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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240408T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240408T123000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20240402T155338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240402T155338Z
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SUMMARY:Solar Eclipse public viewing 8th April
DESCRIPTION:You may have seen on the news that North America will experience a total solar eclipse next week on Monday 8th. \nHere in Nanaimo we are right on the edge of the eclipse path\, so won’t experience Totality. Coverage of the sun will be about 16%. \nThe eclipse starts at 10.43am with maximum coverage at 11.30am. \nThe Nanaimo Astronomy Society will have some members + volunteers set up with telescopes and special glasses for safe viewing of the eclipse on the field next to the parking lot at Pipers Lagoon. \n\nNOTE 1: This event is weather dependent and may have to be cancelled at short notice. Keep any eye on our Facebook page for any updates. It is expected to go ahead unless it is raining.\n\nNOTE 2 : We do not have any solar glasses for sale and will only have them available at the outreach event.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/solar-eclipse-public-viewing-8th-april/
LOCATION:pipers Lagoon\, 3600 Place Rd\,\, Nanaimo\, V9T 5T7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Public Viewing Outreach
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240328T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240328T190000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20240131T213518Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240307T171511Z
UID:2193-1711652400-1711652400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:March 28th: March 28 Double Feature: Astronomy activities for kids AND Revealing the Invisible Universe with Radio Telescopes
DESCRIPTION:This in-person meeting features something for all ages!\n  \nBring your kids or grandkids from 7:00 to 7:45 pm for some kid friendly\, interactive activities to learn about and enjoy astronomy. (Adults may enjoy this too!)\nOur main presentation will begin at 8 pm\, with Dr. Jennifer West joining us via zoom.  (Please note\, members must attend in-person).\n\nWhen: Thursday March 28  at 7 pm.\nWhere: Beban Park Social Center\, Rooms 2 and 3\n\nMain Presentation:\n  \nRevealing the Invisible Universe with Radio Telescopes\nDr. Jennifer West\, NRC will be joining via zoom at 8 pm.\n  \n \n\n  \nPresentation Overview:\nRadio astronomy has been around for nearly a hundred years. In that time\, we have only managed to see a glimpse of the Universe’s many hidden secrets that can be revealed at radio wavelengths. With recent advances in computing\, we have seen an explosion of new radio telescopes\, including the upcoming Square Kilometre Array for which Canada has officially announced its intention to become a full member. With these telescopes comes a wealth of new and upcoming data. I will discuss some of the things that we hope to learn\, the challenges we still face\, and the new technology that comes with it. \nBio:\nJennifer West is currently a Covington Fellow at the Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre\, National Research Council of Canada.  At the Dunlap Institute\, Jennifer was a Research Associate who used large radio surveys and radio polarimetry to study magnetic fields in supernova remnants and in the Milky Way Galaxy.  She worked with Prof. Bryan Gaensler to analyze data from the upcoming POSSUM (Polarisation Sky Survey of the Universe’s Magnetism) survey using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP).\nJennifer is also enthusiastic about astronomy education and outreach. She is the recipient of the International Dark Sky Association’s Dark Sky Defender Award (2011) and the RASC’s Ken Chilton Prize (2010) for her contributions to astronomy education and outreach.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/march-28th-dr-jennifer-west-herzberg-astronomy-astrophysics-research-centre/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240222T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240222T190000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20240131T213402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240206T054043Z
UID:2191-1708628400-1708628400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:February 22nd: Bob McDonald ~ Science Journalist with CBC
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this very special online presentation\nby Bob McDonald\n  \n “An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space”\n  \nBob McDonald\, Author and Science Journalist\n \nBrief:\nMy talk is titled\, “An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space.” \nIt is based on one of my recent books by the same title and looks at the universe through questions young people ask: What happens if you fall into a black hole\,” Where could I take a holiday in space?” or “What is our cosmic address?” These and many more questions will be explored with visuals and demonstrations that can be done at home using everyday materials. \nBio:\nBob McDonald has been bringing science to the public for more than 50 years. In addition to hosting Quirks & Quarks\, the award-winning science program that is heard by 800\,000 people each week\,  McDonald is also science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National and host of the children’s series Head’s Up. He was also host of the CBC Children’s series Wonderstruck. He has written and hosted numerous television documentaries and more than 100 educational videos in Canada and the United States. \n As a writer\, he has authored six bestselling science books\, and contributed to numerous textbooks\, magazines\, and newspapers (including The Globe and Mail). His latest book is The Future is Now: Solving the climate crisis with current technology. McDonald has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of science within Canada.  He has been awarded the Michael Smith Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council\, the “Sir Sanford Fleming Medal” from the Royal Canadian Institute\, and the “McNeil Medal” from The Royal Society of Canada. He also won a 2008 Gemini Award for “Best Host in a Pre-School\, Children’s or Youth Program or Series.” \nHe is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. \nIn 2015\, asteroid 332324 was officially named Bobmcdonald in his honour. \nHe holds thirteen honorary doctorates from Canadian universities.. \n\nThe February 22nd Meeting is online only via Zoom.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/feb-meeting-bob-mcdonald-science-journalist-with-cbc/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240125T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20240125T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20231207T194902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240122T195500Z
UID:2150-1706209200-1706216400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:How different cultures see the night sky\, and guide to the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse.
