<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>The Hamilton Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be running the New Observers to Visual Astronomy (NOVA) course starting on Monday, February 3rd, at the Observatory (<a href="http://www.hamiltonrasc.ca/observatory/">http://www.hamiltonrasc.ca/observatory/</a> for directions). The course is an excellent guide to many concepts in astronomy and gaining an appreciation of what can be seen in the sky. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>All NOVA sessions will be held at the Hamilton Centre Observatory. The site offers a couple of advantages, including darker skies, a heated clubhouse and access to the 16” Ritchey-Chretien telescope. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Each session will begin at 7:30pm, with an observing session run by Mark Pickett. This will be followed by classroom instruction and group discussions. There will be many opportunities for participants to ask questions, and I’ll do my best to make sure that the classroom material is structured in such a way as to allow this. Participants can take advantage of the on site library for reference material including sky atlas', star charts, etc. All participants will also receive a copy of the Mag 7 Star Atlas, and a planisphere. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Come on out and join us in this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in the ever changing field of amateur astronomy. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Here is an outline of the lessons planned: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Observing (Monday, February 3rd) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Motions of the Sky and Seasons (Tuesday, February 18th (to avoid Family Day) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The Solar System (Monday, March 3rd) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Telescope and Binocular Types; Choosing and Using Them (Monday, March 17th) * <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>The Moon and Eclipses (Monday, April 7th) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>6.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Charts, North, Distance, Position and Brightness (Monday, April 21st) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>7.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Star Designations, RA, Dec. and Deep Sky Objects (Monday, May 5th) * <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>8.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Stars (Monday, May 26th.) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The course is open to all regardless of age, experience or knowledge level, although some knowledge of math at about the grade 9 or 10 level will help. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The cost for the Beginners Observers Guide is normally $19.95, plus shipping, for members. Please see <a href="http://www.rasc.ca/beginners-observing-guide">http://www.rasc.ca/beginners-observing-guide</a> for more information on this great resource.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Since we charge $5 a session (for heat and hand-outs), we'll be charging $20 for the first evening, and this will include your own copy of the B.O.G...in effect giving you a $5 discount on the book. Each night afterwards is $5.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Please let me know if you intend to take the course so we can reserve you a seat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you have any questions about the content, the structure, the location or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact me. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Roger Hill<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Orbit Editor, NOVA Instructor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Former President of the Hamilton Centre<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>