Cloud Cover For The Evening

Due to the weather, the club will not be meeting tonight. Possibly tomorrow if weather permits.

CNSO on YouTube & Twitter

A video of the newly donated Dobsonian telescope can be seen at the Club YouTube channel. Search and subscribe to ChwkNghtSkyObs. There is currently only two videos at the moment, but there are other handy channels linked to ours. Check it out.

We can also be found at @chwknightsky on Twitter if you use that as your main account.

9.25 Inch Dobsonian Telescope Donated!!

The Chilliwack Night Sky Observers would like to welcome two new menmbers, Paul Greenhalgh and Ben Rankin. Coincidentaly, Paul is the President of The Fraser Valley Astronomers Society of Abbottsford who through the generosity of Paul's club, donated a 9.25 inch Dobsonian telescope to The Chilliwack Night Sky Observers. It does need just a little TLC to get it in optimum working condition, but this is minor. So, our club now has it's own scope for all to use. Thanks again, Paul.

Cancled Club Debut

To my dismay, I will have to cancel tonight's club debut. Unfortunately Shaw was not able to attend either. I will have to put some thought into when the best date will be for our attempt at our next debut. As always, watch the Facebook page and the Club Blog.
You can also observe the weather reports here:

http://cleardarksky.com/c/McDnldPkBCkey.html?1

and here:

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/satellite/animateweb_e.html?imagetype=satellite&imagename=goes_wcan_vvi_m_..................jpg&nbimages=1&clf=1

I have been tossing around the idea of doing a beginners astronomy class and possibly a astrophotography and planetary imaging course. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Losing Faith in the Weather

Well, I definitely am losing faith in the weather forecasts. Unfortunately I was under the impression that it was going to be partly cloudy last night, so I figured it wouldn't be a good night out for the club. I was wrong. The sky was exquisitely clear. The cold breeze died off around 11pm, but by then it was a little too late to go set up. So, I have decided that due to last nights failure to accurately predict the weather, for future club gatherings, I highly recommend checking the Facebook page or the club blog to get the latest update on when a night at the observing site is going to happen or not happen.
The latest update is that Shaw will not be available to film any video due to a higher priority commitment. They have given advance notice for the June 5th transit of Venus.
So at this moment in time, the forecast is not looking so hot, so an update as to the debut night happening will be posted by 6pm.

Spring Time Debut Night

So far the weather report looks promising for the Spring Debut Night for our little club meet on the 21st. On the evening of the 21st, the Lyrid meteor shower should offer up a great view. Venus and Jupiter will be visible for a time after sunset and Mars will shine brighly as evening sets in. Saturn will make a stunning target with the rings tilted an easily visible 17 degrees. For those who may be able to make it to the wee morning hours, Mercury will rise just before sunrise on the 22nd.

The 21st is also International Earth Day. I hope a large number of people take part by unplugging or turning off any uneccessary electronics to help in reducing their carbon footprint. Plus it wouldn't hurt to turn off any excessive outdoor lighting to help return our dark night skies.

Hope to see many of you there.

Second Successful Club Get-Together !!

Second Night Out A Stellar Success

Another spectacular evening under the stars last night. With 13 people in attendance, it's our largest gathering so far. Seven of those who attended, were first timers.  Views of Mars, Venus, Saturn and the Moon were a few of the glamorous objects viewed last night. Even a few meteors were seen. 

The night wasn't without it's hiccups. I had hoped to have a camera ready to capture images that would display on a computer, but I was still a little rusty having it ready.... Next time.

With numbers increasing, I am hoping that it will be a continuing trend as summer and warmer weather approach.

Keep watching the skies!

Club Night at the Observing Site !!

After  few weeks of almost horrible weather, it appears that the skies should be beautifuly clear tonight for observing. However, on the down side with a plus, the moon reached fullness yesterday which will prevent observation of many of the wonderful, faint objects that are such a joy to observe. On the plus side, with the full moon in the sky all night, it provides ample time to really scrutinize the closest neighbor to earth.
Venus will be visible for about a couple hours after sunset, presenting a 1/4 phase similar to our moon.

Venus as it would appear at high magnification

Mars reaches it's highest point in the sky this evening at just after 8:30 pm appearing about 11 arc seconds in diameter.



Mars as it would appear at high magnification

Saturn reaches it's highest point near midnight showing it's rings tilted and possibly the beginning of a shadow from the planet on the rings. 

Saturn as it would appear at high magnification with rings tilted.

So with the weather improving, I invite members and non-members to attend tonight at the Unsworth Observing Site. Dress warm though, since with little cloud cover, the temperature may drop quite low after dark. See you there !