The International Year of Astronomy(IYA) was declared by UNESCO for 2009, the 400th anniversary of the first telescopic observations of the sky by Galileo. The aim of the IYA was to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme The Universe, Yours to Discover. In Canada, the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA), the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) and the Federation des Astronomes Amateurs du Quebec (FAAQ) worked together to develop Canadian IYA activities.
The RASC Edmonton Centre, and its astronomy partners delivered over 250 astronomy events in the Edmonton area. The events included star parties, public lectures, sidewalk astronomy, observing nights, raising public awareness, and helping science teachers teach astronomy. These events were attended by some 25,000 people over the year. This page summarizes the events.
- RASC Monthly Meetings: The RASC Edmonton Centre monthly meetings throughout 2009 included invited speakers who gave presentations on astronomy topics. These meetings were free and open to the public. IYA highlights:
- Feb 9. Dr. Robert Smith. Marvels of Invention: Giant Reflectors in the Nineteenth Century
- Mar 9. Dr. Chris Herd. Meteorites: Samples from the Dawn of the Solar System
- May 11. Dr. Robert Smith. History of the Telescope in the 20th Century
- Sep 14. Dr. Albert Van Helden. From Galileo's Spyglass to the Aerial Telescope: A Century of Solar System Exploration
- Nov 9. Dr. Tony Whyte. The Meteorites of Alberta
- Public Observing: Throughout the year, volunteers at the TELUS World of Science Observatory and the University of Alberta's Campus Observatory promoted IYA to all visitors through various IYA promotions such as posters, post cards, information brochures, and astronomy trading cards.
- Galileo Moments / Sidewalk Astronomy:
Throughout the year, groups of sidewalk astronomers provided Galileo Moments for passersby, that first look through a telescope to experience with their own eyes some of the marvelous objects in the heavens. - Throughout 2009:
Public Talks by RASC Edmonton Centre Members - Dec 31 2008. IYA New Years Eve
Sherwood Park, just East of Edmonton, was among the first to bring in IYA with their New Year Celebrations at Broadmoor Lake Park behind the Aquatic Centre. Kelly Davies (Animatters Inc.) and Patrick Earl (Cosmic Journey) managed to get an IYA ice sculpture for their New Years Eve celebration. The sculpture is facing across the lake right at Festival Place. Their New Years event ran from 4-7:50 on December 31 with the fireworks for the Winter Festival at 8pm. Telescopes were present but it was too cold to observe. Pat and Massimo handed out Cosmic Journey/Wilderness Centre planispheres and talked about the activities and purpose of the IYA for this coming year. Pictures of the event are posted at Cosmic Journey. - Jan 10. IYA Kick-off Event
The International Year of Astronomy was kicked-off on January 10 at the TELUS World of Science with a media event, astronomy presentations, telescope displays, and observing at the TWOSE Observatory. Galileo himself welcomed the attendees. Check out the agenda. - Jan 2009. Woodcroft Library Display
The Woodcroft Library hosted an IYA display prepared by the RASC, to advertise the International Year of Astronomy.
- Feb 28. Winter Light Star Party - Elk Island Park
Despite the -20 C temperatures, many astronomers flocked to Elk Island Park to enjoy a beautiful dark sky and views of Saturn, galaxies, nebulae, and the waxing crescent Moon through telescopes. This evening featured magical LED lantern walks, warm shelters with free hot chocolate, impromptu lessons in astronomy, Nordic skiing, kiteboarding, music, fire & food! Here's the event listing. - Mar 3. Sidewalk Astronomy Northgate Lions Senior Recreation Centre
The RASC Edmonton Centre, held a Sidewalk Astronomy / Galileo Moment (SAGM) event at the Northgate Lions Senior Recreation Centre. Outside the Rec Centre, Krista and Luca set up telescopes for visitors to the Centre. About 60 people enjoyed views of Venus and the Moon. Inside, Bruce McCurdy gave a talk to the Edmonton Antique Car Club entitled "From Galileo's Spyglass to the Hubble: 400 Years of the Telescope".
