Cafe – Oct 27, 2025

Intro & New Members – Reg Dunkley; Memories of Sid Sidhu – Reg Dunkley, Marji Welchframe, David Lee, Garry Sedun, Chris Gainor, Susan Grady, Lauri Roche, Dave Robinson; 3I/ATLAS Interstellar Comet from Mars – Phil Stooke; Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon – Reg Dunkley, Randy Enkin, Bill Weir ; WR134 Astrophotograph – Dave Payne; Astrophotos from Vince Geisler; Aldebaran – Randy Enkin

Sid Sidhu – 1938-2025 – In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that our dear friend and longtime member, Sid Sidhu, passed away this weekend.

Sid was a stalwart of everything good about the RASC. He was an unwavering champion of our school program, a tireless supporter of public outreach, and a cherished friend to so many of us. His contributions to our Centre and to astronomy education in our community are immeasurable, and his absence will be profoundly felt.

Dan Posey, President, RASC Victoria Centre

Nov 12th Presentation: Maximizing image resolution for ground-based telescopes using Adaptive Optics – Dr. Maaike van Kooten, NRC

Presentation at University of Victoria on November 12, 2025 starting at 7:30PM. “Maximizing image resolution for ground-based telescopes using Adaptive Optics: it is all in the details” – Dr. Maaike van Kooten, AO developer, Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics, National Research Council Canada.

In this talk, I will focus on the latest AO R&D happening in Victoria on our local telescopes and put it into context of the wider global AO community. I will also highlight the work being done at large facilities in Hawaii to further push the limits of our AO systems.

FOR SALE: Meade 5″ Apo Refractor telescope & accessories – $1,400

Meade 127ED 5” f/9 ED Apochromatic Refractor Telescope c/w Also included are the following genuine Meade accessories All equipment in excellent condition. Hardly ever used. Asking price for all the above $1,400.00 CAD Contact – Trevor Brown (250) 896-7708 (email)

Astronomy Cafe – Oct 20, 2025

Intro – Chris Purse; New maps of the Apollo 17 LRV traverses (of the Moon) – Phil Stooke; M42 Orion Nebula – Dave Payne; The friendly skies – Saskatchewan Star Party ; Comet I3/Atlas – Randy Enkin; Dark Sky Reserve – Hanle, Ldakh, India – Natasha van Bentum; Space Mission News – Chris Gainor; Events – Lauri Roche, Dave Payne; Comets: C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 F2 SWAN – Randy Enkin & David Lee