1960s

Kingston Centre Annual Reports

These are the collected annual reports of the Kingston Centre as published in the RASC's Annual Report.

1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969

Kingston Centre Report 1962

In January, a group of interested students met with Dr. A. Vibert Douglas and Dr. G. A. Harrower of Queen's University to discuss the possibility of forming an astronomy club which would give them access to the instruments in the Queen's Observatory. Before the end of the spring term, an Executive had been elected and a Constitution drawn up. The application to form a Kingston Centre of the R.A.S.C. was approved by the National Council at its June meeting.

In September, meetings were organized on a bi-weekly basis. Programmes have included slides taken by Dr. Harrower of the Mount Wilson and Palomar Observatories, the film "Universe", two films from the Society's Library, and a discussion by Dr. Harrower on "Sidereal Time and the Use of the Telescope." Several meetings have included observing sessions.

More recently the following sections were organized: Lunar, Planet, Comets and Nova. during the winter, the Centre plans to complete a six-inch reflector for its own use.

There are approximately twenty active members in the Centre.

A. Rothwell, Secretary

Kingston Centre Report 1963

The Kingston Centre is attempting to build up a stable membership. In the autumn of 1961 we had 23 members; in the autumn of 1962 we had, however, only 7 members.

Meetings were held at Queen's University Observatory. Dr. Peter M. Millman and Miss Ruth J. Northcott gave illustrated addresses and Dr. A. V. Douglas demonstrated a series of moving coloured slides of the solar system which were made in England in 1860. Other meetings were conducted by the members who have organized a telescope-making group. The 15-inch reflecting telescope at Queen's University Observatory has been frequently available along with several smaller instruments. Systematic observation has been hampered by poor weather.

P. A. Jolliffe, Secretary

Kingston Centre Report 1964

During the year, meetings have been held in the Observatory at Queen's University. Lectures have included the following:

February 27 - P. A. Jolliffe: "Associations of Stars."
October 27 - R. Flynn Marr: "The 15-inch Telescope at Queen's."
November 7 - R. C. Roeder, Ph.D.: "Cosmology."

In addition, star nights have been held every two weeks except during the summer months.

Plans have been made to renovate the Springfield Telescope owned by this Centre and install it near the Observatory dome. The main telescope of the Observatory has been made available for frequent use by authorized members of the Centre. The present membership of the Centre is 16.

Peter Jolliffe, Secretary

Kingston Centre Report 1965

Since our membership is made up entirely of university students who have very little time, the main function of our Centre is to privde an opportunity for informal discussion on astronomical topics among these members. With limited free time, projects such as telescopes making and prolonged observational programmes are not practical. However, we have trained ten new members in the use of the Queen's University telescope (a 15-inch reflector) and, having all passed their tests, they are allowed to use the instrument whenever they have a free evening for telescope observation. Apart from this, various films on astronomy have been shown in our bi-weekly meetings, among which were the series of "Bell Telephone Hour" films, including "Cosmic Rays" and "The Sun."

For the next few weeks we have planned gas and ruby laser demonstrations together with the presentation of a number of films on astronomy during "The Engineering Hour" to a large number of engineering students at Queen's from all years.

Gary Rathwell, Secretary

Kingston Centre Report 1966

Our membership is made up principally of university students who have very little time, therefore the main function of our Centre is to provide an opportunity for informal discussion on astronomical topics among its members. With limited time, projects such as telescope making and prolonged observational programmes are not practical. However, we have "checked out" most of our members ont he university's 15 inch reflector, which they are allowed to use. This year, our president has been able to obtain for us some particularly interesting films, which we have shown at meetings.

Gary Rathwell, Secretary

Kingston Centre Report 1967

No report.

Kingston Centre Report 1968

No report.

Kingston Centre Report 1969

No report.