Join us on December 13^th  2019 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

HAA welcomes our very own Kevin Salwach as our guest speaker for our final meeting of 2019. There are also some 2020 calendars available so grab yours now as they also make a great stocking stuffer!

It is perhaps one of the most well known Biblical narratives. A dazzling star shining in the east, guiding the Magi towards the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It has become a centrepiece of the Nativity story, and a staple of Christmas lore. Surprisingly however, there is very little discussion of the Star of Bethlehem in the Gospels, and it’s true nature has been the topic of debate for centuries. Kevin will be discussing the many theories put forth over the years to scientifically explain what exactly the Three Wise Men were following towards Jesus’ manger two millenia ago, and whether the Star of Bethlehem was simply an astronomical phenomenon, or a miraculous sign from above in this Christmas themed talk at our December meeting.

Join us this Friday November 15 at the Hamilton Spectator building for our Fall Scope Clinic and Workshop. It will be an evening to show off your astronomy gear (or tips on fixing it) and to listen to some very informative speakers on a wide array of topics and answer all of your questions.

Some of the topics to be covered include Planispheres, the beginning astronomer, telescope expectations and much more.

The scope clinic will run from 6:00 -7:30 PM, with the workshops starting immediately after at 7:30 – 9:30.

Admission is free so bring your family and friends!

Location:
Hamilton Spectator Building
44 Frid St, Hamilton

When:
Friday, November 15th, 6:00 – 10:00pm

Food Share Donations:
Donations of non-perishable food for the Hamilton Food Share program will be collected at this meeting. Please drop off any items at the drop-box located near the entrance of the auditorium. All donations gratefully accepted and thanks to your generosity we’ve collected thousands of pounds of food since we began. Let’s keep up the great work as the need continues.

Photo credit: John Gauvreau

The Hamilton Amateur Astronomers 2020 Celestial Events Calendar is now available and it’s out of this world!

It will be available for purchase at this Friday’s meeting.  The cost is only $15 or 2 calendars for $25. It’s loaded with beautiful astrophotos from our very own members and lots of great observing info.

The calendar makes a beautiful gift and all the proceeds go back into the club to help with activities like the telescope loaner program, public observing programs and our monthly lecture series.  

So be sure to pick up your copy on Friday as they go very quickly!

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• October Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• The Sky for November 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• A “Head-Up”: Upcoming and Online Shows
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), by Christopher Strejch

Join us on November 8^th  2019 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

HAA welcomes Trevor Jones as our guest speaker for our first meeting at McMaster Innovation Park, our new home.

Trevor Jones is the creator of AstroBackyard, a popular astrophotography website and YouTube Channel. From his light polluted backyard in St. Catharines, Ontario, he captures deep sky objects using a variety of camera and telescope equipment. Trevor brings his YouTube audience along for the ride, through every mistake, triumph, and especially run-ins with his black lab mix, Rudy. 

General Meeting for October 11th 2019.

Join us this Friday for our annual general meeting, in which we hold elections for the next year’s council, hear what everyone has been up to and generally take care of business.

But that’s not all! It’s also game night; get ready for Messier Bingo! Grab your bingo sheet as you come in the door and be ready with your Messier objects trivia.

Optics expert Barry Sherman will be showing us his newest (in a long line) of telescopes.

Bob Christmas will once again share his vast knowledge of the sky with an installment of The Sky This Month which you won’t want to miss!

Place and Time

We’ll be meeting at The Hamilton Spectator Building located at 44 Frid St, near the junction of Highway 403 and Main St West in Hamilton for one last time. Starting time is at 7:30pm. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

Door Prizes

There will be a draw for door prizes at the meeting and a free door prize ticket to all who arrive before the 7:30 start time!

Food Share Donations

Donations of non-perishable food for the Hamilton Food Share program will be collected at this meeting. Please drop off any items at the drop-box located near the entrance of the auditorium. All donations gratefully accepted and thanks to your generosity we’ve collected thousands of pounds of food since we began. Let’s keep up the great work as the need continues.

Photo credit: National Science Foundation

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Planning
• September Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• Report from the 2019 Black Forest Star Party
• The Sky for October 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: The Milky Way from Binbrook, by Ann Tekatch

Join us on September 13^th 2019 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

After our 2 month summer break, we’re back to our regular monthly meetings. Join us on September 13 at The Hamilton Spectator Building as our very own Chair John Gauvreau continues from his earlier topic titled “Visions of the Future” about 3 artists work as they conceptualized the future of space travel. In part 2, John looks backwards at how the moon was depicted in art, comparing pre-telescopic views, to more recent detailed ones and finally how it is portrayed in the photographic age.

Non-members are welcome

Non-members are welcome to join us at our general meeting events to see what we’re all about. You’ll find a club full of enthusiastic amateur astronomers passionate about this fascinating science and hobby. We’re confident you’ll want to become a member of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers and join us in exploring this fascinating hobby.

Place and time

We’ll be meeting at The Hamilton Spectator Building located at 44 Frid St, near the junction of Highway 403 and Main St West in Hamilton. Starting time is at 7:30pm.

Door prizes

There will be a draw for door prizes at the meeting and a free door prize ticket to all who arrive before the 7:30 start time!

Food share donations

Donations of non-perishable food for the Hamilton Food Share program will be collected at this meeting. Please drop off any items at the drop-box located near the entrance of the auditorium. All donations gratefully accepted and thanks to your generosity we’ve collected thousands of pounds of food since we began. Let’s keep up the great work as the need continues.

Become a member

Becoming a member of the HAA opens up new opportunities to take your love of astronomy further! Members have access to our star nights at the Binbrook Conservation Area, our telescope loaner program, social events such as our Cosmology Discussion Group, and more!

Photo credit: Crescent moon by John Gauvreau

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• June Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Planning
• The Sky for September 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380), by Peter Wolsley

Join us this Friday August 9th for our annual Perseids event at Binbrook Conservation Area which is also our biggest outreach event of the year. This event is open to everyone so an HAA membership is not required.

Entrance to the park is free after 8:00 PM and will run until 11:00 PM. As usual, we will be in the big bowl shaped lawn near Pavilion 3. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the night sky while you watch for meteors!

Binbrook Conservation Area is located at 5050 Harrison Rd, Binbrook, ON L0R 1C0. Click here for directions.

We hope to see you there!

Photo credit: wired.com