Terra Nova National Park
Night Sky Celebration
August 22nd to 24th 2025

"Terra Nova National Park, Night Sky Celebration, August 22nd to 24th 2025"

Friday night was very busy at the Activity Centre. David Saunders gave a talk on dark skies,
and involved some of the kids. About 60 people attended this event.

"Terra Nova National Park, Night Sky Celebration, August 22nd to 24th 2025"

Also, this evening, we gave out about 30 Night Sky Almanacs, and lots of star finders

Saturday afternoon didn't give many opportunities for Solar Viewing, but between us outside
and the recrption desk inside, we distributed most of our remaining Almanacs. 

Chris did a great job leading a very engaged group of about 20 walkers
on a solar systrm walk around the Heritage Trail.

"Terra Nova National Park, Night Sky Celebration, August 22nd to 24th 2025"

The window of clear sky for Saturday night was very welcome. We were probably
pretty lucky, given that it was raining a few hours later.

The evening started with some moose viewing, This guy showed interest, but didn't get an Almanac.

"Terra Nova National Park, Night Sky Celebration, August 22nd to 24th 2025"

We had Chris' 14 inch Dob, the Park's 8 inch Dob, Robert's refractor, the donated NexStar 8SE,
and Dave Newbury's telescope. Views of the Double Cluster, M13, Andromeda
Galaxy, Dumbbell Nebula, and eventually Saturn.

Near the end, Garry gave a lively account of the Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Perseus, etc mythology.
Thee were an estimated 80 visitors at this event, excluding the moose.

Butterpot Star Party
at Butterpot Provincial Park
August 1st and 2nd 2025

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Early in the afternoon, some visitors got some views of the Sun, under clear skies.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
However, thick clouds started to move in, bringing viewing to a halt.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Beautiful Sunset

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Well, this is not good..... total cloud cover.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
By day two of the Star Party, sky conditions had vastly improved, and things were looking up.
Most scopes are now set up for the evening's viewing.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Waiting.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
The BBQ has arrived, and it is time for supper break.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Mike with a newly donated telescope.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Jim Stacey's telescope setup..

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Jim Johnston with his Sky-Watcher Telescope, ready for visitor's to view the wonders of the heavens.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Robert has his Explore Scientific Telescope set up for astroimaging..

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Chris's 22" Home Built DOB.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Greg's astroimaging setup.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Craig and Randy taking a break.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Randy setting up his Seestar S50 Telescope. Don't let the size fool you.
This telescope takes amazing images.
Check out the following photos.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
M101 Pinwheel Galaxy, imaged with Randy's S50 Seestar.
16 Min integratiion time.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
NGC6888 Crescent Nebula, about 5000 light years away.
Imaged with Randy's S50 Seestar Telescope.
11 Min integration time.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
M27 Dumbbell Nebula, imaged with Randy's S50 Seestar telescope.
9 Min integratiion time

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
Later in the evening, Jim Johnston got this great image of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy.
This is the nearest major galaxy to our own, and is about 2.5 million light years away.
1 Hr and 50 Min total integration time.

"Butterpot Star Party, August 1st and 2nd, 2025"
The RASC member's who put off this year's Butterpot event.

Our Future & Space
at the Johnston Geo Centre June 3rd 2025

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
This new exhibit and special event is offered is a partnership between the Johnson GeoCentre and the RASC St. John's Centre
with funding from MUN's Public Engagement Accelerator Fund.

This free admission event featured the new exhibit, a Q&A session with Drs. Ivan Booth, Penny Morrill and Hilding Neilson.
This was followed by special guest speaker Susan Redmond, who gave a very infornative talk
on stratospheric balloon-borne telescope research.

(Photo - Craig Peterman)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
One of the many features of the exhibit are a series of space themed recorded talks, by Memorial University professors.

(Photo - Craig Peterman)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"

There are models of Canada's "Canadarm" that is being used on the Intenational Space Station.
The original Ruth Northcott brass telescope (a donation from our RASC Centre) is in the background.
Models of the ISS, the Ares V Rocket, and many other space objects are also on display.

An in person visit is suggested to appreciate everything.

(Photo - Craig Peterman)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
Examples of astrophotography taken by members of our RASC Centre.

(Photo - Craig Peterman)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
After Susan Redmund's talk, RASC members set up some telescopes in anticipation of some views of the Moon.

(Photo - Randy Dodge)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
Mike and Garry are setting up their telescopes

(Photo - Randy Dodge)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
The hazy sky improves, and some visitors get a look at the Moon.

(Photo - Craig Peterman)

"Our Future & Space, June 3rd, 2025"
A discussion about the evening's events, while waiting for the Moon to re-appear.

(Photo - Craig Peterman)

International Astronomy Day
at the Johnston Geo Centre May 3rd 2025

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Setup begins.
(Photo - Randy Dodge)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Greg setting up his solar telescope.
(Photo - Randy Dodge)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Robert, Mike and Garry.
(Photo - Jim Stacey)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Greg with his telescope set up for solar viewing.
(Photo - Jim Stacey)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Garry and Chris discussing astronomy.
(Photo - Greg Baggs)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Craig and Randy manning the RASC desk.
(Photo - Jim Stacey)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Chris and Robert discussing telescopes..
(Photo - Craig Peterman)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Craig pointing out features on the Moon.
(Photo - Randy Dodge)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Inside, Garry was maning the GeoCentre's Planetarium.
(Photo - Randy Dodge)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Part of a new RASC - GeoCentre partnered display, downstairs.
(Photo - Greg Baggs)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
The Ruth Northcott brass telescope donated by the RASC St. John's Centre.
(Photo - Greg Baggs)

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Today is also the 170th Global Star Party.

"International Astronomy Day, May 3rd, 2025"
Randy manned the St. John's RASC desk later in the evening
for our part of the 170th Global Star Party