Our meetings are open to the public. You are free to attend once for free, and are then encouraged to join,

Main Presentation: Weather Websites That Help Optimize Your Observing Opportunities

We are very pleased to have Reg Dunkley presenting in-person!

Brief:  Clouds are the enemies of astronomers. Why don’t clouds fall down? Why causes the air to move? What energy sources drive the weather? What circulation patterns produce clear skies? These fundamental questions will be explored and will help us to improve our understanding of the weather. A few web pages will be demonstrated that help determine the location and motion of clouds at the moment. Other powerful web pages that display where these clouds will move to in the near future will also be showcased. Together they will help to identify windows of opportunity to savour the night sky.

Bio:  Reg Dunkley is a meteorologist (retired) and a former president of the Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. For 33 years he was employed by Environment Canada and worked in forecast offices located in Comox, Whitehorse and Vancouver. In addition to forecasting the weather he also served as a forensic meteorologist and the head of data management.

Astronomy Q and A with Bill Weller

Brief: NAS Director Bill Weller enjoys answering questions on a wide variety of Astronomy topics.  For those that are new to Astronomy, Bill can explain things in an easy to understand way.  So bring your questions – don’t be shy!

Bio: Dr. Weller (Bill) has had a lifelong interest in Astronomy, beginniing at about age 4. He eventually earned a Bsc(Hon)  in physics in 1971, and a PhD in Earth and Space Science in 1984, both from York University in Toronto.

He spent 2 years at Dunlap Observatory, U of T before going to Chile, where he worked at the Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory. From there he moved to the Gemini project, where his title was instrumentation scientist (optical). When he arrived in Nanaimo he taught astronomy and laboratory physics at Malaspina University College, now VIU.

 His interests include Planetary Nebulae, emission line stars and instrumentation. After retirement he spends much of his time wondering what is time, and where did it all go

“What has astronomy done for me lately?”

Presentation by NAS VP: Gordon Farlie

Bio: Gordon graduated from the University of Toronto in 1986 in Electrical Engineering. He then pursued his Bachelor of Education in1987 and spent the next 30 years teaching math and science in high school. His roles have included department head, site administrator, liaison between high school, elementary, and post-secondary, and was the lead mentor for provincial Science Olympics. He worked with Peel Police to produce “Worlds Collide,” which involved 300 students investigating a simulated on-site car crash. Drama, law, physics, and media students worked together to show the multifaceted aspects that a fatality can have on a community.  

Gordon got his first telescope at age 10 and has been looking up from then on. He is an avid reader of all things concerning astronomy. Gordon has always been the “go-to guy” at his school for all things concerning astronomy. He is most fascinated with gravity, dark matter, and energy.  After seeing Star Wars in 1977, Gordon has been a science fiction fan and loves when movies occasionally get the physics and astronomy right.

Gordon and his family moved to Nanaimo in the summer of 2022, and he continues to work with students as a private tutor. 

Gordon’s wife Maggie is currently a supply teacher with Cowichan Board. He has two children, Kevin (first year Masters in Nuclear Engineering in Ontario) and Anna (first year theatre at VIU), and has a golden doodle named Leo and a King Charles Spaniel named Molly.