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Location: Chemistry/Physics Building, MUN
Time: 8:00 pm
Present: 27
1. Randy's Introduction. Randy noted the presentation will be on our web site, and showed us how to access our site.
2. Observing. Ben notes Jupiter and Saturn are visible. Randy noted he missed the eclipse down under. Dr. Glynn was with the Halifax Centre around Halloween time, and together with Dr. Bishop managed to see Uranus and Neptune for the first time. Fred has been imitating the early bird, looking for Mars and Venus in the early dawn. Malcolm Simpson managed to find Venus in the daylight when it was 15 degrees from the moon.
3. Universe Centre presentation. Fred introduced this with a "State of the Universe" talk, describing the overall plan, sources of funding, including tourist potential, and the state of our Committee and applications for funding. Bill McCallum, our architect, was then introduced to give his presentation on the architecture of the site. This presentation (minus the film) will be found on our web site. Two scale models (done by Amelia Hollingshurst) were also on display, one at 1:200 and the other at 1:1000 scale. The team on the site design consisted of Bill and two students: Alex Kane and Amelia Hollingshurst. Bill went over the building concepts. Something new was the possibility of two options for the dome. One is slightly larger, with two sets of stairs (concentric stairwells separated by a fire wall), with an outdoor balcony. The smaller dome would have one set of stairs, and no balcony. Also, there is an ingenious entrance/seating arrangement for the planetarium dome.
The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (1914) has presented us with a pile of interpretation programs and other goodies. Bill hopes our site will outdo theirs in this regard. Bill showed a video of his trip to the DAO, focusing on the outside, the dome, and their displays. After the video there was a question and answer session.
4. Gary Case. Gary notes there is a neat interactive planetarium at http://www.skyandtelescope.com . Unfortunately, he couldn't show us due to technical problems with the Mac. Gary talked a bit about the planets and the Geminid shower, which promises some slower, longer-lasting meteor trails than the Leonids, though a smaller number of meteors. He also suggested we should try to revive the Observing Group, and get together for regular meetings, beginning with some planning discussions.
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