Comments for

Comment on Web extras for Sky News column on the Bluewater Dark Sky Preserve by Theresia Farrall

Theresia Farrall — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:50:10 +0000

These are basic simple things to think about. Your camping equipment needs will vary depending on where you will be camping. Camping on the beach has different needs then camping in the mountains. You should always start your foray into camping small. Take a day trip somewhere close to your home. Check out the surroundings and the camp sites. Get an understanding of what the equipment needs will be.

Comment on Could this be the world’s first cross-border dark sky park? by Peter McMahon

Peter McMahon — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:03:36 +0000

Hi Vic; Technically, we’re both wrong, now that I look into it ; ) The world’s first cross-border dark sky park is technically Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and Dark Sky Preserve, on the borders of Alberta and Saskatchewan, designated nearly a decade ago in 2004 (if you’re counting borders of any kind, that is.) Back then, there really weren’t more than 5 or 6 DSPs in the world, and none were outside North America. While Waterton and Glacier could be the first North American dark sky area across the Canada/U.S. border, Izera Dark Sky Park is indeed the first dark sky park across two national borders! Peter

Comment on Could this be the world’s first cross-border dark sky park? by Vic

Vic — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:46:03 +0000

Q: Could this be the world’s first cross-border dark sky park?
A: It couldn’t
The first cross-border dark sky park is Izera Dark Sky Park in Europe.

Comment on Events by Peter McMahon

Peter McMahon — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:13:38 +0000

Hi Stephanie;

I usually run a week of astronomy camp as one of the Peterborough Museum & Archives’ day camps in July or August, though this is for ages 7-12 (the Museum has a summer volunteer program for teens 14-18 for which 2-5 participants end up helping with my program[s].)

If you have teenagers interested in astronomy and can’t make it to the area, I highly recommend getting involved with your local astronomy club or planetarium, as well as getting Star Walk (about $3) for the iPhone or iPad and the book Nightwatch by Canadian author Terence Dickinson. Though I’m biased in this as I write for it, I’d also recommend subscribing to Sky News: The Canadian Magazine of Astronomy & Stargazing.

Hope that helps!

Peter

Comment on Events by stephanie constant

stephanie constant — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:57:08 +0000

Do you have summer camps for teenagers in the summer?

Stephanie

Comment on Adjusting your telescope by Peter McMahon

Peter McMahon — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:54:27 +0000

Sure thing Maghil – I’ll try to put this in more sections of the site…It’s the eyepiece that determines a telescopes magnifying power: For high power (for viewing details on planets and the Moon, for e.g.) use the smallest size focal length (i.e. a 5 or 10 mm eyepiece). For low power (much more desirable for the bright, wide angle views it gives for large, faint deep space objects like galaxies and nebulas) use an eyepiece with a higher-number focal length (like 20, 30, or 40 mm.) If you just have the eyepieces your telescope came with, you most likely have a 10 mm eyepiece and a 20 or 25 mm eyepiece. Rule of thumb: use the 10 mm for planets and high-power views of the Moon, and use the 20 / 25 mm one for everything else.

Comment on Adjusting your telescope by maghil vannan

maghil vannan — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:58:20 +0000

give tips how to use magnifieng power

Comment on Starchart: First EVER overview of the “Canadian” constellations by Anthony Moffat

Anthony Moffat — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:27:39 +0000

As a retired (but still active) professional astronomer I welcome these initiatives to build bridges with our Native bretheren. I also enjoy giving talks to groups of interested people of all walks. My base is in Montreal in the cool season, Muskoka in the summer.

Comment on About by Science Writers Tour Windsor Essex | Canadian Science Writers' Association

Science Writers Tour Windsor Essex | Canadian Science Writers' Association — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:53:48 +0000

[...] transits the setting sun behind a windmill on the horizon near Lake Erie. Photo by Peter McMahon from Point Pelee National Park, [...]

Comment on Best eclipse for 12 years in North America! by dan

dan — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:15:54 +0000

here are a few shot’s from st.catharines, ontario, canada…

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150809590271607.390707.579036606&type=1

cheers,
Dan