All our meetings are free and open to the general public, so come on out and enjoy!
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Observing Special Event!
Asteroidal Occultation by Asteroid Nike (307) of the star TYC 0642-01123-1

UT Time: 01:54:05 Tuesday 2014 March 04 (subtract 5 hours for EST)
Local EST: 20:54

Location: Areas north of Kingston to Perth
Star Magnitude 9.7, max duration 1.7 seconds.

Approx Alt/Az: 262deg/20deg

For more info see:
http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/2014_03/0304_307_33560.htm

Kingston Astronomy Outreach Network (KAON)
Public Observing night at the
Queen's University Ellis Hall Observatory.

Speaker: Mr. Nathan Deg (Queen's University)
Title: Why We Think Dark Matter Exists

Talk Begins at 7:35 p.m. in Ellis Hall Auditorium

If the skies are clear and the temperatures not too cold, there will be telescopes on the Observing Deck with members of the RASC-Kingston Centre.

Regular Meeting

Guest Speaker: Dr. John Percy (Professor Emeritus: Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Toronto)

Understanding Variable Stars:
How the AAVSO -- and You -- Can Help

Location: Ellis Hall Room 324, University Avenue,
Queen's University Kingston Ontario.

Abstract: Variable stars are stars which change in brightness; they are "action in the sky". They provide important and unique information about the nature and evolution of the stars. Some flare, some erupt, and a few self-destruct as supernovas. Many (including the sun) pulsate, and the pulsations can provide a "CT scan" of the inside of the star, or direct evidence of the star's evolution. About half of all stars are binary stars, and some of these vary by eclipsing each other. In the last decade, thousands of stars have been found to vary because a planet -- called an exoplanet -- passes between us and the star. Variable stars are thus revealing the first earth-like planets outside the solar system. I will review the different kinds of variable stars, and how they are studied. I will describe some of the ways that amateur astronomers can help, especially through the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) I will describe some of my current research projects, most of which are carried out by keen undergraduate students, using AAVSO data.

Observing Special Event!
Asteroidal Occultation by Asteroid Erigone (163) of the star Regulus

Location: Most areas within 35km of Kingston,
from your own home if you can.

Time: 06:07UT Thursday 2014 March 20 (subtract 4 hours for EDT)
Star Magnitude 1.3, max duration 14.3 seconds.

We do not have a *formal* coordinated plan to observe this event, but encourage members and others to observe if at all possible and send us a copy of any results/data you may collect. Of extreme importance is: your exact location (GPS preferred); the exact time (shortwave WWV or CHU recorded in background with your voiceover of OFF! ON! preferred); and the duration of the event. Also of import is negative data (i.e. Regulus did not dim down) with your observings times and location.
We will present findings at the May regular meeting.

• asteroidoccultation.com/2014_03/0320_163_32317.htm
• Some Resources on the occultation

Earth Hour

2014
Frontenac, Lennox and Addington
Science Fair

McArthur Hall Auditorium, Queen's University in Kingston
Visit the FLASF website for more info.

Regular Meeting, SPECIAL location

Details: TBA

Location: our regular room at Queen's University is unavailable due to final exams and a lack of available rooms.

Observing Special Event!
Total Lunar Eclipse

More information from USNO upcoming eclipse page.

Astronomy Week

This week-long celebration culminates on Saturday, May 10th, which is International Astronomy Day.

Regular Meeting

Speaker: RASC Archivist Randall Rosenfeld.
Topic: TBA