1960’s Star Trek could only imagine the power we wield today with our smart phones and the amount of information available at our fingertips. I’m never far from my phone, dawning it from my pocket whenever I need a bit of information or to access some tool for a task at hand. Somewhat akin to Mr. Spock’s tricorder, using astronomy apps I can point my phone at the cosmos and see what star is in view, when the International Space Station will cross the sky or predict upcoming aurora. Here is a list of some of the apps I use and while I’ll be focusing on iOS apps, many of these or similar are also available for Android and other platforms.

Be it under a night sky or riding the train home from work, Aurora Forecast provides up-coming aurora predictions and includes a 3D view of the Earth showing exactly where the aurora is presently visible. Added details such as solar wind speed and density help provide a complete picture which can be fascinating on its own even if the aurora is not visible.

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I just wanted to offer congratulations to a few members for a great job well done.

I have really enjoyed Bruce Pawlett’s recent articles in the newsletter. Having submitted now for three months in a row he is at risk of becoming a regular feature in the Event Horizon! His topics have been diverse, and I enjoyed all his work and look forward to more in the future. Well done, and thanks Bruce!

Our own webmaster, David T., is also our calendar editor this year, and although the calendar is advertised right here on our website, there is little mention of a great newspaper article that featured the calendar and its editor. David did put a link to the article below the notice (look a few blog posts below this one), but was clearly too modest to say more, and although it was briefly refered to in the newsletter, there was no information on the article, name or link provided. I say well done David and very glad to see some well deserved recognition! The calendar is hard work (I know!) and David did a great job this year. And, as you can see by heading to the following website to see the article, it was picked up by a number of newspapers, including the Hamilton Spectator. http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6202926-hamilton-amateur-astronomer-calendar-tells-you-when-to-watch-the-night-skies/

Finally, although certainly not deserving of last place, a personal nod to Alex Tekatch for creating a cartoon for the newsletter each and every month for over 6 straight years now! Aside from being one of my favourite features in the newsletter, Alex has quietly become perhaps out longest running contributor! Well done Alex! I enjoy the Cartoon Corner each and every month!

The January issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month
• Chair’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report
• Upcoming McCallion Planetarium Shows
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Andromeda Galaxy by Peter Wolsley

The December issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• November Letter From B.A.S.E.F.
• Eyepiece Review
• The Sky This Month
• NASA’s Space Place
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: The Pleiades (M45), by Janice Mannering.

General Meeting for December 11, 2015 @ 7:30pm

Imagine if you will… you have been enjoying a crisp clear night with all of nature’s glory before you for a couple hours. Orion’s nebula semmingly coming alive in the night sky. That comet is glowing brighter than advertised, it seems that indeed the universe is unfolding as it should. You feel a chill as the breeze gains a little character, you go to get your sweater out of the car and… it’s LOCKED and the key is in the ignition! Now you are 10 miles from anywhere and it is suddenly colder…

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Hot off the press, the 2016 Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Celestial Calendar is now available!

Calendars can be purchased at any club event or general meeting for $15 each or two for $25.

Packed full of beautiful astro-photos from club members, each month will inspire your own astrophotography or visual observing sessions. Each month also includes upcoming celestial events so you can stay up-to-date on great sky events. Any revenue generated from sales goes back into the club to help support club activities.

Be sure to grab your calendar or pick-up a few as gifts before supply runs out.

Recognition:

• “Features astrophotography by members of the not-for-profit club” ~ Hamilton Community News
• “Hamilton Amateur Astronomers’ calendar tells you when to watch the night skies” ~ Hamilton Spectator

The November issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• The 2016 HAA Celestial Events Calendar
• The Sky This Month
• Treasurer’s Report
• The Wave – It is not over until it’s over!
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Bob Christmas, Polaris and Comet C/2014 S2 PanSTARR

Testing Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (Gravity)

Peter Sutherland began his 37-year career at Mac in 1976 when the Physics Department was given permission to hire two astronomers/astrophysicists. He was hired along with Bill Harris, an observational astronomer and world expert on globular clusters. Peter is a theoretical astrophysicist, and much of his research has been concerned with neutron stars, pulsars, supernovae, and X-ray binary systems. Peter retired in 2013 but still teaches the occasional course in  physics. While he enjoyed teaching and research, he was also happy to serve in a wide range of administrative capacities – Chair, Dean, and (twice) President of the McMaster University Faculty Association. He has diverse musical and reading tastes. An avid cyclist and outdoors-man, he takes regular canoe trips with his wife and also with his best friend. In May this year he was part of a small group that went trekking in Nepal, around Annapurna. He is especially proud of his three children, the youngest of whom is currently an MA student at Mac and a water polo player.
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The October issue of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Event Horizon newsletter is now available.

In this issue you’ll find…

• The Sky This Month
• Treasurer’s Report
• Astronomy Crossword
• Cartoon Corner
• Upcoming Events
• Plus Much More!

Download your copy from the newsletters section.

Photo credit: Ann Tekatch, Lunar Eclipse

The Astronomical Experience

From the earliest days of the first hominids and through the epochs into the 21st century, mankind has held a deep fascination with the night sky. In today’s technological society, massive mountaintop observatories and high-tech space telescopes are at the forefront of astronomical research, but an ever-growing group of individuals continue to peer up from dark fields, secluded parks and their own backyards in the quest to explore and understand the universe. From varied backgrounds, cultures and professions, amateur astronomers are united in their curiosity and desire to wonder at the beauty of the heavens above, and to find our true place in the cosmos.

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