DESCRIPTION:Happy New Year to all NAS members!\nPlease join us to kick off 2024 with these two in-person presentations.\nOur meetings are free for members. The public can attend once for free and are then encourage to join. \n‘The Importance of Ethnoastronomy’ (online presentation)\n \n\n\n\nBrief : \nAn asterism is a star or stars that have been identified and named. The people of the world come from a variety of social\, educational\, and cultural backgrounds. This means that even though they are looking up at exactly the same stars that you are\, they see different patterns than you. Even within your own culture there will be differences. People have used the sky as:\n·       A calendar\, and/or \n·       A divination system\, and/or \n·       A navigational tool\, and/or \n·       A weather prediction system\, and/or \n·       A place to honor: \no   Their deities \no   Their ancestors\, or \no   Their culture. \nThis is a practice that continues to this day. \nThis World Asterisms Project is a living project started in June 2021 by the Inclusivity and Diversity Committee of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as a celebration of the sky cultures of the world: It continues to grow as the process of naming the stars above is an ongoing process. It is also growing as ethnoastronomers and researchers investigate old records and interview elders and recover previously lost sky cultures. We are stewards of these records and are using the “Two Eyes Seeing” approach pioneered by members of our Halifax Centre of the RASC in their ongoing partnership with the Mi’kmaq people to recover their sky lore: the shared perspectives of astronomers and knowledge keepers. We are doing our best to avoid exonyms and use the names these people use for themselves. We are identifying the asterisms here and whenever possible directing people to representatives of the cultures involved for information on the sky stories or dream lines related to those asterisms.\n\n\nBio :\n\nCharles Ennis is the Past National President of the RASC and a member of their Sunshine Coast Centre. He is the founder of the World Asterisms Project. He is a very active astronomy educator and ethnoastronomer and the writer/host or director/producer of astronomical videos such as Eastlink TV’s Night Lights\, the RASC’s Insider’s Guide to the Galaxy\, the short Bravo documentary Starry Nights\, and various other YouTube videos on astronomy.\n\n\n\n—————-\n\nShort Presentation:\nPresident Chris Boar will be talking about the upcoming North American Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th\, what we’ll see in Nanaimo\, and a general introduction to eclipses. \n  \n\nIf you want to come early to help with room setup from 6pm\, it would be appreciated. \n\nUpcoming Meetings in 2024\n\nFebruary 22nd:  Bob McDonald ~ Science Journalist with CBC *** Zoom Only Meeting *** \nMarch 28th: Dr. Jennifer West ~ Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre\nApril 25th: Dr. Gregory Arkos & Students ~ Department of Physics & Astronomy\, Vancouver Island University\nMay 23rd: Reg Dunkley ~ Victoria Royal Astronomical Society\nJune 27th: Dr. Raafat El-Hacha ~ Islamic Astronomy
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/january25-member-meeting/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231123T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231123T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20231109T212926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231109T214832Z
UID:2130-1700766000-1700773200@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Forging Elements inside Stars: Nuclear Astrophysics in a Nutshell
DESCRIPTION:  \nPhoto : Dr. Iris Dillmann\, Senior Research Scientist at TRIUMF and Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria \nWhen: Thursday\, November 23rd\nWhere: Beban Park Social Centre\, Room 3\n\nPlease join us for this Stellar presentation!\n  Forging Elements inside Stars: Nuclear Astrophysics in a Nutshell\n  \nPresented by: Dr. Iris Dillman\, Senior Research Scientist at TRIUMF\nand\nAdjunct Professor at the University of Victoria\nBrief :\n“We are made of star stuff!” This famous sentence from astrophysicist Carl Sagan emphasizes that every atom in our body comes from stellar material and was processed through hundreds of generation of stars since the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago. Nuclear Astrophysicist Iris Dillmann will walk you through the main stellar processes that create all the elements around us and show you how we at TRIUMF\, Canada’s particle accelerator centre in Vancouver\, are investigating this star stuff to improve our understanding of the origin of our building blocks. \nBio : \nIris Dillmann is a Senior Research Scientist at TRIUMF and Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria. Her multifaceted research interests cover many areas of nuclear physics and astrophysics with focus on the creation of elements heavier than iron in stars. Iris leads the “Exotic Decay Spectroscopy” research group at TRIUMF which carries out experiments at radioactive beam facilities in Japan\, Finland\, Germany\, and also locally at TRIUMF. \nSince early childhood Iris is a “lunar-tic” who is fascinated with the moon\, planets\, stars\, and the Space Shuttle. To realize her dream of becoming an astronaut and be the first woman on the moon\, she participated in the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Selection Program in 2008. When this did not work out\, she focussed on her academic career to investigate the creation of elements in stars. \nPhD 2006 University of Basel\, Switzerland. Postdoctoral researcher 2007 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology\, Germany)\, 2008-09 (Technical University of Munich\, Germany)\nHelmholtz Young Investigators Group Leader 2010-15  (GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research\, Darmstadt and University of Giessen\, Germany)\nResearch Scientist at TRIUMF since 2013. Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria since 2016 \nPhoto: Dr. Iris Dillman working in Japan \n  \n*The presentation will begin shortly after 7pm. Please try to arrive before the presentation.\n*Free for members. Non-members may attend once for free and then we encourage them to join.\nVolunteers to set-up chairs and tables are always welcome.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/forging-elements-inside-stars-nuclear-astrophysics-in-a-nutshell/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231026T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231026T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20231003T024954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231003T025650Z
UID:2100-1698346800-1698354000@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:October 26th Meeting: 'Astro Navigation - Stars & Time'
DESCRIPTION:Photo: Chris Cottle – Retired Nautical Navigator and a Weapons Officer\, Royal Canadian Navy \nWhen: Thursday\, October 26th at 7pm\nWhere: Beban Park Social Centre\, Room 3\n\n\nWe’re thrilled to have Chris Cottle present to us.\nRetired Nautical Navigator and Weapons Officer\, Royal Canadian Navy.\nBrief:  From the earliest of modern man\, we have needed to know where we are going and where we were. This helped make commerce efficient and also permitted wars. Thousands of years ago\, we realized we could follow the stars and the sun to guide us to where we wanted to go\, but it had limitations. Many steps had to fall into place in order to get to the days of GPS. This lecture discusses this progression of ocean-going navigation. \nBio:  I went to Royal Military College in the early 1970s and I was in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1970 to 1982. I was a Nautical Navigator and a Weapons Officer aboard the Canadian Destroyers. Our job was to chase submarines of the USSR and help protect US Navy Aircraft Carrier groups. That role seems to have returned. I then went back to school to become a dentist\, and I remained in the Canadian Forces Dental Services until 1991. I retired from the military and had a private dental practice north of Toronto. My hobbies include astronomy and repairing 100+ year old typewriters. I have retired in Courtenay and other than enjoying life with my wife\, I “work” at my hobbies. \n*The presentation will begin shortly after 7pm. Please try to arrive and seat early.\n*Free for members. Non-members may attend once for free and then we encourage them to join.\nVolunteers to set-up chairs and tables at 6:15pm are always welcome.\n\n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/october-26th-meeting-astro-navigation-stars-time/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Society Meeting
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231014T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20231014T103000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20231005T194915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231006T032143Z
UID:2115-1697270400-1697279400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Public Viewing - Partial Solar Eclipse 14th October.