- Mar 7. Winter Light Star Party - Coronation Park
The second star party of the Winter Light festival took place at Coronation Park on a fairly brisk day. It was an exceptional opportunity to sky gaze with local astronomers, enjoy talks by celestial experts, enjoy the family-friend story adventure "Moon & the Snowshoe Hare", play in the snow, and participate in lantern parades and moonlight serenades! Here's the event listing. - Mar 28. Earth Hour - City Hall
The RASC Edmonton Centre participated in the Earth Hour celebration on the step of City Hall, by providing telescopes and binoculars to offer visitors a chance to view celestial sights. The skies were not very cooperative, but we did manage to show people the second half of the faint ISS pass, Procyon after a while, then Regulus a bit later, and finally Saturn. There were a few Galileo Moments through the evening. About 200 people attended. - Apr 2-5. 100 Hours of Astronomy Marathon: Hosted by Cosmic Journey and sponsored by the RASC Edmonton Centre, the 100 Hours of Astronomy Marathon took place at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. The marathon was conceived to be part of the 100 Hours of Astronomy Cornerstone Project, an around-the-clock, around-the-world event. Although 135 countries were involved in the 100 Hours of Astronomy, the Cosmic Journey marathon was the only one of its kind in North America. Activities included open forum discussions on astronomy, astronomy webcasts from around the world, local artists capturing twilight and the dark sky on canvas, public viewing through telescopes, astronomy workshops and talks.
- Apr 3-4. International Sidewalk Astronomy Night: As part of ISAN, the RASC hosted sidewalk astronomy throughout the Edmonton area: Gazebo Park in Old Strathcona, The Promenade overlooking Victoria Golf Course, and the concourse behind St. Albert Place in St. Albert. The weather cooperated both days and about 500 people had the opportunity to look through RASC Edmonton member and guest telescopes.
- Apr 5. Windsor Park Astronomy Night: The RASC hosted an IYA Astronomy Night at the Windsor Park Community League Hall. Dr. Erin Walton of the University of Alberta gave a talk entitled "Meteorite Mosaics: Jewels From The Heavens" and had some actual meteorites for people to look at. Although there were thin clouds, two telescopes were set up for views of Saturn and the Moon. Cookies, tea and hot chocolate were available for all attendees.
- Apr 18. Sidewalk Astronomy - Onoway: Sheldon Helbert of the RASC Edmonton Centre hosted sidewalk astronomy in Ardea Park, near Onoway. 11 people showed up and viewed Saturn, M13, the two Messier galaxies in proximity to each other in Leo, another galaxy, M54 I think and early in the evening two of the clusters inside Auriga.
- May 1. Fort Saskatchewan Astronomy Night: Luca Vanzella of the RASC Edmonton Centre hosted sidewalk astronomy in Fort Saskatchewan on the walking path behind 100 Avenue at 83 Street, right beside the river. The event was advertised on the front page of the Sturgeon Creek Post and it was a pretty big deal for the people that showed up - around 100 people by the time we packed it up at 11:00 PM or so. We had 3 telescopes and a crew of 5 people: Luca Vanzella (C8), junior RASC member Alex McPhee (8" Dob) and his mother Christine Vogel, and local resident Gary Titosky (NexStar 114) and his wife Lori. We were joined later in the evening by an area resident with a fourth telescope. Two local kids were very excited to receive IYA swag and offered to hand out material to the visitors for most of the evening. We gave out many astronomy cards, star finders and SkyNews magazines to visitors from the Fort and surrounding acreages. The skies cooperated most of the evening and the main targets were the Moon and Saturn. More than a few Galileo Moments were delivered by Saturn. There was talk about another one of these later this year when Jupiter will reign supreme in the skies.
- May 2. International Astronomy Day: The RASC Edmonton Centre and the TELUS World of Science Edmonton celebrated International Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Activities included:
- Observatory 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- RASC Information Booth (Lobby) 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Children's Activity Table (Lobby) 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Edmonton Rocketry Club Booth (Lobby) 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Telescope Clinic (Beside the Observatory) 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- 400 Telescopes Gathering (Observatory Lawn) 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM - May 8-9. Edmonton Symphony Orchestra - A Space Odyssey
The ESO performed "A Space Odyssey", three magnificent orchestra showcases compiled into one unforgettable evening of music that celebrated the heavenly bodies for the International Year of Astronomy. NASA images and video were projected during the performance. The program was: Michael Matthews - "Between the Wings of the Earth", Haydn - Symphony No. 43 "Mercury", and Holst - "The Planets". The RASC was there with a display and telescopes. On May 8 the sky did not cooperate, but on May 9 concertgoers were treated to views of Saturn after the show.
- May 29. Sidewalk Astronomy - Promenade: Luca Vanzella and Krista Stefan of the RASC Edmonton Centre hosted sidewalk astronomy on the Promenade, 100 Ave and 118 Street in Edmonton. From 9:30 PM to midnight about 20 people were treated to views of the first quarter Moon and Saturn.
- May 30. Sidewalk Astronomy - Promenade: Larry Wood of the RASC Edmonton Centre hosted sidewalk astronomy on the Promenade, 100 Ave and 118 Street in Edmonton. Starting at 10:00 PM, visitors viewed the quarter phase Moon and then Saturn and the Titan shadow transit. About 30 or 40 visitors and about 11 RASC members and spouses showed up. As the shadow advanced toward the mid-line of Saturn it became more visible until most of the members caught a glimpse of the faint, small sucker -- mostly using 180x, averted vision, and a dark cloth. By about 11:30, despite the lower altitude, the spot could be held with direct vision for a few seconds. But slowly the decrease in seeing took over and the session ended at about midnight.
