Transits Near and Far, May 13 General Meeting

General Meeting for May 13, 2016 @ 7:30pm

Astronomers have long known about Mercury and Venus transits of the Sun. However, this technique, now commonly referred to as the Transit Technique, has been amazingly successful in detecting exoplanets, planets around other stars. To date, nearly 6,000 exoplanets or planetary candidates have been detected, the majority of them using the Transit Technique. This talk will deal with some of the historical observations of Mercury and Venus transits and then summarize the state of current exoplanetary observations.
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May Event Horizon Newsletter

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

In this issue you’ll find…

  • The Sky This Month
  • The Beginnings of Life on Earth
  • Hamilton Amateur Astronomers in the Community
  • Photo Eye Candy
  • Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: The setting Moon, Hyades & Pleiades, by Dane Anderson

Public Telescope Scope Clinic & Open House

This April 23rd the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers will be holding their public scope clinic and open house. Telescopes of all types will be setup, amateur astronomers will be available to answer questions, talk about equipment, observing and anything astronomy related. The scope clinic is a great way to get introduced to astronomy, where to start, and learn about the hobby.

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Public Stargazing Night at T.B. McQuesten Park, April 16

Join the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers at T.B. McQuesten Park this April 16th for a public stargazing night. Telescopes will be setup and club members will be available to answer astro-questions. Public stargazing nights are a great way to look at the universe in a friendly environment; bring yourself, your family and friends!

T.B.McQuesten Park
1199 Upper Wentworth St, Hamilton
7:30 – 11:00pm
View Map

Subject to weather conditions.

Gravity Waves – A heavy subject made light.

General Meeting for April 15, 2016 @ 7:30pm

In the past few months, the discovery of Gravity Waves has made headlines. From the inordinate amount of coverage this discovery has generated in the popular press, it must be something rather significant. Why so much hype? What are Gravity Waves? How were they detected? What does it means to Science? What does it mean to us? Long time HAA member Don Pullen will attempt to break down this revelation in terms that we can all understand.

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April Event Horizon Newsletter

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

In this issue you’ll find…

  • The Sky This Month
  • NASA’s Space Place
  • Upcoming Events
  • Cartoon Corner
  • Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: The November 2014 HAA Telescope Clinic, by John Gauvreau.

Public Stargazing Night at the Niagara Gateway Tourism Centre

Come join the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers for a night under the stars. This March 19th we will be holding a public stargazing night at the Niagara Gateway Tourism Centre between 7:30 – 11:00pm. Our friendly club members will have telescopes setup where you can ask questions and gaze upon celestial objects of interest;  The Moon, Jupiter, Orion constellation, etc.

Niagara Gateway Tourism Centre
424 South Service Rd., Grimsby
7:30 – 11:00pm
View Map

Subject to weather conditions.

March 11, 2016 HAA General Meeting on Light Pollution
March 11, 2016 HAA General Meeting on Light Pollution

Light Pollution: The Black Eraser

General Meeting for March 11, 2016 @ 7:30pm

Long ago Vincent van Gogh said, “The lamps are burning and the starry sky is over it all.” How times have changed with the emergence of light pollution. Today bright city lights are burning all over the evening sky, outshining the greatest night show on earth to the detriment of future generations. If the starlight storytellers are to disclose the tale of the universe, then the night needs to stay alive. This lecture presentation will examine light pollution from its onset; discuss its consequences, and then outline the measures one can take to curb its effects.

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Moon by Peter Wolsley
Moon by Peter Wolsley

March Event Horizon Newsletter

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

In this issue you’ll find…

  • The Sky This Month
  • Beginner Astrophotography and Home Depot
  • Upcoming Events
  • Cartoon Corner
  • Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: The Moon, by Peter Wolsley

February Event Horizon Newsletter

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

In this issue you’ll find…

  • The Sky This Month
  • Chair’s Report
  • Chaos & The Cosmos
  • Upcoming McCallion Planetarium Shows
  • Cartoon Corner
  • Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Binbrook Conservation Area & Lake Niapenco, by Kevin Salwach