DESCRIPTION:On Saturday 14th October there will be an Annular Eclipse. The Moon’s distance from the Earth means the Moon’s apparent size is not quite enough to completely cover the Sun (as in a total solar eclipse). During an Annular eclipse the Moon nearly covers the Sun\, leaving a ‘ring of fire’. You will only see that though if you are in the path of annular totality. In Nanaimo we will not see the ring of fire but will have a partial (77% covered) eclipse. At no point during the eclipse is it safe to look at the sun without appropriate safety viewing glasses or telescopes fitted with solar filters. \n \nThe Astronomy Society plan to host a public viewing event (weather permitting) from Pipers Lagoon. We will have solar viewing telescopes and solar glasses for the public to use. We will be set up on the field next to the parking lot. There is an open ridge by the beach which has ideal viewing over to the SE. We will be there setting up between 7.30-8am. \nThe eclipse will be visible low on the SE horizon starting at 8.08am. Maximum eclipse in Nanaimo will be 77% at 9.19am. And the eclipse will end at 10.37. \nWeather may force us to cancel this public viewing. Keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for upto date information. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/public-viewing-partial-solar-eclipse-14th-october/
LOCATION:pipers Lagoon\, 3600 Place Rd\,\, Nanaimo\, V9T 5T7\, Canada
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230928T202000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230928T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230903T205819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230903T205819Z
UID:2030-1695932400-1695934800@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Annual General Meeting
DESCRIPTION:This is notification of our AGM in September. The AGM will occur after our normal member meeting (which starts at 7pm). Paid members will receive email notification of the AGM. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/annual-general-meeting/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230928T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230928T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230904T190818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230904T192442Z
UID:2033-1695927600-1695934800@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:September 28 Meeting: Canada’s Long Range Plan 2021-2030
DESCRIPTION:Canada’s Long-Range Plan 2021-2030\n\nWe are very fortunate to have Dr. James Di Francesco from Victoria to present to us in-person!\n\nDr. James Di Francesco \nCanada’s Long Range Plan 2021-2030\n  \nBrief : Every ten years\, astronomers across Canada organize a nationwide discussion about the near-term future of astronomy in Canada.  This grassroots process\, known as the Long Range Plan\, significantly defines priorities for current and future astronomy investments with broad consensus across the country.  In 2021\, the latest version of the Long Range Plan\, produced by a panel co-chaired by Bryan Gaensler (Toronto) and Pauline Barmby (Western)\, was released.  In my short presentation\, I will summarize briefly the main recommendations made by the 2020 Long Range Plan\, and provide updates on its recommended highest priorities\, namely the ground-based optical Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)\, the ground-based radio Square Kilometre Array (SKA)\, and the space-based Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical/uv Research (CASTOR).  In addition\, I will highlight some of the other recommendations made about the astronomy community in general.  If adequately funded\, Canada’s ambitious plans will enable it to retain its forefront reputation in astronomy and astrophysics on the world stage for decades to come. \nBio : Dr. James Di Francesco is the Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and Optical Astronomy at the National Research Council of Canada’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre (HAA).  Located currently in Victoria\, BC\, he is originally from Trenton\, ON.  He received his PhD in Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin in 1997\, and afterwards had two successive postdoctoral appointments at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in Cambridge\, MA in 1997-1999 and the University of California\, Berkeley in 1999-2002.  He has been part of the HAA research staff for the past 21 years and has been a Director since 2018. He also holds an adjunct professorial appointment at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Victoria. \n*The presentation will begin shortly after 7pm. Please try to arrive and seat early.\n*Free for members. Non-members may attend once for free and then we encourage them to join.\nVolunteers to set-up chairs and tables at 6:15pm are always welcome.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/september-28-meeting-canadas-long-range-plan-2021-2030/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230622T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230622T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230607T172525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230617T180059Z
UID:1994-1687460400-1687467600@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:June Meeting - Capturing the Universe: An Introduction to Astrophotography with showcase
DESCRIPTION:This Meeting is In-Person Only\nPlease Join NAS President Chris Boar & VP Tony Puerzer for this engaging visual experience!\nCapturing the Universe: An Introduction to Astrophotography with showcase\nBrief: Join us for a fascinating journey through time and space as you experience the amazing world of astrophotography. Using traditional landscape photography as a “departure point” you’ll discover how to craft breathtaking long-exposure images of the night sky and awesome portraits of the sun and moon. Chris & Tony will introduce you to the gear and techniques you’ll need to start creating your own stunning images\, from simple star trails to long exposure deep space photography. \nAstrophotography Showcase: After the main presentation we’ll also be showcasing a few local Astrophotographers images\, who will also be on hand with their photography rigs to answer any questions. \nBio: Chris & Tony are President and Vice President of the Nanaimo Astronomy Society.They are both professional photographers living in Nanaimo who are also experienced amateur astrophotographers.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/june-meeting-capturing-the-universe-an-introduction-to-astrophotography-with-showcase/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230525T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230525T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230504T180111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230904T190955Z
UID:1988-1685041200-1685048400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:May Meeting: Science Education in a Changing World plus The Celestial Sphere
