Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) is a national, non-profit, charitable organization devoted to the advancement of astronomy
and related sciences. At present, there are 29 local branches of the Society, called centres, located in towns and cities across the country from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia
. There are about 4200 members from coast to coast to coast, and internationally. The membership is composed primarily of amateurs and also includes numerous professional astronomers and astronomy educators. The RASC is the Canadian
equivalent of the British Astronomical Association
.
where in 1868 a group of friends began meeting as part of the "Toronto Astronomical Club". The club was formally incorporated as "The Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto" in 1890, and this is considered the founding date of the Society. The club grew over time, and by 1900, surrounding communities were affiliated with the group. On March 3rd, 1903 the club was renamed to the "Royal Astronomical Society of Canada" after petitioning King Edward VII to use the prefix "Royal" in the group's name. At the time it had 120 members. In the more than a century since its formal incorporation, the RASC has expanded across Canada with Centres in 29 cities, reaching every province of Canada.
Executive
Past Presidents
Appointed Officers
Staff (Non-voting)
Standing Committee Chairs
Special Committee Chairs
and are governed by the bylaws of the Society.
.
Current Honorary President Dr. James (Jim) Hesser (2009-2013)
The Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
at the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
in Victoria, British Columbia
. Jim led the Canadian team of amateur and professional astronomers and educators that made International Year of Astronomy so successful.
, many centres were instrumental in organizing events of educational astronomy outreach for their local communities. The RASC's Light Pollution Abatement Committee also administrates Canada's Dark-sky preserve program, working with provincial and national parks to create management agreements to preserve the darkness of the nighttime sky.
.
The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
(ISSN 0035-872X) (bib. code - JRASC), continuously published since 1907, is a bi-monthly periodical that features articles about Canadian astronomers, activities of the RASC and its Centres, and peer-reviewed research papers.
The Observer's Calendar (ISBN 978-0-9813292-4-6) features photos of an astronomical subject taken by amateur astronomers using CCD and other camera equipment on amateur instruments. Each photograph is given an informative caption along with comprehensive astronomical data for dates throughout each month.
The Beginner's Observing Guide; An Introduction to the Night Sky for the Novice Stargazer (ISBN 0-9689141-5-2) is an indepth guide for beginning astronomers and features a look at the sky using modest telescopes, binoculars and the naked eye. Six bi-month foldout constellation maps are featured.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and related sciences. At present, there are 29 local branches of the Society, called centres, located in towns and cities across the country from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. There are about 4200 members from coast to coast to coast, and internationally. The membership is composed primarily of amateurs and also includes numerous professional astronomers and astronomy educators. The RASC is the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
equivalent of the British Astronomical Association
British Astronomical Association
The British Astronomical Association is the senior national association of amateur astronomers in the UK.-Function:It encourages observational astronomy by non-professionals in areas which cannot be covered by professional observatories...
.
History
The RASC has its original roots in Toronto, Ontario, CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where in 1868 a group of friends began meeting as part of the "Toronto Astronomical Club". The club was formally incorporated as "The Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto" in 1890, and this is considered the founding date of the Society. The club grew over time, and by 1900, surrounding communities were affiliated with the group. On March 3rd, 1903 the club was renamed to the "Royal Astronomical Society of Canada" after petitioning King Edward VII to use the prefix "Royal" in the group's name. At the time it had 120 members. In the more than a century since its formal incorporation, the RASC has expanded across Canada with Centres in 29 cities, reaching every province of Canada.
Mandate
The RASC mandate is five-fold:- to stimulate interest and to promote and increase knowledge in astronomy and related sciences;
- to acquire and maintain equipment, libraries and other property necessary for the pursuit of its aims;
- to publish journals, books and other material containing information on the progress of astronomy and the work of the Society;
- to receive and administer gifts, donations and bequests from members of the Society and others;
- to make contributions and render assistance to individuals and institutions engaged in the study and advancement of astronomy.
