[RASC Hamilton Special Announcement] NOVA (New Observers to Visual Astronomy) Program Starts January 21

[Gary Bennett]

Thanks a tremendous effort by Roger Hill, RASC Hamilton Centre is proud to
launch the NOVA Program (New Observers to Visual Astronomy) starting Jan.
21. Roger will be doing a formal presentation at on next Monthly Meeting
this coming Thursday.

 

The objective of the NOVA Program is to provide information and instruction
to new and beginner level amateur astronomers.

 

All NOVA sessions will be held at the Hamilton Centre Observatory. This site
offers a couple of advantages, including darker skies, a heated clubhouse
and access to the 16" RC. Meetings will be once or twice a month, and the
schedule will be published as soon as all the dates are finalized with
respect to the instructors work schedule and other observatory events.

 

Each session will begin with classroom instruction and group discussions.
There will be many opportunities for participants to ask questions and to
prepare for the evenings observing session. Participants can take advantage
of the onsite library for reference material including sky atlas', star
charts, etc.

 

Once the classroom activities are complete the group will head outside for
observing, weather and time permitting! This will be a great opportunity to
get hands-on instruction and guidance, whether you are looking for help in
setting up your scope, or trying to learn your way around the sky.

 

Each participant will also be given a list of items to observe during the
time between the sessions. This will allow members to practice some of the
things that they have learned during each session.

 

Come on out and join us in this unique opportunity to enhance your knowledge
and skills in the ever changing field of amateur astronomy.

 

Program Schedule (Tentative):

.         Observing (Monday, January 21st)

.         Motions of the Sky and Seasons (Monday, February 4th)

.         The Solar System (Monday, February 18th (Family Day.subject to
change)

.         Telescope and Binocular Types and Using Them (Monday, March 11th)

.         The Moon and Eclipses (Monday, April 1st)

.         Charts, North, Distance, Position and Brightness (Monday, April
15th) 

.         Star Designations, RA, Dec. and Deep Sky Objects (Monday, May 6th)

.         Stars (Monday, May 27th)

 

At our annual banquet in June the course completion certificates and the
Explore The Universe certificates will be awarded.

 

There is a suggested donation of $5 per night to cover the cost of handouts,
binders and other course materials.  We have purchased a class set of the
BOG, one of which will be entrusted to you for the duration of the course.
If you wish to buy it at the end of the program, it'll cost $20.

 

The course is open to all members of the Hamilton Centre regardless of age,
experience or knowledge level.  Seating is limited.  Contact Roger Hill for
any further details.

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://hamiltonrasc.ca/pipermail/announce_hamiltonrasc.ca/attachments/20121231/36454b20/attachment-0001.htm>