DESCRIPTION:Our May hybrid meeting. Online and in person. Society members will receive an email meeting invite. \nThe public are welcome to attend meeting once for free and then encouraged to join the society. \nMain Presentation \nWe’re very happy to have Carl Savage presenting to us. Science Educator\, Ballenas Secondary School \n‘Science Education in a Changing World’ \n \nCarl Savage and Jasmine at the Nanoose Observatory\, Nanoose Bay\, B.C. Photo by Vicki Swan\nBrief :\n\nIn today’s ever-changing technological society\, the skills that drive innovation and define success include problem-solving\, critical thinking\, creative thinking\, and effective communication. In the sciences\, these skills combine logic\, technology and a pinch of old fashion learning that requires students to have a learning environment and mindset different from those of the past. Using Project Based Learning is one way our classrooms are changing to meet the needs of today’s learners. These changes lead to skill development and understanding that require teachers to be more than traditional teachers. The projects also require students to take on a more significant role in their education than the traditional learner. This talk will explore how these changes are affecting how we teach and how students learn through innovative learning projects\, including nuclear reactors\, CubeSat and experiments that have run on the international space station\, to name a few.Bio : \nI became interested in astronomy in the early 1970s when my parents took me to the Calgary Centennial Planetarium. I have worked as an optical and electrical system designer for several national and international companies\, never considering becoming a teacher. One of my former managers suggested I consider a career in teaching after watching me do technical training for the equipment I was designing. This interaction set me on a path that led me to teacher training in 2002\, and I have never looked back. I have taught Physics\, Biology\, Mathematics\, Calculus\, and general science courses at three high schools. I have also designed two original courses for the district I am currently teaching in\, Astronomy and Science Research Methods.\nAs a teacher\, I have had the pleasure of teaching many talented students. With my assistance\, their hard work and dedication to their education have led me to be nominated for an APEGA teacher excellence award in 2004 and a finalist for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education in 2018. In 2022 I received a Certificate of Achievement in STEM education from the Prime Minister of Canada and a winner of the We Love Teachers from Staples Canada. \n\n\n———————————————\n\n\nShort Presentation\nWe are very pleased to have NAS member Gregory Arkos\, Ph.D.\nProfessor\, Department of Physics\, Engineering & Astronomy\nVancouver Island University‘Holding the universe in your hands: the Trippensee celestial sphere’\n\nBrief: \nWe live in a time when extraordinary images of our universe are only ever a click away; observatories such as the Keck Telescopes\, CFHT\, Hubble\, James Webb and others produce regular reminders of our modern understanding of the universe and our place within it.  So it is perhaps surprising that an early model of the night sky\, the celestial sphere\, remains a useful concept even today.  Join me as I explore its history and use in astronomy\, demonstrated using a classic celestial sphere produced in the early 1990’s by Trippensee. \nBio: \nThough space has fascinated Greg Arkos since his early childhood\, a career in astronomy would only follow later in life.  Greg completed a BSc Honours degree in Geophysics at the University of Manitoba before attaining his PhD in space physics at the University of British Columbia.  A postdoctoral research position with the Space Research Group at the University of Calgary followed\, eventually leading to an ongoing sessional teaching position at Mount Royal College.  Greg joined the Department of Physics\, Engineering & Astronomy at Vancouver Island University in 2003 as a full-time faculty member and has been happily teaching there ever since!  His current interests include all things astronomical\, science outreach and the promotion of scientific literacy.  Greg was a founding member of the award winning\, VIU produced science-themed radio program `Not Rocket Science’.  On clear nights he may be found imaging astronomical phenomena of all kinds from his deck or on the roof of the physics building introducing VIU’s astronomy students to the wonders of the night sky.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/may-meeting-science-education-in-a-changing-world-plus-the-celestial-sphere/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230427T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230427T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230403T162953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230403T163139Z
UID:1975-1682622000-1682629200@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:April meeting. The early USSR space program\, plus VIU Astronomy student’s presentation.
DESCRIPTION:Our April hybrid meeting. Online and in person. Society members will receive an email meeting invite. \n\nMain Presentation \nWe’re very happy to have Dr. David Prud’homme presenting to us. \n\n\n\n‘Early Rocketry and Space Technology in the USSR’\n\nBrief : \nThe US and USSR were in a race to develop ICBM’s (Intercontinental Ballistic Missles) to effectively deliver nuclear warheads.  This was the foundation of the “Space Race”\, to show the world which political system – America’s democracy or the USSR’s communism – could prove their technological prowess in order to capture the minds and hearts of other nations.  This talk will discuss some early achievements – as well as tragedies – of the Soviet space program. \nBio : \nDr. David Prud’homme has had a lifelong interest in Russia.  As a child of the space age\, he became excited about the early manned flights of both the Soviet Union and the United States.  Years later\, when the veil was lifted from the secrecy of the Russian space program\, David became fascinated by what we didn’t know about Russia.  Several trips to both the former USSR and post-Soviet Russia have helped him understand this important period of cold war history. \n\n———————————\n\nShort Presentation‘ \nVancouver Island University Astronomy Student Presentation hosted by VIU Astronomy Professor (and NAS member) Greg Arkos’\n\n\nBrief :Vancouver Island University (VIU) students with a minimum of third year standing are able to enrol in two specialized elective courses in astronomy: The History of Astronomy (ASTR 312) and Exploring the Universe (ASTR 311).  Unlike our more general “survey style” first year astronomy offerings\, the third year courses put significantly greater emphasis on a smaller set of topics but without requiring previous astronomical or mathematical background.  An important component of both courses is a 20 minute group presentation made to the class at the end of the semester.  This short “teaching” lecture is on a topic of interest selected by each group and which falls within the scope of the material covered in class (but without repeating class material). \nIt has been a goal for many years to expand on the strong ties that exist between the Nanaimo Astronomy Society & VIU as well as to find ways to more directly include students from the VIU astronomy program in NAS events.  Those aspirations are finally coming to fruition as one of the top groups from the spring semester is scheduled to share their ASTR 311 presentation with NAS members during the April meeting!  The hope is that such cooperative ventures between NAS and VIU will become regular occurrences in the years to come… \nBio : \nA group of 2-4 third year astronomy students enrolled in ASTR 311. \n\n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/april-meeting-the-early-ussr-space-program-plus-viu-astronomy-students-presentation/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230323T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230323T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230306T184520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230306T184527Z
UID:1970-1679598000-1679605200@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:March 23rd Meeting : Exploring the Solar System's Fossils
