Amateur astronomy is a hobby of great diversity. From observing faint galaxies millions of light years away, to CCD astrophotography, to reading the latest magazine at the coffee shop, to comet chasing, tinkering with the latest equatorial mount, radio astronomy, enjoying a planetarium show and everything else in between. But for those who take a keen liking to the hobby – the time and money spent perfecting our craft can be astronomical, and we often lose sight of what it is that makes stargazing so appealing and so important. Join Kevin as we take a step back and a look up at the grander picture of the heavens above, and journey back to that very first moment when you realized the universe was calling for you to take a peek.

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
• January Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• The Sky This Month for February 2019
• NASA Sky Notes
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

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

Photo credit: The January 21, 2019 Lunar Eclipse by John Gauvreau

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

These cold, cloudy months have undoubtedly frustrated many a backyard observer. With warmer temperatures and spring skies just around the corner our talk this month addresses the topic of planning a successful observing session. This talk is designed to get you back in field with your telescope by relating timely tips to help you get the most from your limited observing opportunities. Drawing on his considerable observing experience and time at the eyepiece, our speaker this month, Bernie Venasse, says ‘Thank you Mother Nature’ and to remember to bring a paper and pen (and a friend!).

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

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month for January 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• Upcoming McCallion Planetarium Shows
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

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

Photo credit: Comet 46P Wirtanen by Matthew Mannering

Find yourself the proud owner of a shiny new telescope this holiday season and not sure how to use it? Or perhaps thinking of buying one but have some questions? You’re in luck! The Hamilton Amateur Astronomers will be hosting a Scope Clinic and Open House on Saturday February 2, 2019. Held in the auditorium of the Hamilton Spectator Building, 44 Frid St Hamilton, the doors are open to the public from 1:00 – 5:00PM.

A wide variety of astronomical equipment will also be on display, including telescopes, binoculars, astro-photographic equipment, charts and meteorites! Bring your own telescope to get tips and pointers on using it, or help fixing it if it is in need of repair.

Admission is free so bring your family and friends!

Location:
Hamilton Spectator Building
44 Frid St, Hamilton

When:
Saturday, February 2nd, 1:00 – 5:00pm

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

Join us on January 11^th 2019 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

William Shakespeare lived at a remarkable time – a period we now recognize as the first phase of the Scientific Revolution – and yet “Shakespeare” and “science” are rarely uttered in the same breath. But as award-winning journalist Dan Falk has found, a reassessment is at hand. In this illustrated talk, Falk will explore Shakespeare’s interest in the scientific discoveries of his time, with a particular focus on the changing conceptions of the cosmos, from Aristotle to Copernicus and Galileo. 

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

In this issue you’ll find…

• Information About the 2018 Christmas Social
• The 2019 HAA Celestial Events Calendar
• The Sky This Month for December 2018
• November Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

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

Photo credit: Pleiades (M45) and dust clouds, by Peter Wolsley

Join us this December 14^th 2018 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

Our topic for this evening will be an overview of astronomy in light-polluted areas using video-assisted observing or for public outreach.  There will also be a Christmas Social during the extended meeting break to allow members and guests to mingle over coffee and treats.

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Mark your calendars! Join the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers on November 16 at 6:00 PM for our Fall workshop.  As with our spring event, there will be several speakers discussing various aspects of astronomy and how to get the most out of this very rewarding hobby.  As always, be sure to bring your questions and curiosity as there will be several knowledgeable amateur astronomers available to help you start out in astronomy, take it to the next level, or perhaps give you some holiday gift ideas for the amateur astronomer in your life.

The schedule of speakers is as follows;

6:00 PM – Jim Wamsley,  Meteorite Display (this will be an on going display throughout the evening)
6:30 PM – Barry Shermann, Introduction to Telescope Types
7:00 PM – Bernie Venasse, Choosing the Right Star Atlas
7:30 PM – Kevin Salwach, Binoculars for Astronomy
8:00 PM – Sue MacLachlan, The Astronomers’ Library
8:30 PM – Matthew Mannering, Eyepieces and Accessories

Admission is free so bring your family and friends!

***Please note that this event will be a workshop only.  The scope clinic will held in January 2019.  Stay tuned for those details.

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