Invitation for Students for Lunch Sunday Feb. 25, 2024 at Cephas Christian Reformed Church, 220 Goodfellow Rd., Peterborough ON. For more information contact 705 743-4904, email office@cephascrc.ca or visit our website at https://cephascrc.ca/.

The Outreach Team is hosting a free lunch of soup, chili and buns for college and university students after church on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024.  Church starts at 10:00 a.m. and lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. A time for board games will follow if you can stay. 

The Monthly Meeting of the Peterborough Astronomical Association's (PAA) will take place February 2nd as a “Hybrid Meeting”, both online and at our traditional physical location of the Rotary Education Centre/Guest Services Building, Riverview Park Zoo. Even these troubled times cannot stop the spread of information and knowledge by the members of the PAA. Our work around involves using a Zoom platform. To participate via Zoom, just make sure that in advance, you opened a (free) Zoom account on whatever iphone or tablet or device you wish to participate with and then contact  https://www.peterboroughastronomy.com/zoom_register.php for the password and link to our evenings classes and presentations.  If you wish to participate in person you are welcome to do so at the Zoo.

Our “Novice Astronomy Classes” are focused on the practical aspects of learning about astronomy. You will be introduced to astronomy related subjects at a very basic level, but in a logical sequence.  This month's session is a continuation of our Astronomy Class Series, Lesson 20 in the series, “Space Exploration – Part 2 (Present & Future)”. In this month’s Novice Astronomy Class we continue our examination of space exploration with part two on this topic.  This month we will focus on current and future missions.  These are exciting times for space enthusiasts.  A vast number of spacecraft are interrogating our solar system and beyond, with many others in the planning stages.  And the number of countries investing in space exploration is larger than ever before.  There is a new space race unfolding.  Countries around the globe recognize the importance of space exploration and are eager to contribute to our understanding of the Universe and benefit from the technological and financial spinoffs.  

Private sector companies understand that our future lies in space and are changing the landscape, democratizing space exploration.   Unconstrained by shifting political ideology, these ambitious companies have bold plans for the future.  Strap in and plan to join us for a look at contemporary and future space exploration.  

In the interactive hands-on portion of this class we will look at how it is impossible to stand still.  With the help of our familiar props and audience participation, you will gain an appreciation and understanding of our dynamic world. 

If you are even remotely interested, be on-line by 6:00 p.m. to see what you can learn about the Universe around you. The classes will run about 45 minutes each session, before our regular meeting resumes. There’s no obligation to stay for the meeting that follows, but you are more than welcome to if you wish.

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. we will have our Publicity Director, Rick Stankiewicz, for our main presentation to do a talk on the ”An Eclipse Chasers Dream – The Annular Eclipse of Oct. 14th, 2023”.  You don’t want to miss this presentation of Rick’s adventure to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to see last October’s annular eclipse of the Sun. Tune in to see why this trip was a dream solar eclipse trip for Rick and all the adventures that he packed into his five day trip to the U.S. Southwest. This presentation will have a question period to follow. Be here and find out what you might have missed last October, it might help you prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse this coming April 8th (2024).

Why not check this out? You don’t need to be a member to see this presentation. The price is right…it costs you nothing but your time.  

The Sky This Month will be posted on our club website for all to access.

There will also be the usual opportunities to have your questions answered, at no charge. All we ask is that you either come and see us in person at the Zoo or register in advance at https://www.peterboroughastronomy.com/zoom_register.php. This is an all ages meeting and  the venue is totally barrier free at the Zoo or just relax at home and “live and learn” as they say. Also, you don’t need a telescope to participate, but a curious mind helps.