DESCRIPTION:Details of this month’s meeting which will be online only. Paid members will receive email invitations to the online meeting.\n\n‘Exploring the Solar System’s Fossils. My life in the bush of Meteorites!’\n  \n \nPhoto : Murray Paulson and Alan Hildebrandt searching the Buzzard Coulee strewn field in the spring of 2009 \n  \n\nWe’re very happy to have Murray D. Paulson remotely presenting to us over ZOOM. \n\n\nPresentation \n‘Exploring the Solar System’s Fossils. My life in the bush of Meteorites‘ \n\n\nBio & Brief :\nI felt the starry sky’s calling when I was 9 years old and these many years later it still fascinates me.  Whether viewing the planets\, clusters\, distant nebula\, or a colorful double\, the sky brings me home. In the 90s I discovered Meteorites and Eclipses which I fell in love with. Neither of these activities is helping the RRSPs along! In 2009 I was asked to write the Planets section of the RASC’s Observers Handbook and my 15th edition is on its way.\nI have lived in lucky times with the Buzzard Coulee meteorite fall and the publication of the discovery of the Whitecourt Meteorite impact in 2008. These events changed my life. What a riot wandering through a farm field and finding stones that have only recently arrived from space and documenting them. A year later I was finding Iron Meteorites in the woods south east of the town of Whitecourt Alberta at the behest of Dr. Chris Herd. These fragments were 1100 years old and gave me a sense of the incredible energy of that impact which tore the 5+ tons of Nickel Iron into fragments and excavated a 37 m crater. We dutifully mapped the strewn field and presented Dr. Herd with the weights and measures of more than 3500 specimens. \nFinding meteorites and doing science was the thrill of a lifetime. In this presentation\, we will review what meteorites are and look at some of my adventures hunting for these elusive stones. \n\n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/march-23rd-meeting-exploring-the-solar-systems-fossils/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230223T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230223T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20230201T232555Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T204952Z
UID:1961-1677178800-1677186000@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Feb Meeting : 'Astronomy - The Art'
DESCRIPTION:Details of our meeting this month. Paid members will receive a Zoom invite. This meeting is online only. Details below :- \nWe’re very happy to have Chris Vaughan (Digital Starlab Certified Presenter and Trainer ; Senior Astronomer and Earth Scientist\, AstroGeo.ca) present to us. \nPresentation \n‘Astronomy – The Art’\n \n  \nWe’re very happy to have Chris Vaughan (Digital Starlab Certified Presenter and Trainer ; Senior Astronomer and Earth Scientist\, AstroGeo.ca) present to us. \n  \nPresentation \n‘Astronomy – The Art’\nBrief :\nUsing real photographs and images from amateur and professional astronomers\, as well as space-borne telescopes and robotic craft\, we’ll take a tour\, from our own backyard to the edge of the observable Universe. We’ll take time to appreciate the beauty of the images and learn about the fascinating science behind each of them. The Aurorae\, the Sun\, mighty Jupiter and beautiful Saturn\, the most beautiful parts of our own galaxy\, and peeks at our distant neighbours. All are delights for the eyes and food for thought! \n  \nBio :\nChris Vaughan aka @AstroGeoGuy is an Astronomer and Earth Scientist. Since 1996\, Chris has been delivering planetarium experiences\, visiting classrooms\, hosting science-themed assemblies\, running science clubs\, and holding stargazing parties for schools and other groups in southern Ontario. He is the author of a weekly astronomy blog for non-astronomers called Astronomy Skylights\, which is read by subscribers worldwide. Chris has written stories for SkyNews\, Canada’s astronomy magazine. For the website Space.com\, he writes a monthly calendar of astro-events\, and many columns focused on Mobile Astronomy Apps. Chris’ content is used in the popular SkySafari 6 and Star Walk 2 smartphone apps and the Starry Night software package. \n  \nChris is an operator and tour guide for the David Dunlap Observatory’s 74″ (1.88 m) Great Telescope\, a presenter in their Skylab room\, and a speaker at their public programs. He regularly presents The Sky This Month at the monthly Recreational Astronomy Night meetings of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Toronto Centre\, and presents RASC’s Insider’s Guide to the Galaxy webcasts on YouTube. Chris is the recipient of the 2014 and 2022 Bertram Topham Awards for Observing\, the 2013\, 2014 and 2018 Andrew Elvins Awards for Promotion of Astronomy\, and the 2019 Ostrander Ramsey and the 2022 Simon Newcomb Award for Astronomical Writing from the RASC. In 2018\, Chris was awarded the Reach for the Stars Award from the City of Markham in recognition of his promotion of astronomy and fight against light pollution in Thornhill. In 2021\, Chris co-authored the bestselling book 110 Things to See With a Telescope. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/feb-meeting-astronomy-the-art/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230126T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20230126T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20221201T221105Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230103T214513Z
UID:1938-1674759600-1674766800@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Jan meeting : Intruders in the night sky
DESCRIPTION:Happy New Year! \nWe’re very happy to have Patrick Seitzer (Research Professor Emeritus in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Michigan) present to us remotely over Zoom. \nPresentation \n‘Intruders in the night sky: satellites\, more satellites\, and even more satellites’\n\n \nImage Credit : CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/DECam DELVE Survey. (DECam shot of 19 starlinks crossing the field of view of the Dark Energy Camera on the 4.0-m Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo in Chile) \n  \nWhen : Thursday January 26th at 7pm \nWhere : In Person & Online \nIn-Person : Beban Park Social Centre Rooms 2/3 \nOnline : Zoom email invite to Society members \n  \nBrief : In the next decade over 400\,000 new satellites are planned to be launched into low Earth orbit (LEO). Compare this to some 50\,000 objects that are currently tracked and maintained in the catalog of Earth orbiting objects. Many\, if not all\, of these new satellites could be visible to the unaided eye even in light polluted skies. I’ll review why these new satellites are being launched\, and what astronomers are trying to do about them. \nBio : Patrick Seitzer is a Research Professor Emeritus in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor\, MI. His speciality is optical observations of space debris: surveys to determine the amount of such debris at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) followed by photometric and spectrographic observations of individual pieces to determine their physical nature. Recently he has worked on the problem of large numbers of bright satellites and how they will affect the appearance of the night sky.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/jan-meeting-details-tbc/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20221124T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20221124T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20220929T205603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221101T165619Z
UID:1816-1669316400-1669323600@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:November Meeting : Defending Earth\, One Cosmic Crash Test at a Time
DESCRIPTION:Details of our meeting this month. We continue to hold hybrid in-person and online Zoom meetings for our paid members\, who will receive email meeting notifications. The public are welcome to attend our meetings once for free and are then encouraged to join. \n  \n‘Defending Earth\, One Cosmic Crash Test at a Time’\n \nCredit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve GribbenWe’re very happy to have NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Jennie ‘Starstuff’ King present to us. \n  \nDescription:- \nOn September 26\, 2022\, a quiet binary asteroid system had a very interesting day. Didymos\, the larger asteroid of the system\, watched as a spacecraft deliberately slammed into its smaller moonlet\, Dimorphos. Meanwhile\, telescopes on Earth directed their gaze toward this event in order to witness the aftermath of the collision and to collect valuable data. This dramatic encounter\, known as the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test)\, was humanity’s first test of the kinetic impactor method for asteroid deflection– in other words\, it marked the first time anyone has tried to change an asteroid’s path through space. Because the asteroid Dimorphos poses no danger to Earth\, it provided a welcome opportunity to demonstrate technology that could one day save lives in the event of a real threat. This talk will address the goals and results of this cosmic crash test\, as well as the broader topic of humanity’s planetary defense efforts. \nBio :- \nJennie “Starstuff” King is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s astronomy program. While studying astronomy and physics\, she discovered her deep love of STEM education and outreach. She first brought her love of space exploration to the classroom as a high school AP Physics and Engineering teacher in Denver\, Colorado. Jennie became a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador in order to encourage others to explore the wonders of the cosmos with their hearts\, minds and imaginations. As a new Vancouver area resident\, Jennie looks forward to connecting with the astronomy and STEM education communities of BC and beyond. Solar System Ambassador Directory Link   /   Twitter Profile
