Peterborough Astronomical Association

The winner of the Astronomy Day 2008 Raffle Grand Prize of the telescope, Bernice Finley (left) being presented to her by the PAA member who sold her the winning ticket, Valerie Mathias-Club Librarian (right).

Saturday, May 2nd from 7PM to 11PM and Sunday, May 3rd from 1PM to 5PM will be the days to be on Armour Hill at the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA).

Saturday night come and look at the stars. The Peterborough Astronomical Association (PAA) will be on Armour Hill at the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) with their telescopes set up to view the stars, planets and moon (conditions allowing). Come and look through a telescope and be amazed.

Throughout Sunday afternoon there will be special events for young and old alike to celebrate International Astronomy Day. The Peterborough Astronomical Association (PAA) along with the PMA, are hosting a day filled with activities and opportunities for all ages. From inflatable planetariums, to safe solar viewing, interactive kids activities and displays during the day and then live music by Charles Glasspool and telescope viewing under the stars that evening, this free family event is one to mark on your calendar. See you there!

This will also be the afternoon for the raffle draw of a telescope and many other prizes (5:00 p.m.). We are currently selling tickets in advance ($2 or 3 for $5) on the 1st prize: a 4.5" Orion Reflector telescope. If you would like more information or are interested in tickets, please contact me directly or the PMA at 743-5180 / www.pcma.ca

This years sixth annual Astronomy Day (May 10th) was held again at the Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives on Armour Hill. The afternoon activities were varied and of interest to all that attended. There were young and old alike and families too. There was something for everyone. From face painting to blow-up planetariums and another great kids program run by Peter McMahon of the Discovery Channel that finished with a “blast,” as a rocket was successfully launched and retrieved. The weather cooperated too with one of our best days for this event yet. Unfortunately, the Sun was as blank as could be, as there were no sunspots to observe, but a nice waxing gibbous Moon was visible during the whole after noon, so many of the public had the rare opportunity to safely see both our closest star and natural satellite at the same time though nice observing equipment.

Our attendance numbers appeared to be down from previous years, but it is anyone’s guess as to why that might be, from the weather being too nice, to lots of other competing local activities/events going on the same afternoon. After our supper break, we resumed with a short Apollo video and then it was the annual raffle for a telescope and many other prizes. For the list of winner, see the “Astronomy Day” link on this website. Thank you to all our members who sold or bought tickets. Our members “sellers draw prize” was won by Pat Smallman. Way to go Pat, see it does pay to do your bit for the club.

After this we watched a few interesting DVD’s about our solar system and then it was time to set-up our club and personal telescopes and binoculars to show the public our night skies. The weather proved a little less ideal, with a thin veil of clouds most of the evening, but we were still able to show a nice near first quarter Moon and the planet Saturn, with it’s always impressive rings. Even the odd cluster of stars were visible too. Once again the numbers seemed to be down some from previous years, but many of our members did a wonderful job of sharing their equipment and experience with the public who attended

Thanks to all who attended and participated, both PAA members and public. Our raffle will enable our club to continue to do its public outreach work through both presentations and light pollution awareness efforts now and into the future.

Next year is has already be designated as the “International Year of Astronomy” by the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union, so you can count on even bigger and better efforts and programming to take place for Astronomy Day and throughout the coming year. Stay tuned for future events through regularly checking this website and the local media.

Saturday, March 29 citizens of the world are invited to band together to take part in an experiment. The public, especially in urban areas, is being asked to turn off all non-essential outdoor lights at 8 p.m. local time. The goals of this global initiative are to educate the public about how much energy is wasted by over-lighting yards, streets, porches and pathways and to underscore the ramifications of continued use of unnecessary light – on the environment and non-renewable resources.

“Over-lighting creates an artificial environment that has a negative impact on animal behaviour and the growth of plants and trees, not to mention the overwhelming draw on energy sources to power unnecessary lights. All it takes to change this is for people to think before they light,” says John Crossen, owner and resident astronomer, Buckhorn Observatory.

Members of the public are invited to join the Peterborough Astronomical Association on Armour Hill in Peterborough to survey the effects of Earth Hour on the surrounding city area and receive information about light pollution. From this viewing position the PAA members will also be able to monitor the impact of Earth Hour on Peterborough’s skyglow.

To find out more about Earth Hour or light pollution in general, contact Buckhorn Observatory at (705) 657-2544. Other resources include Rick Stankiewicz , President of the Peterborough Astronomical Association (705) 295-6158 or Mark Coady (705) 292-0458. Complete details are also available on the PAA website, www.peterboroughastronomy.com, www.dark-sky.org or Google up Earth Hour on your computer.