Join us on January 10^th 2020 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

On Friday January 10th we will enjoy our first meeting of 2020!  In the wake of the gift giving season there are surely many new astro toys out there.  At our meeting we have several members bringing in new gear to show, and tales to tell why they are so enthused about their new acquisitions.

All members are invited to participate.  If you would like to share a story about a piece of equipment, new or old, large or small, please get in touch.  Telescopes, eyepieces, books, accessories and anything astro related is welcome.  It’s all good!  And the more participants we have the better!

Each member need only spend a couple of minutes sharing their story about their item.  To be part of this fun evening and get in the lineup just get in touch with our Chair John Gauvreau via email at “chair ‘at’ amateurastronomy.org”

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month for January 2020
• A Night Under The Stars – Finally!
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• Upcoming McCallion Planetarium Shows
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: M42 the Orion Nebula, and the Running Man Nebula, by Mike Hamilton. 

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• The 2019 Christmas Social
• November Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• The Sky This Month for December 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• 2018-2019 Financial Statements
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: Galaxy NGC 891 in Andromeda, by Matthew Mannering

Join us on December 13^th  2019 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

HAA welcomes our very own Kevin Salwach as our guest speaker for our final meeting of 2019. There are also some 2020 calendars available so grab yours now as they also make a great stocking stuffer!

It is perhaps one of the most well known Biblical narratives. A dazzling star shining in the east, guiding the Magi towards the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It has become a centrepiece of the Nativity story, and a staple of Christmas lore. Surprisingly however, there is very little discussion of the Star of Bethlehem in the Gospels, and it’s true nature has been the topic of debate for centuries. Kevin will be discussing the many theories put forth over the years to scientifically explain what exactly the Three Wise Men were following towards Jesus’ manger two millenia ago, and whether the Star of Bethlehem was simply an astronomical phenomenon, or a miraculous sign from above in this Christmas themed talk at our December meeting.

Join us this Friday November 15 at the Hamilton Spectator building for our Fall Scope Clinic and Workshop. It will be an evening to show off your astronomy gear (or tips on fixing it) and to listen to some very informative speakers on a wide array of topics and answer all of your questions.

Some of the topics to be covered include Planispheres, the beginning astronomer, telescope expectations and much more.

The scope clinic will run from 6:00 -7:30 PM, with the workshops starting immediately after at 7:30 – 9:30.

Admission is free so bring your family and friends!

Location:
Hamilton Spectator Building
44 Frid St, Hamilton

When:
Friday, November 15th, 6:00 – 10:00pm

Food Share Donations:
Donations of non-perishable food for the Hamilton Food Share program will be collected at this meeting. Please drop off any items at the drop-box located near the entrance of the auditorium. All donations gratefully accepted and thanks to your generosity we’ve collected thousands of pounds of food since we began. Let’s keep up the great work as the need continues.

Photo credit: John Gauvreau

The Hamilton Amateur Astronomers 2020 Celestial Events Calendar is now available and it’s out of this world!

It will be available for purchase at this Friday’s meeting.  The cost is only $15 or 2 calendars for $25. It’s loaded with beautiful astrophotos from our very own members and lots of great observing info.

The calendar makes a beautiful gift and all the proceeds go back into the club to help with activities like the telescope loaner program, public observing programs and our monthly lecture series.  

So be sure to pick up your copy on Friday as they go very quickly!

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• October Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• The Sky for November 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• A “Head-Up”: Upcoming and Online Shows
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), by Christopher Strejch

Join us on November 8^th  2019 at 7:30pm – Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

HAA welcomes Trevor Jones as our guest speaker for our first meeting at McMaster Innovation Park, our new home.

Trevor Jones is the creator of AstroBackyard, a popular astrophotography website and YouTube Channel. From his light polluted backyard in St. Catharines, Ontario, he captures deep sky objects using a variety of camera and telescope equipment. Trevor brings his YouTube audience along for the ride, through every mistake, triumph, and especially run-ins with his black lab mix, Rudy. 

General Meeting for October 11th 2019.

Join us this Friday for our annual general meeting, in which we hold elections for the next year’s council, hear what everyone has been up to and generally take care of business.

But that’s not all! It’s also game night; get ready for Messier Bingo! Grab your bingo sheet as you come in the door and be ready with your Messier objects trivia.

Optics expert Barry Sherman will be showing us his newest (in a long line) of telescopes.

Bob Christmas will once again share his vast knowledge of the sky with an installment of The Sky This Month which you won’t want to miss!

Place and Time

We’ll be meeting at The Hamilton Spectator Building located at 44 Frid St, near the junction of Highway 403 and Main St West in Hamilton for one last time. Starting time is at 7:30pm. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

Door Prizes

There will be a draw for door prizes at the meeting and a free door prize ticket to all who arrive before the 7:30 start time!

Food Share Donations

Donations of non-perishable food for the Hamilton Food Share program will be collected at this meeting. Please drop off any items at the drop-box located near the entrance of the auditorium. All donations gratefully accepted and thanks to your generosity we’ve collected thousands of pounds of food since we began. Let’s keep up the great work as the need continues.

Photo credit: National Science Foundation

The latest issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available for download!

In this issue you’ll find…

• April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Planning
• September Astrophysics Group Meeting Summary
• Report from the 2019 Black Forest Star Party
• The Sky for October 2019
• NASA Night Sky Notes
• Eye Candy
• Upcoming Events
• Plus More

Download the latest issue or visit the newsletters section for past issues.

Photo credit: The Milky Way from Binbrook, by Ann Tekatch