Hallam Observatory
3989 S. Middle Rd N0P 2J0 Comber, ON, Canada

Update on yesterday’s fireball over New York: 1) While EarthCam time stamps are often in error, a closer look at the flash recorded by the Toronto EarthCam indi...cates that it was most likely too distant in time from the well-established 12:08 PM EST to have been caused by the meteor. 2) Analysis of the GLM light curve shows that the object causing the fireball broke apart with an energy of 66 tons of TNT. Knowing the speed (25 km/s), we can then work out a mass between 850 and 900 kilograms (1873 1984 pounds) and a diameter between 80 and 90 centimeters (31 35 inches). This is close to the 1 meter boundary separating an asteroid from a meteoroid. 3) The shock wave not only produced sounds, but also coupled into the ground and was registered by seismic instruments in the region. A waveform from one of these instruments, located near Oshawa Ontario (on the northern shore of Lake Ontario), is attached to this post.

Leamington is asking for public input regarding their proposed Light Pollution Bylaw. Review the Bylaw and submit your concerns about the Greenhouse light affecting Dark Skies in the area. Hallam Observatory and Point Pelee are in jeopardy. https://www.leamington.ca//municipal-s/legal-services.aspx

Let's all do something about Light Pollution in our area and protect the Observatory.... https://blackburnnews.com//kingsville-residents-calls-byl/

Let's all do something about Light Pollution in our area and protect the Observatory.... https://blackburnnews.com//kingsville-residents-calls-byl/

Let's hope something is done about it!

Join RASC Windsor at Point Pelee April 6 for Dark Sky Night. More info: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/pelee/activ/sky-ciel

Hi Everyone, This is just a reminder that Hallam Observatory is only open to visitors who have registered well ahead of time on our website "www.rascwindsor.com" for a guided tour of the night sky with one of our club volunteers. As we have noted in the past, due to staffing issues and concerns for visitor safety, we cannot accommodate visitors who arrive unexpectedly. Club members and their guests are allowed to make use of the facilities as a privilege of their membership, ...however we must limit it to those people and registered tour groups. Please remember that the observatory is on privately owned land - we hope our wishes can be respected. If any of you are looking for a darker location to view the Perseid meteor shower, why not join a large number of astronomy club members and their telescopes down at Point Pelee National Park on Saturday, August 11th at sunset. The park will be open all night. The sky will be dark as the moon is "new". There should be a great turn out on the West Beach near the Visitor's Centre in the park to share the "oohs" and "aahs" with! We hope that you can join us! See more

Great piece on Hallam...

Hi Folks, Just created a new solar eclipse FB page that I wanted to share with you. Click below to see interesting vids on the eclipse and how to watch it safely and inexpensively from our area.

A reminder that the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Windsor Centre's monthly membership meeting is this Tuesday, June 20 at the Ojibway Park Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor. The doors will open at 7:15 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. sharp. For more information about the Ojibway Nature Centre, including a map and directions, visit http://www.ojibway.ca/index.htm We welcome our Honorary President, Dr. William Baylis, whose talk is entitled, ...Astronomy: Gateway to Science. Bill says he is inspired to explore this subject by way of a talk, after attending a recent meeting of the Canadian Association of Science Centres. In his words, My inspiration is to talk about astronomy as a gateway to science literacy and public engagement. It will include a short survey of recent astronomical news that has attracted (or should have) public attention and how a science centre might use these to advance the more general appreciation of science as a method of inquiry and discovery. The June meeting will also feature Brian Thomas, leading the popular Director of Observing (Sky Report) segment, reviewing recent astronomical events and giving his forecast for upcoming ones in the coming weeks. The meeting is free to attend and open to all of those interested in astronomy and sky watching. With summer arriving at 12:21 am early Wednesday morning, this final membership meeting before we recess until September happens just hours before the solstice! I do look forward to seeing all of you at Ojibway, Tuesday night. Randy Groundwater President

You are cordially invited to attend the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Windsor Centre's monthly membership meeting, this coming Tuesday, May 16 at the Ojibway Park Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor. The doors will open at 7:15 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. sharp. For more information about the Ojibway Nature Centre, including a map and directions, visit http://www.ojibway.ca/index.htm After a wait of nearly four decades, on this coming Aug...ust 21 the moon’s shadow will once again traverse the North American continent, creating what will be a spectacular total eclipse of the sun for tens of millions of viewers. This highly anticipated astronomical event will very soon become the most publicized and talked about of its kind in years. On Tuesday night, Tom Sobocan will present The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse and I am sure that after hearing it, there will be even more of us planning the day’s journey south into the path of totality. Also for our May meeting, Nancy Ng will be leading the ever-popular Director of Observing segment, reviewing recent astronomical events and giving her forecast for upcoming ones in the coming weeks. We have had a number of excellent viewing nights since our last gathering so Nancy will no doubt also be asking everyone about recent experiences under the stars. The meeting is free to attend and open to all of those interested in astronomy and sky watching. Our May gathering should be an especially interesting, informative and enjoyable one! I look forward to seeing all of you at the Nature Centre on Tuesday evening. Randy Groundwater President

Canada South Science City's 11th Annual Earth Day Dinner was held on Friday, April 28, at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts on Riverside Drive West. It was an excellent and well attended evening, and several members of our Centre were present to enjoy the affair. The guest speaker for the evening was Kathleen Walsh, Interim Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy, a non-profit, non-partisan, Ottawa-based organization. Their motto is "standing up for science and s...mart decision-making in Canada". Kathleen is a Windsor native who holds M.Sc. from London School of Economics and Political Science. She spoke passionately and convincingly in her talk, "Science as a Way of Thinking". Kathleen is seen in the group photo, (l-r) along with Randy Groundwater, Anita Groundwater, Susan Sawyer-Beaulieu, (Kathleen Walsh), Michael Mastronardi, Nancy Ng, David Panton, Tom Sobocan. William E. Baylis, President of Canada South Science City, is seen at the microphone in the second photo. He and others spoke about the exciting progress being made to re-establish CSSC in its new location on the west end of the city. Bill, of course, is also our RASC Windsor Centre Honourary President. (Photos by Tom Sobocan) Randy Groundwater President RASC - Windsor Centre