Events & Outreach
Event
Watch the Perseids meteor shower with the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers at the Binbrook Conservation Area from 8 to 11 p.m. on Sat. August 16. Admission is free so bring the whole family for a fun evening under the stars. Bring a blanket or lounge chair as lying down is one of the best ways to enjoy the meteor shower. Weather and clouds permitting. No rain date scheduled.
There will also be a meteorite display, night sky tour and members will set-up their telescopes for observing celestial objects.
Clear skies, fresh air and a close conjunction between the Moon and Mars ensured that lots of members and public came out to McQueston Park in Hamilton for a night of observing.
Over 20 HAA members brought scopes of various sized, from 50mm to 12 inches, and entertained over 100 members of the public with wonderful views and lots of info. Two of the club’s loaner scopes were there and the club’s Malincam and television were also in use for the public to enjoy. There were also meteorites for the public to see and touch, and lots of planispheres, brochures and magazines were handed out free of charge.
At times there were large crowds around some scopes, and many people oohed and aahed at their first look at the craters of the moon or Saturn’s rings. The HAA’s next public event will be for the Perseid Meteor Shower at the Binbrook Conservation Area in August. This is traditionally our largest event and not to be missed. Be sure to come out for another great night.
Many club members showed up at the Grimsby/ Niagara Tourist Information Center last night, for another successful public observing night. We had about 8 scopes set up for the people passing by to get views of the Moon, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. Members spoke to many people, explaining about the club, the night sky, and why we love this hobby so much. Most of the people left with a club brochure, a planesphere and a big smile. As well as talking to the public, club members had a good time chatting to one another, sharing experiences, ideas, and I know some equipment was loaned between friends. The next public night will be held at McQuesten Park in July. Watch your e-mail for the details. I hope you can come out and enjoy the night with us.
Photos from Astronomy Day.
More photos from Astronomy Day.
Astronomy Day was a complete success! In the afternoon session there were at least 4 solar PST scopes and 6 or so scopes with solar filters. Many members turned out with and with out scopes to enjoy the day time observing of our personal star Sol. Even though the cloud cover threatened to blank us out it did clear off by 1:30 or so for a very enjoyable afternoon.
The evening session was fabulous there where many club members there with their scopes (too many to count). I had the club 8″shimt setup with the video camera and TV, and was so busy with the public that I didn’t get much chance to get around to visit all the other members with scopes. I did bring my camera but was so busy with people I didn’t get it out of it’s bag, so I encourage anyone that took photos to post them here.