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/november-meeting-tbc/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20221027T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20221027T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120301
CREATED:20220929T205528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221004T192553Z
UID:1814-1666897200-1666904400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:October meeting : Imaging Exoplanets
DESCRIPTION:We’re very happy to have Dr Garima Singh presenting over Zoom to us. \nPostdoctoral Fellow at the NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre\, Victoria. \n\nPaid members will receive an email ZOOM meeting invite.  \nMembers of the public can attend our meetings once for free\, and are then encouraged to join. \n \n			\n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				Brief : \nExoplanets are the planets that orbit stars other than the Sun. As of today\, roughly 5000 exoplanets have been discovered in our Milky Way galaxy alone. NASA’s statistics state that each of the 300 billion stars in our galaxy has at least one planet orbiting it. Such exoplanet discoveries are already helping us to understand how planets form and evolve and what the atmospheres of exo-worlds look like\, however\, finding signs of life outside of Earth is still an unachievable feat.    \nOne way to find exoplanets is the direct imaging method\, which translates into taking family portraits of extra-solar systems using the current ground-based telescopes (5-10-meters). Exoplanets are roughly thousand to ten billion times fainter than their stars and finding such dim signals in the presence of overwhelmingly bright stars is technically challenging. Moreover\, the light of a star-planet pair that traverses through the Earth is blurred by the atmospheric layers of different temperatures\, humidity\, and wind speeds. The structure of telescopes also vibrates due to the motion of motors and local wind\, which collectively\, makes it difficult to disentangle exoplanetary signals from the starlight. In this talk\, I will discuss how the current state-of-art instruments overcome these challenges and acquire images of exoplanets. I will also discuss the cutting-edge research being performed at HAA to improve the performance of such instruments.  \n \nBio :  \nGarima Singh is a postdoctoral fellow at HAA. She is specialized in developing instruments that take direct images of exoplanets. She completed her Ph.D. in 2015 in collaboration between Subaru Telescope in Hawaii and Paris Observatory in France. \nBefore moving to Canada\, two years ago\, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Paris Observatory where she continued improving the wavefront sensing capabilities of exoplanet imaging instruments. 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/october-meeting-tbc/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220922T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220922T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20220929T205444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220929T205444Z
UID:1812-1663873200-1663880400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:September Meeting : TBC
DESCRIPTION:Details to be confirmed.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/september-meeting-tbc/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220922T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220922T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20220902T192112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220909T043554Z
UID:1731-1663873200-1663880400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Sept meeting : AGM + Supermassive blackholes and the JWST
DESCRIPTION:Hope you all had a good summer. \nDetails of our meeting this month \nWe are running a Hybrid in-person/online meeting. Our speaker will be remotely presenting to us over Zoom. \nYou are welcome to join us in person or online. \n————– \nDate : Thursday 22nd Sept. 7-9pm. \nLocation : In-person – Beban Pk Social Centre rooms 2/3. \nOnline : Zoom invite by emails to members. \n(Email info@nanaimoastronomy.com if you’d like a Zoom invite link to this meeting\,) \nNOTE this presentation follows our AGM which starts at 7pm. You should have received separate email invitations for the AGM. \n\nWe’re very happy to have Dr Madeline Marshall presenting to us. \nPlaskett Fellow at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria \nPresentation \n\n‘ Supermassive Black Holes and the James Webb Space Telescope’\n \nBrief : \nThe James Webb Space Telescope\, the most advanced telescope ever sent to space\, has been taking its first observations over the last few months. Already\, we have seen some extraordinary pictures and some exciting science that hasn’t been possible before. I will talk about these images\, the latest results\, and how I will be using Webb later this year to solve some of the big mysteries about supermassive black holes. \nBio : \nDr Madeline Marshall is a Tasmanian astrophysicist currently working as a Plaskett Fellow at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria. She studies supermassive black holes in the early Universe using both simulations and space telescopes. Madeline is leading a JWST Cycle 1 program and is also involved in two JWST Guaranteed Time programs\, which will study these quasars and attempt to answer some of these mysteries.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/sept-meeting-ag-m-presenter-tbc/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220623T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220623T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20210614T180252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220618T222217Z
UID:1567-1656010800-1656014400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:June Main Meeting : Telescopes 101 Show N Tell
DESCRIPTION:This will be an in-person meeting only due to it’s hands-on nature and live demonstrations.\n\n\n\nWe’re very happy to have Board members Tony Puerzer\, Bill Weller\, and Fraser Lee present to us. \nPresentation \n‘Telescopes 101 Show N’ Tell’\n  \n \n\n\nAre you interested in owning your own telescope\, have one already but don’t know how to use it\, or want to learn about navigating the night sky? \nSociety VP Tony Puerzer\, and Society Directors Bill Weller and Fraser Lee will give a ‘hands on’ demonstration of the different common telescope types with several examples on hand to look at. \nWe’ll also give a quick introduction on how to navigate the night sky with the tools/apps you can use to aid in night sky navigation. \nIf you have a telescope you would like some help with feel free to bring it to the meeting and we’ll do our best to help.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/june-main-meeting-using-your-beginner-telescope/
LOCATION:Beban Park Social Centre – Rooms 2&3\, 2300 Bowen Rd\, Nanaimo\, BC\, V9T 3K7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220609T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220609T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20220602T180222Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220602T180222Z
UID:1723-1654801200-1654804800@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:June Members meeting : Probing the Stars
