The Astronomical Experience

From the earliest days of the first hominids and through the epochs into the 21st century, mankind has held a deep fascination with the night sky. In today’s technological society, massive mountaintop observatories and high-tech space telescopes are at the forefront of astronomical research, but an ever-growing group of individuals continue to peer up from dark fields, secluded parks and their own backyards in the quest to explore and understand the universe. From varied backgrounds, cultures and professions, amateur astronomers are united in their curiosity and desire to wonder at the beauty of the heavens above, and to find our true place in the cosmos.

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The Hamilton Amateur Astronomer’s 2016 Celestial Events Calendar is in production and it’s time to submit your images! 

The HAA calendar showcases photos, illustrations and other visuals exclusively from you, HAA club members. In the past we’ve have images from very experienced astrophotographers and absolute beginners. Everyone is encouraged to participate and all images are welcome.

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This August 11th the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers aim to host another Perseids Meteor Shower Public Viewing Night. However, events like these require the support of club members and so we’re calling upon any and all club members who would like to help make this night a success. We’re looking for volunteers to fill basic roles such as…

• Meeting cars as they enter the park
• Direct traffic to parking spaces
• Generally help where needed

If you are interested in helping please send an email to Jim Wamsley, chair@amateurastronomy.org.

The June issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month
• Astronomy Phone Apps
• Scenes From McQuesten Park Public Night
• Upcoming Events
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Bob Christmas, Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) and NGC 188

The May issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• Letters from B.A.S.E.F. Winners
• The Sky This Month
• A Trip Down Memory Lane
• Scenes From The Spring Scope Clinic
• Scenes From Astronomy Day
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Don Pullen, Astronomy Day 2015

Capturing the Stars

Kerry-Ann will be talking about her journey in the intense hobby of astrophotography from 2007 up to 2015 and sharing some of the stories behind the many objects that were captured along with her more recent projects and goals.

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The April issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month
• Comet Lovejoy in Cassiopeia
• 2015 James A. Winger Prize Presentation at BASEF
• Kepler 186-F: Earth 2.0 or Earth’s Galactic Cousin?
• Upcoming Events
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Ann Tekatch, St. Patrick Day Aurora

New Horizons; Space Exploration Today

There was a time when young men and women stood on a shore and looked out to the horizon, imaging what new lives a ship might transport them to. They imagined new sights, new wonders and in their minds they imagined new worlds.

This summer, after travelling a decade through the dark and quiet of space, a small craft that bears a name that recalls these brave people, will truly see a new world. The New Horizons spacecraft will give us our first look at Pluto as just one of the many amazing sights that are in store for us in this golden age of space exploration.

This richly illustrated talk is suitable for all ages and takes us from Earth to Mars, the asteroids, Pluto and beyond as we look through the mechanical eyes of these far flung probes and are witness to these new sights, new wonders and new worlds.
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Please note that John Gauvreau’s talk originally scheduled for March 13th has been postponed until April 10th. Don Pullen will instead be talking about unmanned space missions.

Space Science – The Journey Continues

Manned space missions have been confined to low-Earth orbit (LEO) for more than 40 years, a big disappointment to many. However, our exploration of space beyond LEO continues to grow with many exciting robotic missions. From the Great Observatories (Hubble, Compton, Chandra, Spitzer) to contributions by Europe, India and other countries, we continue to find new ways to explore the unknown and find answers to some of the most important questions to mankind. In this talk, Don will review a few of the amazing current and upcoming missions and explore some of the science that has been revealed (and several of the questions that remain).
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The March issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month
• First Experience At Seeing the L.M.C.
• Lights on the Moon: Moon Express
• Quirks of Stellarium
• Book Review of The Martian
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Triple-play Conjunction by Lise Bennett