The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a mission concept for a large UV/optical/near-infrared observatory to search for and characterize habitable planets beyond our solar system. With an expected launch in the 2040s, the mission’s main objective would be to identify and directly image at least 25 potentially habitable worlds.
One of the greatest benefits of membership in the Victoria Centre is that we get to meet and know some of the giants of Canadian astronomy. This centrewas founded under the tutelage of the father of Canadian astrophysics, John S.
Astronomy in South America – Ecuador & Galapagos – Jeff Pivnick; Only Bad Astronomers Forget Generally Known Mnemonics (Stellar Classification) – Randy Enkin; The Solar Wind – a follow-up – Marjie Welchframe; Astrophotography – David Lee & Dave Payne.
A Beginner’s Mini Guide to the Solar Wind – Natasha van Bentum; What if the Earth orbited Rigel? – discussion lead by Randy Enkin; Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) – RASC Victoria members observations and photos; Space News – Chris Gainor; Events
Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS observed and photographed by RASC Victoria Centre members, mid-October 2024.
The study of star formation relies upon precise and thorough observations, as does much of astronomy. Breanna will be talking about how, with the recent advancements that have culminated in the James Webb Space Telescope, our understanding of how stars form is changing. Wed Oct 9, 2024 starting at 7:30PM at UVic.
Next week’s Astronomy Cafe is cancelled due to it being Thanksgiving Day. Go outside and look for Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)! We resume Astronomy Cafe on October 21st. Video transcript of meeting
The COVID-19 Pandemic affected the Victoria Centre and its members in many ways, most of them negative. In a positive vein, our weekly Astronomy Cafés were transformed from small in-person gatherings to larger get-togethers on Zoom, and today they are
Astronomy in South America – Peru – Incas – Jeff Pivnick; Once in a Blue Moon – Randy Enkin; International Year of Quantum Science 2025 – Natasha van Bentum; Three Stars Dark Sky Festival – Kirsten Pedersen & Bill Weir; Events at the Centre of the Universe – Lauri Roche
Beginning Telescopes by Kirsten Pedersen, Bulk Orders for 2025 RASC publications are being taken by Lauri Roche, Saturn will be occulted by the Moon tomorrow morning, and planetary astrophotos by Brock Johnston.