Astronomy Cafe – Sep 14, 2026

Clouds in Mars' atmosphere

Intro – Randy Enkin
Solar System (Exploration) Update – Phil Stooke
Summer RASC Events Overview – Randy Enkin, Lauri Roche
NOVA Launch – Lauri Roche
Upcoming Events at the DAO – Lauri Roche
RASC T-Shirts for Sale  and Astronomy Cafe Logistics – Randy Enkin
Volunteer/Outreach Opportunities  – David Lee
UVIC Speaker Series – Kevin Bertles
Astrophotography SIG Collaborative Photo Project – Coma Galaxy Cluster & Dave’s Manuscript Project – Dave Payne
Celestial Summer Happenings – Randy Enkin 
Astrophotograph – Crescent Nebula in H Alpha – Vince Geisler

Island Star Party 2026

Gloving star map blanket and red lights

The public is invited to this year’s Island Star Party, which will take place under dark skies on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Saanichton on the nights of Friday August 7 and Saturday August 8.

Lots of amateur astronomers will be there to talk about astronomy and to help you observe celestial objects after dark. There will be activities organized for the afternoons. Camp overnight (1 night or 2), or just drop in for an evening of fun and fascination.

Cost: Free of charge for drop-ins! Suggested donation of $20/Adult for observers who camp overnight – one night or two. Kids camp free.

Astronomy Cafe – May 25, 2026

Solar image from Parker probe

Intro – David Lee
Parker Solar Probe – Natasha Van Bentum and Chris Gainor
Lunar “V” and “X” May 23rd – David Lee
Astrophoto and Astrophotography SIG – Dave Payne
Beaveree – Bill Weir
Star Party at Observatory Hill – Lauri Roche
“Physics for Poets” movie launch – Lauri Roche
Victoria Centre Observatory (VCO) – Reg Dunkley and Vince Geisler
Starship Flight 12 Launch – Chris Gainor (no slideshow)
Upcoming Astronomy Events – Reg Dunkley, David Lee, Lauri Roche
JUNO Mission continues – Reg Dunkley and Phil Stooke
Upcoming Astronomy Events – continued
Astronomy Gear from Sid’s garage – David Lee
Garry Sedun’s New Observatory
Observing Remotely from Texas – Ken McGill
Birding and Astronomy – Reg Dunkley and Marjie Welchfame
Starship Flight 12 Launch – Chris Gainor (slideshow)
Japan and China have planned Lunar missions – Phil Stooke

Astronomy Cafe – May 4, 2026

Astronomy Cafe - Zoom members - May 4, 2026

Intro – Reg Dunkley
General Assembly – Lauri Roche, Lauri Roche, Randy Enkin
Citizen Science at the RASC – Randy Enkin
Victoria Centre Observatory – David Lee, Reg Dunkley
Volunteers Needed – Bill Weir
Lunar Missions Coming Up This Year – Phil Stooke
Vera Rubin Telescope and Artemis 2 – Chris Gainor
Astrophotos – Reg Dunkley
Events – David Lee, Lauri Roche, Randy Enkin