Category Archives: Event

RASC Regular Meeting, September 13, 2021

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The James Webb Space Telescope – Astronomy’s Next Eye on the Universe

RASC Regular Meeting, Monday September 13, 2021

7:00 PM MDT, Meet and Greet

7:30 PM MDT, Meeting begins, including guest talk, News from Space, AstroImaging Corner, and other RASC features.

FREE and open to the public.

Zoom link for this meeting will be posted soon!

Guest Speaker:

Mark Waldman

The James Webb Space Telescope – Astronomy’s Next Eye on the Universe

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the scientific successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.  JWST will be the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It will study every phase in the history of our Universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, to the evolution of our own Solar System.

This talk will provide an overview of the science (what will the Webb be looking for), the telescope operation, the 2017 cryo-vac optical test, and plans for post-launch commissioning.

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Northern Prairie Dark Sky Weekend, 2021

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The 2021 Northern Prairie Dark Sky Weekend dates are:
Tuesday, September 7 to Saturday, September 11.

Update June 22, 2021
We have already heard from many members interested in using one of the RV/camping sites in the northern part of Black Nugget Lake Campground that RASC Edmonton Centre has reserved for dark sky viewing, as outlined in the May 2021 Stardust newsletter. The good news is that with the opening up of more camping sites as part of Stage 3, both powered and non-powered sites are still available for the reserved dates. If you are interested in using one of the sites, please email the Northern Prairie RASC Dark Sky Weekend coordinators Susan and Rick Bramm indicating the dates and site preference. We will allocate them on a first-come, first-served basis and follow up with you regarding payment.

Given a number of factors, the 2021 Northern Prairie Star Party (NPSP) has evolved into a dark-sky viewing event for RASC members with small, informal sessions. Like many other RASC events across the country, this year we will not have invited speakers presenting in a large tent or have a large BBQ. Instead, we are going to have small, member-lead sessions on a wide variety of topics, according to the COVID-19 restrictions of the day (if there are any). We are going to make the best of the outdoor situation, opting for open air gatherings.

So, with that in mind, we are looking for members who would be able and willing to “host” a small gathering on one or more topics, short or longer in length. Then we will put together a rough onsite schedule and let you know.

  • What do you think you would/could talk about? Something new you have made or done? Some research on a topic that really interests you? The sky is the limit (pardon the pun).
  • Or, what would you like to hear about or who would you like to hear from?

Please email your feedback, suggestions and offers to make this a fun and enriching time together to the Northern Prairie RASC Dark Sky Weekend coordinators Susan and Rick Bramm.

If you need more information or have questions, please email the Northern Prairie RASC Dark Sky Weekend coordinators Susan and Rick Bramm.