National Office
The national office of the Society in Toronto employs three staff. Executive Director Deborah Thompson, National Office Administrator (vacant), and Membership and Publications Coordinator Irina Mosquera.National Council
Honorary President- Non-voting member of Council
Executive
- President (2 year term)
- 1st Vice-President (2 year term, Chair of Publications Committee and member of Constitution Committee)
- 2nd Vice-President (2 year term, member of Finance Committee)
- Treasurer (3 year term, Chair of Finance Committee)
- National Secretary (3 year term)
- Executive Director (Appointed - non-voting)
Past Presidents
- Immediate two Past Presidents
Appointed Officers
- Observer's Handbook Editor (5 year term)
- Recorder (up to 3 years)
- Journal Editor (5 year term)
Staff (Non-voting)
- National Office Manager
Standing Committee Chairs
- Awards (Past President)
- Constitution
- Education
- Executive (See above)
- Finance (Treasurer)
- History
- Membership and Promotion
- Nominating (One Past President)
- Observing
- Publications (1st V-P)
Special Committee Chairs
- Green Laser Pointer
- Information Technology
- Light-Pollution Abatement
Conduction of Business
The RASC conducts business between the National Council representatives and the Centres in four quarterly meetings. At a meeting, each Centre is represented by one or more voting members. The annual general meetings is traditionally held on the May or July long weekend, and is called the General Assembly (GA). The GA is hosted by one of the Centres, with annual meetings usually altering between eastern and western Canada. Meetings follow Robert's Rules of OrderRobert's Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order is the short title of a book containing rules of order intended to be adopted as a parliamentary authority for use by a deliberative assembly written by Brig. Gen...
and are governed by the bylaws of the Society.
Members of Note
The RASC has many prestigious and well known members. Some are well known for their accomplishments, and others for their recognition with the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.
Current Honorary President Dr. James (Jim) Hesser (2009-2013)
The Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, in Saanich, British Columbia, was completed in 1918 by the Canadian government. Proposed and designed by John S...
at the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
The NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics is the leading Canadian centre for astronomy and astrophysics.Named for the Nobel laureate Gerhard Herzberg, it was formed in 1975 as part of the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario...
in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. Jim led the Canadian team of amateur and professional astronomers and educators that made International Year of Astronomy so successful.
Centres
Each of the centres of the Society conduct a variety of activities of interest to its members and to the public. At regular meetings, well-known professional and amateur astronomers give lectures on a variety of topics of current interest. In addition, there are study and special-interest groups. Most centres publish their own newsletters and hold their own group-observing events. Some members take part in regular observations of variable stars, lunar occultations, sunspots, meteors, comets and other phenomena; others develop special skills such as astroimaging at workshops.Outreach
Most centres have public education programs, including special outreach star nights when the public is given an opportunity to look through a telescope courtesy of a RASC volunteer. In 2009, the International Year of AstronomyInternational Year of Astronomy
The International Year of Astronomy was a year-long celebration of astronomy that took place in 2009 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei and the publication of Johannes Kepler's Astronomia nova in the 17th century...
, many centres were instrumental in organizing events of educational astronomy outreach for their local communities. The RASC's Light Pollution Abatement Committee also administrates Canada's Dark-sky preserve program, working with provincial and national parks to create management agreements to preserve the darkness of the nighttime sky.
Resources
Many centres have observing equipment, libraries, and observing locations. For example, the Victoria centre has telescopes and a large library of books and periodicals available to members in good standing. Additionally the Victoria centre built and operates the "RASC Victoria Centre Observatory (RASC VCO)" which is located at the Dominion Astrophysical ObservatoryDominion Astrophysical Observatory
The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, in Saanich, British Columbia, was completed in 1918 by the Canadian government. Proposed and designed by John S...
.
Publications and Awards
The RASC publishes a number of books and periodicals, and issues awards to recognize accomplishments in astronomy and outreach activities.Recurring Publications
The Observer's Handbook (ISBN 978-0-0913292-1-5) can be found in observatory control rooms and astronomers' reference shelves worldwide. The 360-page handbook contains detailed information about upcoming astronomical events and is an in-depth reference of significant astronomical data such as observing techniques, physical constants, and optical properties of telescopes. The 100th edition was published in 2008.The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is a bimonthly peer reviewed scientific journal published by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada since 1907. The title in French is Journal de la Société royale d'astronomie du Canada. The founding editor was Clarence Chant...
(ISSN 0035-872X) (bib. code - JRASC), continuously published since 1907, is a bi-monthly periodical that features articles about Canadian astronomers, activities of the RASC and its Centres, and peer-reviewed research papers.
The Observer's Calendar (ISBN 978-0-9813292-4-6) features photos of an astronomical subject taken by amateur astronomers using CCD and other camera equipment on amateur instruments. Each photograph is given an informative caption along with comprehensive astronomical data for dates throughout each month.
The Beginner's Observing Guide; An Introduction to the Night Sky for the Novice Stargazer (ISBN 0-9689141-5-2) is an indepth guide for beginning astronomers and features a look at the sky using modest telescopes, binoculars and the naked eye. Six bi-month foldout constellation maps are featured.