DESCRIPTION:Our June meeting for our members only. All paid members should have received email invites to this online meeting. \nWe’re very happy to have Society Director Bill Weller present to us. \nPresentation \n‘PROBING THE STARS’ \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/june-members-meeting-probing-the-stars/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220526T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220526T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20220201T183232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220514T014601Z
UID:1673-1653591600-1653598800@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:May main meeting - Visiting Kitt Peak and the Sonoran Desert
DESCRIPTION:This meeting is not open to the public. Society members should have received an email invite to the meeting. If not please email info@nanaimoastronomy.com. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/may-main-meeting-details-tbc/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220512T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220512T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20220201T183148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220201T183148Z
UID:1671-1652382000-1652385600@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:May Members night - Details tbc
DESCRIPTION:Meeting details to be confirmed.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/may-members-night-details-tbc/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220428T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220428T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20210309T183009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220415T213330Z
UID:1507-1651172400-1651176000@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:April Main meeting : The Search for Life on Mars: NASA's Perseverance Rover Mission
DESCRIPTION:All current meetings are online for paid Society members only who will receive their meeting invites by email. \nIf you’d like to attend as a guest please email info@nanaimoastronomy.com \n\n\nWe’re very happy to have Chris Herd\, PhD\, BSc presenting to us. \nProfessor\, Faculty of Science – Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Admin\nUniversity of Alberta \nPresentation \n\n‘The Search for Life on Mars:\nNASA’s Perseverance Rover Mission’\n \nPhoto credit : NASA \n  \nBrief :\n\nThe talk will provide an overview of the goals of the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission\, progress thus far\, and plans for returning samples from Mars. \nBio : \nChristopher (Chris) Herd has had the dream of studying rocks from Mars since the age of 13. After an undergraduate degree in Geological Sciences from Queen’s University in Kingston\, Canada\, he studied meteorites from Mars for his PhD at the University of New Mexico\, and then worked at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Since 2003 he has been a professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta. \nHis research includes studies of meteorites of a variety of types\, as well as ways of curating meteorites and future returned samples under cold and clean conditions. He is the curator of the University of Alberta Meteorite Collection—the largest university-based meteorite collection in Canada\, and home to the world’s only meteorite curation facility that operates at cold temperatures. He is a Returned Sample Science participating scientist in the Perseverance rover mission.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/march-main-presentation-preparing-the-james-webb-space-telescope/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220414T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20181219T062705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220403T223526Z
UID:1117-1649962800-1649966400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:April members Meeting - Dark Sky Preservation
DESCRIPTION:Our meetings are currently online for paid members only. If you are a paid member of our society\, you should be receiving the email invites with Zoom meeting links. \n\n\n  \n  \nWe’re very happy to have the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Light Pollution Abatement Committee present to us. \nPresentation \n‘Creating Safe\, Secure Nighttime Environments with Responsible Lighting’ \nBrief : \nThe Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) has led the world in key aspects of the challenge of nocturnal light pollution. This talk will introduce the various programs of the RASC’s Light Pollution Abatement Committee\, the challenges of achieving safe\, healthy nighttime illumination in urbanized and rural areas\, as well as touching on the negative safety\, health and ecological consequences of poorly designed and implemented lighting strategies. \nBio : \nRoland Dechesne\, FRASC\, is a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Light Pollution Abatement Committee as well as a Past President of the Calgary Centre of the RASC and an amateur astronomer with over 40 years’ experience. He has been a popularizer of astronomy to the public for much of that time. His interests are astrophotography\, meteorites and light pollution abatement. He ‘moonlights’ as an oil and gas geologist during the day. He was recently honoured by having asteroid #10087 named for him. For this meeting\, Roland will be joined by Bob King\, the Chair of the RASC’s Light Pollution Abatement Committee and Victoria Kramkowski of that Committee\, as well as biologist Susan Holroyd who brings a wealth of knowledge about bat biology and ecology.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/april-public-meeting/
LOCATION:BC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220324T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220324T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20181218T060740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220311T191803Z
UID:1012-1648148400-1648152000@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:March Main Meeting - We are all made of stardust but gold\, silver and platinum are neutron stardust'
DESCRIPTION:All current meetings are online for paid Society members only who will receive their meeting invites by email. \n  \nGuests can attend one meeting for free and are then encouraged to join. If you’d like to attend this online presentation please email info@nanaimoastronomy.com \n  \n\nWe’re very happy to have Dr JJ Eldridge presenting to us from New Zealand ! \nAssociate Professor and the current academic head of the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland. \nPresentation \n\n‘We are all made of stardust\nbut gold\, silver and platinum are neutron stardust’\n  \n \n  \nBrief :\nOne of the deepest facts that astrophysics reveals is that the elements important for life to exist arise from the lives and death of stars. In this presentation I will describe the different stars that produce different elements. I will cover the surprizing result that single stars like our Sun would produce different elements if they were in a binary stars system. I will also descrbie how our understanding of the source of elements like gold\, silver and platinum chanced in 2017 when we witnessed and event that finally produced these elements.\nBio :\nDr JJ Eldridge is currently an Associate Professor and the current academic head of the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland. Her general research concerns the lives and deaths of stars\, from those in our own Galaxy to those in galaxies at the edge of the observable Universe. Particularly the effects of binary interactions on the lives of binary stars and how these change the appearance of galaxies\, alter the rates of different types of supernovae and gravitational wave events.\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/march-public-meeting-details-tbc/
LOCATION:BC
CATEGORIES:Society Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220310T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20220201T182405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220304T205920Z
UID:1665-1646938800-1646942400@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:March Members night : Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory:  Can Public Outreach Work Online?