- Jun 1-30. Lights Down Stars Up: The Lights Down Stars Up photographic competition, the brain-child of RASC member Sherrilyn Jahrig, showcased photographs that capture the way we currently light our urban environment. The public was invited to submit images that captured the beauty of the night sky; or inefficient, ineffective artificial lighting, which obstructs clear views of the night sky. A display of the submitted images was set up in City Hall for the month of June to coincide with the ICLEI World Congress 2009 in Edmonton. Thousands of visitors to City Hall and ICLEI World Congress attendees viewed the exhibit.
- Jun 26. Aspen Gardens Astronomy Night 1: In spite of threatening weather and overcast skies, a crowd of more than 50 neighbours, young and old, packed into the Aspen Gardens Community Hall on the last day of school for an Astronomy Night. Bruce McCurdy, of the RASC presented "Space Rocks! The Buzzard Coulee Meteorite Fall". After the presentation, RASC representatives showed up with telescopes, and the local principals arranged for the school exterior lights to be turned off for evening viewing. Unfortunately, clouds thwarted the coordinated effort. Nonetheless, many lingered after the talk, young ones filling out their constellation charts and examining the telescopes, while the grown-ups enjoyed a little time with their neighbours in the fresh air over a mug of hot chocolate.
- Jul 1. Astronomy on Canada Day: The RASC hosted an estimated 500 people at the Observatory at the TELUS World of Science Edmonton on Canada Day, which was also the 25th anniversary of the science centre.
- Jul 18. Astronomy on Parks Day: Astronomy was a central theme of Parks Day events hosted by Pigeon Lake and Miquelon Lake Provincial Parks. Some 500 people took part in solar observing hosted by Bruce McCurdy or attending an astronomy-themed musical presentation by Orla Aaquist. As with most events throughout the year, much IYA promotional material was handed out, including trading cards, star finders, children’s books and more.
- Sep 6. Party Under the Stars: Elk Island National Park hosted the third anniversary of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve with the Party Under the Stars. See Party Under the Stars for more details.
- Sep 16. Galileo Lecture: Dr. Laura Ferrarese, from the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in Victoria BC, gave a public lecture titled Black Holes: A Ninety-Year Journey at Grant MacEwan College.
- Sep 18. Galileoscopes for Grade 9 Science Teachers:
The RASC Edmonton Centre was pleased to donate Galileoscope telescope kits to all Grade 9 Science teachers in Edmonton. The Galileoscope is an easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use telescope that can be used by teachers in delivering the astronomy portion of the science curriculum. This simple telescope kit enables people to build and observe with a telescope that is similar to Galileo's. In all, 81 Galileoscopes were donated.
- Sep 25. Aspen Gardens Astronomy Night 2: Despite iffy skies, a successful star party was held at the Aspen Gardens Community League Hall last evening. At least 200 people got to see the first quarter Moon and Jupiter. Bruce McCurdy gave a presentation "From Galileo's Spyglass to the Hubble: 400 Years of the Telescope".
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On Oct 16-18, 2009 the RASC Edmonton Centre hosted the George Moore's Astronomy Workshop at Camp Maskepetoon, a 45-minute drive SW of Edmonton and near Pigeon Lake. The event ran from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
The Centre was proud to present Stephen James O'Meara as the featured guest speaker. A long-time friend to the amateur astronomical community, Stephen is one of the world's greatest visual observers.
- Nov 30. 400th Anniversary of Galileo's first observation of the Moon: A small, informal gathering took place at Valleyview Drive to celebrate this anniversary. A few astronomers and a band of hardy Grade 5/6 students from the Glenora Elementary School observed the Moon and Jupiter.
- Jan 7 2010. 400th Anniversary of Galileo's discovery of the moons of Jupiter: Despite the chilly weather and the lingering clouds, a small but hardy band of intrepid Galileo enthusiasts met up at the Promenade to have a look at Jupiter on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Galileo's discovery of the moons of Jupiter. Galileo himself arrived, seemingly out of nowhere, to bookend his appearance almost one year ago at the kickoff of the International Year of Astronomy here in Edmonton. By remarkable coincidence (or perhaps divine providence) Jupiter appeared from behind the clouds just before Galileo arrived. Fittingly, all four Galilean Moons were visible in a perfectly straight line, at a nice angle, two on each side of the planet (from east to west: Ganymede, Europa, Io and Callisto).
