Astronomy Cafe – Jan 26, 2026

Velocity, gravity & ground clocks as they relate to GPS satellites

Intro and New Members – Lauri Roche
Sid’s Books – Lauri Roche
Remembering Mark Tovey – Peter Jedicke
Coordinated Universal Time and UTC, GMT and all that – Jeff Pivnick
Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) – Randy Enkin
Artemis II Mission to the Moon – Chris Gainor
Jeremy Hansen’s mission patch – Natasha van Bentum
A Aurora and hunt for Comet 24p/Schaumasse – Jan 20th early morning – David Lee
VCO Jan 23 Observing Report – David Lee and Reg Dunkley
Events – Lauri Roche

John McDonald – 1936-2026 – In Memoriam

John McDonald photographing and obseving the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse from a balcony aboard the Discovery Princess

Dr. W. John McDonald, 1936-2026 John became active in astronomy in 2005 when he found some RASC Victoria Centre members who were equally passionate about observing the night sky visually and capturing images through cameras, lenses and telescopes as he was.

Always the passionate scientist (particle physics), John was also involved in amateur research as it relates to astronomy and astrophysics. He enjoyed the social aspects of being involved in one of Canada’s venerable Learned Societies, attending conferences, general meetings and star parties. As Victoria Centre President, he encouraged other members to participate and contribute to the mission of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Astronomy Cafe – Dec 8, 2025

The upgraded 16" Centre of the Universe (CU) Boller & Chivens telescope

Intro & new attendees – Lauri Roche; Upcoming Astronomy Cafes – Randy Enkin; Astrophotography and 16″ CU telescope upgrades – Brock Johnston; Geminid Meteor Shower in 2014 – Reg Dunkley; The Week That Shaped Astronomy in Victoria – Dennis Crabtree;  Newcombe Singers Concert – Randy Enkin;  Mizar (and friends) – binary stars – Randy Enkin