DESCRIPTION:Our meetings are currently online for paid members of our Society\, who should receive meeting invites by email. \nFor our members meeting this month we have the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (FDAO) : \nPresentation\n‘Can Public Outreach Work Online?’\n \n  \nBrief : \nThe Dominion Astrophysical Observatory on Observatory Hill in Saanich is anchored by the 1.8-metre Plaskett telescope\, in operation since May 1918.  The large white dome that houses the telescope is visible from almost anywhere around Victoria. Well over 100 people work at the DAO\, which is the responsibility of the National Research Council of Canada’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre.  The DAO became a national historic site in 2010. \nThe adjacent Centre of the Universe (CU) public education centre opened in 2001\, offering interactive exhibits\, telescope tours\, and programs in the theatre and small planetarium.  Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Victoria Centre offered night sky viewing to the public through their telescopes\, and summer camps took place. \nWhen the federal government withdrew funding from the CU in 2013\, members of the astronomy community\, strongly supported by the public and local politicians\, formed the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory\, a non-profit charitable organization. \nTill March 2020\, the FDAO held public Summer Star Parties on Saturdays on “the Hill”\, which included the above-mentioned activities.    Since then the FDAO has delivered programming online\, including monthly Star Parties\, curriculum for teachers (ExoExplorations)\, programs for students (Canadian Youth Exploring Space [CanYES])\, and virtual tours. \nTonight we’ll detail how our operations fared in this new format. \nHere’s where to check out the Centre of the Universe and Plaskett Telescope Virtual Tour before the presentation! \nBio’s : \nLauri Roche is on the board of the Friends of the DAO\, and a Royal Astronomical Society of Canada member busy teaching astronomy to students for both organizations. Amy Archer is board member\, Treasurer\, and Gift Shop Purveyor for the Friends of the DAO. Calvin Schmidt is the Curriculum development project manager for the Friends of the DAO. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/march-members-night-details-tbc/
LOCATION:BC
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220224T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220224T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20210208T002255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220213T001225Z
UID:1491-1645729200-1645732800@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Feb Main Meeting : A year of Aurora Chasing
DESCRIPTION:Our members night presentation. Meeting is online by email invite for paid members only. \nWe’re very happy to have Jeremy Kuzub presenting to us. \nFounder of Capture North \nPresentation \n‘A year of Aurora Chasing‘\n  \n \n\n\n\n\n\nBrief : \nJeremy will share a year of Aurora travel and explore and along the way touch on the science behind the aurora and ways you can photograph them yourself. \nBio : \nJeremy Kuzub founded Capture North in 2019 to explore and share the science and photography techniques of aurora chasing.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/feb-main-meeting-from-vancouver-island-to-maunakea/
LOCATION:BC
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220210T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220210T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20181218T033217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220201T181959Z
UID:976-1644519600-1644523200@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:February Members Night : The Secret life of Stars
DESCRIPTION:Our members night presentation. Meeting is online by email invite for paid members only.\n\n\n\nAs part of our Members night Astronomy-101 theme for 2022\, our Vice President Tony Puerzer takes you on an interactive presentation :-\n\n ‘The Secret Lives of the Stars’\n \n\n\n\n  \n  \n\nImage credit : NASA/ESA\, SOHO-EIT Consortium\n\n\nBRIEF :\n\nWhen you look up at the night sky you’ll notice that the stars don’t all appear the same. Besides the obvious differences in brightness\, you’ll see subtle variations in colour – from blue white to ruddy orange. Astronomers have used clues such as these to uncover the secret lives of the stars – including our star the Sun. During this interactive presentation you’ll discover how astronomers plotted the stars on a simple chart (with a very complex name!) which enabled us to uncover the multi-billion year history of stars such as our Sun. \n\nBIO : \nTony Puerzer\, VP Nanaimo Astronomy Society. \nTony’s lifelong interest in astronomy outreach and education included five years as a lecturer at the HR MacMillan Planetarium in Vancouver. From 2016 to 2019 he authored the popular Capturing The Universe column for SkyNews Magazine\, which is published by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He is currently contributing articles for the ongoing First Exposure column in Sky & Telescope magazine.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/february-public-meeting-details/
LOCATION:BC
CATEGORIES:Society Meeting
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220127T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20220127T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T120303
CREATED:20210109T191446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220104T205527Z
UID:1481-1643310000-1643313600@www.nanaimoastronomy.com
SUMMARY:Jan Meeting : New Eyes on the Universe and Black Holes with JWST
DESCRIPTION:Our January meeting for paid members is online via Zoom invite. Members please check your emails!\n\n\n\n\n\nWe’re very happy to have Dr. Alexandra Tetarenko presenting to us. \nNASA Einstein Fellow\, Texas Tech University \nPresentation \n\n‘ New Eyes on the Universe and Black Holes with JWST’\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\nBRIEF :\n\nThe James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is NASA’s next generation space telescope. This project is one of the most ambitious and complex astronomical space observatories ever built\, and its unparalleled capabilities to detect faint infrared light will revolutionize our understanding of the universe. In this talk\, I will introduce this incredible new telescope\, exploring its history\, as well as describing how it gathers data and why it needs to be in space. Additionally\, I will highlight some of the amazing science this telescope will deliver\, focussing on how JWST will allow us to dissect and understand some of the most enigmatic objects in the universe\, black holes!\n\n\n\n\nBIO : \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Alex Tetarenko was born and raised in Calgary\, Alberta\, Canada. She received her BSc in Astrophysics from the University of Calgary\, and she pursued graduate school at the University of Alberta\, obtaining her MSc in 2014 and her PhD in 2018. Following her PhD studies\, Alex took up an independent Fellowship at the Maunakea Observatories in Hawaii\, working at the East Asian Observatory’s James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. Alex has recently started a NASA Einstein Fellowship at Texas Tech University\, where she is focused on studying stellar-mass black hole systems in our Galaxy.
URL:https://www.nanaimoastronomy.com/events/jan-meeting-the-three-universes/
LOCATION:BC
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